5 Day Top End National Parks 4WD Safari

This scheduled tour won't be operating in 2015. Contact us for a private tour

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 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 relaxand 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) 

**Upgrade to Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn may be available for an extra charge. Please enquire upon booking to void disapointment**

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 walkthrough a paperbark forest to reach the gorge. Once we reach the gorge and waterfall, we can have a refreshing swim in the plungepool. 

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.

**Upgrade to Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn may be available for an extra charge. Please enquire upon booking to void disapointment**

Day 3 (B,L,D)

Our first stop today is the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre, for an insight into the cultural heritage of the park. 

Then we depart Kakadu through the southern entrance and head south to Katherine.

This afternoon 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 and you will also have an opportunity to participate in one of the traditional hunting activities (firelighting, spear throwing etc.).

Dinner tonight will be 2 courses served poolside at Nitmiluk Gorge.

Overnight permanent camp- Nitmiluk Gorge, in fixed tents with proper beds and shared bathrooms.

**Upgrade to cabins with en-suites at Nitmiluk Gorge may be available for an extra charge. Please enquire upon booking, to avoid disapointment.**

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.

Departing Katherine, we head north again to Leilyn (Edith Falls), part of Nitmiluk National Park and is well known for it’s picturesque waterfalls and pools. We can have a swim at the large pool at the base of the escarpment and then take 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.

This evenings accommodation is at Mt Bundy Station. The station has an interesting history and is set in a picturesque bush setting, attracting a multitude of wildlife.

There may be time this evening for a walk around the station, a swim in the pool 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.

We view the amazing magnetic and cathedral termite mounds and can have a swim at Wangi Falls, Florence Falls and Buley Rockholes, that are a great place to simply sit and relax. There is also a lovely hike along the riverbank from Florence Falls to Buley Rockholes.

We'll also view Tolmer Falls, which has several colonies of the rare Ghost and Orange Horseshoe Bats.

Late this afternoon, we depart Litchfield 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

5 Day Top End National Parks 4WD Safari 2014- Tour code SES5

AUD $2595 PP ADULT , TWIN SHARE, $2795 PP SINGLE ROOM / TENT.

AUD $2495 PP CHILD, TWIN SHARE

Child age 6 - 15 years

**solo travelers must have single bungalow / tent**

Maximum 6 Passengers

Departs Darwin Sunday / Dry Season Only (01 May - 31 Oct inclusive)

Subject to availability, including GST and valid until 31/10/2014

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

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.