At a Glance
Embark on an authentic outback adventure at Mount Borradaile, on this unique, 4-day Arnhem Land wild safari.
Located just 50-minutes by light plane from Darwin, the Arnhemland Safari at Mount Borradaile is a registered Aboriginal sacred site in a remote 700 sq-km, exclusively leased area nestled against the Arnhem Land escarpment. This is a landscape of rugged ranges fringed by idyllic billabongs, flood plains, paper bark swamps and monsoonal rainforests. Safe to say, there is nothing else like this on Earth.
Ranked in the top 5 natural cultural sites anywhere in the world by the founder of the World Wilderness Congress, this Arnhemland Safari explores this timeless region like no one else. The safari has been entrusted by the Traditional Owners, the Ulba Bunidj people, to showcase small groups of people this ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- 3-nights’ accommodation in a unique Arnhemland Eco Lodge
- All meals: 3 x breakfast, 3 x lunch, 3 x dinner
- Return air charter flights to/from Arnhem Land
- All activities and experiences
- Private sedan transfer to Darwin Airport
- All activities and experiences
Itinerary
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With private airport transfer included, depart Darwin early morning, flying over the East Alligator River into Arnhem Land. Touch down in outback style at the Borradaile Airfield before travelling to the camp for a welcome orientation. Here, your hosts will ensure an adventure that makes cliches a reality. At the safari camp, there are no itineraries or busy time schedules to adhere to. Everything happens spontaneously – exactly as it is meant to. That being said, there is no better way to begin than with a visit to the rock art galleries, where you’ll find fine examples from the Freshwater, Contact and Esturarine periods including the majestic Rainbow Serpent – one of the most potent examples of Aboriginal spiritualism. Expert commentary will explain why Borradaile is such a significant place. You’ll stay the next 3-nights in a unique Arnhem Land Eco Lodge in an ensuited cabin. |
Davidson’s Arnhem Land Safaris Eco Lodge, Mount Borradaile
Lunch, Dinner |
Delve deeper into Arnhem Land with an Indigenous guide. Wander through various occupation and burial sites and view a range of artefacts from when these sites were still in use. You can also explore incredible catacombs that display signs of recent occupation and ancient mortuary rites. In the late afternoon, embark on a sunset cruise along the billabong. Enjoy a glass of wine and nibbles as Mount Borradaile changes colour – orange, red, pink and purple – with the shifting light. You’ll also have the opportunity to observe local wildlife including both estuarine and freshwater crocodiles and more than 270 species of bird. |
Davidson’s Arnhem Land Safaris Eco Lodge, Mount BorradaileBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Explore the rainforest areas and discover a completely different ecosystem with a distinct array of animals and plants including the colourful and rare Leichhardt’s Grasshopper. Your Indigenous guide will show you the local “bush supermarket”, where you will find plenty of fascinating bush tucker and medicines. If you’d prefer not to walk, you can also take a 4WD safari for a real outback thrill. In the afternoon, take a dip in the natural swimming hole (seasonal) or try your hand fishing for the legendary Barramundi in the pristine Copper Creek. The Barramundi is a big fish – it can weigh 10-60 kilograms, and a length of over 1 metre isn’t uncommon. The fish also has a reputation as a great fighter – high leaps, strong runs, and an uncanny ability to get off the hook, no matter how safely you thought you had them! |
Davidson’s Arnhem Land Safaris Eco Lodge, Mount BorradaileBreakfast, Lunch Dinner |
After one last delicious breakfast, board your return flight to Darwin to commence your onward journey. You’ll arrive back in Darwin around 9:30am. |
NoneBreakfastDates & Prices
Daily departure on request from February to November. Please contact us for group bookings.
More Info
- The start and finish point for this tour is Darwin, Northern Territory
- Darwin International Airport (DRW) receives scheduled flights from other destinations in the Northern Territory, Australia and South East Asia.
The Top End has a tropical savannah climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. Mount Borradaile opens for the beginning of March and operates through to mid-November, showcasing all the seasons of the Top End for guests to experience.
Wet Season – March and April This is the lush season of wildflowers and lots of water. During this time thunderstorms are common and afternoon humidity can reach 70%. This season is a secret gem, most tourists are scared off with inaccessibility and threats of stifling humidity, however with the mornings are pleasant and the afternoon storms relieve the humidity that builds, the freshness is delightful. Across the landscapes miniature waterfalls appear and the swimming holes are deep and crystal clear.
Runoff Season –April and May This is the best time for fishing. The rivers are pumping, the water is still warm and the barramundi are biting. The storms and humidity is easing. Guests do however go fishing for barramundi all year round.
Dry Season – June to September This is the most popular season for visiting the Top End. Mount Borradaile experiences its coolest months in June and July where the nightly minimum temperature may dip as low as 14°C. The days are warm and sunny averaging 32°C and afternoon humidity of around 30%. Usually no rain falls during these months. As the rivers slow down and the water cools, the wildlife becomes prolific on the floodplain and the crocodiles come up on the banks to sunbathe.
Build-up Season – Mid-September to November The temperatures start to rise slowly at first. 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 develop.
Due to Mount Borradaile’s remote location, all power (240V) is generated on site with a solar hybrid power system. Guests are therefore asked to be aware of their power consumption – the use of hairdryers and irons is prohibited. The water at the lodge, meanwhile, is sourced from a spring onsite, providing us with plenty of clean filtered drinking water.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
