Camels for sale:
riding, pack and wagon
Contact us for details

Camel Safaris

Outback South Australia
Lake Eyre region

Join us in 2008

When

• June 8th - 14th.
• June 24th - 30th. An artists' safari - paint with professional artist and tutor Pam Macintyre. A slow-paced seven days.
• We will be taking some of our camels to the Marree Camel Cup (Saturday July 5th) so come and join us for a different and exciting day.
• July 9th - 18th. (A 10-day safari.)

Each safari begins with your arrival at Coward Springs on the Oodnadatta Track on the evening before Day 1 (unless otherwise arranged on booking). We depart the next morning and return in the afternoon of the last day.

click for contact and booking details

The camels

Our camels are an experience in store for you. They are gentle, well trained animals and easy to get to know.
All safaris travel with a string of camels. This allows us to travel as the crow flies into areas where people rarely visit. The camels carry everything except your day-pack if you are walking - or carry you if you choose.
We sometimes take our camel-drawn wagon. This limits us to following bush tracks such as station tracks or beside the 'Old Ghan' railway line. However it also makes it easier for families or the less fit. You can ride on the wagon or walk as it suits.

Where will you be travelling?

Safaris usually leave from Coward Springs on the Oodnadatta Track contact page into the surrounding country. This is the catchment area for Lake Eyre South and has a range of typical and spectacular outback landscapes. There is an option to include Lake Eyre North as a focus. Each safari is planned around seasonal highlights and incorporates some or all of the following features

• mound springs - 'mounds' that stand above a surrounding flat plain created by mineral deposits left as water from the Great Artesian Basin seeps through fissures in the bedrock. Often riverlets of water flow from the top of the mound and are surrounded by luxuriant reeds.
• sand dunes - low well vegetated dune systems
• gibber plains - shiny wind polished pebbles often forming pavements that appear to change colour with the light during the day
• creeklines - usually dry, these are creeks of white sand, thickly wooded with coolabahs and with the occasional waterhole
• The Turret Range - a range of 'painted' mesa-like hills - that we either walk through or see as a colourful backdrop.

Expect to experience

• the singular peace of the outback - camels travel quietly, group size is small
• the desert details - whether walking or riding you will discover the bird and plant life, signs of ancient Aboriginal life, historical European settlement and more
• relaxing evenings around the campfire before sleeping snugly in your swag usually under a dome of brilliant stars only seen in the outback
• becoming part of the team - help to shepherd and load camels or learn the art of campfire cooking (try your hand at a damper)

Your leaders

• have been working camels since the 1980's and several of our first camels are still with us
• train our own camels - either from the wild or those we have bred
• operate at Coward Springs Campground (since 1990) and our combined local knowledge (natural and local history) will enhance your experience
• take particular care to look after the land we are travelling through - we leave no sign of our passing and even our tracks will be blown away by the wind

Level of fitness

A reasonable level of fitness is necessary. We will be travelling between 12 and 20 kilometres each day. You will be walking for at least part of the day but camels are also available for riding. We cater for your comfort but remember that you are in the 'great outdoors'. If you are fairly active, adaptable and enjoy the natural environment, this is a relaxed adventure.

Climate

At this time of the year outback temperatures can range from warm/hot during the day to cold at night. Rainfall for this region is unpredictable and one of the lowest in Australia - unexpected rain does occur.

We provide:

Bedding - we provide your swag (a roll of canvas and mattress)
Water - there is ample drinking water but washing water will be limited
Food - we provide all meals and snacks. Campfire cooking is a tradition in itself and our cook has years of experience both on safaris and at home! If you have any special dietary needs please let us know on booking.
For your safety - we carry a comprehensive emergency kit - but please remember to bring your own medications and advise us of any health issues. We use a reliable communication system and have a well-rehearsed emergency procedure.

You need to bring:

• Sleeping bag (or equivalent) and pillow
• Day pack (for you to carry)
• 1 litre water bottle (for the day)
• A plate, bowl, knife, fork and spoon (non-breakable)
• Toiletries and personal medications - include sunscreen, lip cream, mozzie repellent and 'wet ones' (washing water is not always available)
• Small soft bag for clothing etc
• Clothing - comfortable - we suggest 'layers': t-shirt or long-sleeved shirt for the day and jumper/windcheater, warm coat, rain jacket (just in case). Comfortable walking shoes and a change of shoes for the evening. Don't forget the hat.
• Torch and batteries, mosquito net

When you are packing remember that the camels carry everything - we travel comfortably but light!

Getting to the start

Either

• drive to Coward Springs Campground
• travel to Coober Pedy and then take the mail-run to William Creek. We can provide a service run between William Creek and Coward Springs

How to get there

Contact and Booking details

Greg Emmett (08) 8675 8336 Peter Chantler (03) 5581 1903

Contact Page

Coward Springs Campground
PO Box 20,
Coober Pedy SA, 5723

$200 + GST per day each person.
Non-refundable 10% deposit to be paid on booking, the remainder 30 days before departure date - (no card facilities) - family rate on application.

Conditions

Minimum number persons - 4
Occasionally rain closes the Track and therefore access to your starting point. If this happens we will either reschedule if this suits you or refund.
We strongly advise that you take out travel insurance in case of illness, injury or a delay in schedule due to rain.

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