Touring

The following information will help you better prepare for your tour of the “Top End”. Please read it carefully and if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

We take a minimum of 2 and maximum of 12 people on our tours. As with most motor vehicles, some seats are “better” than others. We suggest that everyone rotate seats often to allow everyone an equal opportunity to have a window seat or a more comfortable seat. Swapping seats after each stop is the fairest way.

Booking Form

If you have not already completed this form please contact your agent or us as soon as possible. We need it to enable us to know of any special dietary requirements or medical conditions you have that we should be aware of.

Kakadu National Park

Kakadu National Park is located approximately 200 kilometres east of Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory of Australia, and the main commercial centre for the region. The park covers an area of 19,757 square kilometres, about 200 km North to South and 100 km East to West. Lying between the latitudes 12 degrees south to 14 degrees south, it is subject to the North West monsoon, which brings the majority of the rainfall in the months from December to March.

A large part of the park is listed on the World Heritage list for both environmental and cultural significance. The various aboriginal clan groups who are actively involved in managing their traditional lands own much of the park.

The park covers a large variety of habitats from the hills and gorges such as Yurmikmik and Gunlom in the Upper South Alligator valley, setting for the Jawoyn legend of Bulla the creator; the sandstone plateau above the escarpment where Barrk, the Rock Wallaby lives; the monsoonal rainforest in the gorges such as Maguk (Barramundi Gorge); the freshwater wetlands, home to enormous diversity of birdlife ruled by Marawuti, the Sea Eagle; the Eucalyptus woodlands which cover most of the dryer ground in the park to the coastal monsoon; and mangrove forest such as Mangarre, the East Alligator River.

Kakadu National Park is an area affected by the new laws regarding the carrying and consumption of alcohol. Odyssey Tours and Safaris is a registered and accredited tourism operator who is allowed to carry and serve alcohol through the National Park area. However, once we finish our last evening in Kakadu we are not allowed to carry open containers of alcohol with us out of the park so please finish or dispose of your left over alcohol on the final evening. For further information on the new laws please visit the Commonwealth Government Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs website on: http://www.facsia.gov.au/nter/

BYO Alcohol

We provide a welcome drink on the first night of our tours. For the remainder of the trip you are welcome to bring your own alcohol. It is recommended that your purchase your drinks before departure.

We do provide ice and cooler boxes along the way, but there is limited space.

Cultural Guidelines

Australia has many different Indigenous language groups and cultures. Groups often speak of the lands and waters they have traditional affiliation and responsibility for as ‘country’. Throughout Australia, the responsibility to look after or ‘care for country is held by clan and family groups as well as individuals. Senior people in the community, who are responsible for their traditional land and waters, are often referred to as ‘traditional owners’.

Travelling in a responsible way includes respecting your hosts and their country. In the same way we act with courtesy when visiting someone’s home, we should respect the land and the people who have important connections to it.

The choices you make when travelling can and do make a difference. Respecting Indigenous culture and country is a matter of travelling thoughtfully. We have prepared some information to assist you to travel thoughtfully while on your Odyssey Tours and Safaris journey.

Clothing: For cultural reasons we ask that our guests dress conservatively, but with our tropical climate in mind. We suggest that you wear lightweight, full-length clothing and sturdy footwear for your protection and safety. Eg. No short shorts or short skirts, no bare midriff.

Talking to indigenous people: If you are talking to an Aboriginal person, recognise that they may communicate differently to non-Indigenous people. English may be a second or third language and too much eye contact with Aboriginal people may be considered offensive.

Access to specific cultural knowledge or stories may not be open to everyone – it is best to avoid direct questions about matters that could be sensitive, unless invited to do so.

Cultural closures: Funerals and cultural ceremonies are times of special privacy. Whilst every effort is made by the Indigenous operators we visit to advise us of any closures in a timely manner, there may be times when cultural experiences describes in your itinerary may be cancelled without prior notice due to cultural reasons. We appreciate your understanding in this matter and will provide suitable itinerary adjustments to ensure your continued enjoyment on your safari. If we are able to visit communities at a time requiring special privacy we ask that you are extra sensitive during your visit. Respecting restrictions: There may be places that are closed to visitors because of their cultural significance. Please heed advice if you are asked not to enter an area by either your Odyssey Guide or a local Aboriginal Guide or person. Some places can only be visited by men or women – please respect these protocols where they apply to non-Indigenous people. The possession or consumption of alcohol is restricted in some Indigenous communities – these restrictions also apply to visitors.

Taking photographs and filming: Always ask before taking photos or filming a person, a group of people or cultural activities. Photographs and filming some places and objects are restricted for cultural reasons – please respect this request from traditional owners.

If you intend to use your photographs in a publication or for other commercial purposes, you are required to have relevant permits in Kakadu National Park which must be obtained prior to your entry into the Park. You will also need to seek copyright permission from the people featured in the photo.

What to Bring

Please limit your luggage to one medium size soft bag. You should store any excess luggage at your hotel until your return. If your tour does not return to your starting point, separate and prior arrangements should be made to forward it to your destination. This will assist with the smooth operation of your tour.

If your tour involves light aircraft transfers a limit of 10 Kg per person applies, prior arrangements should be made to store or forward any excess baggage.

We recommend that you bring the following items:
- Wide brimmed hat.
- Sturdy and comfortable closed shoes for walking.
- Personal water bottle.
- Small day pack for your personal items.
- Clothing for hot days, eg. loose cotton clothing.
- Clothing for cool nights (May to August), eg. light jacket or jumper/sweater.
- Towel for after swimming.
- Swimming costume.
- T-Shirt for swimming in. For environmental reasons we do not recommend the use of sunscreens when swimming in any waterways.
- Goggles may be used to view fish while swimming.
- Torch/flashlight and batteries.
- Sufficient film and camera batteries.
- Adequate personal medications and toiletries.
- For insect protection “Rid” repellent works against mosquitoes. Long sleeved shirts and trousers or slacks are advisable in the evenings. Repellents in general do not repel flies, however, a fly net to hang off your wide brimmed hat will help keep flies off your face at times when the flies are about.

Weather Conditions

The Aboriginal people recognise six seasons each characterised by distinctly different climate. These are:
Gunumeleng: From mid-October to late December, it is the pre-monsoon season of hot weather that becomes more and more humid. Thunderstorms build in the afternoons and scattered showers bring a tinge of green to the dry land. As the streams begin to run, acidic water that washes from the floodplains can cause fish to die in billabongs with low oxygen levels. (20°-42°)
Gudjewg: from Jan – Mar, this can be described as the ‘true’ wet season, bringing thunderstorms, heavy rain and flooding. The heat and humidity generate and explosion of plant and animal life. Spear grass grows to over 2 metres tall and creates a silvery-green hue throughout the woodlands (20°-32°)
Banggerreng: in April, us the season when the rain clouds have dispersed and clear skies prevail. The vast expanses of floodwater recede and streams start to run clear. Most plants are fruiting and animals are caring for their young. Violent, windy storms in this season flatten the spear grass, they are called the ‘knock ‘em down’ storms (22°-35°).
Yegge: from May-mid June, is relatively cool with low humidity. Early morning mists hang low over the plains and water holes. The shallow wetlands and billabongs are carpeted with water lilies. Drying winds and flowering Darwin Woolly Butt tell Bininj/Mungguy that it is time to start burning the woodlands in patches to ‘clean the country’ and encourage new growth for grazing animals (15°-32°).
Wurreng: from mid June-August, is the ‘cold weather’ time where the humidity is very low. Most creeks stop flowing and the floodplains quickly dry out. Burning continues, extinguished by the dew at night. By day, birds of prey patrol the fire lines as insects and small animals try to escape the flames. Magpie geese, fat and heavy after weeks of abundant food, and a myriad other waterbirds crowd the shrinking billabongs. (15°-30°)
Gurrung: from mid August – mid October, is hot and dry. It is still ‘goose time’ but also time for Bininj/Mungguy to hunt file snakes and long-necked turtles. Sea turtles lay their eggs on the sandy beaches of Field island and West Alligator head and goannas rob their nests sometimes. Whitebreasted wood swallows arrive as the thunderclouds build, signalling the return of Gunumeleng (20°-36°) There is no “best” time to visit - you choose your favourite from this array of tropical variety.

Eco-tourism

OTS is an Eco Certified Operator with Advanced Ecotourism Accreditation through Ecotourism Australia. A series of criteria must be met by the operation to achieve this level of certification on their products. Definition: "Ecotourism is ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation". More Information: www.ecotourism.org.au

Reading List

*Stephen Page and Ross Dowling (2002) ‘Ecotourism’ Pearson Education
*Press, T. et al (1995) ‘Kakadu, Natural and Cultural Heritage Management’ ANCA, NARU, Australian National University, Darwin. NT.
*Leichhardt, L. (1996) ‘Journal of an Overland Expedition in Australia’, Corkwood Press.
*Slater, P. Slater,(2000) ‘The Slater field guide to Australian Birds’, Rigby. P. & Slater, R.
*Brock, J. (1993) ‘Top End Native Plants’, CCNT, Winnellie, NT.
*Miles, G. (1988) ‘Wildlife of Kakadu’, Barker, Alice Springs, NT.
*Brennan, K. (1986) ‘Wildflowers of Kakadu’, Jabiru, NT.
*Morris, I. (1999) ‘Kakadu National Park Australia’, Steve Parish Publishing, QLD.
*AGSO (2000) ‘Kakadu and Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Parks, Northern Territory: a guide to the rocks, landforms, plants, animals, Aboriginal Culture, and human impact.’

Minimal Impact Walking codes

*Remain on walking tracks where provided; - wet/soft ground is actively avoided - ‘scrub bashing’ is avoided by taking the most appropriate detour
*Take all litter (‘carry in – carry out’ policy)
*Use toilets where provided – if no toilet, a hole at least 15cm is dug at least 100m from water bodies or campsites.

Minimal Impact Camping codes

*Use existing campsites
*Fires only in existing fireplaces, kept to a minimum, fully extinguished by guide when breaking camp (until no steam rises);
*Firewood carried in where applicable, not collected from around campsite
*Firewood only to be collected from dead material on the ground that does not resemble animal habitat (eg. hollow logs/nesting material)
*All washing is done at least 100m from any water bodies (includes brushing teeth)
*Discourage the use of soaps/detergents/toothpaste in natural areas
*Public toilets are used wherever possible (if not – 15cm+ hole/100m+ away from water bodies or campsites)

National Park/Protected Area Permit Regulations

*Must behave according to the National Park Regulations or any warning or regulatory signs
*Must not pick fruits, flowers or branches, or otherwise damage any native plant
*Must not interfere with any rock art, sacred site or cultural artefact
*Must not interfere with, feed, handle or disturb any native animal, or damage or disturb a nest or dwelling place of a native animal.
*By choosing to travel with Odyssey Tours and Safaris you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of the National Parks visited.

Crocodile Awareness

Crocodiles have existed unchanged for nearly two hundred million years and are the world’s largest living reptiles. Two species occur in Australia, the freshwater and estuarine crocodile. Freshwater crocodiles can become aggressive if provoked, while estuarine crocodiles are renowned for their aggressive nature, which can result in serious injury and death.

Be aware of signs erected at places where crocodiles may be found.

DO NOT:
- Swim or wade
- Clean fish on or near water’s edge
- Camp next to water’s edge
- Allow your pets near water
- Dangle legs or arms over edge of boats
- Stand at the water’s edge when fishing

Absence of warning signs does not signify a safe area. Seek local or expert advice before swimming, camping, fishing or boating.