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14 days Scuba Diving Adventure

Day 1:

After arriving at Johannesburg International Airport you will take a connecting flight to Durban, where you will be greeted by a Travel Africa Adventure Dives representative and transferred to Sodwana Bay Lodge, situated in the Greater St Lucia World Heritage Site on the Kwazulu-Natal North coast. (4hrs by road from Durban)

After settling in, your dive guide will give an in-depth introduction to the dive sites and dive techniques required, as well as a boat orientation and equipment check. You will stay overnight in a comfortable log cabin at Sodwana Bay Lodge with dinner at the Lodge restaurant.

Day 2:

Today you will do two dives on some of the worlds' most southern coral reefs. Sodwana's reefs are dominated by soft corals, are very colorful and over 1200 species of fish have been recorded on them.

The beaches at Sodwana are spectacular with some of the world's highest vegetated dunes watching over them. Afternoons can be spent enjoying the safe warm water bathing or hiking in the trails behind the dunes.

Overnight Sodwana

Day 3:

Two more dives on Sodwana's protected 7 and 9 mile reefs. These reefs are renown for their beauty and unusual sightings.

Après' dive activities can include horse riding on the deserted beaches or motorbike riding on the sandy roads and through the plantations around Sodwana. A tradition for all visitors to Sodwana is to enjoy sundowners watching the sunset over Southern Africa's largest natural freshwater lake - Lake Sibaya - home to crocodiles, hippos and fish eagles - a real African experience.

Overnight Sodwana

Day 4:

One more dive at Sodwana on your favorite reef and then we move on to South Africa's oldest game / wildlife reserve - Hluhluwe Game Reserve. After settling in, a siesta is a good idea before embarking on a night drive in an open top vehicle with an experienced game / wildlife guide.

Overnight Hluhluwe.

Day 5:

An early morning game / wildlife drive or walk before breakfast offers you a good chance of seeing some predators using the cool of the morning to hunt for their day's meal. Hluhluwe was the hunting ground of the Zulu King Charka and boasts the "Big 5". It is now famous for it's efforts in saving the white rhino from extinction. After breakfast the rest of the day will be spent relaxing, enjoying a short hike or in a hide waiting to spot some of the more timid animals. Another afternoon siesta will help with the jet lag before embarking on the evening game / wildlife drive.

Overnight Hluhluwe.

Day 6:

After breakfast, we transfer from Hluhluwe to Durban, which will include a leisurely morning game / wildlife drive through the park while en route to Durban. While in the heart of Zululand we will visit a traditional Zulu village to experience the ancient African customs that still exists today. We overnight to a comfortable hotel on the Kwazulu-Natal South coast. Dinner will be taken at the Hotel and then you will be tucked into bed in preparation for the next day's diving.

Day 7:

Enjoy two dives on the spectacular world-renowned Aliwal Shoals (rated one of the top ten dive sites in the world). From June to October the Ragged Tooth Sharks gather in large numbers on the shoal during their annual migration. Divers are almost guaranteed to see these docile sharks during their dives at this time of the year. Depending on weather and qualification levels, we may do a wreck dive as the first dive and a reef dive on the second dive.

In the afternoon, you are spoilt for choice with options to enjoy the warm water beaches, play golf, visit a crocodile farm or go shopping at the local curio stalls. You could visit a watering hole before supper to recap the day 's dives and plan the next.

Overnight Scottburgh

Day 8:

Depart early for Shelly Beach and do two dives on South Africa's premier shark dive site - Protea Banks. Besides Raggies, divers may see schools of Hammerhead Sharks or some Zambezi (Bull) Sharks stealing the fishermen's' catches. Please note that this option is for Advanced divers only. The other option on this day would be to dive other sites on Aliwal Shoal.

In the afternoon visit the Oribi Nature reserve to walk a nature trail, try your hand at surfing or just relax on the beach or at a local watering hole before heading back to your hotel where you will overnight.

Day 9:

Today you can choose to dive your favorite Aliwal dive site. After the dives you will have a chance to visit the many attractions of Durban, a truly African city with a rich history including the legacy of being a British Colony, which left such an indelible mark that Kwazulu-Natal is still referred to as the "Last Outpost of the British Empire". Visits to the Natal Sharks Board, Seaworld, the Indian Market and the Gateway shopping center are possible options.

Overnight Scottburgh / Durban.

Day 10:

Depart Durban for Cape Town and transfer to a comfortable B&B on the South Peninsula, your base for the next four nights. After settling in we will discuss what sights and activities you would like to enjoy from the many options available during your short stay, before taking a Cape Town orientation sight seeing drive around the peninsula. This short tour will include a Cable car ride to top of Table Mountain, the historic Castle, the central city area including the Flower market, the Muslim Malay quarter and the exciting Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. (V&A)

As with the remainder of the holiday, your guide will be with you to provide transport for the duration of your stay as well as accompanying you on the dive excursions. Breakfasts are included throughout while in Cape Town; all other meals will be taken at one of the wide variety of world-class restaurants or pubs in and around Cape town.

Overnight Cape Town

Day 11:

We will depart Cape Town before breakfast and head east to Gansbaai. On arrival breakfast will be served along with a bowl of seasick tablets for the overeaters. Following breakfast we will spend the day at sea on a custom built boat observing the awesome Great White Shark both from on deck and within the cage. This apex predator is, like the lion on land, something a person should see at least once in a lifetime. They have such a beauty and grace that nervousness is soon overcome by fascination and respect for these amazing animals. Lunch and refreshments are supplied on board.

Should you wish to spend another viewing the Great White sharks you will overnight at Gansbaai, otherwise you will return to the B&B in Cape Town.

Day 12:

If the diving went to plan then today will be spent doing any of the following activities:

After Breakfast those willing to brave the cold water, can transfer to the Dive Center, assemble their gear, and do some dives around the Peninsula. Dive sites are many and varied with wrecks, reefs, kelp forests and seal colonies to choose from. This is an optional extra.

Or you can do the PENINSULA TOUR (FULL DAY PLUS MINUS 8 HOURS):

Visit the Atlantic sea side of the Peninsula which includes Sea Point, Bantry Bay, Clifton and Camps Bay, Hout Bay fishing harbour, Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point, visit to the penguins at Boulders, Simon's Town and along False Bay Coast to Muizenberg. This option is included in the tout price.

Overnight Cape Town

Day 13:

If the diving went to plan then today will be spent doing a WINELANDS TOUR (FULL DAY PLUS MINUS 8 HOURS)

This trip offers stunning mountain scenery particularly in the Franschhoek / Stellenbosch areas. Included are: a cellar tour, Wine tasting on estate farms and a Tour of Stellenbosch.

Route is from Cape Town to Paarl, Franschhoek to Stellenbosch and returns to Cape Town.

Day 14:

There will be no diving today, as you will be departing for home. Any activities planned for this day will be conducted according to the time permitting before the flights. This day can be allocated as a free day at the V&A or you can do a half-day African Heritage tour, which includes visits to the historic District Six Museum, Langa, the oldest township in Cape Town, Guguletu, a traditional healer, Xhosa community centre and excellent arts and craft.

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