11 Day Kimberley 4WD Safari, Broome - Darwin

Day 1 (L,D)

You will be collected from your hotel at 7.30 am this morning to begin your 11 day 4WD safari through the Kimberley region.

We head north towards Derby and stop to look at the boab prison tree, before heading onto the Gibb River Road. Our destination today is Windjana Gorge, where we’ll have a picnic lunch.

The afternoon is spent exploring Tunnel Creek, a 750m long limestone tunnel in the Napier Range, carved into the rock over thousands of years. View stalactites and stalacmites and hear the story of Jandamarra, who used the tunnel as a hideout in the late 1800’s. 

Back to Windjana Gorge for sunset and dinner. 

Overnight mobile camp- Windjana Gorge campground, with toilets and showers

Day 2 (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we take a walk into Windjana gorge, part of an ancient Devonian reef system where the Lennard River has cut throughthe Napier range. We view the fossilised reef system and freshwater crocodiles can often be seen lazing around on the river banks.

Then we’ll make our way through the Napier and King Leopold Ranges to Bell Gorge, believed to be the most picturesque in the Kimberley. En-route we stop to look at the King Leopold Range lookout, which offers great photo opportunities.

We have lunch at Bell Gorge and spend the rest of the afternoon swimming and relaxing at the waterfall and plungepool.

Overnight mobile camp – Silent Grove campground at Bell Gorge, with toilets and showers

Day 3 (B,L,D)

This morning we travel to Galvans gorge, where a short walk leads to a pretty gorge and plungepool, surrounded by boab trees. It also has some interesting rock art.

We continue to Manning Gorge, where we set up camp and swimming at the gorge and soaking up the delightful surrounds.

There may also be the option of taking the longer hike to Upper Manning Falls.

Overnight mobile camp - Manning Gorge campground, with toilets and showers

Day 4 (B,L,D)

We head north today, turning onto the Kalumburu road. After a leg stretch on the banks of the Gibb River, we continue to King Edward River. We set up camp and there’s plenty of time for a relaxing swim in the picturesque King Edward River, before sunset.

Overnight remote mobile camp - on the banks of the King Edward River, with toilets only. Swimming is available (2 night stay).

Day 5 (B,L,D)

Today is spent swimming and exploring in the Mitchell Falls area.  On our 3km walk into the falls, we’ll visit Little and Big Mertens Falls, 2 rock art sites and delve into some bushtuckers and medicines.

The rest of the day is spent swimming and relaxing at the impressive Mitchell Falls, a three-tiered waterfall cascading over the plateau’s edge and into the Mitchell River.

To finish the day, a short helicopter ride back to the car park offers amazing views and photo opportunities.

Overnight remote mobile camp - on the banks of the King Edward River, with toilets only. Swimming is available.

Day 6 (B,L,D)

There’s time this morning for another swim before we depart King Edward River.

Then we view 2 unique art sites and a burial site. Your guide will interpret these art sites, of Gwion (Bradshaw), Wanjana figures, Thylacine and other contemporary styles and will explain their significance.  We drive back down the Kalumburu Road today and our destination is Drysdale River Station. 

Overnight mobile camp – Drysdale River Station campground, with toilets and showers 

**upgrade to rooms with shared or private bathrooms may be available for an extra charge- please enquire when booking to avoid disappointment**

Day 7 (B,L)

Our destination today is El Questro Wilderness Park, which is a million acres in size.

En-route we’ll view an art site of cuples, Wanjana figures and Petroglyphs (rock carvings). This is also where the local Aboriginal people used to shelter and sharpen their spears. 

We’ll also stop at a lookout, for fantastic views of the Pentecost River and the mighty Cockburn Range, before driving through the river. 

We arrive at El Questro and after checking in, there’s the opportunity for a swim in the station rockpools

Overnight permanent camp - El Questro campground, in fixed safari tents with proper beds and shared facilities

**upgrade to en-suite station rooms may be available for an extra charge- please enquire when booking to avoid disappointment**

Day 8 (B,L,D)

Start today with a dip at the Zebedee Springs thermal pools, set amongst palm trees.

We then leave El Questro and visit the beautiful Emma Gorge. Here we take a walk, where a cool reward awaits you at the end and you can swim at Emma Gorge pool. The 200ft waterfall is fed from a series of natural springs high above the plateau of the Cockburn Range. We also visit an Aboriginal art site and The art site consists of East Kimberley peg figures, Wandjana figures and contemporary styles.

Then we head south to the Bungle Bungles. Purnululu National park (the Bungle Bungles) is famous for the ancient range of unusual beehive-shaped domes, gorges and chasms over 350 million years old.

There’s time today for optional helicopter flights (additional cost).

Overnight permanent camp - Bungle Bungles campground, in fixed safari tents with proper beds and shared facilities (2 night stay).

**upgrade to fixed tents with en-suites may be available for an extra charge- please enquire when booking to avoid disappointment**

Day 9 (B,L,D)

We spend today in the Bungle Bungles. The section of road into the park is quite challenging and will give you a real sense of off-road adventure !

Our first stop in the park is Cathedral Gorge, a huge natural amphitheatre, with fantastic acoustics. We then take the walk to the Piccininny Lookout, followed by the “Domes trail walk”. 

This afternoon we take a walk into Echidna Chasm, which is a narrow gorge of conglomerate rock. The walk in is beautiful, passing endemnic livistonia palms. 

Overnight permanent camp - Bungle Bungles campground, in fixed safari tents with proper beds and shared facilities

Day 10 (B,L)

After breakfast, we leave the Bungle Bungles and head towards Kununurra and onto Lake Argyle.

Lake Argyle is Australia’s largest man- made lake, covering 1000sq km and built as part of the Ord River scheme. It offers a great expanse of water from which steep red rocky slopes reach up approximately 150m, in awe-inspiring grandeur.

This afternoon we take the sunset cruise on the lake, where you will cruise through some of the 90 islands and inlets and take in the magnificent scenery of the Carr Boyd Ranges. Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine and nibblies as the sun sets over the rugged red cliffs and azure blue water.

Overnight permanent camp- Lake Argyle Resort, in fixed safari tents with proper beds and shared facilities

Day 11 (B,L)

After breakfast we start our journey towards Darwin, passing through the border into the Northern Territory and travelling through Timber Creek and Gregory National Park.  We stop to view the Victoria River, one of the largest tidal influenced rivers in the Territory with an abundance of saltwater crocodiles. 

After a short break in Katherine, we head north towards Darwin, arriving at approximately 5.30pm and you will be dropped off at your accommodation.

END ITINERARY

B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner

11 Day Kimberley Camping Tour, Broome to Darwin - Tour code SES11BD

In 2015, this tour departs Broome to Darwin on the following dates, subject to availability: 

15th May- FULL

6th July- FULL

25th August- FULL

11 Day Kimberley Camping Tour, Darwin to Broome - Tour code SES11DB

In 2015, this tour also departs Darwin to Broome on the following dates, subject to availability :

2nd May- FULL

12th August

AUD $5695 PER ADULT, TWIN SHARE

$5495 PER CHILD TWIN SHARE

$6145 PER PERSON SINGLE TENT

Child age 10-15 years

**solo travellers must have single tent**

Maximum 10 passengers

Subject to availability, including GST and valid until 31/10/2015

Inclusions:

• Seat in OKA 4WD vehicle, with professional driver guide, camp host & purpose built heavy duty trailer
• Meals, as stated
• Camping equipment hire and camping fees
• Entry fees and El Questro Wilderness Permit
• Mitchell Falls helicopter flight
• Lake Argyle cruise
• 4 nights in permanent safari camp (fixed tents)

**please note that for 2nd May 2015 departure from Darwin, Lake Argyle Resort is unavailable so hotel accommodation will be provided in Kununurra instead**

Exclusions:

• Arrival / departure flights
• Travel insurance
• Alcohol
• Pre and post tour accommodation

• Upgrades to alternative accommodation while on tour- extra charge is involved and they're subject to availability

• Bungle Bungles helicopter flight (Please request when booking, to avoid disappointment). 30 mins is approx $300 pp

Itinerary is exclusive to Sacred Earth Safaris and is subject to availability, road, weather and cultural conditions.

Please enquire for private charter prices and details.

This tour has 6 nights mobile camping so we have to erect our tents 5 times during this trip. Tents are 4 man (but we use them for twin share only), Oztent 30 second tents and we sleep on stretchers with swags, which includes a mattress, doona and linen.