11 Day Kimberley 4WD Safari, Darwin - Broome

Day 1 (L,D)

You will be collected from your hotel at 7 am this morning to begin your 11 day 4WD safari through the Kimberley region.

We head south, along the Stuart Highway to Katherine and after some free time in the town, we continue west.

En-route, we can stop to view the Victoria River, one of the largest tidal influenced rivers in the Territory with an abundance of saltwater crocodiles.

We cross through the border into Western Australia and onto Lake Argyle, 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 a 150m, in awe-inspiring grandeur.

Dinner tonight will be served in the restaurant.

Overnight accommodation - Lake Argyle Resort, in a standard room with en-suite

Day 2 (B,L,D)

After a cooked breakfast, we head out to Lake Argyle to Lake Argyle for a 2 hour morning cruise. Take in the untamed landscape of the magnificent Carr Boyd Ranges along the inaccessible North Western shoreline as you cruise through some of Lake Argyles 90 islands and inlets.

Then we pop into Kununurra to collect fresh supplies (due to border restrictions) before heading 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 also time today for optional helicopter flights (additional cost).

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

**Upgrades to fixed tents with en-suites may be available for an extra charge. Please enquire upon booking, to avoid disapointment**

Day 3 (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 tents with proper beds and shared facilities.

**Upgrades to fixed tents with en-suites may be available for an extra charge. Please enquire upon booking, to avoid disappointment**

Day 4 (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we leave the Bungle Bungles and head north again to El Questro Wilderness Park, which is a million acres in size.

This afternoon we take a walk into the beautiful Emma Gorge. A cool reward awaits you at the end of the walk, where you can swim at Emma Gorge pool and the 200ft waterfall that is fed from a series of natural springs highabove the plateau of the Cockburn Range.

After setting up camp, there’s the opportunity for a swim in the rockpools (part of the Pentecost River).

Overnight mobile camp - El Questro campground, with toilets and showers (2 night stay)

**Upgrades to station bungalows may be available for an extra charge. Please enquire upon booking, to avoid disapointment**

Day 5 (B,L,D)

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

Then we take a walk into El Questro Gorge, which is a trail through a deep, narrow gorge, flanked by sheer cliffs. The walk features clear pools and lush tropical vegetation and the rainforest canopy has a diverse ecosystem, while keeping us shaded and cool through most of the walk. There are a couple of places to stop for a swim along the way and you can choose to take the longer or shorter walk.

We have free time this afternoon for swimming, birdwatching or relaxing at camp. 

Overnight mobile camp - El Questro campground, with toilets and showers

Day 6 (B,L,D)

Leaving El Questro, we head onto the Gibb River Road and we’ll drive through the Pentecost River to a lookout, for fantastic views of the river and the mighty Cockburn Range.

We turn onto the Kalumburu Road and continue north to King Edward River, where we set up camp and then can have a swim before dinner. 

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

Day 7 (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 8 (B,L,D)

Heading back south down the Kalumburu road, we reach the Gibb River road and continue to Manning Gorge, where we set up camp. The remainder of the afternoon is spent 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 camp - Manning Gorge campground, with toilets and showers

Day 9 (B,L,D)

Our first stop this morning is 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 west to Bell Gorge, which is said to be the most picturesque gorge in the Kimberley. We have lunch here 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 10 (B,L,D)

Today we pass through the King Leopold and Napier Ranges to Windjana Gorge, part of an ancient Devonian reef system where the Lennard River has cut through the Napier range.

En-route we stop to look at the King Leopold Range lookout, which offers great photo opportunities.

We set up camp and then take a walk into Windjana gorge to view the fossilised reef system and freshwater crocodiles can often be seen lazing around on the river banks.

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

Day 11 (B,L)

After breakfast, we explore 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.

The last leg of our journey along the Gibb river road takes us towards Derby, where we’ll stop at the prison boab tree, before making our way to Broome.

We arrive into Broome late afternoon and you will be dropped off at your accommodation.

END ITINERARY

B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner

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

In 2013, there are no remaining dates available.

In 2014, this tour departs Darwin to Broome on the following saturdays, subject to availability :

3rd May

31st May

28th June

26th July

23rd August

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

In 2013, there are no remaining dates available.

In 2014, this tour departs Broome to Darwin on the following fridays, subject to availability  : 

16th May,

13th June

11th July,

8th August,

5th September

AUD $5495 PER ADULT, TWIN SHARE

$5245 PER CHILD (AGE 10 - 15 years) TWIN SHARE

$5750 PER PERSON SINGLE ROOM / TENT

NO PRICE INCREASE FOR 2014 AND....IN 2014, this tour will include a camp host !

Early Bird Discount for this tour :  Book a 2014 tour with us before 31st Dec 2013 and receive a 5% discount.

no further discounts apply

**solo travellers must have single room / tent**

Maximum 9 passengers in 2013 and maximum 10 passengers in 2014

Prices valid until Oct 31st 2014

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.

Inclusions:

• Seat in OKA 4WD vehicle, with professional driver guide, purpose built heavy duty trailer

• Camp host also included for 2014

• Meals, as stated
• Camping equipment hire and camping fees
• Entry fees and El Questro Wilderness Permit
• Mitchell Falls helicopter flight
• Lake Argyle cruise
• 2 nights in permanent safari camp (fixed tents)

• 1 night in accommodation at Lake Argyle

**please note that for 3rd May 2014 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 disapointment). 30 mins is approx $300 pp

This tour has 7 nights mobile camping so we have to erect our tents 6 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 and linen. In 2014, our tours include a camp host.