5 Day Top End National Parks 4WD Safari

Day 1 (L,D)

You will be collected from your Darwin accommodation at 7.30am for your 5 day 4WD tour to Kakadu, Litchfield and Katherine.

 We head south along the Stuart highway and into Fogg 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 varietyof 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)

We spend this morning enjoying Gunlom (waterfall Creek), where we have a swim in the large plungepool at the base of the falls, followed by a hot lunch. There is an optional hike to the top of Gunlom, where pristine rockpools and a fantastic view await you.

This afternoon, we head south to Katherine, calling in to 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.

We have a swim here with the option of taking the Leliyn Trail - a walk that takes us across the top of the waterfall, where we can have a swim in the upper rockpools and will get views of the waterfalls and Edith River from a couple of lookouts.

Overnight permanent camp – Maud Creek (exclusive use of permanently fixed tents with proper beds and shared bathrooms for our group only).

**Upgrade to Maud Creek Lodge with double rooms and en-suite is $90 pp extra. Meals will be provided at camp. Subject to availability.**

Day 4 (B,L,D)

We start today at Nitmiluk 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.

After the cruise, we take a hands on cultural experience at the Katherine Art Gallery. Activities on offer include sitting down with resident artist, Manuel who will tell you tales of tribal life, language, the hunting and gathering techniques, ceremony, weapons used and aboriginal contemporary life. Experience your own Rarrk painting with Manuel or Dot painting with Adrianna from the desert community of Yuendumu. You will also have an opportunity to participate in one of the traditional hunting activities (firelighting, spear throwing etc.).

There may be time this evening for a walk around the station, take a sunset horse ride (subject to time and availability) or you can visit the station animals.

Overnight accommodation- Mt Bundy Station, Stockmans rooms with shared bathrooms (double or twin share)

Day 5 (B,L)

Today is spent swimming and exploring beautiful Litchfield National Park.

Enjoy swimming at Florence Falls and then take a hike along the riverbank to Buley Rockholes, which are a series of small waterfalls that are a great place to simply sit and relax.

View Tolmer Falls, which has several colonies of the rare Ghost and Orange Horseshoe Bats and visit the amazing magnetic termite mounds. At Wangi Falls we can have a swim and your guide will lead a walk through the monsoon vineforest to the top of the falls.

Late this afternoon, we depart Litchfield on the unsealed dirt road and begin our drive back to Darwin, arriving at approximately 5.30pm. You will be dropped off at your accommodation.

END ITINERARY

B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner

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

Note * Ubirr generally opens in April, as access is affected by the depth of Magela Creek which floods during the wet season. When Ubirr is inaccessible, we visit Nanguluwur art site, which offers a variety of rock art styles, including contact art and spirit figures. Maguk generally opens in May or June and until the opening, we visit Gubara or do other activities depending on your interests.

5 Day Top End National Parks 4WD Safari 2012- Tour code SES5

AUD $2250 PP ADULT , TWIN SHARE, $2400 PP SINGLE ROOM / TENT. AUD $2150 PP CHILD, TWIN SHARE

Child age 6 - 15 years

Maximum 7 Passengers

Departs Darwin Sunday / Dry Season Only (April - Oct inclusive)

Subject to availability, including GST and valid until 31/10/2012

15 % off Early Bird Special ! $1910 per adult and $1825 per child, twin share during April, May, September and October.

(Not valid with any other discount or offer and for listed tour only- not accommodation upgrades. Direct bookings only)

Inclusions:

• Seat in luxury 4WD, with professional driver guide & purpose built heavy duty trailer
• All meals as stated
• 2 nights Bush Bungalow accommodation

• 1 night in a Stockmans room at Mt Bundy Station

• 1 night in a permanent camp (in fixed tents)
• Sunset Yellow Waters Cruise
• 2 hour cruise at Nitmiluk Gorge
• Hands on cultural experience in Katherine

• Kakadu National Park Entry fee

Exclusions:

• Arrival/departure flights
• Pre & Post tour accommodation
• Travel Insurance
• Alcohol

• Optional activities such as horse riding at Mt Bundy Station