The primary focus is the social and economic benefits that is being provided to Aboriginal communities and traditional owners of the land. Therefore, any tour operator who has access into these lands (as only very few operators do, particularly into Arnhem Land, Cobourg & certain areas of Kakadu) must work closely with the Traditional Owners and through visitation to these lands, the economic benefits directly flow into these communities through purchase of permits and the guiding provided in some parts of the tour. Visitation to these parks directly assists in providing education and employment opportunities.
This Arnhem Land tour also includes visits to some Aboriginal-owned and controlled Art Centre such as Injalak Arts & Craft Centre. Injala is a non-profit community enterprise. It has 200 members made up of artists and weavers from Gunbalanya and surrounding outstations. All artists are paid in full up front for their work. The art centre is professionally managed to ensure ethical support for the production marketing and distribution of authentic Aboriginal art. 100% of the returns go directly to Aboriginal families or organisations. Community art and craft centres play an important role in the artistic and cultural life of traditional Aboriginal artists living in remote communities. In the 1989 independent review into the operation of Aboriginal Community Arts and Crafts Centres by John Altmann it was determined that one of the most effective way to subsidise Aboriginal communities was to fund Arts and Craft centres, thus enabling Aboriginal people to generate independent income which remains in the community. These Art Centres and guiding opportunities are a vital part of remote community life as they provide much needed income and employment opportunities as well as being a focus for family connection, social and cultural activities and the means to celebrate Aboriginal identity. Of course, the other major tangible benefit is the promotion of art and culture peculiar to a region.
Brendan Bainbridge, owner/operator of the ground operator, was born locally and is an individual who takes pride in everything visitors see and experience during their Territory Visit. A lifetime of visiting and living in places such as Kakadu and Arnhem Land has allowed Brendan to form and maintain close relationships with many of the areas locals and traditional owners. As a Savannah Guide Operator we are required to maintain a high standard of guides, vehicles and equipment. Our experienced guides are not only entertaining bushmen and story tellers, but experts in their fields of rock art, Aboriginal culture, anthropology, history, botany, ornithology, wildlife. Our programs work closely with indigenous people and communities providing employment opportunities, training, business and economic development.
As it only takes 6 passengers, this would be a fun trip with 6 friends and a customised itinerary to suit your interests. We weren't able to get to the waterfalls in southern Kakadu as it was early in the season and the roads were not open, so it would be a good idea to talk to the operator about what you want to see and when would be best to go. Our travel consultant, Sally, was great too, putting this trip together with another one so we could see all the areas we wanted to get to. 
Arnhem land is managed by the local aboriginal people and they only allow 15 vehicles into the area at a time. It is a privilege to be able to go there. The Venture North Camp is leased from the aboriginal people, and can only be there while there is a good relationship between them. Due to the low volume of tourists in Arnhem land, there is little environmental impact from tourism.
Arnhem Land. This is one of the most special places I have ever visited. It's Aboriginal Land, and only about 6 small tour operators are licensed to take visitors in. As a result we felt less like tourists and more like we'd been given the key to a semi-secret land. It's enormous, and looks and feels wilder than Kakadu. Perhaps the highlight was the visit to the Art Centre and the cave paintings at Gunbalanya. Here are some notes from my journal - 
Wilfred sits silently staring sideways out of the 4wd window as we drive towards the hill in a roundabout way to avoid an area where for the past 3 months young men have been going through an initiation ceremony (definitely 'secret business'). Despite invitations to join our conversation Wilfred remains largely silent.
passes, Wilfred standing in the same spot taking in everything below. I get restless and start examining my camera. Still he stands. Slowly we find ourselves just standing too, our minds clear and soak up a sense of this place, so special to his people, his ancestors for 50,000 years. Maybe he senses we are now ready, he moves on without a word.
becomes more animated and his arms shoot out in front of him parallel to the ground with loose fingers and his wrists bent down as he starts to feel it and show us places of their dreaming far away. A hill in the distance is Goose Dreaming, a place where his ancestors visited and knew. Each place has its own meaning in his life, and its lessons from his ancestors told through stories. We invite every traveler who books a vacation via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the vacations they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same vacation can have different views!
