Stay in a sprawling nature reserve located on the border of Kakadu National Park, full of diverse birdlife, wildlife and natural habitats to explore …
Top End Safari Lodge Experience
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.
Welcome 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.
Trip Inclusions
Meals
3 breakfasts and 3 dinners are included
Transport
Private vehicle, Open top safari vehcile, air boat
Accomodation
Bamurru Plains (various accommodation options)
Included Activities
Darwin - Road Transfer from Darwin to Bamurru Plains
Bamurru Plains - Wildlife and floodplain interpretation
Bamurru Plains - Crocodile and birdlife river cruise
Bamurru Plains - Billabong safari
Bamurru Plains - Birdwatching and wildlife viewing
Trip Highlights
Spend three nights in an eco-bungalow set on a private, 300-sq-km wilderness reserve that borders Kakadu, giving you exclusive access to the floodplains and savanna woodlands on the Mary River.
Search for wildlife and explore the wetlands with expert guides. Hop on an airboat to learn about the local flora, go on a 4WD safari to spot wallabies and take a guided river cruise down Sampan Creek, home to saltwater crocodiles.
Dine on fresh, local produce and native ingredients, with all your meals taken care of during your stay. Enjoy sunset drinks and canapes each evening before sitting down to three-course dinners at the lodge – all included in the price of the trip.
Enjoy the convenience of included transfers from Darwin and back, so all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the scenery.
Take your adventure up a notch with an optional day trip to Kakadu National Park, where you can see ancient rock art, cruise on the Yellow Water billabong and learn about First Nations art and culture at the Warradjan Cultural Centre.