13 Day Kimberley Camping Safari, Darwin - Broome

Day 1 (L,D)

You will be collected from your Darwin accommodation at 7.30am for your private 13 day Top End and Kimberley 4WD Safari.

We head south along the Stuart highway and into Fog Dam Conservation Reserve. These wetlands have international significance because of their beauty and natural ecosystems. A great variety of fauna can be found here throughout the year as well as a large variety of birdlife. 

Then we make our way into World Heritage listed Kakadu National park. Kakadu is the largest national park in Australia, has some of the world’s finest rock art and a variety of habitats, including floodplains and savannah woodlands. 

Once within the park, our first stop are the beautiful Mamukala Wetlands. We can view the birdlife from the observation platform, where the mural depicts the seasonal changes throughout the year.  

After lunch, we then travel to the very north of the park to Ubirr, where we walk through galleries of ancient aboriginal rock art, which your guide will interpret. Also learn about bushtuckers and bush medicines before reaching the top of the plateau, where you can relax and enjoy the spectacular view over the floodplains and the Arnhemland escarpment. 

We finish the day with a look around the Bowali visitors information centre. 

Overnight accommodation - Lakeview Park, Bush Bungalows  (2 night stay)  

Day 2 (B,L,D)

After breakfast we make our way to Nourlangie Rock, an ancient Aboriginal shelter, where we will explore the area and the rock art. Your guide will lead you on an interpretive walk around the site, followed by Nawalandja lookout. The short hike to the lookout is rewarded by a magnificent view over the Arnhemland escarpment.

Then we drive to Maguk (Barramundi Gorge and falls). Termite mounds are abundant along the dirt road that takes us to the car park and from there, we take a walk through a paperbark forest to reach the gorge. Once we reach the gorge and waterfall, we can have a refreshing swim in the plungepool.

If there’s time, we’ll have a look around the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre for an insight into the cultural heritage of the park.

Finally, late this afternoon, board the sunset Yellow Waters wetlands cruise. Yellow Waters billabong is located at the end of Jim Jim Creek, a tributary of the South Alligator River. This is the largest river system in Kakadu and contains extensive wetlands, including river channels, floodplains and backwater swamps. About one third of Australia's bird species are represented in Kakadu National Park, with at least 60 species found in these wetlands. There are also plenty of crocodiles in their natural habitat, and buffalo on the floodplains.

Overnight accommodation - Lakeview Park, Bush Bungalows

Day 3 (B,L,D)

This morning, we will make our way south, leaving Kakadu and heading towards Katherine Township.

En-route we have a swim and lunch at Leilyn (Edith Falls), en-route. Leilyn is part of Nitmiluk National Park and is well known for it’s picturesque waterfalls and pools, particularly the large pool at the base of the escarpment which is great for a swim.

Upon arrival in Katherine, we make our way to Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, home to 13 spectacular gorges, carved out of the rock by torrential summer rains, over millions of years. Here, we cruise for 2 hours viewing the beautiful scenery and discovering the customs of the traditional owners, the Jawoyn people. 

Overnight permanent camp (fixed tents) – Maud Creek   

**Optional upgrade to Maud Creek Lodge or the Nitmiluk Chalets may be available

Day 4 (B,L,D)

Today we’ll head west, stopping en-route 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.  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 mobile camp - Lake Argyle Resort, with toilets and shower  

**Optional upgrade to permanent tents with shared bathrooms OR Lakeview Cabins with en-suites may be available

Day 5 (B,L,D)

After breakfast, 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. 

Overnight mobile camp - Bungle Bungles campground, with toilets and showers (2 night stay). 

**Optional upgrade to permanent tents with en-suites may be available

Day 6 (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 !

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

Then we’ll walk into Cathedral Gorge, a huge natural amphitheatre, with fantastic acoustics.

We take the “Domes trail walk” and then have lunch overlooking the Bungle Bungle massif.

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 mobile camp - Bungle Bungles campground, with toilets and showers

**Optional upgrade to permanent tents with en-suites may be available

Day 7 (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.

En-route we stop to view an Aboriginal art site, which consists of East Kimberley peg figures, Wandjana figures and contemporary styles.

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)

**Optional upgrade to bungalows may be available

Day 8 (B,L,D)

We start today with a relaxing 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.

Back to camp for lunch and this afternoon there’s some free time for swimming, birdwatching, hiking or relaxing at camp. Optional longer hikes are available this afternoon.

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

**Optional upgrade to bungalows may be available

Day 9 (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’ll also view an art site of cuples, Wandjana figures and Petroglyphs (rock carvings). This is also where the local Aboriginal people used to shelter and sharpen their spears. 

We turn onto the Kalumburu Road and make our way to Drysdale River Station. 

Overnight mobile camp – Drysdale River Station campground, with toilets and showers **Optional upgrade to motel rooms may be available

Day 10 (B,L,D)

We start today with a spectacular 2 hour flight over Mitchell Falls and the Kimberley coast !

Your flight takes you past Mt Hann, Deep Gorge and the Rift, then over the magnificent Prince Regent Nature Reserve. Follow the Prince Regent River, fly over several waterfalls including King Cascades, St George Basin, Mt Trafalgar, Prince Frederick Harbour, the Hunter River, Donkins Hill Falls and the spectacular Mitchell Falls. You may even be lucky enough see crocodiles, dugong and whales. The vast, beautiful, unspoilt coastline of this wilderness area is truly stunning and something you can only see and appreciate from the air. It really will be a highlight of your Kimberley experience. 

After the flight we make our way south again, stopping on the banks of the Gibb River where we view a rock art site. 

We reach the Gibb River road and continue to Mt. Barnett Station and Manning Gorge, where we set up camp. The remainder of the afternoon is spent at the gorge, swimming and relaxing.  There is also the option of taking the longer hike to Upper Manning Falls.  

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

Day 11 (B,L,D)

Our first stop this morning is Galvans Gorge, a small picturesque gorge, surrounded by boab trees. It has some interesting rock art and is a great place for a relaxing swim.

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.

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

Day 12 (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 head off to 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 13 (B,L)

After breakfast, we 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.

There is also the option of taking the longer hike to the end of the gorge. 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

This tour is operated as a private charter tour only and can depart on any day, subject to availability, between May and October inclusive.

The itinerary can be amended to suit your requirements so please contact us for more information or a quote.

Inclusions:

• Sole use of Luxury 4WD with professional driver guide & purpose built heavy duty trailer
• All meals as stated
•2 nights accommodation in Bush Bungalows

•1 night in a permanent camp

• Permits and entry fees

• 2 hour sunset Yellow Waters cruise

• 2 hour cruise at Nitmiluk Gorge
• El Questro Wilderness pass

• 2 hour scenic flight over Mitchell Falls and the Kimberley Coast

• camp  fees and equipment hire

• Kakadu park entry fee

• Sunset Lake Argyle cruise

Exclusions:

• Pre & Post tour accommodation
• Travel insurance
• Alcohol

• Arrival / departure flights

• Optional extra activities such as Bungle Bungle helicopter flight (approx $215pp for 18 mins and $325 pp for 30 mins)