A must for shark & wildlife lovers. Great White Sharks in Cape Town, Black Tip Reef Sharks & Tiger Sharks can be seen off Aliwal Shoal, as well as Africa’s Big 5. Money back if no sharks are seen.
Overall operator rating 10.0/10 from 7 trip reviews
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Michelle provided us with exemplary service. I would highly recommend her company to everyone considering traveling to Africa. She planned our trip perfectly and as each day passed and we moved on to a new lodge, the experience just got better and better.
We booked our holiday last minute and she was able to get us in to all the best places, arrange our air travel and was awaiting us at the airport. She was always early to pick us up and ensured we were always safe and secure.
We have nothing but positive memories on what was the journey of a lifetime! Do not hesitate to book with them, you will not be disappointed.
My holiday was excellent, did so much in such a relatively short time!
The Itinerary, accomodation and car hire Michele arranged was ideal for me. Her communication and assistance before and during my holiday was informative, prompt and friendly. Would definitely use her services again.
South Africa,f or many reasons, has captivated me and i will be back!
3
Client:
Conrado Schlochauer - from Brazil
Trip:
currently unavailable
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
The experience of dive and safari together is great. You can have a deep contact with nature with the excellent help and knowledge of Michelle and the whole crew!
4
Client:
Lisa Chelton - from Cayman Islands
Trip:
currently unavailable
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
Our trip was everything that we had hoped for. We had booked the trip planning to experience the sardine run, however it was suggested by the operator that we also add on a land safari in case we missed the sardines, as obviously you cannot guarantee the movements of fish!
As a result, we saw both the sardines together with all their accompanying dolphins, whales, sharks, birds and also had an excellent safari seeing all the large game animals and we were thrilled with the services provided.
They could not do enough for us, they drove us everywhere including dropping us off for dinner and picking us up afterwards.
We will be recommending the company to any of our friends who are interested in travelling to South Africa.
We would like to advise that we received outstanding service from the operator who paid meticulous attention to detail including our complicated dietary requirements. This ensured that our holiday ran without incident and was definitely a trip of a lifetime.
The itinerary was tailored to our specific interests which ensured that all the activities that we were interested in were covered.
Particular highlights included the hot air ballooning and elephant back safari.
Kind Regards Sue-Ann Ind
6
Client:
Kenneth Swift - from New Zealand
Trip:
currently unavailable
Rating:
rating 10/10
Comment:
Thanks to the operator for taking care to organize a great itinerary over 10 days for our 1st visit to South Africa.
Where else in the world could one experience in one day all within a matter of a few hours being close-by the largest sea mammal, the largest land mammal, the tallest land mammal and then the fastest land mammal. Humpback whales leaping completely out of the water, bull elephants, giraffe and then cheetah all on one day!!
The standard of accommodation service and food at Sodwana Bay Lodge, Phinda and Le Mays B+B for our trips out to Aliwai Shoal was excellent.
We have been fortunate enough to travel the world, both on business and holiday. Our recent trip to South Africa stacks up overall as the best we have experienced, anywhere! That includes Argentina, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, Japan, Malaysia, and a host of other wonderful places, so this is high praise indeed. We are still dazzled by South Africa's people and its hopes for the future, its amazing land and sea scapes, the animals (!), the plants, the food, and my wife tells me, the wine. Even the very early Spring weather--which ranged from frost to gorgeous--cooperated and not a bug bite was had the whole trip.
We sent an enquiry through The Africa Guide listing our preliminary thoughts. In a nutshell, our Internet and literature research convinced me to try a "luxury combined with adventure" trip, centered in KwaZulu Natal, but also including Capetown and, it turned out, Bushman's Kloof. Michele actually listened to my hopes to see and experience a lot of SA in less than three weeks. I decided to go with this operator primarily as a result of her personal touch. The fact that every one of our complex air reservations, transfers, lodges, hotels, and events worked without a hitch is testimony to Michele's attention to detail, and her personal interest in our comfort, safety and enjoyment.
We recommend this operator without reservation.
Itinerary
This amazing in-water experience is a must for shark & wildlife lovers. The package includes two of the top marine predators, as well as Africa’s Big 5. Join us on this adventure that will not only show you the beauty and diversity of the Aliwal Shoal and the majestic Great White but the splendour of the African bush and its Big 5.
It all starts on the East Coast of South Africa. Located south of Durban is the world renowned Aliwal Shoal. It is here that you can dive with one of the worlds top apex predators and one of the hardest sharks to find and observe – The Tiger Shark, as well as other reef sharks. From here you will venture north into Zululand for your African safari experience and then it’s off down to Cape Town for your Great White Encounter. You will get a 50% refund if no sharks are sighted in the Aliwal area.
THE BEGINNING – The Tiger Shark Observe these majestic, apex predators in their natural environment without a cage. It’s safe, controlled and a huge rush.
A must for photographers, adrenaline junkies and wildlife lovers.
This drift dive takes place south of the Aliwal Shoal at a depth of approximately 10m. Nowhere else in the world can you have the quality and safe viewing of these majestic creatures, as this spot in South Africa. This is a baited dive and very similar methods are used in the Cape to lure Great White Sharks, which imitate, as much as possible, natural feeding patterns. The techniques used do not induce feeding frenzies and no hand feeding is permitted. Other sharks such as Black Tips make an appearance, as well as the Zambezi/Bull Shark.
The Dive Before heading out to sea you will be briefed by your Dive Master, who knows these animal and our surf conditions well. The unique surf launch is almost as impressive as the sharks themselves!!! The DM will give you valuable information about the launch itself and protocol while in the water. It’s very important that everyone adheres to these rules to ensure your safe return.
After breakfast we head out to sea and set the bait … then we wait. The Sharks can come in within minutes of the bait being dropped into the water, or it could take hours. As these are wild and untrained animals, we cannot guarantee sightings but with a 90% success rate your chances are excellent. Time out at sea will depend on nature and how long the animals take to come into the baited station. You will spend as much time as possible in the water while they are around and then it’s off for a reef dive on the Aliwal Shoal or back to the beach, depending on your itinerary.
Requirements Advanced or equivalent certificate required for diving but very nervous divers are not allowed!! C-cards and Log Books must be presented.
High and Low Season This dive can be experienced at anytime of the year with the quieter period being August to end of September.
THE MIDDLE – An African Safari You’ve seen it on T.V now it’s your turn to experience the African bush first hand. Never knowing what’s around the corner, Phinda Private Game has exceptional accommodation, fine cuisine and some of the best game viewing in South Africa. Not only do they have Lion, Leopard, Elephant, White Rhino and Elephant but they also have Black Rhino, Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Cheetah and so much more. Their professional game rangers and trackers will ensure that you stay at Phinda is a memorable one, be it in open safari vehicles, on foot or sitting round the campfire at night. It’s paradise for the avid photographer.
And what’s more, once you are there, everything is included, from teas/cakes, meals, all beverages/alcohol (except any imported brands and cellar wines), 2 game drives a day, guided walks & laundry. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy.
THE END – The Great White Shark The day starts at approximately 09h00 when, after breakfast, you launch out of Gaansbaai to a Shark Alley which is situated between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock- 5 miles (8 km) offshore from the village of Gansbaai at the southern tip of South Africa.
Geyser Rock supports a colony of 40,000 Cape Fur Seals.... why else would these majestic predators stay in this area? Shark Alley is the channel between the 2 islands, and is protected from the worst of the Southern Atlantic's weather...this is where you will witness these beautiful creatures that rule the seas.
High and Low Season The best time of the year to cage dive OR to simply enjoy boat based viewing as the Great White Shark is a surface eater is: June to October. These months are considered to be the high season, but sharks are generally seen throughout the year with sharks seen on 9 out of 10 trips. Not a bad success rate hey?
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU SEE? Cape Fur Seals, Jackass Penguins, and a wide variety of sea birds are commonly seen from the boat. From July to November, Southern Right Whales are spotted almost every day as well! October to December are the months when some 35,000 seals drop their pups on Geyser Island, resulting in an ample food supply in the surrounding coastal waters. Although great whites may be sighted during the low season, the abundance of food in the area makes luring to the boat more difficult.
The water temperature at this time of the year ranges between 55° and 65° F & visibility is ranges 5m to 8m on average, but may exceed 15m on a clear day.
The Experience. Each diver will stay in the cage for approximately 15-20 minutes, allowing everyone to meet eye to eye with these formidable kings of the sea. You can expect to make two/ three dives per day if a good weather & sea condition, together with shark activity and visibility prevails. Up to 18 GREAT WHITE SHARKS have been encountered in one day, but 4 to 5 in a day is normal. Sharks may brush the cage, but to date, an attack on the cage has not been reported.
Option 1 – The full monty – Tiger Shark, Great Whites & Safari
I T I N E R A R Y
Day 1 Arrive at Durban International Airport where you will be met by your host and transferred to a guest lodge on the south coast – the lodge will depend on numbers and availability but all are within 5km of the launch site for your convenience. All rooms are en suite and very comfortable.
Day 2 – 5 The next 4 days you will be able to observe Black Tip Reef Sharks and hopefully the African Tiger Shark up close, in their natural environment and get to dive some of the great dive spots on the Aliwal Shoal reef system. Here you will be able to see a variety of other species include dolphins, turtles, moray eels, potato bass, reef & pelagic fish, rays (devil, manta, bull, eagle etc) as well as Guitar, Ragged Tooth and other sharks.
Water temperature varies during the year but in summer the average temperature is 24 – 26 degrees and in winter 19 – 21 degrees.
You will have 3 Shark dives and 3 reef dives over these 4 days, giving you time to explore the surrounding area in the afternoons.
Day 6 An early breakfast and then it’s off into Zululand for your African safari. You will be transferred in luxury, air conditioned vehicles to St.Lucia which is situated in the middle of a World Heritage Site. Here you will embark on a 2 hour boat cruise on the St.Lucia Estuary which will bring you up close to hippos, crocs and a variety of water birds and other animals. After you cruise you will continue north to Phinda Private Game Reserve – home to Africa’s Big 5.
You will arrive in time for lunch, have a short time to explore you luxury room, get your cameras etc and then it’s off into the bush in open safari vehicles to start your search. You will return to the Lodge after dark where a hearty dinner will be waiting for you.
Day 7 This day is filled with excitement – an early morning game drive before breakfast, followed by a guided walk if you want to experience the bush on foot. If you don’t feel like venturing out on a walk, sit and relax by the pool and watch the world go by. Lunch, followed by afternoon tea and then your afternoon/evening game drive. Dinner
Day 8 After your last game drive and breakfast you will be transferred to Durban International Airport (or Richards Bay) where you will catch a connecting flight to Cape Town. Once in Cape Town you will be met and transferred to Gansbaai – home of the Great White Shark. You will stay in a guest lodge close to the launch site where you will head out in search of the other great apex predator – The Great White.
Day 9 This dive needs little introduction. The day starts at approximately 09h00 when you launch out of Gaansbaai to a Shark Alley which is situated between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock- 5 miles (8 km) offshore from the village of Gansbaai at the southern tip of South Africa. You will spend the day out at sea either in the cage or just enjoying the view from the boat. Return
Day 10 You do it all again – Great White Sharks
Day 11 Depart from Gansbaai to Cape Town International Airport. Your Jaws and Claws experience has come to an end and it’s time to say good-by. End of Service.
All packages can be tailor made so please advise on booking if you would like to extend your stay/exclude a leg and if so in what areas. Other safari options are available – tented safaris, walking safaris etc.
Option 1 - Package Includes v 5 Nights on the south coast – B&B 4 Star v 3 Tiger Shark dives v 3 Reef dives on Aliwal Shoal v Hire of tanks and weights v Afternoon trip to uShaka Marine World v Boat cruise on the St.Lucia Estuary v 2 Nights in luxury accommodation at Phinda Mountain or Forest Lodge – 5 star v Fully inclusive of all meals/drinks/game drives while at Phinda. v Flight from Durban to Cape Town v 3 Nights at a guest lodge in Gansbaai – B&B and one barbeque dinner. v 2 Great White Shark expeditions v All transfers as per the itinerary in luxury, air conditioned vehicles. v All vehicles carry R20 Million passenger liability and all necessary road permits. v Experiences staff throughout your trip to ensure your holiday is the best ever.
Cost: R35595.00pp min. 2 pax Group discounts available and other safari options also available on request.
Option 2 – East Coast Action - Sharks & Safari only v 5 Nights on the south coast – B&B 4 Star v 3 Tiger Shark dives v 3 Reef dives on Aliwal Shoal v Hire of tanks and weights v Afternoon trip to uShaka Marine World v Boat cruise on the St.Lucia Estuary v 2 Nights at Phinda Game Reserve. v Fully inclusive of all meals/drinks/game drives while at Phinda. v All transfers as per the itinerary in luxury, air conditioned vehicles. v All vehicles carry R20 Million passenger liability and all necessary road permits. v Cost: R18715.00 pp sharing min. 2 pax Prices are subject to change without prior notice.
