Dear Travellers,
March is just around the corner, which means I will be on my way to Sri Lanka soon for our annual wildlife, history and culture tour. I look forward to meeting those of you who will be joining me over there, and for those travelling to Botswana on safari instead, I wish you a safe and lucky journey (because it often takes a bit of luck to be in the ‘right place at the right time’ when it comes to wildlife!).
If you are looking for a trip closer to home, I’d like to tell you more about our Easy Camping tours and why you should give them a go if you haven’t already. Originally, I created this option for our passengers who don’t want to give up camping, but find the set-up and take-down of camp more strenuous than it once was. Since then, clients have told me time and time again that pre-erected tents make a world of difference and are a welcome relief at the end of the day, because setting up is not only tiring, it takes time.
In addition to no set-up or take-down, Easy Camping also gives you the gift of time. Instead of spending the first thirty minutes to an hour assembling your tent, stretcher and bed, you can use those precious daylight hours for a walk in nature, relax with some quiet time, or enjoy nibbles (and perhaps a wine!) with fellow passengers as the sun goes down. Without the pressure to get the tent up before dark, or packed up promptly in the morning, this camping style really is “easy” and relaxed.
In the words of previous ‘easy campers’…
“Arriving at our destination and finding our tents prepared was a delight, especially as we watched other groups trying to erect their own tents. This type of camping was a game changer for us and it all seemed to happen flawlessly.” S&JH, Kimberley Wonders 2023
“Don’t be put off by sleeping in tents as camping is the only way for a group to be accommodated in this region of WA. I really did like having the tents set up by the Coates crew. They are generous in area and height and the stretcher beds were surprisingly comfortable.” MR, Western Explorer 2022
“The tents were very comfortable. The Easy Camping made everything just that…easy. Easy Camping also gave the campers a chance to share experiences whilst waiting for meals at the end of the day.” MCM&PD, Kimberley Discovery 2019
If you can relate, I highly recommend trying one of our Easy Camping tours in 2024:
1) Western Wanderer, Perth to Broome, 15 – 29 May 2024
2) Kimberley Wonders, Broome – Kununurra, 6 – 18 June 2024
3) Western Explorer, Broome to Perth, 17 – 28 July 2024
For more information, please click the tour name above or scroll down.
You won’t be disappointed!
WESTERN WANDERER (click here for more information)
Ex: Perth to Broome
Dates: 15 – 29 May 2024
Tour type: Easy Camping
Max passengers: 12 passengers
Highlights: Fly/land/swim the Abrolhos Islands (pictured above on the right), HMAS Sydney Memorial & Maritime Museum, Shark Bay Peninsular, discover the oldest living Stromatolites in the world, optional Whale Shark or other cruise on the Ningaloo Reef*, beautiful Karijini National Park gorges and Mount Bruce, swimming in water holes, Australia’s hottest town Marble Bar.
*At passengers’ own expense
ITINERARY:
Day 1 Perth – Geraldton
Day 2 Geraldton – Abrolhos Islands – Geraldton
Day 3 Geraldton – Hamelin
Day 4 Hamelin – Monkey Mia – Hamelin (Shark Bay area)
Day 5 Hamelin – Bullara Station
Day 6 Coral Bay
Day 7 Bullara Station – Tom Price
Day 8 Tom Price – Hamersley Gorge – Tom Price
Day 9 Tom Price – Karijini National Park
Day 10 & 11 Karijini National Park
Day 12 Karijini National Park – Marble Bar
Day 13 Marble Bar
Day 14 Marble Bar – 80 Mile Beach
Day 15 80 Mile Beach – Broome
KIMBERLEY WONDERS (click here for more information)
Ex: Broome – Kununurra
Dates: 6 – 18 June 2024
Tour type: Easy Camping
Max passengers: 12 passengers
Highlights: Boab Trees (including prison tree), Tunnel Creek walk, Windjana Gorge, Gibb River Road, Adcock Gorge, Manning Gorge Walk and waterfall, optional flight and hike to Mitchell Falls*, Marlgu Billabong at Parry Lagoon Reserve for Kimberley wetland birds, Purnululu National Park / Bungle Bungle Range, flight over the Bungles.
*At additional expense
ITINERARY:
Day 1 Broome to Bandiln͟gan (Windjana Gorge)
Day 2 Bandiln͟gan (Windjana Gorge)
Day 3 Bandiln͟gan (Windjana Gorge) to Dulundi (Silent Grove)
Day 4 Dulundi (Silent Grove) to Manning Creek
Day 5 Manning Creek
Day 6 Manning Creek to Drysdale Station
Day 7 Drysdale River Station (optional flight and hike to Mitchell Falls*)
Day 8 Drysdale River Station to Home Valley Station
Day 9 Home Valley Station to Kununurra
Day 10 Kununurra to Purnululu (Bungle Bungle)
Day 11 & 12 Purnululu (Bungle Bungle)
Day 13 Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) to Kununurra
WESTERN EXPLORER (click here for more information)
Ex: Broome to Perth
Dates: 17 – 28 July 2024
Tour type: Easy Camping
Max passengers: 12 passengers
Highlights: Magnificent Karijini National Park gorges and Mount Bruce, Mount Augustus (Burringurrah) and Aboriginal petroglyphs/rock engravings, natural and permanent water hole Cattle Pool, Kennedy Ranges including Temple Gorge and Honeycomb Gorge, Coalseam Conservation Reserve, northern wildflowers (tour coincides with the season).
ITINERARY:
Day 1 Broome to De Grey River
Day 2 De Grey River to Karijini National Park
Day 3 & 4 Karijini National Park
Day 5 Karijini National Park to Tom Price
Day 6 Tom Price to Mt Augustus
Day 7 Mt Augustus
Day 8 Mt Augustus to Kennedy Ranges
Day 9 Kennedy Ranges
Day 10 Kennedy Ranges to Murchison
Day 11 Murchison to Coalseam Conservation Reserve
Day 12 Coalseam to Perth
From all of us at Coates Wildlife Tours, happy travelling and we hope to see you out there!