Indian Ocean Diving Safari

The Indian Ocean Diving Safari is a unique scuba diving tour along the East Coast of Southern Africa combined with a 'Big 5' wildlife discovery. The warm water of the Indian Ocean is a haven of colourful fish and brilliant coral reef. The diving is optional, so you can relax and enjoy the white beaches of Mozambique and KwaZulu Natal while the others explore the amazing underwater world.   This 14-day safari through South Africa and Mozambique starts in Durban, ends in Johannesburg and is an unforgettable African experience. Highlights: Diving Aliwal shoal and Sodwana Bay in South Africa, Ponta Malongane and Guinjata Bay/Praia de Jangamo in Mozambique. Amazing beaches of Mozambique and KwaZulu/Natal, Big 5 game viewing at Umfolozi/Hluhluwe Game Reserve and the Kruger National Park. Group Size: maximum 10 people Type of Safari: Non-participation lodge safari Vehicle: 4x4 Land Cruiser Accommodation: Mid Range 3* Hotels Price from £2195.00pp from $4195.00pp from €3595.00pp (incl. 8 dives)   from £1285.00pp from $2495.00pp from €2095.00pp (excl. 8 dives) SRS from £225.00 from $495.00 from €395.00   Includes: All accommodation, meals as per itinerary, transport with 4x4 safari vehicle, entrance fees, professional guide, activities and game drives as per itinerary. Eight dives if you take the dive option. Excludes: Meals not mentioned in the itinerary, all personal expenses, insurance for luggage, tips, drinks, laundry. Meals Key: [B] Breakfast [L] Lunch [D] Dinner Tailor-Made Travel: This safari runs on scheduled dates throughout the year. We can tailor-make a private safari to meet your departure date, time period, group size and budget. Contact the office for further information. Departure Dates & Availability: Please click here regularly as availability is updated every 2 weeks.       or Call 0800 043 7942 Day 1 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 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 to close to this undiscovered coastline. (Advanced Open Water only) [BLD] Day 3 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 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 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 optional of a night dive here for those not wanting to do an afternoon dive. (Advanced Open Water only) [BLD] Day 6 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 which nurtures a coral wonderland. [BL] Day 7 Full Day Diving - The chances are that a shadow passes overhead while diving is quite good. Look up and witness as a Manta Ray slowly and majestically glides up 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 Heading north we depart and head towards the capital of Mozambique. After a short stop to restock 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 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 Full Day diving and 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 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 rook pools and the beach. Relax and soak up the last bit of Mozambique sunshine. [BL] Day 12-13 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. 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 camp fire and typical South African Braai (BBQ) [BD, BLD] Day 14 Early departure to Johannesburg. Drop off at Johannesburg International Airport. [B]

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