Luxury Small Group Touring for the Travel Trade

Top End Luxury Safaris

About These Adventures

Kakadu, Arnhem Land & the Top End

  • 5- and 6-day luxury safari itineraries departing Darwin
  • Restricted-access permits for Koolpin Gorge and Arnhem Land sacred sites
  • Exclusive lodge stays – Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris and Bamurru Plains
  • Small group format with expert guides (Sab and Dean Lord)
  • Ideal for luxury FIT, special interest groups, and incentive programmes
A dramatic waterfall cascades into a pristine turquoise pool surrounded by towering red sandstone cliffs in Kakadu National Park, Western Australia. The rugged landscape features layered rock formations and sparse vegetation characteristic of Australia's Top End.
A long-distance luxury passenger train with distinctive red engines curves through the arid South Australian outback, with the dramatic Flinders Ranges mountains visible on the horizon. The train travels through desert terrain dotted with sparse vegetation, heading north from Adelaide toward Darwin.
A dramatic aerial view of Jim Jim Falls cascading down towering red sandstone cliffs surrounded by lush tropical vegetation in Australia's Northern Territory. The pristine waterfall plunges into a pool below, with the surrounding landscape showcasing the iconic rugged beauty of Kakadu National Park.
A view of ancient Aboriginal rock paintings on a large red rock formation, protected by modern safety railings and interpretive signage. The ochre-colored rock face displays faded white pigment artwork characteristic of Indigenous Australian cultural heritage sites.
Ancient red ochre rock art depicting human and animal figures on a weathered sandstone rock face at Ubirr in Kakadu National Park. This sacred Indigenous Australian artwork represents thousands of years of cultural heritage and spiritual traditions of the Aboriginal peoples of Northern Territory.
Ancient Aboriginal rock art depicting stylized fish and other figures painted on ochre-colored rock face at Nourlangie in Kakadu National Park. The artwork showcases traditional Indigenous Australian artistic techniques with distinctive line work and natural pigmentation characteristic of X-ray style rock art.
An aerial view of Twin Falls in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, showcasing cascading waterfalls flowing through rugged rocky terrain surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and a pristine pool of water. The distinctive layered rock formations and pristine wilderness landscape demonstrate the natural beauty of Australia's Top End.
A close-up portrait of a large saltwater crocodile partially submerged in clear blue water at Yellow Water Billabong in Kakadu National Park. The image captures the reptile's distinctive features including its golden eye, textured scales, and powerful head in sharp detail against the pristine water backdrop.
A saltwater crocodile partially submerged in calm water, with its distinctive yellow eye visible and head above the surface. Lush green vegetation and mangroves line the background, characteristic of Kakadu National Park's wetland ecosystem.
A large saltwater crocodile glides through the shallow waters of Yellow Water billabong in Kakadu National Park, surrounded by lily pads, aquatic vegetation, and native fish. The crocodile's textured skin and distinctive features are clearly visible as it moves through the pristine blue water.
A large freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni) rests on sandy ground at the water's edge in Kakadu National Park, displaying its distinctive scaly hide and powerful jaw. The reptile is positioned partially on dry sand and partially in shallow murky water, showcasing its natural habitat in Australia's Northern Territory.
A large saltwater crocodile rests in the shallow blue waters of Yellow Water billabong in Kakadu National Park, with its distinctive golden eye visible and fish swimming nearby in the pristine wetland environment.
A scenic waterfall cascades into a pristine natural pool surrounded by striking rust-colored rocky outcrops and native vegetation in Kakadu National Park. The landscape features dramatic cliff formations, eucalyptus trees, and crystal-clear blue water, showcasing the rugged beauty of Australia's Northern Territory.
A powerful waterfall cascades into a pristine pool surrounded by distinctive rust-colored rocky cliffs in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia. The natural amphitheater of ancient rock formations frames the flowing water against a clear blue sky.
A vibrant Azure Kingfisher perches on a branch in the Australian outback, displaying its distinctive deep blue head and back with russet-orange underparts. The bird is captured in sharp detail against a soft, blurred background of green foliage and branches, showcasing the rich wildlife diversity of Kakadu National Park.
A striking comb-crested jacana with distinctive red head crest and yellow-green plumage wades across lily pads and shallow water in Kakadu National Park. The bird navigates the wetland habitat surrounded by floating vegetation and water lilies in shades of green and pink.
A spectacular waterfall cascades down towering rust-red sandstone cliffs into a tranquil pool below, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation in Australia's Kakadu National Park. Small boats with visitors explore the pristine waters at the base of this iconic natural landmark.
An aerial view of Jim Jim Falls, a spectacular two-tiered waterfall cascading down red sandstone cliffs surrounded by lush green eucalyptus forest in Australia's tropical north. The pristine plunge pool below reflects the dramatic natural landscape, with the ocean visible in the distance.
An aerial photograph of dramatic sandstone rock formations and plateau cliffs rising above lush green bushland in Australia's Northern Territory. The distinctive columnar basalt formations and layered red rock faces are characteristic of the rugged Arnhem Land escarpment, surrounded by sparse eucalyptus woodland.
A flock of black and blue waterbirds with distinctive red beaks wading and foraging in the shallow waters of Kakadu National Park's wetland. The scene captures the natural abundance of birdlife against a backdrop of flooded grassland, aquatic vegetation, and dense eucalyptus forest.
A sweeping panoramic view of Arnhem Land in Australia's Northern Territory, showcasing lush green valleys, scattered vegetation, distinctive rock formations in the foreground, and distant plateaus under a partly cloudy sky. The landscape features a mix of tropical woodlands, agricultural areas, and natural water features characteristic of this remote Australian region.

COMPLETE ITINERARY

5-Day Kakadu & Arnhem Land Safari – Day by Day

Darwin Departure, Mary River Wetlands & Maguk Gorge

Your guide collects you from your Darwin accommodation at 7:30am. From there, you head toward UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park via the Mary River Wetlands, where a 45-minute Airboat Safari takes you floating above a blanket of lilies and reeds across the vast floodplains. This is a genuinely unique experience – the airboat goes where no conventional vessel can, and the wetlands are teeming with crocodiles and countless bird species.

The group enters Kakadu via the Old Darwin Road, arriving at Maguk (Barramundi) Gorge for the afternoon. A one-kilometre walk through sub-monsoon rainforest leads to a pristine waterfall and plunge pool – crystal-clear water surrounded by towering rock walls. It is exactly the kind of place that makes people stop talking.

The evening finishes with one of the Top End’s famous sunsets before settling into an exclusive permanent bush camp for the night.

Trade tip: The airboat safari is a strong opening experience that immediately sets this apart from standard Kakadu day tours. The bush camp accommodation is comfortable but authentic – manage client expectations around luxury lodges versus wilderness immersion for the first two nights.

Koolpin Gorge – The Jewel in the Crown of Kakadu

Koolpin Gorge is Kakadu National Park’s best-kept secret, and for good reason. Its Aboriginal name is Jarrangbarnmi, from the Jawoyn words “jarrang” (flood or big water flow) and “barn” (rift or gap). This is a carefully protected, restricted area with significant natural and cultural value. Permits are needed, visitor numbers are strictly controlled, and Lords Safaris is one of a limited number of operators allowed access.

The gorge is in the southern part of the park, accessible only by high-clearance 4WD. What you find when you get there is breathtaking – a pristine wilderness of seemingly endless gorges, crystalline waters, waterfalls, plunge pools, and white sandy beaches. Koolpin Creek flows down several hundred feet through a series of cascades and pools often called the “Giant’s Staircase.” You can walk, scramble, or climb through an ever-changing landscape with infinite views.

Trade tip: The restricted access is the selling point here. Your clients will be visiting a place that most people – including most Australians – will never see. It photographs extraordinarily well and the sense of exclusivity is genuine, not manufactured.

Crossing into Arnhem Land & Injalak Arts

Today the group is privileged to enter Arnhem Land, home of Aboriginal people for tens of thousands of years. Access is restricted to a select group of tour operators, and visits happen only by invitation of the traditional owners, who may deny access at any time. Lords Safaris has a proud history of more than 25 years working with the Indigenous people of Arnhem Land and Kakadu.

Departing the northern region of Kakadu, you cross the infamous Cahill’s Crossing on the East Alligator River. A 15-kilometre scenic drive to the Gunbalanya Indigenous Community provides some of the best driving views in the Top End – floodplains, billabongs, and the Arnhem Land escarpment stretching out in every direction.

At Gunbalanya, you visit the Injalak Arts and Crafts Centre – a nonprofit Aboriginal-owned social enterprise opened in 1989 where Kunwinjku artists produce traditional art inspired by ancient Dreamtime stories and nearby rock art galleries. This is an intimate setting where visitors watch artworks being created and can purchase paintings on paper and bark, carvings, didgeridoos, fibre works, and special edition prints.

An Aboriginal guide then leads the group up Injalak Hill (Long Tom Dreaming) to view rock art documented as among the finest examples in Western Arnhem Land. Some say in all of Australia. The main gallery features layered paintings created over thousands of years, dating between 100 and 8,000 years old. The view from the summit is simply breathtaking.

The afternoon continues to Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris, a safari lodge situated in the northwest corner of Arnhem Land adjacent to Kakadu and the Cobourg Peninsula. The lodge sits in natural bush surrounds with communal dining, lounge, bar, library, and an outdoor deck overlooking a sandstone-paved pool.

Trade tip: The Injalak Hill rock art and the meeting with working artists at the centre is the cultural highlight of the itinerary. For clients interested in Indigenous art, this is the real thing – not a curated museum experience. Davidson’s is remote (4WD or flight access only), which adds considerably to the sense of adventure.

Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris & Mt Borradaile

A full day exploring the extraordinary environment around Davidson’s. Mt Borradaile is a registered Aboriginal sacred site within an exclusively leased 700-square-kilometre area nestled against the Arnhem Land escarpment. The landscape here is remarkable – rugged ranges fringed by billabongs, floodplains, paperbark swamps, and monsoonal rainforests.

Mt Borradaile is still owned and managed by its traditional custodians, the Amurdak people, whose inhabitation of the area dates back 50,000 years. The evidence of that history is everywhere – tools, ceremonial grounds, and rock art paintings are visible across valleys, overhangs, and caves. Magnificent galleries of rock art sit alongside occupation and burial sites, some still being uncovered today.

Activities during the day include fishing, guided viewing of Aboriginal art, and a billabong cruise through waterways populated by birdlife and crocodiles.

Trade tip: The 50,000-year occupation history at Mt Borradaile is not an exaggeration – it is one of the longest continuously inhabited sites on earth. For clients who respond to deep cultural experiences, this day alone justifies the itinerary. The billabong cruise is also excellent for wildlife photography.

Final Morning at Davidson’s & Return to Darwin

The morning is spent continuing to enjoy the sights and experiences around Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris before departing after lunch for the return journey to Darwin.

Guests have the option to return to Darwin by air rather than 4WD vehicle. The flight offers spectacular aerial views of Arnhem Land and the floodplain systems that are impossible to appreciate from ground level.

Trade tip: The scenic flight return is worth recommending to clients who can accommodate the additional cost – it provides a completely different perspective on the country they’ve just explored on foot. We can arrange onward connections from Darwin to Uluru, the Great Barrier Reef, or east coast destinations as part of a broader Australian itinerary.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Inclusions & Accommodation

Safari Experience Inclusions

  • Expert-guided 4WD touring throughout with Sab or Dean Lord
  • All meals prepared using fresh local produce
  • 45-minute Airboat Safari on the Mary River Wetlands
  • Restricted-access permits for Koolpin Gorge and Arnhem Land
  • Aboriginal-guided rock art tour at Injalak Hill
  • Billabong cruise and fishing at Davidson’s
  • Darwin hotel pick-up and drop-off

About the Accommodation

  • Exclusive permanent bush camp in Kakadu National Park
  • Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris – fully licensed safari lodge at Mt Borradaile
  • Bamurru Plains – safari bungalows on the Mary River floodplains (6-day itinerary)
  • Optional scenic flight return to Darwin available

Add This Destination to Your Australia or New Zealand Itinerary

Contact our team for trade rates, availability, and help packaging this tour into your clients’ tailor-made itineraries. As a leading inbound travel specialist for Australia and New Zealand, we’ll build the complete journey, including flights, accommodation, connecting tours, and onward travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

The dry season runs from May to October and is the optimal time for these safaris. Conditions are warm, skies are clear, and access roads to places like Koolpin Gorge and Davidson’s are open. Waterfalls and gorges are at their most impressive in the early dry season (May to July) following the wet season rains. By September and October, some water features will have reduced. During the wet season (November to April), access to Davidson’s is by flight only and some areas become impassable. Most departures are concentrated between May and September. We recommend booking well in advance as restricted-access permits and lodge availability are limited.
A reasonable level of fitness is recommended. The itineraries involve walking on uneven terrain, scrambling over rocks at Koolpin Gorge, climbing Injalak Hill, and getting in and out of 4WD vehicles and boats. The Koolpin Gorge day is the most physically demanding. None of it requires specialist fitness, but guests should be comfortable walking for an hour or more over rough ground and be able to manage some basic scrambling. The guides tailor the pace to the group and offer alternatives where possible. Clients with specific mobility concerns should discuss these at the time of booking so we can advise honestly about suitability.
Lords Safaris operates genuine small group tours. Group sizes are kept deliberately small to maintain the intimacy and quality of the experience, particularly when visiting restricted-access areas like Koolpin Gorge and Arnhem Land sacred sites. The exact number varies by itinerary but expect a maximum in the range of 6 to 10 guests. This also reflects the accommodation capacity at lodges like Davidson’s. For larger groups or private departures, contact our team to discuss charter options.
The 5-day Kakadu and Arnhem Land itinerary focuses on Kakadu National Park (including restricted-access Koolpin Gorge), Arnhem Land, and Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris at Mt Borradaile. The 6-day Luxury Experience replaces Koolpin Gorge with additional time at Bamurru Plains on the Mary River floodplains – an exclusive safari-style lodge with a completely different environment of wetlands, birdlife, and floodplain wildlife. Both itineraries include Arnhem Land and Davidson’s. There is also a 5-day Top End Luxury Lodges option that combines Bamurru Plains with other Top End highlights. We can advise on which itinerary best suits your clients’ interests.
Yes. Lords Safaris can accommodate private group charters, and AABH has extensive experience building incentive programmes around premium Australian experiences. The small group format and exclusive lodge settings lend themselves well to corporate retreats and incentive rewards. We can tailor the itinerary duration, add or substitute experiences, and coordinate special dining or cultural events. For larger incentive groups, we can stagger departures or combine the Top End safari with other Australian destinations. Contact us at enquiries@aabh.com.au to discuss group requirements.
The Top End pairs naturally with a wide range of Australian destinations. Common extensions include Uluru and the Red Centre, the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney, and the Kimberley coast. Darwin is well connected by domestic flights to all major Australian cities. We build complete tailor-made Australian itineraries for the travel trade – flights, accommodation, touring, and transfers across the country. The Top End safari works particularly well as the wilderness centrepiece of a 2- to 3-week Australian journey that also takes in coastal and urban experiences. We can also connect clients to New Zealand itineraries through our subsidiary, New Zealand and Beyond Holidays.