Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa: Engineering an Immersive Safari Experience
Guests at the Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa wake to the quiet movement of animals grazing just beyond their decks, with giraffes reaching for acacia leaves, antelope crossing the plains, and the ambient sounds of the savannah carrying through the air. Set within the 350-acre Wild Safari at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, the resort reimagines the traditional drive-through safari as a fully immersive, luxury overnight experience.
Surrounded by more than 1,200 animals from six continents, the preserve presented a rare and complex setting where hospitality, wildlife, and infrastructure had to coexist seamlessly. Navigating those constraints required early technical leadership and a clear path from concept to execution. From planning through design and delivery, our team served as a driving force in translating the vision into a buildable, code-compliant reality that helped Six Flags evolve an iconic attraction into a one-of-a-kind destination.
Design Rooted in Authenticity and Performance
At the heart of the resort are 20 elevated Bushtec safari tents imported from South Africa, each designed to evoke the spirit of an African safari while delivering the comforts of a five-star stay. The accommodations include air conditioning, double-sink bathrooms, roll-in showers, and modern amenities, all oriented toward unobstructed views of the safari plains. To support these structures, our team designed a custom pile-supported timber deck system that met New Jersey’s building codes while maintaining the light-touch aesthetic essential to the guest experience.
Close coordination with Six Flags, Bushtec, and local agencies ensured the tents could withstand high winds and environmental exposure without compromising safety or authenticity. The elevated design minimized ground disturbance and allowed wildlife to move freely beneath the structures, reinforcing the immersive connection between guests and the surrounding landscape.
Collaboration, Speed, and Sustainable Solutions
Delivered on an accelerated nine-month schedule, the project required close coordination across nine disciplines, including architecture, survey, wastewater, ecological services, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and landscape architecture. Existing camp infrastructure was leveraged wherever possible to reduce impacts and streamline construction.
Sustainability was integrated throughout the resort, including permeable decking, rainwater harvesting systems, and ADA-compliant pathways constructed with eco-friendly Kafka Granite. Landscape enhancements further enrich the experience, with plantings selected to reflect animal habitats and pollinator-friendly species incorporated around the spa.
Completed in 2023, the Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa has been a sold-out success that showcases how careful planning and multidisciplinary expertise can create lasting value in even the most complex environments.