5 day Top End Parks Camping safari

Tour Details

Operator

Sacred Earth Safaris

Destinations

Darwin, Kakadu National Park, Katherine Gorge and Litchfield National Park

Departs From

Darwin

Tour Description

This is a comprehensive small group 4WD safari of Kakadu, Katherine and Litchfield- the 3 main parks of the Top End. Permanent camping or accommodated options available.

Day 1 (L,D)

You will be collected from your Darwin accommodation at 7.30am for your 5 day Top End Parks 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.

After a comfort stop at the Bark Hut, 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 is 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.

A picnic lunch will be served on the banks of the East Alligator River.

Then we head to the centre of the park and to the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre for an insight into the cultural heritage of the park.

Late this afternoon, board the sunset Yellow Waters wetlands cruise, with it’s prolific birdlife and wonderful variety of plants. Saltwater crocodiles are often spotted here.

After the cruise, we make our way to our accommodation.

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

Day 2 (B,L,D)

After breakfast we make our way to Maguk (Barramundi Gorge and falls), where we take a walk through the paperbark forest to reach the gorge, where we can have a refreshing swim in the plungepool.

Then to the Nourlangie area and we view the birdlife at Anbangbang billabong before continuing 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.

Finally, enjoy a look around the Bowali visitors information centre

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 will make our way to Katherine Township and out to the Hot Springs. Enjoy a soothing dip in the thermal pools or sit and relax under the small waterfall.

Overnight permanent camp – Maud Creek Lodge

Day 4 (B,L,D)

Heading out to Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge) today, you get to view the Gorge from 2 different perpectives- from the air and by boat.

First we cruise for 2 hours viewing the beautiful scenery and discovering the customs of the traditional owners, the Jawoyn people.

There is some free time before lunch, for a look around the visitor centre or take a walk to the gorge lookout.

Now you’ve seen the gorge from ground level, it’s time to see it from the air as you take a spectacular helicopter flight ! The 13 Gorge Helicopter tour gives an aerial perspective of the breathtaking gorge, a maze of waterways sculpted from the sandstone over countless millennia by the Katherine River. The flight is enhanced with a remote landing in the rugged rock country. This is a fabulous opportunity to capture some truly amazing photographs.

This epic air adventure is all about remoteness and beauty that will give an appreciation for Outback Australia that will stay with you forever !

Mid afternoon, we leave Katherine and make our way north again to this evenings camp at
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, take a sunset horse ride (subject to time and availability) or you can visit the station animals.

Overnight permanent riverside camp - Mt Bundy Station

Day 5 (B,L)

Today is spent swimming and exploring beautiful Litchfield National Park.

Enjoy swimming at Wangi Falls, Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole, which are a series of small waterfalls that are a great place to simply sit and relax. Your guide will also lead a walk through the monsoon vineforest to the top of Wangi Falls.

View Tolmer Falls, which has several colonies of the rare Ghost and Orange Horseshoe Bats and visit the amazing magnetic termite mounds.

Late this afternoon, we depart Litchfield on the unsealed dirt road and begin our drive back to Darwin, arriving at approximately 6pm. You will be dropped off at your accommodation.

END OF TOUR

B= Breakfast L= Lunch D= Dinner