Australian Tropical Savanna Wildlife ‘n’ Nature Tour, Northern Territory - 10 Days

We will meet you at your accommodation to begin your amazing expedition with us. Our first visit will be to the coastal fringes of Lee Point and Buffalo Creek, an international area of importance for seasonal shore-bird migration. The vine forest and mangroves of this region are home to our endemic Rainbow Pitta as well as specialist such as Chestnut Rail. Depending on the tides we will continue this habitat by visiting the thicker vine forest of East Pint Reserve and then the darwin Botanic Gardens aiming to see species such as Mangrove Golden Whistler, Red-headed Honeyeater and Rufous Owl.

Accom - Darwin

An early morning and one of our sensational Top End sunrises will see us visit local wetlands at Knuckeys Lagoon and the waterbird hotspot Fogg Dam These areas are rich in birdlife and also a chance to see some Agile Wallabies, Water Goanas and Feral (but majestic) Water Buffalo. We will continue driving along the Arnhem Highway towards World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park, stopping at a few sites covering off a diversity of habitat such as Savanna Woodland, Riperian and Flood plains. We will have a scout around at some local sites in the township of Jabiru for Top End specialist 'Partridge Pigeon' and perhaps a nocturnal scout-around for Brush-tail Possum, Northern Sugarglider and some herps.

Accom: Jabiru

Today is quite special in that we will be exploring the famous Sandstone 'Outliers' of Kakadu, home to some endemic species such as 'Wilkins' Rockwallaby', Black-banded Fruitdove, Chestnut-quilled Rock-pigeon and White-lined Honeyeater. Around Ubirr, Nourlangie and Nawarlanja lies extensive aboriginal rock-paintings and amazing scenery. We then travel to the upper South Alligator River and spend the night at Cooinda.

Accom: Cooinda

Another early rise to meet one of the highlights of the tour; the 'Yellow water cruise'. On the wetland billabong 'Ngurrungurrudjba' the wildlife is outstanding as is the atmosphere. The concentration of water is a collecting point for thousands of waterbirds and with them, the intimidating presence of the Estuarine (Salt-water) Crocodile and all the other aquatic life expected. A birders highlight is the chance to see the Australian Little Kingfisher, Great-billed Heron and Black Bittern, however the abundant presence of our Top End species such as Rainbow Bee-eater is exceptional. After a buffet breakfast, we will continue at a relaxed pace to the Southern Kakadu Region, stopping to check areas of monsoonal thicket and escarpment waterfalls where wildlife congregate in the 'Dry-season' due to the isolated ecostystems created by the geology and hydrology of this very special region.

Accom: Pine Creek

We are now in in a region where two of our 'TOP FIVE' bird species are centralised; The glorious Hooded Parrot and the mesmerising Gouldian Finch. We will arise and get to a local waterhole/feeding area to hopefully be greeted by the spectacle of these sought-after species. Our day will be spent visiting local sites in this area, catching up with a good number of the 240+ locally found bird species whilst making our way to the famous Nitmiluk Gorge. Here we will check-in to our accommodation, have a bit of a rest before going out to dinner on a dinner cruise especially set-up so that visitors can experience the calmness and changing colours of the Jawoyn country within the Gorge.

Accom: Nitmiluk National Park

Today we will remain in the local area and travel towards the town of Mataranka (home of the Never Never) and amazing thermal springs rising from the deep limestone aquifers of the region. Local woodland sites are home to more of our Top End Parrots, Northern Crested Shrike-tit and a variety of Honeyeaters (Myzomelas). A quick visit to a local cave will hopefully provide us with views of Tawny Frogmouth and Short-eared Rockwallaby. We will enjoy lunch at a 'bird-rich' homestead which will avail us an opportunity to take some close-up pictures of bird species, wallabies and the famous Top End Sportfish species the 'Barramundi'. For people interested in botany, this region boasts an endemic and abundant species of Livistona Palm (rigida) and is where a the phenomenon of the gathering of 1000's of Flying-foxes occurs; a species important to the local eucalypt and corymbia ecology.

Accom: Nitmiluk

Another early morning and our journey across the expansive savanna begins; Travelling along the Victoria Highway, watch the scenery change from woodland to open grassland, fringed with distant Wardaman Dreamtime formations and features across to the stark deep red escarpment of the Victoria River onto Timber Creek. Stops today are largely roadside locations, known for opportunity to see Buttonqualis, Purple-crowned Fairywren, Grassfinches (including Mannikins), Parrots and Cockatoos as well as incidental sightings of Macropods (Kangaroo species) such as Antilopine Wallaroo and Common Wallaroo (Euro).

Accom: Timber Creek

This morning we travel to a local concentrated waterway where savanna woodland species come in to drink and feed. Often a highlight, in the cool of the morning, we wait to see the gradual arrival of Pictorella Mannikin, Yellow-rumped Mannikin, Staf Finches and of course Gouldian Finches as well as the chance to see Budgerigar, Spinifex pigeon and some more inland species of honeyeaters such as Golden-backed Honeyeater.

Recommencing our drive along the Victoria River we draw closer to the Northern Territory/Western Australia Border and the first glimpses of the ancient rock features known to be scattered throughout the famed Kimberly Region. We make camp atop the Carlton Gorge at Lake Argyle, to enjoy an unforgettable sunset.

Accom Lake Argyle

This is 'BIG Counrty'. The best way to become more intimate with it is to travel along the waterways/bodies which is situated within the Carboyd Range features. We board a cruise on the Ord River from Kununurra to Lake Argyle Dam and view Sea-eagles, waterbirds, Freshwater Crocodiles and Turtles as well as the inspiring scenery. Late in the afternoon, we change our craft and board above the dam of Lake Argyle to voyage out to Chat Island, home to the 'hard-to-find' Yellow Chat as well as White-quilled Rock Pigeon, White-browed Crake, Rock Wallabies and Wallaroos as well as probably the best sunset of the trip

Accom Lake Argyle

An optional 'slow start' this morning as leave Lake Argyle and have a short drive to Kununurra (Capital of the Kimberley). We will have time to visit local sites such as Ivanhoe crossing (lower Ord River) and a last chance to catch up with some lovely species such as Buff-sided Robin and Crimson Finch.

After a Riverside farewell lunch we will say goodbye at the airport as you board your flight returning to Darwin. When you arrive at Darwin we will have arranged a transfer to your Darwin accommodation and a reservation at one of our favourite places for a final dinner.

Accom Darwin - End Trip