OVERLAND SHARK DIVING TOUR FROM SOUTH AFRICA TO MOZAMBIQUE 2011- DIVE WITH TIGER SHARKS, BULL SHARKS , WHALE SHARKS & MANTA RAYS.
14 x night dive tour JHB - Mozambique - JHB
From ZAR 28 950 per person - group rates on request.
This dive tour is designed to combine some of the best diving available in South Africa with the best dive sites in Mozambique. From diving with tiger sharks on Aliwal Shaol, Zambez ( bull ) sharks on the spectacular Pinnacles dive site in Southern Mozambique to dives with whale sharks and manta rays in the Barra / Tofo area. Few places in the world can offer such diversity of species in a single dive tour.
DAY 1 : ARRIVAL AND TRANSFER
Transfer: Durban to Umkomaas
Overnight: Umkomaas - Superior B&B.
We welcome you to KwaZulu Natal, as you are met at Durban airport arrivals and are transferred to your accommodation in Umkomaas - a short drive of about half an hour. Once you arrive at your accommodation there will be time for you to settle in, freshen up and relax before you venture out into the town. Umkomaas, offers a variety of restaurants and bars for your evening entertainment and relaxation - an Oceans Africa representative will meet with you during this time and help with your dive planning for the following day.
DAY 2 & 3 : DIVE ALIWAL SHOAL
Activities: 4 x dives Aliwal Shoal (2 dives per day).
Overnight: Umkomaas - Superior B&B.
After an early breakfast, the morning starts with the first of two dives in
the sub-tropical waters of KwaZulu Natal (22-26 degrees). A wide variety of different dive sites are available to choose from. Aliwal Shoal lies approximately 6 km offshore and is a magnet to many pelagic species including sharks, rays, turtles and game fish. Sites such as Raggies Cave and Cathederals lie on the shoal itself while the wreck sites of The Produce (1974) and Nebo (1884) remain relatively well intact on the sand and offer excellent diving when the current allows. After your dives your afternoon remains free to relax or explore the area. Activities on site can be arranged through your lodge.
Day 4 : BAITED TIGER SHARK DIVE
Activities: Baited dive.
Transfer: Umkomaas to Hluhluwe.
Overnight: Hluhluwe - Superior D,B&B.
Todays highlight is the baited dive. It is the peak season for tiger sharks and our goal is to dive with them in the in the open water without cages. Sharks are attracted to the area by use of a bait filled drum. Once there are sufficiently interested sharks around - there are always a lot of blacktips (C. Limbatus) - the drum is cut loose and the divers then enter the water to drift freely with the current the sharks and the drum. Diving with sharks in a baited situation offers divers a privileged opportunity to observe and study sharks and shark behaviour at close quarters for an extended period of time. Ever cautious the sharks will often begin a lengthy assessment process, sometimes closely investigating the divers and providing excellent photographic opportunities.
In the Afternoon it’s time to say farewell to Aliwal Shoal as we take the 3 to 4 hour drive North to your overnight stop-off in the area of Hluhluwe. The combined reserves of Hluhluwe and Umfolozi, with their varying habitats, are amongst the finest and most rewarding areas for game viewing. After check-in and an early evening game drive our host will provide a magical evening meal surrounded by the sounds of the African Bush.
DAY 5 : GAME DRIVE - HLUHLUWE
Activities: Early morning game drive.
Transfer: Hluhluwe to Ponta Mamoli.
Overnight: Ponta Mamoli - Superior D,B&B.
It’s an early start for the mornings game drive with coffee and rusks en-route. We then return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast before continuing on to the Mozambique Border (3hrs drive). Once through the border post it’s a short transfer on sand roads through to Ponta Momoli, where there should be time for an afternoon swim in tropical seas (24 –27 degrees) before sundowners overlooking the ocean and dinner at the lodge.
DAY 6, 7 & 8 : DIVE PONTA MAMOLI - PINNACLES
Activities: 6 x dives Ponta Mamoli(2 dives per day).
Overnight: Ponta Mamoli - Superior D,B&B.
Ponta Mamoli has wide variety of fantastic hard coral dive sites to suit all lev
els of training, however one site in particular stands out above the rest. Pinnacles, one of the deeper offshore sites (30 –40m) is a hotspot for sharks of almost every kind and late summer months are a peak period for shark sightings. The stars of the show are often Zambezi (bull) sharks and it’s not at all unusual to have several large bull sharks and blacktips with you throughout your dive. Sightings of tiger sharks are not uncommon and scalloped hammerhead sharks, sometimes in schools, are also sighted at this time of year. From start to finish Pinnacles seldom disappoints. Other encounters in the area include silvertip sharks, grey reef shark, turtles, schooling devil rays, gamefish, and some very large potato and brindle bass. Our aim is to include at least one dive a day on Pinnacles (conditions permitting) as well as exploring some of the other excellent dive sites in the area. Your afternoons and are spent at Ponta Mamoli and activities can be arranged with the lodge. Evening meals are included in the rate however we propose you venture out to eat locally on at least one evening during your stay - to be arranged on site and not included.
DAY 9 : TRANSFER AND OVERNIGHT MAPUTO
Transfer: Ponta Mamoli to Maputo
Overnight: Casa Lisa - Standard B&B.
After breakfast we depart Ponta Mamoli 09h30 for an adventurous transfer along sand tracks for approx 150km to Maputo arriving around 15h00 – depending on the Catembe ferry. There should be time to take in a few of the sites around Maputo and the fish market for a late lunch option before heading a further 50km North to Casa Lisa with it’s great restaurant and bar for the evenings entertainment and relaxation.
DAY 10: TRANSFER AND OVERNIGHT BARRA LODGE
Transfer: Casa Lisa to Barra Lodge
Overnight: Barra Lodge – Superior D,B&B.
08h00 and we’re on the road again after a hearty breakfast. By now you should be getting a feel for the real Mozambique as you start to comprehend the scale and beauty of the country and the diversity of it’s people. A full days travel with stops on the way should find us sipping drinks by the pool at Barra Lodge in the late afternoon before enjoying the fantastic spread on offer at the lodges buffet.
DAY11, 12, & 13: DIVE BARRA LODGE.
Activities: 6 x dives Barra (2 dives per day).
Overnight: Barra Lodge - Superior D,B&B.
Barra has access to a number of world class dive sites. The Office, Sherwoo
d Forest and Giants Castle are all renowned dive sites where you may encounter large gamefish and manta rays, as well as a myriad of smaller reef fish and invertebrate life. During our stay at Barra we will also endeavour to do the long run of 24km for a double tank dive trip to Manta Reef with it’s pinnacles ,gullies and abundant fish-life, not to mention the manta cleaning stations! Remember this is whale shark country and whale shark season - extended boat rides increase your chances of whale shark encounters. Other species to be found include, white tip, blacktip, leopard and grey reef, sharks, turtles morays and devil rays and well as game fish such as barracuda, kingfish (jacks or trevalleys) and king mackerel. Afternoons and are spent at the lodge and additional activities can be arranged on site.
DAY 14& 15: TRANFERS AND OVERNIGHT JHB
Transfer: Barra Lodge Inhambahne.
Overnight: Johannesburg - Standard B&B.
Transfer: Accommodation to Airport.
Flight times will obviously dictate you departure time from Barra – in may be possible to squeeze in a quick snorkel trip before departure when you’ll be taken to the historically rich town of Inhambahne to meet your flight to Johannesburg. As sort transfer from JHB will see you at your accommodation for your last night in South Africa . Your final transfer the following day will see you safely aboard your international flight home where you have plenty of time to plan your next trip to southern Africa.
Passports and Visa: Valid visa for Mozambique required, Passport must be valid 6 months after departure from Mozambique.
Malaria: Mozambique is a high risk area. Consult you physician for appropriate protection. Any prophylactics taken should be compatible with diving. Bring light long sleve shirts and trousers for evenings. All accommodation provides mosquito nets.
Dive requirements: A valid dive certificate and logbook are required at all dive centres. Advanced training may be undertaken during your tour – on request in advance. All dives include tanks and weights only – additional equipment may be hired on site at the dive centre daily rates.
Dive Conditions: Jan – May tends to provide optimum diving conditions in Mozambique however all areas are prone to seasonal variations. Vizability at this time varies between 8m and 40m. Water temperature is usually in the mid 20’s (24-28 degrees) air temerature 30 degrees to 40 degrees (max.). All dives are on “rubber ducks” (RIB’s) and all dives require taking the boat through the surf.
Currency and Banking: The currency in South Africa is South African Rands (ZAR). There is a good banking infrastructure in South Africa in all towns. The currency in Mozambique is the Meticas however most facilites accept US dollars and South African Rands. Banks are only to be found in the main centres Maputo and Inhambahne, clients are advised to bring credit cards to cover any extras at the lodges.
Prices Exclude: International and domestic flights. All meals and refreshments except breakfast and dinner where stated (D,B&B). Personal expenses . All equipment hire except tanks and weights. Additional activities. Medical and travel insurance. Border fees and taxes. Anything else you can think of.
Prices Include: All transport and transfers where stated. Accommodation and breakfast. Dinner where stated (D,B&B), Game park and entrance fees. All dives as stated (tanks and weights only)
Terms and Conditions: Accommodation is based on 2 persons sharing. Prices are correct at time of posting and are subject to availability of services during low season (Jan - March). Prices may change at any time without notice. Payment in full secures booking. Group rates available on request.
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