This unique 13 day/12 night tour encompasses the very best of diving off the coast of Kwazulu-Natal, a close encounter with Tiger Sharks for the adventurous, the magic of the annual Sardine Run and the luxury of a 5 star, world class safari experience.
Dolphins, Humpback Whales, Southern Right Whales, Minky Whales, Orcas, sharks, seals and various sea birds may be spotted during the sardine run migration.
The annual sardine run takes place sometime in June/July each year on South Africa's rugged Wild Coast. Hundreds of large swirling shoals of sardines (dubbed 'The Greatest Shoal on Earth') attract sharks, dolphins, Cape Gannets, Cormorants, Seals, and even, on occasion, Orcas, albatross and penguins. The Sardine Run also coincides with the annual migration of Humpback Whales that move north for the season into warmer water to mate and calve.
For the advanced scuba diver, this is pure adrenaline.
For the advanced scuba diver, this is pure adrenaline.
Please note: This is one of many itineraries available for the Sardine Run - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. us for your unique itinerary.Day 1: Durban – Scottburgh/Umkomaas (Aliwal Shoal)
You will be transferred from Durban to the south coast. Our destination is Scottburgh/Umkomaas where you will find the great diving destination – Aliwal Shoal. Check into your guesthouse for 3 nights, including breakfast.
Day 2: Scottburgh/Umkomaas (Aliwal Shoal)
After breakfast we enjoy two dives on the Aliwal Shoal and surrounding Reefs. The depths on the Aliwal Shoal range from 6m to 30m. Drift diving is common here as we do get fairly strong currents at times. You will be able to hire dive gear while cylinders and weights are included in your package. The afternoon is yours to relax.
Day 3: Scottburgh/Umkomaas (Aliwal Shoal)
Today you will be taken out for an African Tiger Shark Dive. This is a great dive that will bring you up-close to these amazing Tiger Sharks, as well as Black Tip Sharks. This is a specific shark dive and is a drift dive. A baited system, similar to that used in the Cape for Great White Sharks is used. Should you not wish to do this dive, which is not for the novice diver, you will be able to do another dive on Aliwal Shoal. This afternoon is at leisure or you have the option to visit uShaka Marine World(optional extra).
Day 4: Scottburgh/Umkomaas - Port St.John’s/Mbotyi (Sardine Run)
After breakfast we depart for the Transkei area of the Eastern Cape. This 3½-hour drive will take you through the homeland of the former Transkei, enabling you to see the rural areas first hand. Your destination will be either Port St.John’s or Mbotyi, depending on the activity out at sea and other factors. Both areas are lovely and have their own charm. Check in for 6 nights, including dinner and breakfast.
Day 5 – 9: Port St.John’s/Mbotyi (Sardine Run)
The best part of the next five days will be spent out at sea. After an early breakfast our days are spent in search of the sardine run migration and the food chain that follows this. The main shoal can get up to 12km long and 1km wide but along the way, smaller “pockets” break away. You will, hopefully, witness this amazing annual, natural phenomenon as it snakes up the coast towards Durban.
You will be transferred from Durban to the south coast. Our destination is Scottburgh/Umkomaas where you will find the great diving destination – Aliwal Shoal. Check into your guesthouse for 3 nights, including breakfast.
Day 2: Scottburgh/Umkomaas (Aliwal Shoal)
After breakfast we enjoy two dives on the Aliwal Shoal and surrounding Reefs. The depths on the Aliwal Shoal range from 6m to 30m. Drift diving is common here as we do get fairly strong currents at times. You will be able to hire dive gear while cylinders and weights are included in your package. The afternoon is yours to relax.
Day 3: Scottburgh/Umkomaas (Aliwal Shoal)
Today you will be taken out for an African Tiger Shark Dive. This is a great dive that will bring you up-close to these amazing Tiger Sharks, as well as Black Tip Sharks. This is a specific shark dive and is a drift dive. A baited system, similar to that used in the Cape for Great White Sharks is used. Should you not wish to do this dive, which is not for the novice diver, you will be able to do another dive on Aliwal Shoal. This afternoon is at leisure or you have the option to visit uShaka Marine World(optional extra).
Day 4: Scottburgh/Umkomaas - Port St.John’s/Mbotyi (Sardine Run)
After breakfast we depart for the Transkei area of the Eastern Cape. This 3½-hour drive will take you through the homeland of the former Transkei, enabling you to see the rural areas first hand. Your destination will be either Port St.John’s or Mbotyi, depending on the activity out at sea and other factors. Both areas are lovely and have their own charm. Check in for 6 nights, including dinner and breakfast.
Day 5 – 9: Port St.John’s/Mbotyi (Sardine Run)
The best part of the next five days will be spent out at sea. After an early breakfast our days are spent in search of the sardine run migration and the food chain that follows this. The main shoal can get up to 12km long and 1km wide but along the way, smaller “pockets” break away. You will, hopefully, witness this amazing annual, natural phenomenon as it snakes up the coast towards Durban.
To find the activity we watch for diving sea birds and moving pods of dolphins. Due to the nature of the run, when we do come across action, the skipper will decide whether you should snorkel or scuba dive with this activity.
We will return to shore at approximately 14H30 each day and the afternoons will be yours to explore the area and relax.
Day 10: Port St.John’s/Mbotyi – South Coast (Sardine Run)
After breakfast we pack up and head back up the coast into KwaZulu-Natal where you will overnight at a guest lodge for 1 night including breakfast.
Day 11: South Coast - Phinda Private Game Reserve
Depart the south coast and travel north into Zululand. Stop at St Lucia for a 1½-hour boat cruise on the St Lucia Estuary. This will bring you up-close to hippos and crocodiles, as well as giving you the opportunity to see a variety of water birds and other animals that have made this World Heritage Site their home. After the cruise we continue our journey north, to the town of Hluhluwe and Phinda Private Game Reserve. You will arrive in time for a late lunch and your first afternoon game drive, in open safarivehicles. This luxury Lodge, with its great cuisine and excellent game viewing will be your home for the next 2 nights. All meals, tea/cakes, 2 game drives a day, walks & all local brand drinks are included in your stay.
Day 12: Phinda Private Game Reserve
Today will start off really early with a morning game drive before breakfast. On returning to the Lodge you will have the opportunity to take a walk in the African bush, with your professional ranger. Lunch and afternoon tea will be served before your afternoon game drive, followed by dinner.
Day 13: Phinda Private Game Reserve - Durban
After your last early morning game drive and breakfast, you will depart for Durban International Airport, where our tour ends.
Day 10: Port St.John’s/Mbotyi – South Coast (Sardine Run)
After breakfast we pack up and head back up the coast into KwaZulu-Natal where you will overnight at a guest lodge for 1 night including breakfast.
Day 11: South Coast - Phinda Private Game Reserve
Depart the south coast and travel north into Zululand. Stop at St Lucia for a 1½-hour boat cruise on the St Lucia Estuary. This will bring you up-close to hippos and crocodiles, as well as giving you the opportunity to see a variety of water birds and other animals that have made this World Heritage Site their home. After the cruise we continue our journey north, to the town of Hluhluwe and Phinda Private Game Reserve. You will arrive in time for a late lunch and your first afternoon game drive, in open safarivehicles. This luxury Lodge, with its great cuisine and excellent game viewing will be your home for the next 2 nights. All meals, tea/cakes, 2 game drives a day, walks & all local brand drinks are included in your stay. Day 12: Phinda Private Game Reserve
Today will start off really early with a morning game drive before breakfast. On returning to the Lodge you will have the opportunity to take a walk in the African bush, with your professional ranger. Lunch and afternoon tea will be served before your afternoon game drive, followed by dinner.
Day 13: Phinda Private Game Reserve - Durban
After your last early morning game drive and breakfast, you will depart for Durban International Airport, where our tour ends.
Package Price includes:
-
4 Nights at a guesthouse in the Scottburgh area including breakfast
-
2 Dives on the Aliwal Shoal
-
1 Tiger Shark Dive
-
6 Nights’ accommodation in Port St.John’s or Mbotyi with breakfast & dinner
-
5 day trips at sea, snorkelling/photographing whales, dolphins, sharks, sea birds and much more
-
2 Nights at Phinda Mountain or Forest Lodge with all meals, tea/cakes, local brand drinks including house wines & beers, 2 game drives daily, guided walks and laundry
-
Boat cruise on the St.Lucia Estuary
-
Return road transfers from Durban to the Wild Coast and Phinda Game Reserve in air-conditioned vehicles, with registered guide
-
Hire of tanks & weights
-
Professional, qualified, experienced skippers
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. this Sardine Run Tour now.