Once again a 5 Star Experience! Having previously travelled with Lords some 5 years ago with other friends, we decided to be "repeat offenders" and book another trip with different friends but the same guide - Dean. The company were easy to deal with sorting out dates as we wanted to tie the trip in with attending the Darwin Cup races afterwards. Everything worked out very well, Dean took us to some different places in Kakadu due to the traditional owners closing down some sites we visited before. The 2 nights accomodation in Cooinda Lodge was also great during our Kakadu leg before entering Arnhem Land and staying at Mt Borradaile. Deans local knowledge and his friendship with many of the indigenous people added to the trip immensely. The wildlife is teaming everywhere in the wetlands of Arnhem Land and our barramundi fishing afternoon unbelievable - 30 plus fish in a little over 2 hours! If trip adviser gave ratings greater than 5 star, this experience would be definitely worthy of more.Phil N – July 2024
Wonderful time with a professional and knowledgeable team It was such a great family experience. Seeing the sites and sounds of Kakadu and Arnhem Land was so rewarding for the whole family. Our guide (Dean), taught us about the native flora and fauna. he made sure we had a fantastic time. I would highly recommend to anyone wanting to experience all the Northern Territory has to offer.Jon R – July 2024
The Lord's name in safari is very well regarded as are their guides, we have found out. Our journey has worked out very well. We had amazing experiences with you (Leigh), with Leon at Davidson's Safari, and with Jack/Sam/Guy/Bailey at Bamarru Plains. We talked extensively with Lee Davidson which was very insightful. We enjoyed the hosting of Jo and chef Tiffany at Bamarru as we were the only guests there for the entire time we stayed!! I ask that you forward this message to Sab, or send me his number to do so, please, as it was obvious Lord's had gone out of their way to make our trip as successful as promised, even under the circumstances. Thank you again. It was a pleasure spending time with you.David D – June 2024
We thoroughly enjoyed the beauty and many diverse and stunning landscapes and various eco-systems we discovered while in the park. Each day had its own journey and was always full of fun and adventures. My particular highlight was the day we spent in Arnhem Land, hiking w Joey on the special rock formation full of rock art tucked away, and getting to discover the arts center. It felt very special and our children were very appreciative of it too. We found life on the camp site very easy and well set-up, w the public bathroom commodity close by and in good order. The meals were delicious too:) But more than anything, we particularly appreciated Vicky and Leigh being our guides and hosts during our stay. Leigh always went the extra mile to accommodate our different needs (as a family group w grandparents ans kids ages 8 and 10, we had very different desires and abilities). Leigh was always full of energy, enthusiastic, and his passion for the park and its people, flora and wildlife was very contagious. It was an invaluable life experience for the 6 of us - quite transformative, in fact - and a memory to cherish, particularly for our two children who really enjoyed learning from Leigh (from making fire to identifying a thrill-collared lizard or learning more about the wetlands). Leigh’s qualities as a guide (driver and cook) and leader are exceptional as well as his relational skills: we could only recommend our experience to any friends and family willing to travel to Kakadu. Chloé D - May 2024Chloe D – May 2024
Family of 5 (3 teens) on a 4 day (3 night) top end safari. An extraordinary once in a lifetime experience made extra special by Leigh, Victoria and Sab. Thank you! Booking was relatively easy and worked with Sab to create an itinerary that suited our family. Twin falls and Jim Jim - lovely walking. Twin was stupendously beautiful and no other walkers that day so could experience on own. Lovely swim up top. Koolpin - incredible drive to get there. wonderful walk right to the top. Swimming was beautiful. Again had the trail to ourselves so very fortunate. Visit to Injalak and Arnhem Land was terrific. A privilege to be there and see the rock art. Guide was good but you may also want to read up a little as well. Lunch on top sitting in the cave overlooking the landscape an all time highlight. The camp is excellent. Tents with comfy beds, fans, lights and sleep 2. Shower and toilet v close and are clean and well appointed Highlight was the cooking and campfire experience which the whole family loved. Lamb stew cooked in the pot. Avo on toast. And eggs fried on the fire inside the bread. Simply delicious Catered very well for gluten free. Leigh was a fantastic guide. Great with the kids. Very knowledgeable on all topics (culture, the park, geology, wildlife) which really helped. Also made a great lunch every day in dream locations. Thank you Cannot recommend Lords highly enough. We will come back someday for another top end tripPat G – August 2023
This trip exceeded our expectations and we felt privileged to experience areas that are not easily accessible and unbelievably beautiful! Our enthusiastic guide Leigh was truly exceptional in sharing his wide knowledge of the geology, fauna and indigenous artwork. He also went out of his way to ensure our travel experience was amazing.. This included helping us to catch Barramundi, cooking high quality food etcSally G – July 2023
We have just had the privileged to experience our great Australian Kakadu and Arnhemland with the our fabulous guide Dean. His love of the land and wealth of knowledge allowed us to really feel the spirit of our land. Always feeling safe and excited about each adventure. This private tour is the only way to experience this land. There was the time to listen learn experience and enjoy. My bucket list of catching a good size barramundi and Dean cooking it to perfection was a dream come true. My darling sister and brother in law laughed and enjoyed every minute with us! Celeste Nicholas Ariane AshleyCeleste D – May 2023
Sab and Ann Maree, we had an absolutely fantastic trip! As you know, the places we went were very beautiful in a unique and intriguing way, very different from anywhere we have been before. We especially loved the way in which the places were bound to the spiritual life and history of the aboriginal people. The wildlife from the obvious, like the Crocs and Wallabies, to the subtle like the birds and Leichart Grasshopper were great as were the trees and plants. The accommodations you arranged worked out very well. Cicada Lodge and especially Davidson’s were the standouts but Cooinda also was quite acceptable. Our stop at Injalak and our walk with Gabriella were very special and gave us very unique insight into the culture and traits of the people living in this area. Last but not least, Dean was fantastic! We have travelled with guides in many parts of the world and he rates way at the top of the list. He was very knowledgeable about the geology, history, wildlife, plant life and culture of the people in all of the places we went. My wife Karen is just recovering from several months of a knee injury and he was extremely conscientious about helping her with her footing on our walks. He was very courteous, paid great attention to details and he was just a really great guy who added enormously to our experience. Don’t let him get away from Lord’s! Thank you guys for arranging a true adventure that will be remembered as one of the most incredible experiences we have had. Best Regards, Gene.Gene – USA May 2018
My family and I have done two tours with Sab Lord and both were excellent. As a tour leader, Sab combines many important skills. He has a great knowledge of the area, the plants, animals and birds, the aboriginal traditions and art sites and he provides outstanding food. His camping equipment is of high quality and his permanent camp site in Kakadu is very comfortable. Another important quality is that he is very attentive to the needs of his guests. Personally I love his dry sense of humour and the way he interacts with the local indigenous people. Highly recommended.IAN YOUNG – Canberra, August 2016
I recently returned from a 2N/3D camping safari with Lord's Kakadu & Arnhmenland Safaris and had a wonderful time. Sab Lord is an amazing guide who shows so much passion for what he does and knows the country and people so well. In Kakadu we visited Ubirr and hiked to the top for a spectacular view over Kakadu and the floodplains - made famous by Crocodile Dundee. When we reached the bottom Sab set up a yummy picnic lunch complete with Tim Tams! We then went on to do the Yellow Waters cruise where we spotted crocodiles (big ones too) and some great birdlife. At the end of Day 1 we retreated to Sab's bush camp in Kakadu which had everything one needs for a stay in the remote bush: hot showers, mozzie free dining tent, comfortable beds (proper beds with mattress, sheets & pillows), a camp fire, plenty of good wine and a hearty dinner with canapes, BBQ steak (dinosaur sized) and apple crumble and ice cream - what more can a girl want!
On Day 2, we set off on our adventure into Arnhemland. For those of you who don't know, Arnhemland is the largest Aboriginal Reserve in Australia and offers some of the most spectacular country I have ever seen. It is remote, isolated and breathtaking. You can't visit this region of Australia without a specialist guide and Lords Safaris is one of the few companies that is able to access this region for tourism purposes. Sab knows the people so well and shows such great respect and understanding for their culture and everyone knows him. Sab works with local indigenous guides who take you on a guided walk through their country to view amazing rock art and to hear of the stories behind the art that has been passed down for tens of thousands of years.
Our guide Tomo was fabulous - he looked after us so well and it was such a privilege to have him share his stories with us. The rock art galleries are amazing and even better than what we saw in Kakadu. The fact that we hiked through rugged stone country to view the art made it so much better and a really authentic experience - I can't recommend a trip to Arnhemland highly enough it really was beautiful - there are no crowds of tourists here, no boardwalks with signs to follow - it really was a very intimate, off the beaten track experience.
Sab arranged a picnic lunch at the top with a gorgeous view from the escarpment over the floodplains, Injalak Hill and township below. At the end of the hike (a reasonable level of fitness and good walking shoes required) we went on to the Injalak Art Centre where we met the artists and saw them at work. The detail and care shown in their work was amazing and Marika who manages the centre knows all the artists well and took the time to show us around to meet with them - a variety of talents from screen printing, bark painting, basket weaving etc. After an active day exploring we went back to Sab's camp and where we were treated to a camp oven roast dinner over the fire and a glass of red. If only camping was like this all the time! On day 3 we tucked into a cooked breakfast before making our way back to Darwin for our flight home.
I combined Sab's camping safari with a 2-night stay at Bamurru Plains which to date has been one of my most memorable trips in Australia. The two experiences offered diverse wildlife, landscape and habitat and really highlighted the best of the Top End.VISITED – April 2012
I have so much to say about this trip!
First of all: Sab Lords is the best guide I have ever met. His knowledge of the territory and of the Aboriginal people is extraordinary and really shows you the best and he takes you off the beaten trucks. He is so much fun and, believe me, a great cook!
Secondly, Arnhem Land: that place took my breath away. You have to go to understand what I am talkling about. One of the best landscape I have ever seen. Tomo, the Aboriginal guide who took me for the amazing walk on the cliff, is one of the nicest and most well mannared man I have ever met. I love it.
Thank you Sab: I can't wait to come back and next time we all book a longer trip for you: 3 days haven't been enough! Sofia G Sydney 2012SOFIA G – Sydney, 2012
We did a 4 day safari with Sab Lord, family (2 adults, 3 children 8 to 13 years)... and it was a simply amazing adventure. The character is extremely friendly and truculent, he knows everything and the Northern Territory Aborigines (he grew up with them in the farm of his father at the time). Of course, we must speak English to take advantage of all knowledge. It has excellent contacts with the Aborigines, which allowed us to visit, besides the Adelaide River (with its Jumping Crocodiles), the yellow waters (with crocodiles tens to the boat) and other places of Kakadu Park (including the beautiful Jim Jim Falls), Arnhem Land. After a visit to an aboriginal commuanuté, Sab confides to a native guide for half a day exploring a sacred mountain, with a number of paintings just amazing and a lot of information about what was and what remains (not much, unfortunately) of the indigenous culture. And Sab takes us another place to limited access, Kolperine Gorge, just amazing (a series of small mountain lakes where we swim like we did to Jim Jim Falls, that is reached after a walk in the bush).
Guaranteed security: Sab is enough for children. Picnic in the mountains or the bush whenever noon. And in the evening, a private camp with "cabins" very comfortable and cooking skills for Sab bush that we had not guessed (recall his long leg of lamb on the campfire and "frogs in a house "in the morning ...). The rates are not cheap (but what is in the Top End?), But the experience is to recommend unreservedly.
We look forward to meet Sab our next trip Down Under!PHIL – Switzerland, 2013
Sab,
Just wanted to write a note to say many thanks for taking us out to Kakadu for the night. You might take it for granted as you live within that country and people, but for me it is one of the few places that feels like real Australia. Majestic, harsh, dangerous, and beautiful.
We really enjoyed meeting you too. Your stories, honesty and knowledge were really appreciated and whilst it was just too short a trip it was nevertheless good for the soul.
I will look forward to catching up along the way within rugby or back at the top end. If I am able to do anything please let me know, will be recommending your safari’s to any that care to listen down my way.
Cheers,ROFFY – Canberra, 2015
Sab,
Thanks for an unforgettable 5 days - the Arnhemland & Kakadu - amazing scenery, wildlife, geology and culture - all shared with us in such a fantastic way - your hospitality and welcome are what made all this possible - and we are hugely grateful... we need a couple of days rest now before Bernard's party - from which, if you listen carefully, you'll probably hear the singing on Saturday!!
You now have my email - so do keep in touch - you'd be most welcome with us in Europe when you travel that way - perhaps I can show you some subsidised agriculture!!
I hope we can arrange another safari with you in the next couple of years... Also please thank Annmaree for her amazing support behind the scenes - we know how much that matters too...
We loved the dinner last night - great food and a couple of glasses too!
Good luck with the Rugby!!
All the best to you and AM from us both:TOM & CORALIE – September 2015
Dear Sab and Ann-Maree,
Thanks to you both for organising such a marvelous trip and taking care of us . It’s been a lot more than a holiday, more of a huge experience on many levels.
It’s been strange coming home after such an amazing adventure. Nothing seems quite as much fun as waking up in the bush and heading off for another day of learning and exploring. We had the best time.
Bye for now guys,KATHY
Dear Ann-Maree and Sab,
We're finally back at home in Wangaratta, and my sister and her family have now left for the UK after a real experience over here.
Before I get caught up in the day to day stuff again, I just wanted to say a really big 'thank you' to you both and Dean for such a fantastic time on our Kakadu adventure! No surprise the place has world heritage status and we obviously only scratched the surface in our short time there, but we loved the schedule you arranged for us and it was definitely the highlight of the Australian holiday for my sister, Simon and the girls. It will be something Izzy and Grace will always remember, and the same goes for Lucinda, Simon, Jim and me!
We all felt very confident and comfortable leaving everything in Sab and Dean's capable hands. The Dutch family sharing the campsite with us were lovely, and Lucinda and Simon have exchanged contact info with them. Loved Sab and Dean's company too, and thanks for taking such good care of us all - great food (including the best damper!) and relaxing evenings by the campfire!!
What a pleasure it was to travel with Dean, who knew the environment so well. His local knowledge gave us a much better understanding of the place and its Aboriginal heritage. It was great to find out more about Sab's obvious connection with Kakadu and its people too - what a special gift! We're already looking forward to coming up to NT again, and obviously we'll be recommending Lord's Safaris to anyone we know who's heading your way!
Thanks again,SALLY AND JIM – August 2016
Hi Dean, Sab, and Ann-Maree,
Thank you all for such a wonderful holiday!
It was the best family holiday we have been on, and such a great opportunity to explore parts of Australia we have never seen. I haven't been able to stop thinking about Arnhemland in particular.
Dean, thank you especially for being so great (and patient!) with our kids. They had a fabulous time and are still talking about it. Henry is still showing off his quartz collection to anyone who will listen!
We will certainly be recommending your tours.
Kind regards,SUZANNE – August 2016
Dear Sab & Ann-Maree,
On behalf of the whole family, we would like to thank both of you for the most amazing trip. We can't stop talking about our adventures & the wonderful time we spent with Sab. We would love to come back in the future and do more. We feel like we now have new friends in Australia 🙂
Sab, thank you again. You took such great care of us and showed us things we would never have had the opportunity to have seen or experienced. We will always treasure the time. In particular, Arnhemland was so very special. We feel very honored & privileged to have gone there & seen the beautiful, ancient rock art on Injalak Hill. It was incredible. Our time in NT really gave us a sense of perspective of our place in the world & how vast, beautiful, and precious our earth is.
Sincerely,DIDI – Seattle, USA, July 2016
