| Status | Starts | Group size | Leader | Duration/price Inc. flights from/to UK | Duration/price Exc. international flights | Single supp. | ||
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On this tour to the Northern Territory – also known as the Top End – we experience a wealth of wildlife. This area is home to some truly spectacular bird species such as the delightful rainbow bee-eater, Gouldian finch and the emblematic black-necked stork, plus an incredible array of mammals, colourful insects and reptiles, including the legendary saltwater crocodile.
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Day 1 Depart UK
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- After arriving in Darwin, we meet our naturalist leader and head to Mary River National Park. In Mary River, we settle into our lovely wilderness property with time to unwind from the long flight – surrounded by nature and getting ready for an extraordinary wetland wildlife experience. After dinner we listen for bush stone-curlew, tawny frogmouth and barking owl at night.
- Accommodation: Wildman Wilderness Lodge, 1-night on full board basis
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- Waking with the first rays of sunshine, we enjoy a cruise in the Home billabong, watching nature come to life. This is a great opportunity for a close encounter with the charismatic saltwater crocodile, and also to observe wetland birds across the floodplains. The birdlife here is fantastic and will undoubtedly see a huge variety of species.
- After breakfast we drive to Jabiru via Mamukala Wetlands and Bird Hide, crossing over the South Alligator River floodplains on the lookout for Australian pratincole, Australian swamphen, spotted harrier, black-shouldered kite and zitting cisticola. Then to Mamukala Wetlands, where there is a dedicated bird hide for wetland and woodland birds, as well as birds of prey. Mamukala is beautiful all year but is at its most dramatic in the late dry season when thousands of magpie geese congregate to feed - a must-see for avid photographers and birdwatchers.
- Accommodation: Anbinik Kakadu Resort, 2-nights on full board basis
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- This morning we go on the Manngarre Walk on the East Alligator River in search of monsoon forest species such as rainbow pitta, little shrike-thrush and rose-crowned fruit-dove. We also visit the Ubirr art site to see the great collection of Aboriginal rock paintings.
- We then explore the Burrungkuy Region (Nourlangie Rock and Anbangbang Billabong). Along the way we aim to see chestnut-quilled rock-pigeon, sandstone shrike-thrush, rainbow pitta, yellow oriole, white-lined honeyeater, banded fruit-dove, black-tailed tree creeper, and black wallaroo.
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- In the early morning we enjoy a sunrise Yellow Water boat trip, an intimate cruise in a fantastic birding location with chances to see several bird species, as well as saltwater crocodile.
- We then drive south to Pine Creek and stop along the way to view spectacular termite mounds (some reaching over five metres in height!) and take note of subtle changes in the environment as salmon gums and bloodwoods come to be the dominant tree species the further south we travel. Pine Creek is considered to be the best place to see the stunning hooded parrot and we search the local region for them along with other parrots and local bird species.
- Accommodation: Pine Creek, 1-night on full board basis
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- We drive to Leliyn (Edith) Falls, another great spot for Gouldian finch and hooded parrot. Indeed, Yinberrie Hills Important Bird Area was identified as such by BirdLife International because of its importance for endangered Gouldian finches.
- We then continue to the very scenic Katherine Gorge / Nitmiluk region, where the central attraction is the deep gorge carved through ancient sandstone by the Katherine River. The area offers great birding opportunities, best seen from the water on cruises.
- Accommodation: Nitmiluk Chalets, 1-night on full board basis
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- We drive to Timber Creek and search for various bird species on route; with luck we may see hooded parrot or the even more elusive crested shrike-tit, and possibly black-tailed tree creeper, rufous-throated, black-chinned honeyeater and buff-side robin.
- Accommodation: Timber Creek, 2-nights on full board basis
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- Today we drive west and cross over to West Australia, to the gorgeous Kimberley area. Along the way we might see raptors as we go, such as square-tailed kite and the very rare Pictorella manikin.
- Accommodation: Lakeside Resort, 2-nights on full board basis
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- Today we explore the fascinating Lake Argyle, Australia's largest freshwater lake, for our grand finale of the tour. Home to a great diversity of water birds, we are on the lookout for two key highlights, the yellow chat and white-quilled rock pigeon.
- In the area we also aim to see more brolga, silver-crowned friarbird, blue-faced honeyeater and also hopefully some short-eared rock-wallaby and northern nail-tail wallaby.
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- Transfer to Kununurra airport and depart on an overnight flight back to the UK.
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Day 12 Arrive UK
All prices are per person and include:
- Services of the naturalist leader
- Flights
- Transfers
- Accommodation
- All meals
- Guided activities
Accommodation
Properties range from beautiful wilderness retreats to comfortable eco lodges, and the occasional small rustic hotel in more remote locations. Accommodations are usually located in the wilderness in outstanding locations. All rooms are ensuite.
Meals
All meals are included.
Breakfast is generally continental type with cereal, fruit, yoghurt, tea and coffee. On some mornings, there will be an option for a cooked American-style breakfast. Lunch on travel or exploring days is usually a picnic lunch in a natural bush setting, while dinner normally consists of several options for a main meal at a restaurant.
Birds
With over 400 bird species, the Northern Territory boasts almost half of all bird species in Australia. It is home to some truly spectacular birds, including unique endemics such as the gorgeous Gouldian finch, colourful hooded parrot and rainbow pitta.
- Rainbow bee-eater
- Black-necked stork
- Barking owl
- Comb-crested jacana
Mammals
The Top End is home to 150 mammal species, some of which are extremely rare and close to extinction such as the Eastern quoll.
- Agile wallaby
- Brush-tailed phascogale
- Black flying fox
- Northern brown bandicoot
Amphibians
With 300 species, this region boasts a fantastic population of reptiles and is best known for its gigantic saltwater (estuarine) crocodile.
- Saltwater crocodile
- Freshwater crocodile
- Oenpelli python
- Frill-necked lizard
Butterflies
There are over 320 species of dragonflies and damselflies across Australia and the males are usually the more colourful.
- Common crow butterfly
- chocolate argus butterfly
Scenery
We travel through some diverse habitats, from monosson forest, eucalypt woodland, freshwater and coastal marshes, to grassland, mangrove, rocky outcrops and savannah woodlands.
Boat trips
The Top End offers many opportunities for boat trips; cruising the Mary River Wetlands for saltwater crocodile and some incredible birding opportunities. Exploring Katherine Gorges-Nitmiluk National Park by boat offers an incredibly scenic experience and we also visit Lake Argyle on a dawn birdwatching cruise.
Photography
Photographic opportunities on this trip are good to excellent, with chances to capture water birds, crocodiles and incredible scenery.
Walking
Some forest trails can be steep in parts, or slippery after recent rain. However, we will take these slowly.
Flights
Price includes return scheduled flights London – Darwin and Kununurra – London.
Ground transport
Ground transportation is by minibus driven by the leader.
Climate
By October and November the daily temperatures can reach 36‐38°C and the humidity increases to 80%. This time of year is the hottest and can be uncomfortable for those not accustomed to hot weather and humidity. The evenings often bring spectacular electrical storms as the build‐up develops.