Join us on an exclusive 4wd safari adventure of a lifetime showcasing the very best Kakadu & Litchfield National Park has to offer.
Discover some of the oldest and best-preserved Aboriginal Rock Art in the world, and keep a lookout for some of our prehistoric friends (crocodiles) as we cruise the ancient wetlands by boat. Visit spectacular waterfalls and cool off in some of the most beautiful natural plunge pools imaginable. We’ll be exploring some truly spectacular countryside, amongst pockets of rainforest packed with endemic species of flora and fauna.
This camping tour provides comfortable twin share or single pop-up safari tents which give you a little more comfort, privacy, and security or you can try out a traditional swag experience (canvas-covered bed roll)
Days
- 3 days, 2 nights
Group size
- Max 21
Start / finish
- Darwin / Darwin
Return
- See itinerary for details
Accommodation
- 2 nights inside Kakadu National Park, in safari tents or basic swags. All camping equipment is provided, with hot showers and toilets.
Transport
- A minibus with a guide out of Darwin, plus a boat for the Mary River Wetlands cruise. Around 1,070km of driving across the three days, and the park entry ticket is included.
Meals
- Two breakfasts, three lunches and two dinners, with vegetarians catered for.
Route
Included experiences
- Mary River Wetlands — a crocodile and wildlife cruise, with a huge range of Top End birdlife
- Kakadu National Park — a full day of plunge pools and waterfalls beneath steep escarpments
- Monsoon rainforest hikes, graded and ranging from 1km to 4km
- Litchfield National Park — an afternoon among its waterfalls and rockholes
- Aboriginal culture and rock art in Kakadu
- Pine Creek — a small pioneering town famous for the gold found there in the 1970s
- Camping inside the national park, in a safari tent or a swag
Itinerary
Day 1: Darwin to Kakadu National Park
Start your adventure by departing from Darwin and head out to the Wetlands Region for a Crocodile & Wildlife Cruise on the Mary River Wetlands, a great opportunity to spot a huge range of Top End birdlife, not to mention some fresh and salty apex predators… crocodiles! We journey on to Kakadu National Park visiting the Bowali Visitor Centre which offers a beautiful introduction to the Park's landscape and wildlife. After some relaxation at camp, we journey north to Cahills Crossing on the border of Kakadu and Arnhem Land. Here we embark on a cultural tour of a lifetime – cruising down the East Alligator River on the border of Kakadu and Arnhem Land to experience the Dreamtime stories of the area, majestic birdlife, and of course, hope to see crocodiles along where they and the locals aim to catch some barramundi! We will visit one of the best-preserved collections of Aboriginal Rock Art in the world at Ubirr rock upon sunset. This incredibly significant site showcases many styles of Rock Art and allows us to climb up high for a sunset over the Nadab Floodplain that will blow you away. After a big day, we head back to our cozy camp and prepare dinner together, enjoying an evening with our fellow travellers.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner.
Accom: Kakadu National Park Safari Tents or Basic Swags.
Driving Distance: 420km.
Hike Distance and Grading: 1km loop Grade 2-3
Day 2: Kakadu Waterfalls & Plunge Pools
We rise and shine early on day 2 and make our way South to Kakadu National Park. Today we'll spend the day soaking up the spectacular natural beauty of the area, hiking through lush monsoon rainforests, swimming in pristine plunge pools and waterfalls surrounded by steep escarpments and rocky cliffs. We generally visit Jim Jim Falls or Twin Falls when seasonally accessible, alternatively, we will stop in at Barramundi Gorge (Maguk) or other waterfalls such as Yurmikmik (Motor Car Falls). There are many factors affecting accessibility although your guide will ensure you get the best experience possible. Time permitting, we stop at Nourlangie Rock, another indigenous rock art site where archaeologists have uncovered works dating back over 20,000 years old. We explore the evolving social, cultural and environmental changes to the area over time before making our way back to camp for a hearty dinner and a well-earned rest.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Accom: Kakadu National Park Safari Tents or Basic Swags.
Driving Distance: 150km.
Hike Distance and Grading: 1.5km – 4km
Day 3: Litchfield National Park to Darwin
Travelling south through Pine Creek, a small pioneering town in the Katherine region outside of Kakadu National Park, famous for its discovery of gold in the 1970's. We stop for a quick refreshment break at the Adelaide River before our journey leads us to Litchfield National Park. We spend the afternoon immersed in Litchfield's natural oasis of waterfalls, spring-fed streams and rugged sandstone escarpments. We'll spend time in any combination of Buley Rockholes, Wangi Falls or Florence Falls for a refreshing soak in picturesque rock holes and waterfalls. Discover the uniquely impressive Magnetic and Cathedral Termite Mounds before making our way back to Darwin, arriving back to your accommodation at approximately 7:00pm.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Driving Distance: 500km.
Hike Distance and Grading: 1 – 2 km
Reviews
5.0
Based on 8 reviews
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“unforgettable”
I recently had the pleasure of taking the Kakadu & Litchfield Safari tour and it was nothing short of awesome. The tour's success was primarily due to the passion and extensive knowledge our guide possessed. He truly brought the beautiful Kakadu to life with his explanations of the region's mysterious rock art history and the magnificent views. On the river boat cruise, we were fortunate enough to see all the wildlife we were hoping for, including many active crocodiles! The next day was spent cooling off in the many safe and picturesque waterfalls of Litchfield. The tour also included top-notch food and accommodation. I highly recommend this trip to anyone who wants an unforgettable experience.
“Camping with Robert as our tour”
We’ve been on a 3 day tour through the Kakadu and the litchfield National Park.
With Robert as our tour guide, we were pretty lucky, there was no question he didn’t have a answer for.
The food and accommodation were also pretty good and we had a wonderful time out there at the top end.
“3 day tour, Kakadu + Lichfield”
Great trip, I especially liked to get up early and get the most out of the day.
We had Robert as our guide, he did an amazing job.
“3 day trip Kakadu and Litchfield”
I went on a 3 day trip to Kakadu and Litchfield with our tour guide Robert.
It was awesome! So many things that we saw and did!
From cool hidden spots to enormous views.
Robert is really into the history of Australia and the Indigenous people. And its contagious! The passion which he speaks with is unbelievable and so is the knowledge.
On top of that he's a real gentlemen who takes notice and care about everyone.
I hope for everyone who books a tour at Autopia that they will get Robert!
“cannot speak highly enough”
I recently had the pleasure of taking the 3 Day/ 2 Night Kakadu and it was an absolutely amazing and immersive small group experience. They are the real deal, with a maximum group size of 16 people in a 4WD bus, you're guaranteed a lot of adventure and the opportunity to go off the beaten track. Their guides really know what they're doing.
I cannot speak highly enough of our tour guide. He was a wealth of local knowledge and shared his expertise on the land and country, culture, and animals in a way that was both educational and entertaining. He has a great sense of humor and a positive and happy energy. He has so much passion and loves sharing everything he knows with his guests. He was also very flexible and responsive to our needs and the changing weather. We really appreciated that he tweaked our itinerary to make everyone comfortable when the temperature hit 39 degrees, and we needed some extra swim time. Thank you so much, for making our tour an unforgettable experience.
“unforgettable”
Our 3-day Kakadu & Litchfield Safari was an unforgettable experience filled with stunning natural beauty, delicious food, and unforgettable memories. From the breathtaking gorges to the delicious meals, every aspect of the tour was exceptional. However, the true highlight of the trip was the people we met, both the other travelers and our guide. He was an incredibly special person who helped to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere throughout the tour. The only downside to the trip was having to say goodbye to everyone after the three days. The connections we made, and the memories we created will stay with us forever.
“High recommend”
I recently went on the 3-day outback safari tour with Lost in Australia and it was an incredible experience. Our guide was exceptional, she was friendly, helpful, easy-going, and admirable. She was incredibly knowledgeable about the outback, its flora and fauna, and the culture of the Aboriginal Australians. Not only that, she was a skilled driver and navigated us through the rugged terrain with ease. I was mesmerized by the extraordinary landscape and the peacefulness of sleeping in a swag under the starry sky. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for an adventure of a lifetime.
“Awesome”
If you're looking for an authentic and unique outdoor experience, this small group tour is a must-do. Imagine sleeping under the stars in a cozy swag, cooking and enjoying nutritious meals over an open fire, and waking up early to witness the breathtaking sunrise at Uluru, all while exploring the prehistoric geological wonders of the Red Centre. With the guidance of our knowledgeable and respectful tour guide, you'll learn about the history and culture that has shaped the Central Australian landscape. And with a small group size of only 12, you'll have the opportunity to bond with your fellow travelers as you all contribute to meal prep and camp chores. Plus, with comfortable transportation and access to hot showers each night, this tour is the perfect combination of adventure and comfort.
