Essential Trip Information

• It is very important that you advise us of any dietary requirements and allergies at least 2 weeks prior to departure. We need this information well ahead of time to be able organise catering for you. This trip’s remote location means that some food items will not be available on short notice, and once the trip has commenced changes to dietary requirements are not possible. Please also advise us of any medical conditions at the time of booking and bring along any personal medication. Please note that if you require urgent medical attention during your stay, it may take several hours or more for emergency services to attend the scene and take you to a medical facility.

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us

ALL general enquiry must be directed to our reservations team. In case of a GENUINE CRISIS OR EMERGENCY, or concerns about a missed pick-up on the day of departure ONLY (if applicable), you can reach our local office on the numbers listed below:

+61 (0)8 8978 8977

ITINERARY CHANGES
Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns.

Can’t stop thinking about your adventure? Tell us all about it! We read each piece of feedback carefully and use it to make improvements for travellers like you. Share your experience with us at: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/feedback/

START & END TIMES & LOCATION
We will collect you from your central Darwin hotel at 11:00 am on day 1 of your trip. Please advise us of your pick-up location well ahead of time. If we do not have this information we will not be able to pick you up. On the last day we transfer you back to your hotel in central Darwin by 5:00pm. We recommend you book flights no earlier than 6:00pm or book an additional night in Darwin.

ACCOMMODATION UPGRADE
The default accommodation for this trip is in our Eco Bungalows. You can upgrade to the Safari Bungalow or the Kingfisher Suite at an additional cost, subject to availability. Please see the accommodation section of your trip notes or speak to your travel agent for more details.

TRANSFER UPGRADE
You can upgrade your trip to include flights from and to Darwin, instea dof using the road transfer that is included in your trip. The upgrade is at an additional cost and subject to availability. Please speak to your travel agent for more details.

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
It is very important that you advise us of any dietary requirements and allergies at least 2 weeks prior to departure. We need this information well ahead of time to be able organise catering for you. The accommodation's remote location means that some food items will not be available on short notice, and once the trip has commenced changes to dietary requirements are not possible.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS
As we operate in remote areas, you will need to bring all of your own personal medications with you. While our staff are qualified in remote area or wilderness first aid and carry satellite phones, we do not carry any emergency medications. If a person requires urgent medical attention during the stay, it may take several hours or more for emergency services to attend the scene and take you to a medical facility. If you have any pre-existing medical issues that will affect your ability to complete the trip or may have an impact on other guests’ experiences and you do not disclose these prior to the departure, we reserve the right to remove you from the trip.

GENERAL HEALTH
All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. For the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others, if you are unwell prior to travelling, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements.

When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the assessment of our group leader or local representative a traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund.

You should consult your doctor for up-to-date travel health information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements in their original packaging as they may not easily be obtained while travelling. If you are carrying medication, ensure you check your government's foreign travel advice for any local restrictions or requirements. 

HYDRATION
Daytime temperatures across Australia be extreme (especially from September to March) with temperatures over 40ºC (104ºF). Even for travellers familiar with these temperatures, it’s easy to become dehydrated. The key point to remember is not to wait until you’re thirsty, but to drink water regularly. Adding an electrolyte solution can aid in replenishing the salts/electrolytes lost when travelling at this time of year. You will be required to carry at least 1L of water per hour of walking.

MEDICAL RESTRICTIONS
As we operate in remote areas, guests will need to bring all of their own personal medications on tour. Whilst our guides are qualified in remote area or wilderness first aid and carry satellite phones, we do not carry epi-pens, Ventolin or other emergency medications. If a person requires urgent medical attention whilst on tour, it may take several hours or more for emergency services to attend the scene and take you to a medical facility.

Under certain circumstances your tour consultant may request a medical certificate of fitness before you are cleared to participate on the tour. If pre-existing medical issues that will affect your ability to complete the tour or have an impact on other guests experiences, are not disclosed prior to the departure, we reserve the right to remove you from the tour.

FULLY HOSTED DAILY DINING
Bamurru Plains is an all-inclusive safari style experience where all your meals and drinks are taken care of. Our chef team incorporate native and locally sourced produce to provide a memorable gourmet experience following each day’s adventure. All meals are served from the main lodge – a communal meeting space with the Bamurru Plains signature long table dining. This communal style provides a relaxed style to mingle with new friends over dinner, sharing the day’s wildlife highlights.

ALL-INCLUSIVE MEALS & DRINKS
The culinary experience at Bamurru Plains is all-inclusive, with an ‘our home is your home’ approach. We encourage our guests to unwind at leisure in our main lodge, making themselves at home with the open bar featuring a selection of Australian wines, beer and spirits. Tea and coffee making facilities are available, as well as light snacks and filtered water.

From breakfast to the after dinner desert, Bamurru Plains Head Chef and team freshly prepare all-inclusive meals daily for guests to savour. Tailored to your dietary requirements, all meals are native inspired using fresh produce from the region.

Along with the main meals, you will also indulge in canapés and sundowners that take place out in the wilderness during your afternoon activity or on the lodge deck before dinner.

The fully-hosted three-course dinner is served at our long timber dining table as frogs break into a croaky serenade or, private dining can be arranged if you stay in the Kingfisher Suite. Watch our Head Chef create his favourite dishes from the open kitchen, as you’re settled in for a social evening meal with guests and Field Guides.

ROOM AMENITIES
- Body wash, shampoo & conditioner
- Bathrobes
- Pillow menu – a choice of soft, medium or hard
- Cotton sheets
- Ceiling fan (three rooms can be air-conditioned)
- Ensuite with high pressure hot shower
- Insect repellant
- Filtered drinking water
- Hair dryer
Note: There is no cell-phone reception, nor in-room television, stereo, or fridge / mini-bar.

DEFAULT ACCOMMODATION - ECO BUNGALOWS
This is the default accommodation option for all departures. Our seven Eco Bungalows bring you closer to your natural surrounds, with the fresh flow of fan-cooled air and comforts of the safari-style cabins with breathable mesh walls. Carefully positioned around Bamurru Plains camp, Eco Bungalows provide a private sleep oasis that’s ideal for two people and solo travellers.

Surrounded by expansive mesh walls, we invite you to feel connected to the environment while ensuring your comfort and safety. From your king-sized bed, witness nature and wildlife from sunrise to the vast night sky. Enjoy your own private ensuite bathroom with rainfall shower, plush cotton robes and Australian-made personal care items. Each room has a cold water thermos and local flora and fauna reading materials. Our Bungalows are 31 sqm and thoughtfully furnished to offer a harmonious blend of rustic charm and nature. Artwork, natural materials, and earthy tones create an inviting ambiance, reflecting the spirit of the surrounding wilderness.

Rooms can be reconfigured from a King to a Twin room. Please request when booking. Note that this room type does not have air-conditioning

ROOM UPGRADE OPTION - SAFARI BUNGALOW
Safari Bungalows offer the climatic comforts of air conditioning. Designed to enable you to blend into the natural surrounds and enjoy the full Bamurru Plains experience. Three air-conditioned Safari Bungalows are spread across the property and these intimate havens are the perfect space for two people, or solo travellers.

In our air-conditioned Safari Bungalows, we invite you to feel connected to the environment while ensuring your comfort and safety. Enjoy the king-sized bed, your own private ensuite bathroom with rainfall shower, plush cotton robes and Australian made personal care items. Each room has a cold water thermos and local flora and fauna reading materials. Our Bungalows are 31 sqm and thoughtfully furnished to offer a harmonious blend of air-conditioned comfort and nature. Artwork, natural materials, and earthy tones create an inviting ambiance, reflecting the spirit of the surrounding wilderness.

Rooms can be reconfigured from a King to a Twin room. Please request when booking. This room type is an upgrade to the default room type at an additional cost, subject to availability.

ROOM UPGRADE OPTION - KINGFISHER SUITE
This is the largest of the safari bungalows. The Kingfisher Suite is three times the size, featuring a king size bed. An added bonus is a private dining space, for guests that want a more intimate evening dining experience away from Bamurru’s Main Lodge. The Suite shares the signature ceiling to floor mesh walls, to immerse in the natural surrounds with wildlife all around.

Designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment, this spacious and contemporary sanctuary allows you to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the wilderness. With it’s own private dining table overlooking the expansive view, you can request dining in your room. The bathroom features twin basins and showers, with a décor of rustic chic timber and decorative corrugated iron walls, for character in tune with the environment.

Spanning over 81 sqm, Kingfisher suite features an open-plan layout that effortlessly combines the indoors with the outdoors. Floor-to-ceiling mesh walls offer panoramic views of the ever-changing landscape, allowing you to observe the wildlife right from the comfort of your plush king-size bed or lounge area.

Note that this room type does not have air-conditioning. This room type is an upgrade to the default room type at an additional cost, subject to availability.

On safari we recommend:
- Long, loose clothing made of cottons, linens and lighter fabrics that allow your skin to breathe and will protect you from the sun
- Hats that offer good sun protection. Be sure to pack a wide-brimmed and peaked hat for when you experience our airboats
- Sunglasses and sun screen
- Closed toe footwear is required to participate in some experiences, however hiking boots are not necessary

Our wet-edge pool and the comfortable day beds offer a wonderful way to unwind and spot passing wildlife, so you will need a swimming costume. Pool towels are provided.

Dining at Bamurru is an experience and while lunch is a more relaxed occasion, guests often choose to wear smart casual for dinner.

If you are a keen wildlife viewer, you many wish to bring your own binoculars.

We now provide complimentary wifi on request in common areas only but ask that you use it with discretion for the comfort of other guests.

CLIMATE
The Top End is dominated by a tropical monsoonal weather pattern that results in a number of distinct seasons. Earlier in the year, there are more water-based activities. By the end of September, the floodplains have mostly dried up, activities are mainly land-based and the prolific wildlife congregates at waterholes.

Daytime temperatures range from about 26C to 36C. During February to April, and September and October it can also be quite humid. Please note that in the winter months (June to August) it can be cool at night and first thing in the morning and an extra layer of clothing is recommended.

Below are the monthly average highs and lows in °C, as well as average days of rainfall.
January 30° / 27° – 19 days
February 30° / 26° – 18 days
March 31° / 27° – 16 days
April 31° / 27° – 6 days
May 30° / 25° – 1 day
June 29° / 24°- 0 days
July 28° / 22° – 0 days
August 28° / 23° – 0 days
September 30° / 25° – 2 days
October 30° / 26°- 6 days
November 31° / 27° – 11 days
December 31° / 27° – 15 days
For up to date weather predictions, use Humpty Doo, Northern Territory as the nearest location.

OPENING TIMES
Bamurru Plains is open from February to October each year. Please note if you’re wanting to visit Kakadu National Park, it’s open to tourists from May of each year.

MOSQUITOES
Our location on the edge of a floodplain with prolific wildlife means that insects (including mosquitoes) play a major part in the health of the ecosystem and are present in numbers. Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk and are not disruptive to guest activities.

REMOTE AREA TRAVEL
We carry a satellite phone on all our remote/overland trips to be used by our leaders in the event of an emergency and for your safety. Our leaders are all First Aid trained and certified and carry basic first aid kits. We do not carry defibrillators or any medicine other than paracetamol and mild anti histamines. Please note that medical assistance from qualified professionals may take several hours to arrive.

Intrepid won't tolerate any kind of violence, harassment (whether physical, verbal or sexual), or disrespect toward fellow travellers, our teams or local communities.

To ensure the wellbeing of everyone on the trip, decisions made by your group leader are final.

Romantic relationships between travellers and group leaders or local representatives are not permitted while on trip.

Any behaviour that prevents your leader from continuing the itinerary as planned, breaks local laws or opposes any of these guidelines may result in Intrepid denying your booking or removing you from the trip.

If something concerns you during your travels, please speak to your group leader immediately. Alternatively, you can contact us on the emergency contact number detailed in the Problems and Emergency Contact Information section of this Essential Trip Information.

As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and likely a range of age groups too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part. Due to privacy reasons, we are unable to provide you with contact details and any personal information about your fellow travellers booked on your trip prior to departure.

Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses, including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region, please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative.

If you have credit card insurance, your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number, rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.

For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements. For example, some mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travellers, regardless of their nationality. Travellers from the European Union, Switzerland or the USA who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below:

https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services

AUSTRALIANS TRAVELLING DOMESTICALLY
Travel insurance will help ensure you’re protected in case of any unforeseen changes to your journey – such as flight cancellations or illness. For this reason, we recommend you purchase comprehensive domestic travel insurance for your trip. This may not be something you would have typically done in the past when travelling domestically in Australia, but it does offer you a number of benefits. While Australians and Australian Permanent Residents travelling within Australia are not required to be covered for hospital care due to being covered by Medicare, a comprehensive domestic travel insurance policy should cover you for expenses incurred. Domestic travel insurance plans may also include personal liability, cancellation, curtailment, loss of luggage and personal effects, and other benefits. It is also advisable that domestic travellers have current ambulance cover in the case of emergency evacuation or incidents requiring ambulance transportation. Please be sure to carefully check the policy’s inclusions with your preferred insurer.

Our Responsible Travel Policy outlines our commitment to preserving the environment, supporting local communities, protecting the vulnerable, and giving back to the places we travel. All our group leaders and local representatives, suppliers, and staff are trained on these principles and are core to us delivering sustainable, experience-rich travel.

Explore the different parts of our Responsible Travel Policy by visiting:
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/responsible-travel

RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN
As an Australian-owned business with a vision to change the way people see the world, Intrepid is committed to reconciliation and strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples. While Intrepid might have done a lot to empower communities, businesses and our partners around the world over the years, there’s still a lot for us to do here at home. We are working towards a better, more inclusive and fairer Australia. You can find more information about our Reconciliation Action Plan here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/reconciliation

Our non-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, gives travellers more opportunities to make a positive impact in the places they visit.

We have over 50 Intrepid Foundation partners across the globe addressing four key focus areas: protecting the environment, taking a stand for wildlife, addressing inequality and empowering communities.

Intrepid matches all post-trip donations dollar for dollar and takes care of the admin fees – this doubles your impact and ensures every cent goes to our partners on the ground.

Visit our website for more info: http://www.theintrepidfoundation.org/