A Kimberley Tour requires strong 4WD vehicles. We have four modern purpose built 4WD coaches, built for the rugged conditions of the Kimberley - strong with upgraded suspension.
Our model is having two coaches on the road and two coaches as back ups - so in the unlikely event of a breakdown there are always vehicles available to switch.
The seating area is roomy - most guests can stand up tall. All guest seats are reclining and forward facing with individual air-conditioning vents to each seat. All seats have seat belts to ensure your maximum safety. Vehicles have extra-large windows for vision and photography, fire extinguishers, satellite telephones, first aid kits, USB charging for devices and many safety features. Three of of our coaches have TV monitors (often set to show the drivers view). We carry lot of spare parts, tyres, multiple jacks etc.
We have exterior lighting fitted on the vehicles so we can easily light up out campsites and each vehicle carries lots of drinking water. We carry multiple fridges for food as well as ice boxes for drinks.
We are one of the few companies that carry defibrillators.
Our coaches are fitted with a USB sockets for each seat with both USB-C and USB-A outlets. We also have multiple charging points so you can charge your camera, headphones, and other small devices while we tour.
Your Kimberley Tour involves walking most days to experience and get to highlights. Walks vary in length. You need to be fit enough to walk a few kilometres on a regular basis. We walk over rocks and rough paths that are often uneven. Some walks on your Kimberley Tour will only be 10 minutes each way. Longer walks may be over an hour each way with a stop for a swim and a snack in the middle.
If you are not an active walker or are a very slow walker you may not finish all walks. The gorges are beautiful so these guests should be prepared on some of the walks to enjoy part of the walks.
If you are doing the a Kimberley Tour to Mitchell Falls (eg the Outback Kimberley Tour) it is wise to take the helicopter in both directions if you are a slow walker or have any injuries. In 2022 we include the flight in one direction. Tour guides will let you know if they feel you will struggle with the Mitchell Falls walk - if they do we ask these guests to fly both ways.
With the exception of two or 3 meals, there is no need to open your wallet during your Kimberley tour at all. We include all your camping and national park fees, passes and permits, meals and morning tea (as indicated), some soft drinks, some extra snacks and free additional tours such as Lake Argyle Cruise on our Broome return tours. If you choose to do some of the extra activities available you may incur costs payable to local providers. This could include optional activities such as scenic flights, helicopter rides, other cruises, meals in restaurants or homesteads etc, alcohol and extra drinks.
For example there may be an option to extend your Mitchell Falls flight. You may wish to catch a six minute flight from the top of the Mitchell Falls back to where we started walking, which includes flying over the Mitchell Falls is approx. $180pp (this is the flight we include one way for free on our 16 Day Adventurer and 15 Day Outback Kimberley Tours in 2024 & 2025). There is a minimum number of two people on return flights.
There are options for purchasing some meals at resort restaurants and at stations (at guests expense). We encourage guests to have Three meals together in a restaurant (e.g. at Station along the Gibb River Road and Lake Argyle. Allow $30 – $40).
We use spacious well ventilated tents designed for four – but we only sleep two people in them (or one if you are a single – no single supplement). They are very easily erected. Lay back and watch the stars all night. We will show you how it is done and we will always be available to assist if needed.
We seek to provide you with comfortable camping sleeping options. To create a quick and comfortable camping bed we use high quality 70mm thick camping mattresses and provide pillows (limited camp stretchers are also available if required – reserved for people with mobility issues). Please bring your own sleeping bag or you may purchase a new zero rated sleeping bag from us at a cost of $50.
Our tents have a fully enclosed layer with mosquito mesh so when you choose to sleep without the fly you can enjoy sleeping under the stars without worrying about mosquitos.
On a camping tour the sleeping in tents is an important part the overall experience! It’s great fun!
We only tour in the dry season. The Kimberley’s climate is characterised by distinct wet and dry seasons. Officially the Wet begins on the 1 October and ends on the 30 April, but in reality 80% of the rain occurs between mid-December and mid-March. There is virtually no rain in the dry season from April to October. The daily forecasts are for warm sunny days and cool nights with low humidity. Temperatures range from 26–31°C during the day and about 12-16°C at night. You can expect most days on your Kimberley Tour to be fine and ideal for hikes and swimming. During the day you are likely to be in shorts and tee-shirts. At night it can get pretty cold particularly around July. Bring warm clothes for around the fire.
Many people ask this question. On your Kimberley Safari Tour there are daily opportunities for swimming along the Gibb River Road, Cape Leveque, Mitchell Falls etc. It is a highlight on a Kimberley Tour to be swimming in crystal clear water, hot water springs and standing underneath cascading waterfalls. We only allow guests to swim where there is no danger.
Please remember that we are camping and have limited ability to carry excess gear. Please pack to a minimum in a small soft bag which is no heavier than 15kg. You can take a small day pack to carry food, water and a camera when hiking into a gorge during the day. We will supply a suggested guide of what to pack in your guest information booklet.
The following is a suggestion of what to take:
- Hat and sunscreen and sunglasses (you might want a fly net to hang over your hat)
- Water bottles to carry when hiking
- Comfortable hiking shoes or sneakers (worn-in) or all terrain sandals (we call them off road sandals)
- Head torch (particularly useful in Tunnel Creek Gorge and when finding the toilet at night)
- Camera
- Personal first aid – bandaids and Panadol, Ventolin
- Socks and jocks
- Casual clothing – t-shirts and shorts for the day. Evening will require long pants and a warm top, beanie and gloves
- Board shorts or bathers (swimming in gorges)
- Towel
- Thongs (flip flops) for giving your feet a break from the sweaty socks
- Toiletries and DEET based insect repellent (antihistamine tablet or creams for any bites/stings)
- Small day pack to hike into gorges
- Sheet and pillow case
- Guests are required to bring their own personal supply of hand sanitiser and face masks (or suitable alternative - to be worn if ill or instructed). We also have a hand sanitising fluids on board.
We send an information pack to all guests which includes 'what to bring' information.
REMEMBER PACK LIGHT!
Be prepared for some delicious cuisine. Our staff are well experienced in camp cooking. From roasts to stir-frys, casseroles and desserts. We cook on BBQ plates, in the camp oven, on gas rings and cooking over the fire. Enjoy damper and fire apple pies. We love to experiment.
Guests eat breakfast prior to day one departure date and provide their own dinner on the last day. All camping meals are provided on tour (also options to purchase meals at resort restaurants, stations etc):
- Breakfast – cereals, toast and fruit juice, tea and coffee
- Morning tea – fruit, biscuits or cake
- Lunch – wraps, sandwiches, crackers, salad and cold meat
- Dinner – Variety of meals dependent on who is on the tour and any dietary restrictions. We are very flexible with our meals and can adjust the menu to suit. Please let us know if you have any special needs. Otherwise our meals will be to suit the general omnivore.
There will be road houses along the way if you want to stock up on some of your own personal snacks (e.g. for the chocoholics).
Alcohol is not provided by Kimberley Safari Tours. You are welcome to bring your own, but please limit the quantity as space is limited. Many aboriginal communities are ‘Dry Communities’ or have alcohol restrictions. Purchase your supplies in Broome and we can replenish your drinks again in Kununurra. We’ll keep them cold for you.
On our tours between Perth and Broome there are several options for purchasing your drinks.
Part of the camping experience is helping with setting up the camp and packing up the camp. On your Kimberley Safari Tour everyone helps and you get to enjoy the slow pace of life with its simple pleasures. Staff cook the meals but everyone helps at meal times with the tasks at hand. You might enjoy making the damper in the hot coals, or helping to start the evening fire.
This is a common sense checklist to keep our impact on the environment at a minimum:
- firewood collected only in designated areas.
- living trees respected (by not breaking limbs off)
- fires lit only in designated fireplaces
- Rubbish only deposited in bins or at approved collection points
- wildlife not fed as it not only is harmful to the animals but also promotes aggressive behaviour towards campers
- no pollution in the streams and waterholes (e.g. no shampoo or soap in rivers)
Yes, Kimberley Safari Tours is an Accredited Tourism Business under the Australian Tourism Accreditation Program (ATAP).