Sharks, whales and countless sardines
This dive trip begins with the "sardine run," a migration spectacle that takes place annually off South Africa's Wild Coast during the last week of June and the first two weeks of July. Giant waves of silvery sardines migrate toward the warmer waters of the Indian Ocean, attracting numerous predators. A spectacular show of sharks, dolphins, gannets, cormorants, seals and even orcas. Your boat departs from the Hole in The Wall, while a microlight aircraft constantly relays the best spots and monitors human and animal safety. You then travel on to Umkomaas, the starting point for the Aliwal Shoal diving area. The reefs are only 5 km from the beach and the most famous spot is 'Raggies Cave'. Don't be surprised if you encounter between 15-20 sharks during one dive. But there is more; moray eels, mantas, large stingrays, groupers, emperor fish, sweetlips and in the right period dolphins and whales.
In search of the Big Five
It's time to trade in the sea and marine life for the bush, land animals and safaris! During your stay in a Private Game Reserve of your choice in KwaZulu Natal, you will be fully pampered and taken on special safaris in search of the 'Big Five' and the other wildlife that lives there. Then on to Maputaland, where you will enjoy untouched forest, endless beaches and the most pristine reefs in the world; colorful hard and soft corals and the most colorful tropical fish. Finally, you will travel on to iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. Nowhere else in South Africa is the landscape more varied than here: from underwater canyons and sandy beaches where turtles lay their eggs, to forested dune areas and a veritable mosaic of swamps, grasslands, forests, savannahs and lakes, including Lake Sibaya. Its location in the transition zone between subtropical and tropical Africa has resulted in exceptional biodiversity. You will stay at the only privately run lodge: Makakatana Bay Lodge.
Tips & tops Diving Paradise South Africa:
- The sardine run for the Wild Coast, an annual repeating spectacle where you will see - assisted by a microlight aircraft - many underwater predators pass you by
- Aliwal Shoal, paradise for divers where there is a good chance of spotting several sharks per dive
- Possibility to book 'Baited Shark Dives', where you come face to face with for example a sand tiger shark, tiger shark, whale shark or hammerhead shark (Advanced)
- KwaZulu Natal for an authentic safari in style or a luxurious stay in pristine nature
- Rocktail Bay, a nature reserve on the Indian Ocean on a huge private beach. Off the coast you can do fantastic diving and snorkeling and the beach serves as a nesting ground for the giant Leatherback turtle
- iSimangaliso Wetlands Park from Makakatana Bay Lodge from where you will visit Hluhluwe Mfolozi Game Reserve. Here you may encounter wildlife such as elephants, white and black rhinoceros, leopards, lions, buffalo, cheetahs, wild dogs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, impalas and many other species
- You will stay in fantastic resorts
- This trip can be well extended with a stay at The Cape; in addition to a Shark Eco Encounter from Simon's Town (where many shark documentaries including Planet Earth have been shot), the Cape Winelands are well worth a visit!
