Monarto Zoo in South Australia is seeking investors to develop a safari experience in the Australian bush boasting both African and Australian wildlife, 4x4 tours, fine dining and overnight stays.

The 1,000-hectare zoo, located 70km from Adelaide, has acquired an additional 500 hectares of land and, working with Zoos SA and the South Australian Tourism Commission, plans to develop a signature resort development.

"This presents a huge and exciting opportunity to do something totally new and authentic," said Professor Chris West, CEO of Zoos SA.

"It will combine eco-tourism and have a direct conservation benefit by featuring African animals in a natural setting and providing space and resources to help save native Australian species from extinction. We expect significant interest in this development as it unfolds over the next 2-3 years."

Guests will be able to stay overnight in the new Wild Africa area in luxury accommodation with a fine dining restaurant and a swimming pool.

"Imagine staying in comfortable safari accommodation; enjoying a barbecue and night walk; listening to lions roaring and hyenas laughing ... right here on your doorstep," said Peter Clark, associate director of Zoos SA and the project manager.

"And the next day and night become immersed in the wonders and challenges of saving iconic Australian species like the Tassie devil. A truly remarkable experience,"

The plans have been welcomed by the state government, which has said there is growing demand for this type of tourism development.

"We want to make sure that the development and operation is of the highest quality and fills a market niche that has been previously untapped in Australia," Tourism Minister Dr Jane Lomax-Smith said.

"We've identified further development of upmarket accommodation and attractions as essential to help us lure more high-yielding visitors from our target interstate and overseas markets."