Munga-Thirri Survey 3
​Munga-Thirri Survey 3
11 Day Survey - June 28 > July 8, 1 day 4WD/9.5 days trekking/half day 4WD
Survey price: $6600 ​​
Survey Grade:
​This survey will explore country in the north of the Munga-Thirri Simpson Desert National Park in South Australia. We last visited this general area in 2018 and have been itching to get back there to do a follow up survey, now that we have the 2018 data as a benchmark. The objective is to conduct bird observations and pitfall trapping.
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Similar to the survey operating immediately prior to this one, we will be in high dune country that is gradually changing from the prolific gidgee forests to the more open swales. On our last visit here we noted some significant artefacts that at the time seemed 'out of context' to what we then knew about the country.The discovery soon after of a nearby major habitation site put these objects into context, and we will target our survey to walk in specific areas to search for more objects.
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During the trip you walk alongside our team of packcamels accompanied by 4 cameleers who are your crew for the duration of the survey. Our cameleers are not 'tour guides', they are experienced and seasoned stockmen/women who are specialists in handling and working with camels, and have a wealth of experience in walking the desert and general knowledge of its flora & fauna, and are respectful of our First Nations people who call Munga-Thirri home.​
Walking in this landscape is on firm sand and occasional claypans. The extensive gidgee forests that are endemic to this part of the desert start to dissipate as the soil begins to contain less clay.
If the eastern Simpson receives good soaking rain in late March/early April, there may be a profusion of yellow flowers such as poached-egg daisy & 'Yellowtop' covering the landscape, and supplying our camels with fresh feed.... however it's not until we actually get out there in April 2024 that we will know the extent of any rainfall and corresponding seasonal conditions.
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June/July is ideal walking weather in Central Australia and over the course of a 5 to 6 hour walking day you would walk approximately between 8 to 10 kilometres. Our pace of travel is determined by the camels and their ability to negotiate the dunes or other landforms in the landscape. They carry all your personal gear, and all you have to carry is your day pack. We will of course be stopping as required depending on what we see as we walk along.
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This is a very real, very Australian desert experience, and camels are the perfect cross-country vehicle and so we don't follow roads or tracks, and there is no vehicle back-up: we don't need it! Camps are chosen for the availability of camel feed, and we never camp in the same place twice. And in addition, as we are Australia's only scientific organisation that also specialises in remote desert travel, you won't 'bump into' any other groups of trekkers.​​
What's included
4WD transfers to/from Birdsville to the eastern Simpson Desert fringe
All camping equipment - swags, stools, tents. You bring your own sleeping bag and eating utensils
All meals, though we do not provide snacks
LOTS of space...
Survey RFDS Medical Chest, First Aid and emergency communications equipment
Crew of 4 to 5 cameleers and 1 ecologist/scientist (perhaps 2) who specialis in desert ecology
Desert Silence!
Trekking with an environmentally aware responsible business
(A detailed Survey Information Guide is sent to you when you book)
What's not included
Pre and post survey airfares and accommodation. You are responsible for arranging your travel to/from Birdsville and any accommodation. We can help organise this for you
Please look at this page How To Get To Birdsville
What else is required?
Travel Insurance. You have the option to arrange your own travel insurance, or you can contact us for a quote.
Where are we trekking?
In the shaded area of the map in the Simpson Desert, South Australia. The Simpson is the world's largest parallel sand ridge desert
