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Birdwatching Safari of Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks

Australia
Escorted

From £1995

Excluding Flights

5 Nights

Jul-Aug

Overview

Embark on a small-group tour through Australia’s wild Top End, a region renowned for its rich wildlife and striking landscapes. Led by local experts, travel at a relaxed pace through the iconic national parks of Kakadu, Nitmiluk, and Litchfield, with a special focus on birdwatching.

You may spot a Wilkin’s rock wallaby nestled beneath ancient rock art, hear the haunting call of a chestnut-quilled rock pigeon echoing through rugged escarpments, and witness a golden sunrise as Gouldian finches gather at the final puddles of a drying creek bed.

This six-day adventure begins and ends in Darwin, offering an effortless journey into one of Australia’s most extraordinary and timeless regions. Along the way, uncover the stories, wildlife, and natural wonders of this ancient landscape.

  • Highlights

    Encounter some of Australia’s most remarkable birdlife, including the iconic blue-winged kookaburra

  • Highlights

    Discover ancient landscapes and rare wildlife in Kakadu, Nitmiluk & Litchfield

  • australia northern territory ubirr rock kakadu national park astk

    Highlights

    Experience Ubirr’s dramatic scenery and incredible Aboriginal rock art

  • Highlights

    Take an Aboriginal guided boat tour out into the wilderness of the East Alligator River and step onto Arnhem Land

Venture east into the tropical outback to explore Fogg Dam on the Adelaide River floodplain, where lush monsoon forest teems with colourful birdlife. Keep an eye out for magpie geese, whistling ducks, and the brilliant rainbow pitta. As you continue, cross several of the Top End’s great rivers, including the Mary River, a hotspot for saltwater crocodiles often seen basking along the banks. Agile wallabies are also a common sight along this scenic stretch.

Entering Kakadu National Park, take a short walk through the Mamukala Wetlands for a first taste of the region’s astonishing biodiversity. Watch the skies for soaring white-bellied sea eagles before arriving in Jabiru to end the day.

Ubirr is one of Kakadu’s most captivating sites. Climb to the top of Ubirr Rock for sweeping panoramic views over vast floodplains and rugged ridges. Explore extraordinary Aboriginal rock art that offers a powerful connection to this ancient land. Then, discover the Bardedjilidji Sandstone Walk, a fascinating trail winding through dramatic geological formations shaped over millions of years.

The tidal East Alligator River marks the boundary with Arnhem Land, a vast and culturally rich Aboriginal territory. Embark on a two-hour Aboriginal-guided boat tour, gliding past vibrant sandstone cliffs as your guide shares stories that deepen your understanding of the land and its significance to the people of Arnhem Land. Birdlife is abundant here. Listen for the elusive chestnut-quilled rock pigeon calling from the escarpments or spot colourful flocks of crimson, long-tailed, and masked finches flitting through the spinifex. You might also see the large-billed heron patrolling the riverbanks.

Before returning to Jabiru, visit Injalak Arts, a hub for local Indigenous artists, where you can admire or purchase stunning artworks. The day ends with a breathtaking spectacle as hundreds of corellas return to roost and thousands of little red flying-foxes take flight into the twilight sky.

  • australia northern territory ubirr rock art kakadu adstk

The Nourlangie region offers a dramatic entry point to Arnhem Land, rich in both cultural significance and wildlife. Towering sandstone ridges rise from the floodplains, forming a landscape deeply sacred to the Aboriginal people who have lived here for tens of thousands of years. At the Nourlangie Rock Art site, you’ll discover some of Australia’s most evocative Indigenous artworks, including the famed depiction of Namarrgon, the Lightning Man. This ancient landscape is alive with birdlife. Keep an eye out for emus striding across the plains, bush stone-curlews blending into the undergrowth, finches flitting through the trees and blue-winged kookaburra.

In the afternoon, you’ll continue to Pine Creek to visit to the local Water Treatment Plant – an unexpected birding hotspot where patient observers may spot rarities like the oriental pratincole and a variety of seasonal waders.

Begin the day early with a visit to one of the Top End’s prime locations for spotting finches, including the vibrant and elusive Gouldian finch. These striking birds visit small creekside pools intermittently, rewarding those who wait with a little patience.

Continue on to Leliyn (Edith Falls), a spectacular site on the southern edge of the Arnhem Escarpment and the traditional land of the Joewyn people. Cascading waterfalls spill into clear pools – perfect for a refreshing swim or peaceful wildlife viewing. The surrounding landscape is home to sandstone shrike-thrushes and a variety of honeyeaters, often seen along the scenic circuit trail between the upper and lower pools.

In the afternoon, travel north toward Litchfield National Park, ending the day with a striking sunset over the towering magnetic and cathedral termite mounds.

Spend the morning discovering the natural highlights of Litchfield National Park, including the striking magnetic and cathedral termite mounds and the picturesque Buley Rock Pools. With an exceptional stroke of luck, you might catch a glimpse of the red goshawk, Australia’s rarest raptor or the oriental honey buzzard, a species native to Asia along the Tjaetaba Falls trail. If time allows, you may also visit the impressive Wangi Falls and the towering Tolmer Falls, the park’s highest.

In the afternoon, travel back toward Darwin’s Lee Point, with birding stops en route to search for elusive species such as the chestnut rail, rufous owl and Pacific reef heron.

  • australia northern territory litchfield national park termite mound istk

This morning begins with a visit to Muirhead Bushland Reserve, a reliable spot for observing a variety of finches and honeyeaters. Continue to nearby Buffalo Creek, where (with some luck) you may glimpse a chestnut rail foraging along the mangrove edge. The beach also provides some of Australia’s finest opportunities for wader watching. Around midday, return to Darwin where your adventure ends.

Responsible travel

Rooted in Australia’s stories, Australian Geographic Travel is committed to protecting the country’s unique nature, people, and places through two clear actions: First, donating 100% of profits to its registered charity, the Australian Geographic Society, which supports vital conservation and sustainability grants. Second, carefully designing tours to safeguard wildlife and landscapes.

Guided by six pillars – sustainable tourism, responsible travel, climate action, community engagement, Indigenous support, and citizen science – Australian Geographic Travel creates immersive, meaningful experiences that inspire a deeper connection to Australia’s environment. Their ongoing collaborative efforts include measuring and reducing emissions, strengthening local partnerships, and offering guests meaningful conservation activities. Aligned with global initiatives such as the Glasgow Declaration, the company prioritises transparency, innovation, and shared responsibility to ensure a sustainable future for travel and the planet.

Prices

What's Included

  • 5 nights accommodation

  • Local experienced wildlife guide throughout

  • Meals included: 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners

  • Sightseeing as per itinerary

  • Guluyambi cruise on East Alligator River/Arnhemland

  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday

  • No surcharge guarantee

  • Full financial protection

From £1995 Excluding Flights

5 Nights

Jul-Aug

Group Size: There is a maximum group size of 8 passengers.

Prices are per person based upon 2 sharing, subject to availability. Your Travel Specialist will confirm the exact price based upon your tailored requirements, inclusions, and travel dates.

Our holiday prices exclude flights. Why? Because we want to offer you the best value, tailored to your needs. Flight prices and offers change daily, so when you’re ready to book, we’ll provide a bespoke quote based on the best options from your local airport. This way, you’ll always get the best prices and the flexibility to choose what works best for you.

Make this trip yours

Every trip you see here can be adapted to suit you using inside-out knowledge to create one-off experiences created just for you.

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Rosie
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Humpback whales spotted in Redoubt Bay

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Sea turtles snorkelled with

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We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch. 

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    Travel Specialist

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    Travel Specialist

  • 6

    Continents visited

    8

    Great Barrier Reef scuba dives

    82

    Countries visited

  • 10

    Visits to Iceland

    3

    Favourite Canadian lakes

    5

    Successful whale watching trips

  • 39

    Countries visited

    1

    Rail journey on the Ghan

    50

    Fiordland penguins encountered

  • 13

    Polar bears seen

    35

    Countries visited

    2

    Blue whale encounters

  • 2

    Polar plunges

    7

    Continents set foot in

    8

    Canada provinces visited

  • 5

    Humpback whales spotted in Redoubt Bay

    34

    Countries visited

    6

    Continents visited

  • 6

    Continents travelled over

    24

    Countries explored

    10

    Seas/oceans swam in

  • 18

    Countries visited

    5

    Turtles seen hatch in Mexico

    3

    Continents travelled

  • 4

    Arctic cruises

    2

    Antarctica cruises

    20

    Species of whales & dolphins seen

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Average Customer Score
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