FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions for Spirit Safaris tours

REMEMBER PACK LIGHT!

We operate both fully accommodated, part accommodated and camping tours – so some of these answers may not apply to you. If in doubt please ask

ACCOMMODATED OR CAMPING TOURS ?

We operate both, and options depend on locaion. In Kimberley most tours we do either or a combination eg 1/2 camping then 1/2 accommodated in station cabins, permanent safari camps or town hotel/motels.  Lake Eyre and Corner country tours from Adelaide and Broken Hill are all accommodated. NSW multi day tours are usually accommodated.  Canning Stock Route and Simpson Desert are mostly camping with some accommodation. Details are in tour descriptions or please ask. Special requests for charter or camping or accommodated are welcome.

Are you Accredited?

Trust The Tick Yes, we are an Accredited Tourism Business under the Australian Tourism Accreditation Program (ATAP) and hold Eco Tourism Australia accreditation. PLUS licences for all National Parks and reserves we operate in.

When is the best time for Kimberley ?

Wet season closes roads and services from October to April – May to September are the most pleasant months for travel through the Kimberley. Early season is greener and more water in the waterfalls.

In May and September the weather is fine and hot with mild nights (average maximum 33 degrees Celsius). From June to August days are fine and warm with cool nights (average maximum 29 degrees Celsius). Rainfall is rare but can occur at any time

Can My Dietary Needs Be Considered?

See also Meals / Menus  – Be prepared for some delicious cuisine. Our staff are healthy food conscious and committed, and 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.

Guests eat breakfast prior to day one departure. 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, tea and coffee
•   Lunch – wraps, fresh bread rolls when available, sandwiches, crackers, salad and cold meat tea and coffee
•   Dinner – Variety of meals dependent on who is on the tour and any dietary restrictions. We are very flexible with our meals and 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).

Do You Serve Alcohol?

You are welcome to bring your own, but please limit the quantity as space is limited. Many overight destinations are licensed eg El Questro, Drysdale River Station, Fitzroy River Lodge. By Law we are not allowed to supply alcohol. Many Aboriginal communities are ‘Dry Communities’. You can purchase your supplies in Broome, Kununurra or Darwin. We’ll keep them cold for you.

Recommended Gear You bring

Recommended gear includes the essential hat with brim, sleeved shirts (for sun protection), sunscreen, sunglasses, camera, water bottle, walking shoes or boots, raincoat (or poncho), extra clothes, jacket/sweater (cool nights), toiletries. Washing machines and Laundry facilities are available every few days on most tours If doing a flight to improve photography, wear a black shirt which reduces reflection on aircraft windows. Some stops will be in a towns or communities, so allow funds for personal spending eg snacks, art, film, souvenirs, extended or extra flights. Please ask if you have any questions.

Luggage

Due to the need to be self sufficient, and to carry considerable gear, clients are required to restrict personal luggage to 1 soft bag, maximum weight 12 kg, and maximum size same as domestic aircraft ie 48cm (19in) + 34cm (13in) +23cm (9in) = 105 cm maximum all round and 1 small day pack to be carried in the vehicle (for personal items, water, camera, snacks). Bags should be waterproof.

What Is Expected Of Me At The Camp Site?

Part of the camping experience is helping with setting up the camp and packing up the camp. Everyone helps and you get to enjoy the slow pace of life with its simple pleasures. Staff cook the meals but everyone can help 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.

Responsible Camping

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 if available
•     Rubbish only deposited in bins or at approved collection points or burnt fully
•     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)

Please ask if you question is not answered here – thank you