Whale, shark and dolphin adventure
Join Farside Africa in an exciting 15 day adventure and diving trip. Dive along the Eastern Coast of South Africa and Mozambique and take a Hippo Cruise on St Lucia Estuary. Visit the Shark Institute and Crocodile Farm, take part in Micro light trips and abseiling, as well as horse riding and white water rafting.
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| Divers and fish | Coral |
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive from your international flight into South Africa.
Day 2
Today you will fly to Durban airport and be transferred 60kms south of Durban on the 'Hibiscus Coast' where you will spend the rest of the day unwinding, from a sun-deck overlooking the sea.
Days 3-5
Early morning risers board the first 'rubber duck' launch through the breakers to Ailiwal Shoal, which is a fossilised sand dune lying 5kms offshore and comprising of a variety of sponges, soft and some hard corals and a convergence of warm water reef fish and cold water fish. Between July and November you will also have the opportunity to dive with the famous ragged tooth sharks.
In addition to diving, afternoon excursions can be arranged:
- visit the Sharks Board
- Abseiling at Oribi Gorge
- Visits to the local crocodile farm or bird sanctuary
- Horse riding
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| Nudibranch | Lionfish | Pineapplefish |
Day 6
After a hearty breakfast you begin travelling north to Sodwana Bay, tucked away in the northern reaches of Maputaland. Sodwana is a Marine and Nature Reserve and part of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, recently proclaimed as a World Heritage Site. This is South Africa's premier diving destination with an amazing diversity of fauna and flora, both above and below the water line.
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| Diver and 'Bert' the potato bass | Goatfish | Sardines |
Days 7–10
An early start for the divers aboard the first 'rubber duck' launch through the breakers and out to the reefs of Sodwana. These are the world's southern most coral reefs and are known for their pristine corals and the sheer diversity of marine life. The unique coral forms a number of reefs which run parallel to the shore and which abound with hard and soft corals and over 1,200 species of fish. Something new and unexpected can be experienced during every dive, from the delicate leaf fish, to the enormous and gracefully cruising whale shark, the sheer variety of underwater life will astound you.
Afternoon excursions can be arranged:
- Micro light trips over the wetlands and reefs
- Quad biking and 4x4 beach excursions can also be arranged.
- Walking trails around Lake Ngoboselieni
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| 'Rubber Duck' launch | Horse riding |
Days 11 -13
Another early morning and you are off to Mozambique. The route is via Kwanganase, a typical rural town with roadside hawkers, open air butchers and kwela music vibrating from the tree tops. Despite being one of the world's poorest countries and still bearing the scars of civil war, the people of Mozambique are warm and friendly and the 'road' to Ponto Do Ouro is the ultimate introduction to 4x4 travelling - 'African style'.
The rustic bungalows are a stones throw from the sea and after kitting up at the reed dive lodge, prepare for the customary surf launch to pristine dive sites. Unlike the rest of Mozambique, the reefs are unscathed by the legacy of war and sightings of large pelagics are almost guaranteed in certain spots. Sharks- hammerhead and bull – are regularly sighted on Deep Pinnacles and at Bass City the resident potato bass 'Bert' (Cod) is almost the size of a diver.
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| Dolphins | Shark |
Day 14
Your last day in Africa starts with a hearty breakfast in the reed dive lodge, a 4x4 departure and the border formalities into South Africa. A relaxed days driving will give you the opportunity to pick up some last minute curios before arriving in Durban. Board you flight to Johannesburg to connect with your onward flight back to the UK.
Please contact us for more details
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