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Stay in a sprawling nature reserve located on the border of Kakadu National Park, full of diverse birdlife, wildlife and natural habitats to explore. On this four-day Independent Short Break, you’ll go out in search of wildlife on a 4WD safari, set off across the wetlands on an airboat, take a river cruise down Sampan Creek and visit a billabong rich in birdlife. Look for crocodiles, wallabies, buffalo, magpie geese, egrets and more. In the evenings, sip sundowners and dine on curated three-course dinners prepared using native and local produce, then retreat to your comfortable bungalow and drift off surrounded by the sounds of nature.
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Sarah
Petra
CharlotteWelcome to the Top End! Your adventure begins in Darwin, or Gulumoerrgin in the language of the local Larrakia people, who are the Traditional Custodians of the land on which Darwin is now located. You’ll be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the Bark Hut Inn. Enjoy a cold drink and meet your Bamurru Plains hosts before the drive to your accommodation, set in a sprawling private nature reserve that borders Kakadu National Park, overlooking the Mary River floodplains. When you arrive, settle into your eco bungalow, then get your first look at the wildlife that calls the reserve home during an open-top vehicle safari. Led by expert guides, you’ll venture out in a 4WD to spot wallabies, saltwater crocodiles and buffalo. At sunset, stop for drinks and canapes as you watch the sky change colour over the plains. Then, return to the lodge for a three-course dinner featuring locally sourced native produce. Grab a drink from the bar, serving both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and debrief about the day’s adventures with your group.
After breakfast, go on an airboat safari (season dependent) across the wetlands to see magpie geese, plumed whistling ducks, egrets, ibises and more. Your guides will take you through a hands-on demonstration of the many uses of the local flora as you float among the forest of melaleuca trees. Keep an eye out for crocodiles floating among the grass, too! Next, you’ll spend time at the bird hide, perched 6 m above the ground in the canopy. With your expert guide, observe the local birdlife in their natural habitat – the reserve is home to more than 230 bird species. This afternoon, hop aboard a guided river cruise down the Sampan Creek to look for crocodiles and more birdlife. The Mary River system is home to one of the highest densities of crocodiles in the world. Sip sundowners and snack on canapes as you cruise along, then tuck into another three-course dinner back at the lodge.
Today is a free day for you to choose from the optional activities on offer at the reserve. You might like to go out in search of more birdlife – the reserve’s variety of habitats, including black soil floodplains, paperbark swamps, savanna woodlands, mangroves and beaches, each harbour different species. Or you might like to enjoy the comfort of the lodge – you could go for a dip in the infinity pool, taking in the view of the open landscape or simply relax at your bungalow, where you can watch wildlife wandering past your doorstep. There’s also the option to go on a day trip to Kakadu National Park, where you can go for a cruise on the World Heritage-listed Yellow Water billabong, see ancient rock art, explore the landscapes and visit the Warradjan Cultural Centre for some excellent First Nations art. Tonight, regroup at the lodge for dinner, swapping stories from the day with your fellow travellers.
Start today with a safari, headed to Fisher Billabong – a secluded part of the reserve with scenic bushland, floodplains and plenty of birdlife. Have brunch back at the lodge, then begin your journey back to Darwin, where your adventure comes to an end.
Our Important Notes and Packing List cover all essentials, from necessary equipment to inclusions, ensuring you're fully equipped and informed for this extraordinary adventure and more.
START & END TIMES & LOCATION We will collect you from your central Darwin hotel at 11:00 am on day 1 of your trip. Please advise us of your pick-up location well ahead of time. If we do not have this information we will not be able to pick you up. On the last day we transfer you back to your hotel in central Darwin by 5:00pm. We recommend you book flights no earlier than 6:00pm or book an additional night in Darwin. ACCOMMODATION UPGRADE The default accommodation for this trip is in our Eco Bungalows. You can upgrade to the Safari Bungalow or the Kingfisher Suite at an additional cost, subject to availability. Please see the accommodation section of your trip notes or speak to your travel agent for more details. TRANSFER UPGRADE You can upgrade your trip to include flights from and to Darwin, instea dof using the road transfer that is included in your trip. The upgrade is at an additional cost and subject to availability. Please speak to your travel agent for more details. DIETARY REQUIREMENTS It is very important that you advise us of any dietary requirements and allergies at least 2 weeks prior to departure. We need this information well ahead of time to be able organise catering for you. The accommodation's remote location means that some food items will not be available on short notice, and once the trip has commenced changes to dietary requirements are not possible. MEDICAL CONDITIONS As we operate in remote areas, you will need to bring all of your own personal medications with you. While our staff are qualified in remote area or wilderness first aid and carry satellite phones, we do not carry any emergency medications. If a person requires urgent medical attention during the stay, it may take several hours or more for emergency services to attend the scene and take you to a medical facility. If you have any pre-existing medical issues that will affect your ability to complete the trip or may have an impact on other guests’ experiences and you do not disclose these prior to the departure, we reserve the right to remove you from the trip.
On safari we recommend: - Long, loose clothing made of cottons, linens and lighter fabrics that allow your skin to breathe and will protect you from the sun - Hats that offer good sun protection. Be sure to pack a wide-brimmed and peaked hat for when you experience our airboats - Sunglasses and sun screen - Closed toe footwear is required to participate in some experiences, however hiking boots are not necessary Our wet-edge pool and the comfortable day beds offer a wonderful way to unwind and spot passing wildlife, so you will need a swimming costume. Pool towels are provided. Dining at Bamurru is an experience and while lunch is a more relaxed occasion, guests often choose to wear smart casual for dinner. If you are a keen wildlife viewer, you many wish to bring your own binoculars.