» Description
Tiger Sharks are considered to be one of the most dangerous and difficult to find sharks in the world. Join us on an unforgettable seven-day diving expedition to photograph and study Tiger Sharks in the Indian Ocean off the coast of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Other species include dolphins, turtles, moray eels, potato bass, reef & pelagic fish, rays (devil, manta, bull, eagle etc) as well as Bull, Tiger, Guitar, Blackfin, Ragged Tooth and other sharks.
» Requirements
Advanced or equivalent certificate required for diving - excessively nervous divers not allowed :-).
C-cards and Log Books must be presented.
» Duration (Sunday to Saturday)
7 Days/6 Nights
» Safari Dates - (Custom dates can be arranged only for groups larger than 8)
8 April to 14 April 2007
22 April to 28 April 2007
6 May to 12 May 2007
20 May to 26 May 2007
Note: (This is a annual safari and bookings can be made for one year in advance)
» Price
The price for this 7 Day/6 Night safari is ZAR13,400.00 per person sharing
Optional 3 Night/2 Great White Shark cage dive sessions @ ZAR5,999.00 per person sharing - (see Option B below)
Optional 3-Day/2-Night land safari @ ZAR3,999.00 per person sharing. - (see Option D below)
ITINERARY
Day one:
From Durban International Airport we first visit the Natal Sharks Board to view the audiovisual show and display of sharks, rays and turtles endemic to the area. Then we transfer to the little diving village of UmKomazi where you will be received with typical South African hospitality. Dinner is a social affair - steaks on the fire accompanied by local wines & beers (we cater for vegetarians and non-alcoholics too), and of course we brief and prepare physiologically for the diving:-)
Day two:
The first two dives are on "Eelskin", where we stand the best chance of encountering Tiger Sharks at Aliwal Shoal. Don't worry; no scuba diver has ever been bitten by one - yet :-). The depth in this marine protected area varies between 14 and 20 meters; the water temperature is around 25 degrees C and the visibility anything between 8 and 20 meters. Most importantly the dives serve for you to get used to the launching and diving conditions, sort out buoyancy, and for me to be sure that we have the safety procedures drilled in (no attitude, just cautious). The dives are done early in the morning and that leaves the afternoons free for excursions including a trip to the Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve (horse riding, abseiling or gorge jumping), a game drive in the Vernon Crookes Game Reserve, a tour of Durban and it's markets and an afternoon at the uShaka Marine World.
Day three:
It is an early start for two dives at Protea Banks - rated as one of the world's best shark diving spots and certainly one of the most adventurous! An exiting launch through the surf takes us to the Southern Pinnacles where we search for the Tigers at a depth of 30 meters - that is of course if you are not distracted by the Hammerhead Sharks, Bull Sharks, Giant Guitar Sharks, several other shark species and rays (devil, manta, bull, eagle etc) that frequent the reef! Visibility varies from 8 to 40 meters, and the water temperature is 24+ degrees Celsius. We return to KwaMnandi Lodge via the spectacular Oribi Gorge where you have the option of abseiling, gorge swinging, horse riding or simply enjoying the awesome scenery.
Days four, five and six:
This is serious stuff and the highlight of the expedition - we move out after breakfast, anchor just south of Eelskin and set the bait for the Tiger Sharks. Only bait that forms part of the shark's natural diet is used and they are not fed at all - you will understand why when you are in the water every day with several 3-4 meter Tiger Sharks all around:-). Then we wait - anything from 10 minutes to the whole day. Although we have an average success rate of 90%, these are wild, unconditioned animals and there are no guarantees at all. When the sharks come we enter the water, cut the bait drum free from the boat, and drift at a depth of about 8 meters with the sharks and bait for as long as they stay - and then again and again until it is time to go home - we take lunch and extra cylinders along. The day is absolute adrenaline and offers the most spectacular photo/video opportunities imaginable.
Day seven:
» (Option A)
Call it a day and fly home, or
» (Option B)
Jump on a plane to Gansbaai to cage dive with the Great White Sharks - 3 nights bed and breakfast, land transfers, 2 sessions cage diving/viewing @ ZAR5,999.00 per person sharing, or
» (Option D)
Add a land safari to the trip and see lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe and many more species before flying home - 2 nights bed and breakfast, land transfers, 4 game activities @ ZAR3,999.00 per person sharing
» Option B - Great White Shark viewing
Jump on a plane to Gansbaai to cage dive with the Great White Sharks - 3 nights bed and breakfast, land transfers, 2 sessions cage diving/viewing.
» Price
ZAR5,999.00 per person sharing
» Option D - Land Safari
Add a land safari to the trip and see lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe and many more species before flying home - 2 nights bed and breakfast, land transfers, 4 game activities.
» Price
ZAR3,999.00 per person sharing
Included in the price:
» Experienced guide/dive master and driver
» All land transfers including airport transfers
» Six nights accommodation
» Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
» Coffee, tea and treated water
» A visit to the Natal Sharks Board and Gateway Center
» Excursion to the Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve
» Game drive in the Vernon Crookes Game Reserve
» A tour of Durban and it's markets
» An afternoon at the uShaka Marine World
» All transfers to and from dive sites
» 2 dives on Aliwal Shoal on a use it or lose it basis - air, weights and cylinders included
» 2 dives on Protea Banks on a use it or lose it basis - air, weights and cylinders included
» 3 sessions of tiger shark diving on a use it or lose it basis - air, weights and cylinders included
» Framed wall certificate in recognition of your contribution to the expedition
Excluded from the price:
» All travel costs to and from South Africa
» Visas, personal insurance and taxes
» Alcoholic and other drinks
» Optional excursions
Terms
» Subject to availability.
» If we cannot launch due to bad weather we will offer alternative excursions in lieu of diving.
» 25% Non-Refundable deposit to secure booking
» Balance payable 30 days before departure date
» For payment by credit card add 5%
» Bank charges are for your own cost
» All prices are per person sharing
» Non-divers welcome
Important
We are committed to delivering the exact itinerary, but we reserve the right to make any changes that we find necessary for the comfort or safety of the client without notice.
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