FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  Highly recommend Hamish to give you the best tour of Kakadu. He is both very knowledgeable and respectful of the local culture and area. We saw places we would never... read more have seen on our own. Personal favourite was Motorcar Falls. Such a beautiful spot to swim.

  We recently travelled with Sugarbag on their 5 day tour around Kakadu, Katherine and Litchfield. Hamish was a fantastic and knowledgable tour guide able to answer any questions we had... read more from culture and traditions to flora and fauna - not to mention astronomy! It is...More

  Hamish made our visit to the NT a most memorable adventure Hamish from Sugarbag Tours has an amazing knowledge of all aspects of the NT bush. Whilst visiting... read more great locations with indigenous art and cooling off in wonderful waterholes, Hamish shared his great knowledge of the local areas, indigenous culture and the flora and fauna around us. Hamish looked after all aspects of our tour including the itinerary, camping equipment and gourmet bush meals in a professional manner from start to finish. Thanks again Hamish. …

  Short story - this was one of the most exceptional experiences of my life.

Hamish's knowledge of the local geography, flora and fauna, history and the Aboriginal... read more cultures added depth and interest to the sites we saw. He spent time with me prior to the trip to learn what my interests were and developed an itinerary that matched my interests well. The time with him, driving, hiking, eating - all exceptional and interesting. A good person all the way through and it was a total pleasure to get to know him and share ourselves with him ( I was with a close friend and workmate). I came away from this trip feeling like I begin to know Kakadu and the Top End of Australia and look forward to returning for more adventure.

All in all, I highly recommend Hamish as a tour guide to Kakadu National Park. More

  We were lucky to find Hamish and to be able to visit Kakadu with his expert guidance. Our private tour allowed us (with a daughter of 6) to explore the... read more most relevant spots in the beautiful parc. And at night, sleep inside our tent away...More

  Going in the Wet Season to Kakadu is the time to go! This experience with Hamish was such a delight! Hamish picked us up from where we were staying at... read more Cooinda Lodge in a new comfy air conditioned land cruiser. Extensive knowledge of plant, animal...More

  We just came off 5 awesome days camping in Kakadu with Sugarbag Safaris. It was just the four of us- two adults, a 16 year old and a 14 year... read more old. The camping was great - amazing to be able to just relax and take it all in while someone else (thanks again Hamish!) fed the kids. The food was delicious, healthy, fresh and plentiful. The swags were comfy but best of all was falling asleep under the immense, starry Kakadu sky. Each day was a gradual build up to the next, with the ultimate being access to a permit only, pristine paradise on day 4. Hamish was able to tell us the name of every animal we spotted as well as help us understand local culture and practices. A highlight was the thousands of years old artwork etched into rocky galleries - such a privilege to be able to see these places of living history and have them explained. Hamish was super patient with our many questions, friendly, kind, thoughtful and attentive. He is the real deal, having spent decades in the NT, he seems to know everyone important to know and be able to open doors for us to have a great experience. He talked about having lived with Aboriginal communities in Arnhem Land and he was so generous with his knowledge and had a lot of wisdom to share. He was really lovely to be around for five days- a great influence on our teenage boys who demonstrated a capacity to be organised and healthy under his watch! He himself was super organised and the experience was authentic yet comfortable. I really can’t say enough good things about Hamish and Sugarbag Safaris- it’s been a peak experience for our family and a fantastic circuit breaker for our teens in this day and age where they’re mostly glued to their tech. We actually had two whole days without reception so it was a great chance to switch off. And 5 whole days of being pleasant to each other! This was really, truly wonderful. Hamish, there aren’t enough words. Thank you a million times!

  I was a part of a group of 8 colleagues participating in a post conference tour. Being my first time in the Northern Territory I was keen to experience... read more some of the things the NT is renowned. These included a taste of Indigenous rock art,...More

  We had a great 4 day 3 night trip with Hamish with our family of 6 from the US. I was worried about traveling through the Northern Territory with a... read more 4 and 7 year old, my husband and my elderly parents who were not super mobile, but Hamish was able to adapt our trip (on a daily basis) to make it work so we still hit all of the highlights, various trip members’ wish list (lots of wild crocs for my son, Ubirr and Gunlom for myself), and just have a truly unique one-of-a-kind experience.

We swam in beautiful waterholes, saw inspiring indigenous rock art, spectacular scenery, and tons of wildlife (wallabies, crocodiles). Also camped under the stars for one night, but opted for lodging the other nights for a little extra convenience.

Hamish was extremely knowledgeable about the history of the region, the local flora and fauna, and just all around great guide with 20+ years experience. Food was delicious, including Cape Grim Tasmanian grass fed beef cooked to perfection, nutritious breakfasts and sandwich lunch picnics. The Land Cruiser was spotless and extremely comfortable. We’d definitely come back again with Hamish and highly recommend his company! More

  An absolutely wonderful way to experience the Kakadu. Hamish meet us at our hotels in Darwin before taking us towards Kakadu. We didn’t have any firm plans but Hamish had... read more organised 3 days to sites to visit, and walks. As we headed out of Darwin we mentioned we had permits to fly drones in a number of parks (but no Kakadu), Hamish took an unexpected turn off the Hwy, stopping at Knuckey Lagoons and letting us fly our drones before we entered Kakadu where we couldn’t. This was the flexibility that having a private tour was fantastic for. On the second day we were heading out to our first walk of the day and we spotted a dingo just off the road. Hamish was able to pull over, and drive back to allow us to get some amazing photos. This happened a few times where there was an opportunity to stop and get some photos that we never would have been able to in a larger group in a bus. Hamish was a fantastic, knowledgeable guide. He was able to adapt the tour to our wishes and our abilities. He prepared a great lunch each day, and had the coldest water to fill our water bottles. I have no idea how it was still cold on the third day, but it was. If you do visit I Kakadu make sure you take the opportunity to do the Yellow River cruise, it was a real highlight. …

  Hamish from Sugar bag and I went to Kakadu and Litchfield National Park, which was off season for 3 days and 2 nights. He took wonderful care of us,... read more prepared a great programme. It was obvious that he loves his work and puts his heart into it. We felt amazing the whole time. We learned a lot of new information and enjoyed our time with Hamish.
Peter and Blanka

  I travelled with my adult granddaughter to Darwin and Kakadu, having 3 days, 2 nights in Kakadu, which was the highlight of the trip. Hamish from Sugar Bag safaris,... read more was our guide, his knowledge of the area, the history, all plants, birds and animals is amazing, we felt very well looked after ( I’m 81) and he was very considerate of my age and capabilities, at the same time giving some challenges for my granddaughter with the walks and some rock climbing! Hamish provided lunch each day with fresh salad, cold meat and nice bread, and fruit always available too, not forgetting the never ending really cold water from the container inside his trailer, and knew where to stop along the way to buy the best homemade ice cream in NT! We were treated to many stories attached to the rock art we saw in Kakadu, taken to museums and the best spot for photographs, all in all those 3 days were exceptional, I learnt a lot about the territory, even stories of people past and present. If you want to learn all about Kakadu with a very nice person, Hamish is your man. Judy Wolfe

  You definitely need a guide if you wish to visit the hidden treasure of Bilkbilkmi (Graveside Gorge) and Hamish from Sugarbag Safaris is one of the best.
The organization of... read more permits, pickup for the 2hr 4WD in, the guide itself, the provided lunch were all first class. Thanks Hamish for keeping us safe and sharing your extensive knowledge and respect of Kakadu.

  Hamish made our visit to the NT a most memorable adventure Hamish from Sugarbag Tours has an amazing knowledge of all aspects of the NT bush. Whilst visiting... read more great locations with indigenous art and cooling off in wonderful waterholes, Hamish shared his great knowledge of the local areas, indigenous culture and the flora and fauna around us. Hamish looked after all aspects of our tour including the itinerary, camping equipment and gourmet bush meals in a professional manner from start to finish. Thanks again Hamish.

  My partner and I travelled with Sugarbag Safaris for a 3 day, 2 nights tour in Kakadu. Right from the first enquiry Hamish was very helpful and supportive and... read more determined what we would like to see and do. With the threat of instant border closures from COVID outbreaks, Hamish

  Our 6 day tour of Kakadu, Nitmiluk and Litchfield National Parks with Hamish as our guide, surpassed all our expectations. The six days were packed with breathtaking experiences to the... read more point that it was tough to name our top 3 spots on the tour. We were often the first people at a site, making each stop really special.
Hamish is an outstanding guide with exceptional knowledge of the beautiful landscape, flora and fauna. We learnt a lot! Camping under the stars with our very comfy swags, will be a lasting memory of the tempo of the bush around us and the stars and moon above us as we drifted off to sleep. Hamish is a great cook (great vegetarian options!) and seemed to intuitively understand how to pace the trip and give us family time along the way. His insight into the Aboriginal communities and way of life gave us all a perspective that we had not considered. He also adjusted when we had special requests. Thanks Hamish for taking me to Alex and Petrenas Top Didj gallery. I came away with art that I will treasure always!
If you want to immerse yourself in a truely wonderful experience, bypass the big tour groups and make your Kakadu experience one to remember, we all recommend Hamish. Big thanks!
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  My partner and I travelled with Sugarbag Safaris for a 3 day, 2 nights tour in Kakadu. Right from the first enquiry Hamish was very helpful and supportive and... read more determined what we would like to see and do. With the threat of instant border closures from COVID outbreaks, Hamish remained adaptable.

We travelled with Hamish at the start of the wet season and the weather was not always in our favour. Hamish remained easy going, relaxed and flexible and readily adapted to the changing conditions. Hamish was very knowledgeable about the local aboriginal lore and culture, very observant with the local flora and fauna, and is an overall great guide.

The tour was well organised and featured picnic lunches which were well catered.

My partner and I have no hesitation in recommending Sugarbag Safaris to anyone who is looking for a guided tour of the top end.

  Our four day trip to Kakadu, Katherine Gorge and Lichfield was amazing. One of the most beautiful and interesting places in the world. Hamish's profound knowledge of the area,... read more wildlife, local culture, art and history is impressive. We relied on him to decide the itinerary and it was a good decision. We visited all the well-known sites but in addition he took us to some great private spots. His organisation was impeccable and everything was taken care of, from tasty lunches to ice cold water on tap. His vehicle is very comfortable. Hamish was very flexible and was happy to accomodate our specific requirements. Hamish was great fun to talk to and he is a truly outstanding guide.

  We couldn't have asked for a better way to discover the magic of Kakadu! Thanks Hamish for sharing your deep insights into an amazing part of the world. What... read more a perfect setting for an introduction to the Dreaming ... the kids were enthralled and still...More

  We had the most fantastic trip with Hamish guiding us through the splendid Kakadu National Park during the dry season. We are from the U.K., and although we know Australia... read more well, the NT is another matter. Hamish was so knowledgable and we learnt so much more that we could ever have hoped on our own. I think he answered pretty much any question we could throw at him about the flora, fauna, aboriginal culture and Southern Hemisphere constellations. Literally he is a walking encyclopaedia!
We also felt very safe in his capable hands, and were able to do all the things we wanted, which he arranged to run like clockwork. Bush camping, wild swimming, fishing and boat trips were all on the list and he managed to get us everywhere at the right time to avoid the crowds and feel like we had the whole park to ourselves.
It was an awesome experience for all of us.
Also.....fab food! Thanks so much. More

  Awesome 5 days touring Kakadu with Hamish and sleeping in swags under the stars. His local knowledge was superb and he provided a fascinating insight into the area, its history... read more and geography. Even though we had visited Kakadu before he was able to take us to deserted gorges and swimming holes we hadn't seen and provided a totally different view of things. Considerate and generous host with an excellent repertoire of camp fire recipes. Perfect for small groups and an excellent guide to the area. Thoroughly recommended.

  We just had the most amazing experience travelling with Hamish from Sugarbag safaris around Kakadu in the Northern Territory.
His knowledge of the area is extraordinary. Travelling on a... read more private tour is so much more enjoyable as it provided the flexibility to do and see things that we otherwise would have missed. Hamish is a delight-, extremely professional, courteous, interesting and interested in his clients. He also makes a great picnic style lunch each day which we all enjoyed in beautiful locations shaded by trees , birds chirping in the background ! Bliss! Hamish shared his love of the outback and gave us a new appreciation for this wonderful part of the world.

  Not having been to Northern Territory before we were keen to do it properly and see as much of Kakadu as we could. So pleased we found Hamish at... read more Sugarbag Safaris! Specializing in small groups made it even better. Hamish had a knack of getting...More

  Want to swim in pristine Kakadu waterholes with only one or two other people and then towel off for a picnic lunch served on a colourful cloth with Indigenous designs?... read more Then Hamish Clark from Sugarbag Safaris is the guide for you. My husband and I had waited until our sixties to see Kakadu and I was worried that the volume of people at each attraction would leave me underwhelmed, besides which our trip was at short notice and left little time for planning. Enter Hamish. He took care of everything for our four-day trip including permits to Jarrangbarnmi and Bilkbilkmi Gorges, places most visitors don’t get to see. We got to sit back and enjoy the beauty of the landscape as Hamish drove us for up to two hours down 4WD tracks closer to the heart of Kakadu. We saw dingoes, antilopine wallabies, agile wallabies, brumbies, a wide variety of birds and even a python, lazing in the sun. When we reached the end of the car access, we took to our feet and hiked alongside rivers and through bushland, Hamish finding the track when none seemed visible. Along the way, he answered our many questions and proved himself incredibly knowledgeable on just about every aspect of Kakadu you could imagine—flora, fauna, geography and history, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous. The gorges themselves were spectacular, and few things can beat swimming the length of the safe pools in Jarrangbarnmi or floating on your back at Bilkbilkmi and looking up through towering cliffs to a blue, blue sky. Hamish had the safety aspect covered too, making sure we stayed clear of water that might contain crocodiles and carrying a pack with a sat phone and a first aid kit. As for the level of fitness required for the walks we undertook, a certain degree of stamina is required to walk a few kilometres in the heat, but while I can clamber over boulders, I would describe my level of fitness as only mild to moderate. I’m sure Hamish was adjusting his pace down to accommodate. We spent a magical few days in Kakadu thanks to Hamish, and thoroughly recommend his services. …

  It's been two months since our absolutely stunning Australian trip. We had only 4 days in NT and we must say - Hamish did a fantastic job showing us the... read more best of Kakadu, Nitmiluk and Litchfield National Park having so little time. He took us to the places we wouldn’t find if we traveled alone. With Hamish as our guide we had a chance to experience swimming in beautiful and wild waterholes, take a sunrise water cruise where we could see awaking of nature, and just feel the spirit of wild Australia – it was an unforgettable experience.
Thank you Hamish once again – we had a really great time! 🙂

  You definitely need a guide if you wish to visit the hidden treasure of Bilkbilkmi (Graveside Gorge) and Hamish from Sugarbag Safaris is one of the best. The organization of... read more permits, pickup for the 2hr 4WD in, the guide itself, the provided lunch were all first class. Thanks

  We really enjoyed our 4 day trip to Kakadu, Katherine Gorge and Litchfield Park with Hamish. He is a terrific guide with a huge knowledge of the area as... read more well as a great love for the country. I would highly recommend Sugarbag Safaris.

  We are just back from the 5 day/4 night camping safari with Hamish from Sugarbag safaris
Great itinerary which captured the highlights of the 3 National Parks .
Hamish... read more is the most super organized, efficient, and fastidious tour guide I have ever met ! His Land Cruiser vehicle is immaculate and the inner workings of his trailer etc is a lesson in experience and organization ! He is also a pretty good cook which is no mean praise from me ! Menu was varied and plentiful. Particularly enjoyed the lunches - plenty of meat, salad, cheese and bread to fill the hungriest of travelers.
Hamish also proved himself to be amazing in a crisis - he was calm collected, super kind and knowledgeable in the most stressful situation. For this we will be forever grateful.
Hamish also impressed me in his understanding of the complex social situations in the NT and provided interesting perspectives
His knowledge of the flora and fauna was immense and I learnt a lot of very interesting things
Hamish is a guide of great integrity and experience and I would recommend his trips for those wanting a genuine outback experience and don’t mind getting a bit of dirt under the fingernails

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  We booked Sugarbag Safaris to take us places that we couldn't get to on our own. Turned out to be so much more than expected. Hamish was able... read more to introduce us to places and history we had no idea about. Hamish is so easy going but the operation is tight. Highly recommended.

  An absolutely wonderful way to experience the Kakadu. Hamish meet us at our hotels in Darwin before taking us towards Kakadu. We didn’t have any firm plans but Hamish had... read more organised 3 days to sites to visit, and walks. As we headed out of Darwin we mentioned we had permits to fly drones in a number of parks (but no Kakadu), Hamish took an unexpected turn off the Hwy, stopping at Knuckey Lagoons and letting us fly our drones before we entered Kakadu where we couldn’t. This was the flexibility that having a private tour was fantastic for.
On the second day we were heading out to our first walk of the day and we spotted a dingo just off the road. Hamish was able to pull over, and drive back to allow us to get some amazing photos. This happened a few times where there was an opportunity to stop and get some photos that we never would have been able to in a larger group in a bus.
Hamish was a fantastic, knowledgeable guide. He was able to adapt the tour to our wishes and our abilities. He prepared a great lunch each day, and had the coldest water to fill our water bottles. I have no idea how it was still cold on the third day, but it was.
If you do visit I Kakadu make sure you take the opportunity to do the Yellow River cruise, it was a real highlight.