Day One:

This morning your driver will collect from your accommodation before we begin making our way south for a short time on the Stuart Highway until we turn left on to the Arnhem Highway which leads to the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park. Our first stop en route is Fogg Dam Reserve, Fogg Dam has year round water coverage which assures its position as an important feeding and roosting site for a wide variety of both water birds and other animals. Next we travel onto the Adelaide River where we have the opportunity to witness the fabulous jumping crocodiles and other wildlife.  These Saltwater Crocodiles are a magnificent sight - these animals are surprisingly powerful as they can project their bodies almost totally out of the water - you will gain a good understanding of why they have survived for more then two hundred million years! This serves as a great introduction to how wild the Top End still is today.

A short detour off the highway is the beautiful Learning Tree Lagoon; this Billabong is often covered in water lilies making it a popular quick stop for photographers.

Lunch is at the Bark Hut Inn; this Aussie Roadhouse was built during the buffalo era and is a reminder of earlier, wilder times.

We will leave the main road to enter into Kakadu via the Old Darwin Road our last stop for today is at Cooinda - here we will experience one of Kakadu's icons - a Yellow Water Cruise.  This 10sq. km pristine environment supports a truly wonderful variety of plants, birds, crocodiles and Top End wildlife. The wildlife on this pristine billabong is too numerous to mention, you may see saltwater crocodiles, a Jacana bird walking on water, the magnificent sea eagle or any one of the many other 280 species that call this billabong home.  Here we will witness at close hand the wealth of wildlife in this tranquil habitat and enjoy one of the Top Ends great sunsets.

Overnight: Camping (L, D)

Day Two:

Today we visit Aboriginal Lands (Arnhem Land) access to this area is restricted to a select group of tour operators.

Visitors to Arnhem Land are able to experience a fascinating mixture of traditional and living culture. Arnhem Land is perhaps the one area in Australia where indigenous culture is still dominant, despite a long history of interaction with other cultures, for example the Macassens who visited the shores of Arnhem Land for more then five hundred years to harvest sea slug. They came by sailing boats from Indonesian Island of Sulawesi and left their legacy with the Aboriginal people.

Then the Europeans, their impact on Aboriginal people was more far reaching and profound. Arnhem Land today has weathered all the storms and it has managed to stay as a last frontier and homeland of around 20.000 people.

While we are in Arnhem Land a traditional Aboriginal guide will show you excellent examples of rock art on Injalak Hill (Long Tom Dreaming), this area has some of the best rock art examples in Western Arnhem Land and some say Australia. The view from the top of the hill is simply breathtaking, looking out across the floodplains and around the escarpment. When we farewell our Aboriginal guide back at the Injalak Art & Craft Centre there is an opportunity to browse or purchase goods from this non-profit Aboriginal organisation. At the award winning Injalak Arts and Crafts Centre there is time to watch the traditional Aboriginal people painting and to see the women weaving pandanus baskets. 

This afternoon we are privileged to have access into the valley, with its stunning scenery of billabongs, birds, escarpment this is truly a place where you can escape and experience this unique untouched haven of the Northern Territory. (Please note this tour requires a reasonable amount of balance and agility) (Please note that Injalak Arts & Crafts centre is closed on Sundays)

Overnight: Camping. (B, L, D)

Day Three:

We shall visit Maguk (Barramundi Gorge), with a one kilometre walk through sub-monsoon rainforest leads to the base of a beautiful plunge pool; Maguk is a scenic and tranquil place to enjoy a refreshing swim in the series of small waterholes. The water is crystal clear and safe to swim in.  

This afternoon we join Animals Tracks to experience Kakadu that you would imagined, with there exclusive access to one of the largest bird gatherings in Australia in mid-dry season (approximately July to September). Kakadu Animal Tracks Safari is real, earthy and not commercialised tour. A true Aboriginal bush guide joins every tour to hunt and gather with guests and culminates with a campfire of Aboriginal bush tucker cook up at sunset. Touring is conducted in an open-sided four-wheel drive vehicle where you will explore the huge Kakadu Buffalo Reserve and all its abundant wildlife and birdlife. The authentic Aboriginal bush guide encourages guest participation to hunt and gather and as well as traditional activities. The safari culminates in a camp fire cook up of bush tucker collected during the safari, together with Billy tea and damper.

Overnight: Camping (B, L, D)

Day Four:

This morning we shall do a bush tucker walk with Aboriginal people on there own land, they will explain the use of there surrounding landscape what is good to eat and what is not and what is available at different times of the year in the bush. This is something that no one would miss out on while you visit Kakadu or the top end.

After leaving our Aboriginal guide we then head onto Bamurru Plains which is an exclusive wildlife experience on the magnificent Mary River floodplains. Located on Swim Creek Station, this safari-style camp is surrounded by savannah woodland teeming with an amazing assortment of wildlife, reptiles and birds. The camp boasts of comfortable free-standing rooms that are spacious and expose guests to the sounds of the floodplains, a dining area with commanding views across the vast wetlands, a 10 metre wet edge pool and a library. The focus of your stay at Bamurru is in the environment around you and the wildlife and birdlife for whom it is home. Each individual safari suite is designed to blend with the surrounding bush and as such exposes guests to the sights and sounds of the bush around you, whether it is the haunting call of a Whistling Kite, the raucous cacophony from the Blue-winged Kookaburras as dawn breaks or the sound of a full grown buffalo splashing its way through the floodplains just a short distance from your bed. The morning chorus of tens of thousands of Magpie Geese, after whom the camp is named, is an experience in itself. The Mary River catchments are home to some 236 species of bird, many of which are found at Bamurru Plains. The significance of this particular property comes in the variety of habitat: black soil floodplains, paper bark swamps, savannah woodland, river mangroves and coastal beaches support an extraordinary diversity of birdlife.

We will experience a sunset over the floodplains while enjoying a glass of wine.

Overnight: Bamurru Plains (B, L, D).

Day Five:

While we are at the camp we shall enjoy a variety of activities, from airboat rides to a four wheel drive safaris. The floodplains abound with waterfowl, wild buffalo, pigs and wallabies. The floodplains of the Mary River region form one of the most significant ecosystems in Australia. Dominated by the climatic extremes of the tropical monsoon, the wetlands and savannah woodlands that fringe the coastal regions between Darwin and Kakadu National Park harbor an extraordinary diversity of flora and fauna. This morning we will take an airboat ride across the floodplains of the Mary River catchments. The key natural feature of this area has some of the most important in the country, home to thousands of Magpie Geese, Plumed Whistling-Duck, Egrets, Ibis and a host of other birds. A morning trip out on the plains in an airboat is utterly exhilarating and the only way to truly experience this environment. We have the opportunity to explore one of the few remaining stations close to Kakadu National Park

Overnight: Bamurru Plains (B, L, D).

Day Six

We shall explore more of this untouched area before returning to Darwin after having lunch at the lodge.

(B, L)

Inclusions:

- Luxury Toyota Air Conditioned GXL for Six days with experienced local guide

- Jumping Crocodile Cruise

- Lunch at Bark Hut Inn

- Yellow Water Cruise (Can be private cruise)

- 3 Night's Camping

- 2 Nights Bamurru Plains

- Maguk

- Animal tracks (Half Day)

- Walk with Aboriginal people

- Arnhem Land (Aboriginal Lands) entry permits & Aboriginal Guide
- Gunbalanya
- Injalak Hill (Long Tom Dreaming)

- Meal where marked (B, L, D)

Not included:

Personal requirements