Wild Kimberley Photography Tour 2022
Discover the rugged beauty of the East Kimberley wilderness on this remarkable tour for photographers: Purnululu (Bungle Bungle), Cathedral Gorge, Ord River, Cockburn Ranges and El Questro!
Tour dates: 23 June – 30 June 2022
Tour length: 8 days
Led by: Seng Mah and Pamela Jennings
Number of guests: 6
This tour begins and finishes in Kununurra
Pace: Easy-Medium. Some locations will require hiking on tracks.
SOLD OUT! This tour has sold out. If you would like to get on the wait list in the event of a cancellation, please contact us.
Image by Pamela Jennings
The East Kimberley region of Western Australia boasts the most primeval and remarkable landscapes you will ever set your eyes. It’s a land billions of years old, carved by the passages of time, tide and ancient rivers.
For photographers, the landscapes take on mythic proportions as you explore the stark and unique environs of Purnululu National Park, discover palm-filled oases, sail the Ord River in purpose-built dinghies, wonder at the majesty of the Cockburn Ranges and Chamberlain Gorge, and soak in the magnificent of this eons old land from the comfort of El Questro Wilderness Park.
Image by Pamela Jennings
Led by professional photographers, Seng Mah and Pamela Jennings, this is a tour for photographers who yearn for adventure and who chase uniquely Western Australian landscapes!
Tour Highlights
DAY 1: KUNUNURRA
This tour begins with our meeting in Kununurra, at your accommodation, before we embark on a sunset shoot at a wonderful location by the lake.
DAY 2: PURNULULU NATIONAL PARK
Images by Pamela Jennings
From Kununurra, we journey south along the Great Northern Highway, traveling through amazing Kimberley landscapes as we make our way to the Bungle Bungle Range of Purnululu National Park.
We go off-road into spinifex country, arriving in time to photograph the vibrant red escarpment of the Bungle Bungle Range lit up at sunset.
We have two nights in Purnululu National Park at our private safari camp, minutes from the best photographic locations in the area.
DAY 3: PURNULULU NATIONAL PARK
Images by Pamela Jennings
Our itinerary for the day includes the domes of Piccaninny Creek, where we will take advantage of the wonderful leading lines that occur naturally in the formations. We explore the stunning and otherworldly natural amphitheatre of Cathedral Gorge. There is so much to see, discover and photograph here as we roam the domes looking for scenes to shoot.
We will take advantage of our full day here to explore the Bungle Bungles to its fullest: sunrise, sunset, blue hour and even astro photography (weather permitting).
As a bonus, there is great bird photography at our safari camp!
DAY 4: ORD RIVER
Images by Pamela Jennings
Before making our way north to the Ord River, we spend time exploring the northern end of the Bungle Bungle massif and Echidna Chasm. This is a long and narrow gorge, with striking geological variations and Livingstonia palms growing from 200m high ridges.
On the way to the Ord River, there may be opportunities to capture the iconic boab trees of the region, particularly at sunset.
DAY 5: ORD RIVER ADVENTURES
Images by Pamela Jennings
Our accommodation at the Ord River gives us front and centre views of the amazing birdlife of the region. We’ll enjoy breakfast with the finches that come to visit the bird baths set up there.
Later in the morning, we drive to Wyndham, the oldest town in WA, where you’ll have the opportunity to take an optional helicopter flight over the amazing Cambridge Gulf tidal flats. (Note: the cost of the helicopter flight is payable separate to the cost of this tour, and this activity is completely optional)
In the afternoon, we return to our encampment for a cruise on the Ord River in purpose-built dinghies. Our trip on the Ord allows us to photograph abundant birdlife in its natural habitat, and it’ s one of the few places in Australia where you’ll find freshwater and saltwater crocodiles side by side.
DAY 6: COCKBURN RANGES AND EL QUESTRO
Images by Pamela Jennings
Our morning begins with more bird and wildlife photography at Marglu Billabong in the Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve. This is a wetland of international importance and is part of the larger Ord River Floodplain. Wetland birds proliferate here, and it’s definitely an opportunity to capture great images of these unique species.
We later travel the Gibb River Road to the famous El Questro Wildernerss Park, passing the beautiful Cockburn Ranges en route. For sunset, we will capture amazing scenes of boab trees as well as the Cockburn Range glowing in the last light of the day.
Our accommodation is at El Questro.
DAY 7: EL QUESTRO
Images by Pamela Jennings
The highlight of our time at El Questro is Zebedee Springs, a unique area known for its thermal pools, stunning landscapes and birdlife. We can laze our time away soaking in the relaxing, warm waters of the Springs and taking in the beautiful views.
In the afternoon, it’s all aboard for a scenic sunset cruise along the absolutely stunning Chamberlain Gorge.
We wrap up the day with a scrumptious group dinner at El Questro (included in this tour).
DAY 8: RETURN TO KUNUNURRA
Our tour finishes with a morning shoot at El Questro before you’re transferred to Kununurra where you can be dropped off at the airport or your hotel in Kununurra (if you’re staying on for a few extra days).
Images by Pamela Jennings
What’s Included?
- Land transport in air conditioned 4WD vehicles (three guests per vehicle).
- All accommodation during the tour (7 nights)
- All photographic tuition and guidance during the tour.
- Expert Kimberley guide and photography tutors.
- Some meals: Breakfast (Ord River Camp and Bungle Bungles Wilderness Lodge), Dinner (Ord River Camp and Bungle Bungles Wilderness Lodge).
- Group dinner on the evening of Day 7 of the tour (at El Questro). Note this does not include alcoholic beverages.
Exclusions
- Flights to/from Kununurra.
- Meals and drinks (except the group dinner noted above).
- Helicopter flight – optional. We will provide you with the price of the helicopter flight closer to the date of the tour.
- Alcoholic drinks.
- Photographic equipment. You will need to bring/supply your own cameras, lenses, tripods, batteries, filters, memory cards and so on.
- Personal expenses, including laundry, wi-fi, medication and incidental meals.
- Any transport or activities outside of the tour itinerary.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance remains your responsibility for this tour.
Price of Tour
- AUD$6800 per person if twin-sharing with your partner or spouse, or a photographer friend who is also a paying guest on this tour. Note that because of the limited number of participants on this tour, non-photographer partners/spouses will still need to pay the full price for the tour.
- AUD$8050 per person with your own room* during the tour. (Note that the Ord River Camp does not have private rooms available and so accommodation for our two nights there will be on a shared basis).
Note that the pricing above assumes 6 guests on this tour. We can still run this tour with 4 or 5 guests, but there will be a supplement between $400 – $800 depending on the final number of guests, if fewer than six guests.
Reserve Your Place
SOLD OUT! This tour has sold out. If you would like to get on the wait list in the event of a cancellation, please contact us.
A deposit of AUD$1500 will secure you a place on this tour. This deposit is refundable if the tour is cancelled by the organiser (we require a minimum of 6 guests to run this tour). The final payment of the balance is due by 31 March 2022.
Before booking on this tour, please read our Photo Tour Terms and Conditions, especially our Covid-19 refund policy if this tour cannot run due to the impact of Covid-19 induced lockdowns or travel restrictions.
To join this tour or contact us with your questions, please use the form below or email seng [at] venturephotography.com.au or telephone 0417 604 614.