Taronga Western Plains Zoo has just embarked on their most ambitious development ever.

To be named the Serengeti Resort – after the legendary Tanzanian ecosystem – the development will cover 55 hectares of expansive grasslands and aims to offer an “immersive experience, unlocking a previously unused area of the zoo, five times the size of the current African Savannah habitat” a Taronga statement boasted.

Like its sprawling namesake, the development will be home to iconic Savannah species including giraffes, rhinoceros, zebras and various antelope species, Taronga Chief Executive Cam Kerr said.

“The Serengeti Resort will be a game-changer for Taronga Western Plains Zoo and for tourism in regional NSW,” Mr Kerr enthused.

“Designed with families in mind, it brings the beauty and excitement of an African safari to our own backyard, right here in Dubbo,” he added.

The resort will also feature a central hub with a function and events centre, café restaurant, and “infinity” pool, surrounded by diverse accommodation options with views of roaming African wildlife.

With $20 million seed money from the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, developmental approval support from Dubbo Council, and a $10 million co-contribution from Taronga, the initiative is projected to inject an estimated $391 million into the local visitor economy over the next two decades.

Building works are also forecast to create around 70 construction jobs and some permanent positions.

The resort is scheduled to open in the second half of 2026, Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said.

“It’s fantastic to see construction well underway, with building works started and milestones already achieved at Taronga Western Plains Zoo,” Ms Moriarty revealed.

“Dubbo Zoo is already a wonderful place, and once completed, the Serengeti Resort will mean even more visitors can stay and enjoy this iconic attraction for longer,” she said, predicting a more than doubling of overnight stay numbers.