Deluxe Safari Adventure at Werribee Open Range Zoo – excl. entry

At Werribee Open Range Zoo, the Deluxe Safari takes you beyond the regular safari route in an open vehicle, bringing you closer to animals such as giraffes, rhinos and zebras. The animals roam across broad open areas, so the appeal is not just a close view, but seeing them in space rather than behind bars.

I like two things about this outing: the off-road route can bring you closer to the animals, and the guide’s live commentary adds context to what you see. The vehicle is also set up for a more comfortable ride than the regular safari bus, with a maximum of 20 people.

One thing to plan for: the $43.03 price is for the safari only. Zoo admission costs extra, and the animal sightings and route can vary with conditions, so this is not a guarantee of a particular encounter.

At a glance

• Off-road access: The four-wheel-drive vehicle can leave the regular safari roads for closer animal viewing.
• A 75-minute trip: There is time to pause and watch, though the route and sightings depend on the day.
• A small vehicle group: The maximum is 20 people, rather than a large busload.
• Live guide commentary: Your driver-guide shares information about the animals and the zoo’s conservation work.
• Admission is separate: Buy a general admission ticket as well as the safari.
• Age and weather limits: Children must be with an adult, the minimum age is 8, and the zoo can cancel for animal welfare or weather reasons.

Leaving the regular safari route

The Deluxe Safari is an optional upgrade to the free general safari offered at Werribee Open Range Zoo. For about 75 minutes, you ride in a four-wheel-drive vehicle that can head off the usual dirt roads and into the open plains. The aim is a closer look at animals, not a faster or more extensive tour of the zoo.

That difference matters if you have already decided to visit. The free ride gives you a way to see the open range, while the Deluxe trip adds the chance to get nearer and stop to observe. Past outings have brought the vehicle within a few metres of giraffes, zebras and rhinos, though the animals set the terms of every encounter. They are not props on a schedule.

The vehicle itself is part of the upgrade. It has been described as comfortable, with seating arranged so that people can see from different places. The group limit of 20 keeps the outing from feeling like a large coach tour, although your view will still depend on where you sit and what the animals choose to do.

The route is not a private safari. It is a guided zoo experience in a shared vehicle, and you should expect a mix of driving, stopping and listening. Some time may be spent waiting or watching from the vehicle. If you want a tightly timed parade of animal sightings, this is not that kind of outing.

What you may see on the open plains

Giraffes, rhinos, zebras and antelopes are among the animals named for this safari. The open setting is the point: instead of looking through a cage, you watch animals moving across broad areas that are designed to suit their needs. A giraffe near the vehicle or a zebra moving across the plain can make the visit feel quite different from a standard zoo circuit.

Sightings vary. Previous safaris have also included animals such as bison, camels and Mongolian horses, while other parts of the zoo are home to lions, kangaroos and hippos. Do not assume every animal is part of the off-road route, or that you will see every species on a particular day. The tour description names likely savanna animals, but it does not promise a set list or a fixed order.

The closer views are a real reason to consider paying extra. One visitor described a vehicle approaching rhinos before the guide moved away when the animals became agitated. That is the right balance to expect: a good view is welcome, but animal welfare comes first. The guide may keep a respectful distance, or leave an area rather than press for a photo.

You can bring a camera, but make room for looking with your own eyes, too. A close encounter can happen quickly, and the vehicle may move on when the animals do. There is no guarantee that an animal will approach or stay beside the truck.

A guide who adds more than animal names

The driver-guide gives live commentary during the trip, explaining what you see and sharing information about the animals. The quality of that narration can shape the outing: a good guide helps you understand not only the species, but also why the zoo keeps them and how conservation work fits into the visit.

Guides named in past accounts include Brontë and Jill. Your guide may be someone else, but the best version of this trip is more than a ride between viewing points. Guides have shared information about breeding programs, endangered species and the zoo’s links with conservation work in Africa and elsewhere. One account also described learning about the First Nations people whose land the zoo occupies.

The commentary is part of the value, especially if you are visiting with children or do not know much about the animals. Questions and stories can make a pause feel useful rather than like dead time. Still, the guide’s pace and style are not something you can choose in advance. Some people will enjoy a chatty host; others may prefer more time watching quietly.

If you want a particular experience, check what is included before booking. The Deluxe Safari is a 75-minute general safari with a driver-guide and live commentary. An Elephant Walk is not listed as part of it, so do not book assuming that activity is included.

Is the $43.03 upgrade worth it?

At the listed price of $43.03 per person, the Deluxe Safari is an add-on, not a complete zoo ticket. You need to pay for general admission separately. When comparing the cost, count both the entry ticket and the safari, then decide how much a closer, guided ride matters to you.

I see the strongest value if you want to get off the regular route, hear more about the animals and have a comfortable vehicle with a smaller group. Families with children aged 8 or older may find the extra structure helpful, and the close views can make the outing feel like the centrepiece of a zoo visit. Several past visitors described seeing giraffes, rhinos and zebras from very close range.

The upgrade may feel less worthwhile if you are content with the free general safari, are watching your budget, or expect guaranteed sightings and a fixed sequence of stops. The open-range setting is impressive, but the paid tour does not make the animals perform. Conditions, animal movements and guide decisions shape the route.

Prices mentioned in older accounts vary, so use the current price shown when you book. The listed $43.03 rate is a useful starting point, but it does not include zoo admission. Factor in the full cost for each person in your group before deciding.

Allow time for the zoo around the safari

The safari lasts about 75 minutes and starts and ends at Werribee Open Range Zoo, K Rd, Werribee South. It is only one part of a zoo visit. Some people spend several hours at the zoo, so avoid planning your whole day around the vehicle ride alone.

Arrive with enough time to find the meeting point and sort out your entry. One person who arrived an hour early still had trouble working out where to go, while another group had a delay when staff tried to locate a third-party booking. These are reminders to have your booking details ready and ask at the entrance where the safari check-in is, rather than assuming the main entry desk is the meeting point.

If you are travelling by public transport, plan the last part of the journey carefully. The zoo is near public transportation, but a past visitor noted that buses to and from the Metro station were infrequent, and taxis were not always waiting at the zoo for the return trip. Check current transport arrangements before you set out; do not rely on finding a ride back at the gate.

Weather matters, too. The vehicle is open enough that cold or wet conditions can make the ride chilly. A past visitor mentioned blankets being available, but you should still dress for the forecast. The zoo may cancel an experience because of bad weather or an animal welfare issue.

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the minimum age is 8. Service animals are allowed, and the activity information says most people can participate. If you have a particular access need, ask the provider before booking rather than assuming the vehicle will suit it.

Who should book this safari

This is a good choice if you have already planned a zoo visit and want a more personal view of the open plains than the free ride offers. It suits people who enjoy guided animal viewing, have an interest in conservation, or want a memorable family activity for children old enough to join.

It is also a sensible pick for photographers who value the chance of closer views, though there is no promise of a perfect shot. You may find yourself waiting while an animal moves into view, or leaving a spot because the guide needs to give it room. That uncertainty is part of watching live animals, not a flaw the tour can fix.

You might skip it if your main goal is simply to see the zoo at the lowest cost. The free general safari is available, and the paid option is best understood as a closer, guided upgrade rather than the only way to see the open range. If you are weighing the price, consider whether the off-road access and extra commentary are worth more to you than another zoo activity.

Should you book?

Book the Deluxe Safari if you want a guided, off-road look at Werribee’s open plains and are happy to pay extra for the chance to get closer to the animals. Go in with flexible expectations, buy zoo admission separately and give yourself time to find the meeting point. If the free ride is enough for you, save the upgrade fee for another part of your day.

FAQ

Is zoo admission included in the Deluxe Safari price?

No. General admission is not included and must be purchased separately.

How long does the safari last?

The safari lasts about 75 minutes.

What animals might I see?

The safari names giraffes, rhinos, zebras and antelopes among the animals you may see. Sightings can vary, and no particular animal encounter is guaranteed.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 20 people.

Can children take part?

Yes. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the minimum age is 8.

Can the safari be cancelled because of weather?

Yes. Zoos Victoria may cancel an experience because of weather or an animal welfare issue.