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Camping Safaris at Uluru

Missoula, Montana
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67 posts
9 reviews
7 helpful votes
Camping Safaris at Uluru
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Being a middle-aged married couple who aren't thrilled at the prospect of spending megabucks for basic lodging at the monopoly-run Voyages resorts at Uluru, we are considering a camping safari, but the last thing we want to do is sign up for a party-focused camping tour for single backpackers. (We DO backpack and camp IRL, and aren't teetotallers, but will be there for the scenery and aren't there to party.)

The camping operators that we have considered are:

Wayoutback

http://www.wayoutback.com.au/getdoc/090b1e24-0786-489d-ba91-ec5324f0838d/3-Day-Uluru-Tour-Itinerary.aspx

The Rock Tour

http://www.therocktour.com.au/

Wayward Bus

http://www.waywardbus.com.au/two-night-ayers-rock-tour/

Wildway Tours

http://www.wildway.com.au/uluru-tour-details.php

Sahara Outback Tours

http://www.pacificislandtravel.com/australia/tours/sahara_3en5day.html

Any advice for us?

Thanks so much.

Alice Springs...
Level Contributor
833 posts
32 reviews
46 helpful votes
1. Re: Camping Safaris at Uluru
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Hi,

Looking at the options you've selected:

The Rock Tour, Wayward Bus & Wildway Tours are more geared to the younger, backpacker market whereas Wayoutback & Sahara Outback Tours don't have quite that focus - not that there won't be young backpackers on theirs as well, but there are often older travellers too. I travelled on the 5 day Sahara tour several years ago and was very impressed with the professionalism of the guide, vehicle standard, camping facilities - which have been much improved over the years, and office admistration.

As a guide - check out the photo galleries of each company and look at their group photos.

Melbourne, Australia
Level Contributor
4,849 posts
12 reviews
13 helpful votes
2. Re: Camping Safaris at Uluru
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You might like to look at Intrepid tours as well. I don't have personal experience, but they are aimed at a wide range of age groups.

Missoula, Montana
Level Contributor
67 posts
9 reviews
7 helpful votes
3. Re: Camping Safaris at Uluru
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Thanks for your input.

Unfortunately the parent company of Sahara Outback seems to have a broken website, but they are located in the Netherlands, anyway, which seems strange.

Does anyone know anything about AATKings company? I am not sure if they do camping or other types of tours.

Thanks.

Missoula, Montana
Level Contributor
67 posts
9 reviews
7 helpful votes
4. Re: Camping Safaris at Uluru
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http://www.aatkings.com/au/index.php?brochure_id=2349

Answered my own question by googling them. They do coach sightseeing tours.

Missoula, Montana
Level Contributor
67 posts
9 reviews
7 helpful votes
5. Re: Camping Safaris at Uluru
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http://www.intrepidtravel.com/trips/POR

Wow! They're expensive. $555 + 125 "local fee" + sleeping bag rental.

Still searching...

Alice Springs...
Level Contributor
833 posts
32 reviews
46 helpful votes
6. Re: Camping Safaris at Uluru
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Hi,

Try this link for connections safaris - the new name of Sahara tours http://www.connections.travel/content.asp?Document_ID=16526

Sydney
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5 posts
17 reviews
6 helpful votes
7. Re: Camping Safaris at Uluru
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Check out the tour operator Emu Tours they were excellent when we went with them. They do Kings Canyon as well.

Alice Springs
Level Contributor
100 posts
3 reviews
8 helpful votes
8. Re: Camping Safaris at Uluru
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Hi,

There are different styles of camping that you can shoes from as well as accommodated tours such as AAT Kings and APT.

If you use a company such as Sahara Tours, which are now run by Connections, you are able to get camping in Permanent Tents/camp sites.

These are where they camping is in solid tents, more like little huts with bed in and they are really well looked after. Adventure Tours Australia also has this style of camping.

Then you move down in the type of accommodation to companies such as Wayoutback and the rock tours. Now these are really good tours which will actually get you out there to see things. If you have a good level of fitness then I would recommend something like these.

They are not for the partying young backpacker but you will get younger people on them, they are aim more at people who really want to see what the Red Centre has to offer.

There are many web pages you can go to, I would recommend http://en.travelnt.com/ as they give you information on all the tours and they have links to other sites. For booking there is also http://www.territorydiscoveries.com/destinations that can organise everything for you and work with all of these companies.

All in all, if you are active, I would choose a camping tour as you will get to see a lot more and sleeping under the starts is by far the best thing to do here in the centre.

Missoula, Montana
Level Contributor
67 posts
9 reviews
7 helpful votes
9. Re: Camping Safaris at Uluru
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Thanks for all the helpful information!

I'm sure we'll have a great trip, whatever we do, but all this info is bound to help fine-tune it.

Missoula, Montana
Level Contributor
67 posts
9 reviews
7 helpful votes
10. Re: Camping Safaris at Uluru
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Another option for us is to stay at the Voyages Yulara campground in the permanent tent village ($95/night) and rent a car and self-drive the Uluru and Kata Tjuta portions.

Don't know if we'd get to King's Canyon, though, but isn't it somewhat similar to Utah (where we've done LOTS of exploring over the years)?

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