14 Day Indian Ocean Diving Safari

  [Breakfast = B / Lunch = L / Dinner = D]

Day 1
Umkomaas/Aliwal Shoal, South Africa. Flight to Durban where we meet our guides at the airport. Heading south we have a short drive through banana and sugar cane plantations to the small town of Uvongo on the South Coast of Kwazulu/Natal. A day of leisure is spent exploring the town, walking on the beach or swimming in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. [L]

Day 2
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa. Time to meet the Raggies. With an early start today we get our first taste of the Indian Oceans wonders. A dive to Raggie Cave - a breeding ground for the infamous Ragged Tooth sharks. After a breather in between and a bite to eat we head to Protea Banks. We explore one of the many wrecks that lie submerged on the soft coral here and discover tales that once lured sailors close to this undiscovered coastline. (Advanced Open Water only). [BLD]

Day 3
Umfolozi/Hluhluwe, South Africa. An early morning departure, we head north through the city of Durban en route to the Game reserve of Hluhluwe/Umfolozi. We enter the park for an afternoon game drive through 'Big 5' country famous for its White Rhino. After an awesome drive we have a short distance to our accommodation. [BD]

Day 4
Sodwana Bay, South Africa. We leave the lodge and take a short drive back through the game reserve for the last animal sightings for a while. Leaving the park we head to Sodwana Bay National Marine Reserve, which lies in the heart of Maputaland coastline driving through the heart of the Zulu Kingdom. An area of ancient dunes covered by coastal vegetation with waves crashing onto the white beach is our home for the next two nights. The rest of the day is free to explore the coastline and take a leisurely stroll on the long beach. [BLD]

Day 5
Sodwana Bay, South Africa. Brightly coloured soft coral reef awaits our first splash - a refuge for hundreds of brilliantly marked fish species. Two dives at this coral kingdom. Morning and Afternoon dive. There is an option of a night dive here for those not wanting to do an afternoon dive. (Advanced Open Water only). [BLD]

Day 6
Ponta Malongane, Mozambique. Northwards as always, it's time for the warm waters of Mozambique. We travel along the gravel roads to the border between South Africa and Mozambique where we cross just south of Ponta do Ouro. From here we head to our destination of Ponta Malongane, a small, unprotected bay that nurtures a coral wonderland. [BL]

Day 7
Ponta Malongane, Mozambique. Full Day Diving - The chances of a shadow passing overhead while diving is quite good. Look up and witness as a Manta Ray slowly and majestically glides above you. Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles also frequent these waters and lay their eggs in abundance along the sandy white beaches of Maputoland. [BLD]

Day 8
Guinjata Bay/Praia de Jangamo, Mozambique. Heading north we depart towards the capital of Mozambique. After a short stop to re-stock for the next couple of days, we travel past Cashew nut plantations and Coconut trees to arrive at the coastal resort of Guinjata Bay. Afternoon at leisure and relax on the beach. [BLD]

Day 9
Inhambane, Mozambique. Today we take a day trip to the ancient trading port of Inhambane. We visit the Mercardo (market) famous for vegetables and fish. Catch a Dhow and take a lazy cruise across the bay for lunch and a 'cerveja' (beer) in the town of Maxixe or visit the old Catholic church in Inhambane before returning to the lodge. [BLD]

Day 10
Guinajata/Praia de Jangamo, Mozambique. Full Day of diving. The possibility of encountering some of the giants of the ocean can't keep us one minute longer from getting wet. Whale Sharks, Manta Rays, and Whales frequent this area. We gear up and take the plunge into one of the world's best diving sites. [BLD]

Day 11
Xai-Xai, Mozambique. Today we turn south, leaving this paradise and head back to the small coastal town of Xai-Xai, just north of the Limpopo River mouth. Here we spend the day exploring the rock pools and the beach. Relax and soak up the last bit of Mozambique sunshine. [BL]

Day 12-13
Kruger National Park, South Africa. An Early morning getaway as we have a long distance to travel today. We stop for an early lunch in Maputo at a famous seafood restaurant. (own expense). After lunch the border crossing back into South Africa awaits us and once completed we drive through the banana plantations of Mpumalanga to the world-renowned Kruger National Park. The rest of the afternoon is spent game driving. The following day we depart the camp at sunrise for a full day of game viewing in the park with the chance of spotting the 'Big 5' again. Our last night is enjoyed around the campfire and typical South African Braai (BBQ). [BD / BLD]

Day 14
Johannesburg, South Africa. Early departure to Johannesburg. Drop off at OR Tambo International Airport (JHB International Airport). [B]