Land of the Lemurs Experience & a Day at Monarto Safari Park

The best part comes quickly: ring-tailed lemurs may run between your feet and leap through the trees as you enter their large habitat. I like the rare chance to get beyond the regular Zu-loop route, and I like that your ticket also covers giant tortoises, walking tracks, keeper talks, and the wider park.

The main drawback is the short one-hour experience. You need to arrive ready, wear enclosed flat shoes, and keep your schedule flexible enough to enjoy the rest of Monarto Safari Park afterward.

Key points to know before you go

• The lemurs are the main event: Get close to one of Australia’s largest ring-tailed lemur troops inside their habitat.
• The Zu-loop does not reach the lemur area: This experience gives you access that the regular shuttle does not provide.
• Giant tortoises add a calmer second stop: See Aldabra Giant and Radiated Tortoises at the Tortoise Research Facility.
• Your ticket covers a full park day: Enjoy general admission, unlimited Zu-loop rides, keeper presentations, and more than 15km of walking tracks.
• Closed-toe shoes are required: Flat, enclosed footwear is essential, and open-toed shoes are not allowed.
• The price includes more than one hour: At $91 per person, the value depends on how much time you spend exploring the wider park.

Getting close to the ring-tailed lemurs

Land of the Lemurs is built around a simple idea: take you inside the animals’ habitat instead of viewing them only from a bus or distant enclosure. You get close to one of Australia’s largest troops of ring-tailed lemurs, a stripy species known for its long, banded tail and lively movements.

The setting gives the experience its character. Lemurs may zip from tree to tree, pounce, play, or race across the ground near your feet. You are not just looking across a barrier at an animal that happens to be nearby. You are entering a space designed for a closer encounter, with the troop moving around you.

That closeness also means you need to pay attention. Keep your camera ready, but do not let the camera distract you from what is happening at ground level. A lemur may be in the branches one moment and crossing near your feet the next.

The live guide speaks English and introduces you to the animals and their habits. The experience also explains conservation work connected with ring-tailed lemurs, an endangered species threatened with extinction. That context matters, since the encounter is not only about entertaining animal behavior. Your visit supports efforts to protect the species.

Why the special access matters

Monarto Safari Park includes the Zu-loop shuttle, but the regular bus does not venture past the lemur habitat. Land of the Lemurs gives you a different kind of access, and this is the strongest reason to add it to a park visit.

If you are already paying for general admission, the experience provides a more personal way to see one of the park’s most distinctive animals. The one-hour format keeps the visit manageable, but it also means you should treat the scheduled time as the anchor for your day.

Check in at the Information Hut in the Visitors Centre when you arrive. You will want to allow enough time to find the meeting point, collect your bearings, and be ready for the start. Exact starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

This is listed as a private group experience. That can make the visit feel more focused than a large general presentation, though the available details do not specify the exact group size. The guide leads the visit in English.

The one-hour route through the habitat

The first part centers on the ring-tailed lemurs and their habitat. You follow the guide into the area and watch the troop move through its space. Look up into the trees, but also watch the ground around you. The lemurs can be active at several levels, which is why the encounter feels more lively than a fixed viewing stop.

You may hear them purr and see them pounce and play. Those small details are easy to miss if you rush. I would keep the first few minutes for watching rather than photographing. Once you understand where the animals are moving, you can try for pictures without missing the action.

The habitat is the right place to slow down and observe. Ring-tailed lemurs are not presented as a staged show here, and their movements may not follow a neat sequence. One moment may offer a clear view, while the next has the troop moving through the trees or passing along the ground.

The second part brings you to the Tortoise Research Facility. The mood changes at once. Instead of quick, springy animals, you see Aldabra Giant and Radiated Tortoises moving at a much slower pace.

This stop gives the hour some balance. The lemurs provide motion and surprise, while the tortoises reward patience. If you enjoy animal conservation, the facility adds another useful layer to the visit, although the supplied details do not specify the length of time spent there.

A full day beyond the lemur habitat

The Land of the Lemurs ticket includes general admission to Monarto Safari Park, so you can stay before or after the one-hour experience. This is important when judging the $91 price. You are not paying only for a brief lemur encounter. You also receive access to the wider park for as long as you like that day.

Unlimited use of the Zu-loop shuttle helps you cover more ground. The bus is especially useful if you do not want to walk between every area, or if you are planning a longer day with several stops. Remember that the shuttle does not go into the lemur area, which is exactly why this special experience is needed.

You also get access to more than 15km of walking tracks. That gives you a choice between a bus-based visit and a more active day on foot. I would not try to cover every track simply because it is included. Instead, use the shuttle to reduce unnecessary walking, then choose sections that fit your energy, weather, and time.

Free daily keeper presentations are included as well. The schedule is not provided here, so check the times when you arrive. A presentation can help you make better use of the gaps before or after your lemur booking.

Food and drinks are not included. Bring water, especially if you plan to walk several kilometres, and plan separately for meals or snacks. On-site car parking is free, but transport to Monarto Safari Park is not included in the ticket.

Is $91 a fair price?

At $91 per person, this is not a cheap add-on if you intend to arrive for only one hour and leave. The value improves considerably if you use the general admission included with the ticket and spend a substantial part of the day exploring Monarto Safari Park.

The strongest value comes from combining several pieces:

• A one-hour guided Land of the Lemurs visit
• General admission to the park
• Unlimited Zu-loop shuttle rides
• More than 15km of walking tracks
• Free daily keeper presentations
• Free on-site parking

The lemur access is the part you cannot reproduce with a standard bus ride. Since the Zu-loop does not go past the lemurs, the special entry gives you a distinct experience rather than simply repeating a general park circuit.

For a family, the price adds up quickly, but all ages can take part. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a participating paying adult. Families should also note that every participant needs enclosed, flat footwear, including children.

I would book it if the lemurs are a main reason for your visit and you can spare most of a day for the park. I would think twice if you are short on time, mainly interested in the shuttle route, or unlikely to use the walking tracks and keeper presentations.

Planning your arrival and what to bring

Start with the footwear rule. Enclosed, flat shoes are required, and open-toed shoes are not allowed. This is not the place for sandals, even on a hot day.

Bring a hat, sunscreen, water, and a camera. The hat and sunscreen matter because your day may include walking outside before or after the one-hour experience. Water is especially useful if you take advantage of the walking tracks.

Arrive at the Visitors Centre and check in at the Information Hut. Transport is not included, but free parking is available on site. Since the meeting point is at the Visitors Centre, build in a little arrival time rather than pulling into the car park at the exact start time.

Wheelchair access is available, but you should advise the provider when booking. The park provides further accessibility information separately, and the activity details do not explain the precise access conditions inside the lemur habitat. If you use a wheelchair, contact the provider in advance so the visit can be planned properly.

The activity has free cancellation up to two days in advance for a full refund. That gives you some room to adjust plans if your South Australia schedule changes, but check the exact booking terms before you confirm.

Who will enjoy this experience most?

This is a strong choice for animal lovers who want more than a standard viewing area. The lemurs’ habit of moving through the trees and across the ground gives the visit a playful, active feel, and the close access makes the hour distinct from the rest of the park.

Families can take part because all ages are welcome. The one-hour duration is also easier for children than a long guided outing, though adults should be ready to supervise children closely around active animals and keep everyone in suitable shoes.

It also suits photographers, provided you stay present and follow the guide’s directions. A camera is specifically recommended, but the animals will not pose on cue. You may get your best image by watching patiently rather than chasing every movement.

Visitors with a full day in the Adelaide region may find the package more useful than someone seeking a short city-side activity. Monarto Safari Park is in South Australia, and transport is not included, so you need your own plan for reaching the park.

The experience is less suitable if you dislike outdoor walking, have only a narrow time window, or want food and drinks included. It is also not a good fit for anyone arriving in open-toed shoes.

Should you book Land of the Lemurs?

Book it if you want the park’s most direct ring-tailed lemur encounter and can use the rest of the day for general admission. The chance to watch lemurs run near your feet, leap through trees, and play within their habitat is the clear reason to choose this experience.

The $91 price makes the most sense when you use the Zu-loop, walking tracks, keeper presentations, and other park access included in the ticket. Plan to arrive early, bring water and sun protection, and wear flat enclosed shoes.

Skip it if you only want a quick one-hour outing or do not plan to explore Monarto Safari Park beyond the lemur area. For everyone else, this is a practical way to pair a close animal encounter with a full day at one of South Australia’s major wildlife parks.

FAQ

How long does the Land of the Lemurs Experience last?

The guided Land of the Lemurs Experience lasts one hour. Your ticket also includes general admission, so you can explore Monarto Safari Park before or after the experience for as long as you like.

What animals will I see?

You will see a troop of ring-tailed lemurs and visit the Tortoise Research Facility, where Aldabra Giant and Radiated Tortoises are kept.

Does the ticket include entry to Monarto Safari Park?

Yes. The ticket includes general admission to Monarto Safari Park, unlimited use of the Zu-loop shuttle, more than 15km of walking tracks, and free daily keeper presentations.

Where do I check in?

Check in at the Information Hut in the Visitors Centre when you arrive at the park.

What footwear is required?

You must wear enclosed, flat shoes. Open-toed shoes are not allowed.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the experience is wheelchair accessible. You should advise the provider when booking so suitable arrangements can be made.