'You don't have to go all the way to Africa for views like this'

Sliding open my balcony door, morning coffee in hand, I'm greeted by the sight of two zebras loping along the treeline in the distance, and the horns of an antelope foraging in the grass just a stone's throw away. I swear I can hear a lion roar somewhere behind me, too. 

It sounds like I'm on safari somewhere deep in Africa, on the kind of bucket-list trip that many of us dream about. 

But in reality, I'm about an hour outside of Adelaide. 

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Monarto Safari Resort opened its doors just over a month ago, giving guests the chance to get up close and personal with some of Africa's most iconic animals without leaving home. 

A short drive from Adelaide's CBD, just over the hills, many of the resort's rooms and suites overlook the Monarto Safari Park, the largest safari experience outside of Africa.

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Rooms with views of the watering hole - like mine - directly overlook the Wild Africa enclosure, home to dozens of animals that you may spot congregating around the pool for a drink.

But it's the dawn safari where I really get to experience the call of the wild.

A small safari truck takes us through the expansive enclosures, where we spot rhinos, zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, eland, ostriches, hippos and more.

And these aren't just glimpses through the trees. Giraffes stalked by in search of food within 50 metres of our truck, zebras came so close that I had to switch off my camera's zoom, and blackbuck stood so close I could hear their teeth munching the grass.

At one point, two female rhinos ventured so close to us (with the male in hot pursuit), that our guide had to drive us away to safety.

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It truly does feel like you're on safari in Africa - if you can ignore the kangaroos bounding through the grass, that is.

"There's no doubt that this will become one of the most iconic travel experiences in Australia," Chris Tallent, CEO of Journey Beyond, the tourism group which manages the resort, told a crowd gathered at the official opening event.

And I can't help but agree.

While anyone can visit the Monarto Safari Park, guests of the resort have exclusive access to the intimate dawn and sunset guided game drives in custom vehicles. The sundowner drinks overlooking the free-roaming animals is also a highlight you get when spending the night.

With two pools overlooking the animals, plus a day spa, restaurant, and two bars, it's an immersive spot for a domestic holiday, though it feels miles away from the Aussie holidays I'm used to.

The resort plans to open a 20-tented luxury safari lodge, nestled in the hills right on the boundary of the park. Arranged around a waterhole, guests will have balconies that will allow them to get within arm's reach of the park's giraffes.

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Unlike traditional zoos, Monarto offers expansive habitats where animals can roam in environments that mimic their natural settings.

Along with guided tours, there are also extensive walking trails through the park, and special experiences to get you up close to lions and elephants.

A portion of every booking at the resort goes directly to supporting the safari park's conservation efforts. Monarto participates in regional and global breeding programs for endangered species to ensure their long-term survival.

The writer travelled as a guest of Journey Beyond.