Munga-Thirri Survey 2
​Munga-Thirri Survey 2
7 Day Survey - June 21 > June 27, 1 day 4WD/5.5 days trekking/half day 4WD
Survey price: $5080 ​​
Survey Grade:
Our second survey for 2024 will operate in the largest National Park on the continent, the recently gazetted Munga-Thirri Simpson Desert National Park in South Australia.​
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The area we are intending to survey is new to us, as we have not been to this particular part of the desert before. Hence, the broad objective of the survey is to collect baseline data on flora & fauna in addition to documenting any indigenous artefacts that we may encounter. Our usual methodology is determined by the seasonal conditions, and our ecologist will determine if setting pitfall traps is a worthwhile exercise. Having said that, a negative result from pitfall trapping is still a result, and is just reflective of dry years or lack of feed. And as is usual for our surveys, we will be conducting a bird survey.
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This survey also marks the beginning of our 2024 Scat Collection. This involves collecting and documenting all dog/cat/raptor scats for analysis at a later date to determine the diet of dingos, cats, foxes and larger birds of prey.
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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 country in this part of the desert is starting to morph from the classic red dunes into white dunes with far less vegetation both on the dunes, and in the inter-dune corridors (swales).
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 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.​
Setting a camera trap at the end of a pitfall line
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 specialises 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 northern section of the shaded area of the map in the Simpson Desert, South Australia. The Simpson is the world's largest parallel sand ridge desert
