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| Viewing: Shark diving in South Africa |
Package ID: 1555 |
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| Shark diving in South Africa |
This amazing in-water experience is a must for shark & wildlife lovers. The package includes two of the top marine apex predators, the Tiger Shark & Great White Shark, as well as Africa’s Big 5.
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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. 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.
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 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 Tiger 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: R28595.00pp min. 2 pax
Group discounts available and other safari options also available on request.
Option 2 – East Coast Action - Tigers & 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 Gazebo Safari Lodge outside Hluhluwe – 4 star
v All meals & 2 activities per day – game drives into the Hluhluwe Game Reserve (no drinks included at Gazebo)
v Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Cheetah, Wild Dogs and so much more can be seen.
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: R14915.00 pp sharing min. 2 pax
Group discount and option to go to Phinda Private Game Reserve is available on request.
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