South Africa: diving/freediving with sharks
2025
16 - 27 March
16 - 27 March
12 days
Diving in Aliwal Shoal, safari in Kwazulu-natal, diving in Cape Town, exploring Cape Town
For experienced divers/freedivers
3800 EUR
WHAT WAITS FOR US?
Diving and freediving with sharks
We will meet several species of sharks while diving in the waters of two oceans: the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean! We will meet blacktip oceanic sharks, tiger sharks, blue sharks, mako sharks, seven-gill sharks and bronze sharks.
We will dive without cages (except once) with experienced guides-instructors.
Diving is possible both in scuba diving and freediving modes.
* diving with sharks is possible only in good weather, so perhaps not all the dives indicated in the program will take place.
We will dive without cages (except once) with experienced guides-instructors.
Diving is possible both in scuba diving and freediving modes.
* diving with sharks is possible only in good weather, so perhaps not all the dives indicated in the program will take place.
Cape Town and surroundings
Cape Town is the tourist capital of South Africa and the whole of Africa. It is regularly ranked among the top recommended places to visit, both by Lonely Planet experts and by tourists themselves, for example, on TripAdvisor. The English BBC Travel awarded Cape Town the title of “The Most Environmentally Friendly City”, and the publishing house Conde Naste named it “Gastronomic City No. 1”. All of these titles are well deserved indeed. The city is so cozy and harmonious that most of our tourists after visiting Cape Town say: “if it were not for work, I would stay here forever”.
We will walk through the neighborhoods of Cape Town with bright colorful houses, visit endless beaches, climb the visiting card of South Africa - Table Mountain, photograph the sunset on Lion's Head Mountain. We will visit the Cape of Good Hope, where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet.
*The land program in Cape Town is held on days free from diving due to bad weather, so we may not have time to visit all the locations indicated in the program.
We will walk through the neighborhoods of Cape Town with bright colorful houses, visit endless beaches, climb the visiting card of South Africa - Table Mountain, photograph the sunset on Lion's Head Mountain. We will visit the Cape of Good Hope, where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet.
*The land program in Cape Town is held on days free from diving due to bad weather, so we may not have time to visit all the locations indicated in the program.
Indian and Atlantic Oceans
Africa's underwater world is no less rich and diverse. Near the Cape of Good Hope, two currents collide: the warm Indian Ocean current and the cold Bengal current from the Antarctic. You can see this meeting for yourself - the water temperature on the eastern shore of the Cape Peninsula is always a few degrees higher than on its western coast. Nutrients accumulate near Cape Town, which attracts inhabitants from all over the world's oceans. Whales, sharks, penguins, harbor seals, huge groups of dolphins and countless flocks of fish can be seen here.
Durban's warm beaches
Our journey starts from the airport of Durban city - this is where the most beautiful sandy beaches and warm ocean are. Almost every day a new endless beach of the warm Indian Ocean with huge waves awaits us!
Safari in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi National Park
Hluhluwe-Umfolozi is one of the largest nature reserves in the world, and a place with a huge concentration of wild animals. About 40 years ago, the world-famous Operation Rhino was launched here to save this species. As a result, the park is now home to more than one-fifth of the world's population of the rarest black and white rhinos. The park covers an area of 96 000 hectares and is the fourth largest natural park in South Africa.
The protected area is home to more than 80 species of mammals - African elephant, black and white rhino, lions, leopards, buffalo, cheetahs, antelopes, giraffes, wild African dog, hippos, spotted hyena, warthog and many others. Over 300 species of birds have been recorded in the park, including silver eagle, night heron, Shelley's turache, bustards, Klaas's bronze cuckoo, crested barbet and others. We hope to meet most, if not all, of the inhabitants of the African savannah.
Our team has traveled to various national parks from Namibia to Kenya and knows how to visit such places correctly: to make beautiful photos and get a dose of adrenaline from the process of tracking animals. No local rangers or well-traveled routes! We have only cars, walkie-talkies and enough time for searching.
The distinctive feature of Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park is that on the one hand, it is relatively easy to visit, and on the other hand, the animals are in truly natural conditions. These are not kennels, which are more like zoos. This is real wildlife. We can't guarantee encounters with all the local species, but vivid memorable emotions are promised. Success depends on your own observation, perseverance and luck.
The protected area is home to more than 80 species of mammals - African elephant, black and white rhino, lions, leopards, buffalo, cheetahs, antelopes, giraffes, wild African dog, hippos, spotted hyena, warthog and many others. Over 300 species of birds have been recorded in the park, including silver eagle, night heron, Shelley's turache, bustards, Klaas's bronze cuckoo, crested barbet and others. We hope to meet most, if not all, of the inhabitants of the African savannah.
Our team has traveled to various national parks from Namibia to Kenya and knows how to visit such places correctly: to make beautiful photos and get a dose of adrenaline from the process of tracking animals. No local rangers or well-traveled routes! We have only cars, walkie-talkies and enough time for searching.
The distinctive feature of Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park is that on the one hand, it is relatively easy to visit, and on the other hand, the animals are in truly natural conditions. These are not kennels, which are more like zoos. This is real wildlife. We can't guarantee encounters with all the local species, but vivid memorable emotions are promised. Success depends on your own observation, perseverance and luck.
St. Lucia Estuary
St. Lucia Estuary is the largest coastal lagoon in Africa with an area of about 350 square kilometers and an average depth of 90 cm. The park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 1999 and is now home to more than 1,200 Nile crocodiles and about 800 hippos. The Santa Lucia Estuary is also home to rhinos, elephants, kudu, leopards, antelope, thousands of flamingos, masses of invertebrates, fish and small animals. The park has the largest breeding colony of white pelicans in South Africa.
In the center of the park is the eponymous town of St.Lucia, along the streets of which in the evening walk whole herds of wild hippos! :) They are, in our opinion, the highlight of this town and they are the main purpose of our visit. We know all the “answers and passwords” from the place where these powerful animals come in the evenings to nibble grass on the lawns of ordinary residents of the city, where you can watch them at arm's length and even take selfies with a hippo:)
In the center of the park is the eponymous town of St.Lucia, along the streets of which in the evening walk whole herds of wild hippos! :) They are, in our opinion, the highlight of this town and they are the main purpose of our visit. We know all the “answers and passwords” from the place where these powerful animals come in the evenings to nibble grass on the lawns of ordinary residents of the city, where you can watch them at arm's length and even take selfies with a hippo:)
ITINERARY
Day 2 / Diving/freediving at Aliwal Shoal with sharks
Today we have to pick up equipment at the dive center and do two shark dives. In the afternoon we will relax on the beach and discuss how the first day with sharks went.
Day 3 / Diving/freediving at Aliwal Shoal with sharks. Transfer to St Lucia. Overnight city hippo safari
Today we are diving with sharks again! We have two more dives to go. We hope that today we will see the famous tiger shark! After lunch, transfer to the town of St Lucia (5 hours).
After dinner, we will go on a self-guided hippo safari in the city! Where else can you see such a thing? Of course, only in Africa! We will watch the most dangerous (according to statistics) animal in Africa at arm's length while they are peacefully nibbling on the neighboring lawn.
After dinner, we will go on a self-guided hippo safari in the city! Where else can you see such a thing? Of course, only in Africa! We will watch the most dangerous (according to statistics) animal in Africa at arm's length while they are peacefully nibbling on the neighboring lawn.
Day 4 / Cruise on the Schlushluwe River. transfer to Schlushluwe-Umfolozi National Park
Early in the morning we will cruise along the river and observe herds of hippos from the water: did you know that hippos run quickly underwater, do so effortlessly with their eyes open and can hold their breath for up to 5 minutes? We will learn this and much more during our exciting river trip.
In the afternoon we will make a short transfer (2 hours) to the Schlushluwe-Umfolozi National Park, where we will check into lodges right in the park, so that even in our free time we can meet antelopes and other animals. In the evening we will go on an independent safari around the park in our cars: we can see African elephants, black and white rhinos, giraffes, zebras, and if we are lucky, lions, leopards, cheetahs and many others.
In the evening - dinner around the campfire.
In the afternoon we will make a short transfer (2 hours) to the Schlushluwe-Umfolozi National Park, where we will check into lodges right in the park, so that even in our free time we can meet antelopes and other animals. In the evening we will go on an independent safari around the park in our cars: we can see African elephants, black and white rhinos, giraffes, zebras, and if we are lucky, lions, leopards, cheetahs and many others.
In the evening - dinner around the campfire.
Day 5 / Umfolozi National Park
Today we get up before dawn, as the animals are most active in the morning. We can go in search of animals on the park's open safari vehicle.
In the afternoon we will have lunch in the restaurant, swim in the pool and watch the animals in our lodge.
By evening we will go on safari again in our vehicles;
Dinner around the campfire.
In the afternoon we will have lunch in the restaurant, swim in the pool and watch the animals in our lodge.
By evening we will go on safari again in our vehicles;
Dinner around the campfire.
Day 6 / Flight to Cape Town
We're packing up and heading to the airport. We have a flight to Cape Town.
Welcome to South Africa's second most populous but first most famous city. It was founded in 1652 and served as a staging post for Dutch ships on their way from Europe to India. What only epithets are not used in the address of Cape Town: some call it the cultural capital, others - the legislative center (here is the parliament and other state institutions), and many tourists are sure that it is simply the most beautiful city on Earth. Soon you will see it for yourself.
We are primarily interested, of course, not in the city itself, but in its natural surroundings and underwater inhabitants!
Welcome to South Africa's second most populous but first most famous city. It was founded in 1652 and served as a staging post for Dutch ships on their way from Europe to India. What only epithets are not used in the address of Cape Town: some call it the cultural capital, others - the legislative center (here is the parliament and other state institutions), and many tourists are sure that it is simply the most beautiful city on Earth. Soon you will see it for yourself.
We are primarily interested, of course, not in the city itself, but in its natural surroundings and underwater inhabitants!
Day 7 / Table Mountain, Ocean Safari
Take the cable car to the famous Table Mountain!
Table Mountain is recognized as one of the New Wonders of the World and is Cape Town's calling card. Its height is 1085 meters above sea level, and its silhouette is depicted on the flag of the city. From the side, the surface of the mountain seems absolutely flat, like the surface of a table, hence the name - Table Mountain. This place is visited by absolutely all tourists who come to South Africa.
In the afternoon we will go on an ocean safari! We will swim among forests of kelp, see seals and, if we are lucky, whales and dolphins.
Table Mountain is recognized as one of the New Wonders of the World and is Cape Town's calling card. Its height is 1085 meters above sea level, and its silhouette is depicted on the flag of the city. From the side, the surface of the mountain seems absolutely flat, like the surface of a table, hence the name - Table Mountain. This place is visited by absolutely all tourists who come to South Africa.
In the afternoon we will go on an ocean safari! We will swim among forests of kelp, see seals and, if we are lucky, whales and dolphins.
Day 8 / Penguins, bronze sharks - cage diving
Today we are going to dive in a special cage to watch bronze (and if we are lucky, great white) sharks. South Africa used to be the “Mecca” for watching great white sharks from the cage, but lately orcas have been visiting the area and have driven all the white sharks away.
Also today we'll meet a colony of spectacled (or African) penguins! And we'll visit the beach where we can swim with them and observe them underwater.
Also today we'll meet a colony of spectacled (or African) penguins! And we'll visit the beach where we can swim with them and observe them underwater.
Day 9 / Cape of Good Hope, dive in the kelp forest to seven-gill sharks
Today we will try to make it before dawn to drive to the most southwestern part of the continent, the Cape of Good Hope.
Technically, the Cape of Good Hope is not the southernmost point of Africa, although this is a common belief. The geographical misunderstanding is due to the fact that ships round this cape when entering False Bay. It is a surprisingly picturesque place with soft white beaches alternating with steep cliffs. The mix of the icy Atlantic Ocean and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean has created a unique coastal environment and one of the most productive marine areas. There is a nature reserve inhabited by rare animals and birds. We are sure to meet ostriches, antelopes, baboons.
And the main event of the day - an underwater trip to the fabulous mystical forest of kelp, where prehistoric seven-gill sharks live!
Technically, the Cape of Good Hope is not the southernmost point of Africa, although this is a common belief. The geographical misunderstanding is due to the fact that ships round this cape when entering False Bay. It is a surprisingly picturesque place with soft white beaches alternating with steep cliffs. The mix of the icy Atlantic Ocean and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean has created a unique coastal environment and one of the most productive marine areas. There is a nature reserve inhabited by rare animals and birds. We are sure to meet ostriches, antelopes, baboons.
And the main event of the day - an underwater trip to the fabulous mystical forest of kelp, where prehistoric seven-gill sharks live!
Day 10 / Off-shore diving. Blue sharks and Mako sharks
Today we have a long trip out into the open ocean. We will pass by the Cape of Good Hope and go far and wide to find the warm current where blue sharks and Mako sharks are found. We will be diving in the warm clear water of the Atlantic Ocean!
This will be a very long and hard day. We recommend stocking up on motion sickness pills.
This will be a very long and hard day. We recommend stocking up on motion sickness pills.
Day 11 / Cape Town center, wine farm
A very relaxed and enjoyable day of the itinerary. We will head to one of the best wineries around Cape Town. We will have a wine and cheese tasting.
Wine in South Africa is a goal for many travelers. This country knows exactly the date of the beginning of its wine history - February 2, 1659, the date when Jean van Riebeeck sent his first wine under the press. The idea was so successful that since then South Africa's winemaking has only blossomed. The main share of grape varieties at the moment are white varieties, and the most common is Chenin Blanc, which is used for making white table wines. But there is also a unique variety, a real treasure and patrimony of the country - Pinotage, it is used to make both light and full-bodied red wines with a unique flavor of meadow grasses, prunes and strawberries.
In Cape Town we will visit the most popular sights of Cape Town: Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the historic heart of Cape Town harbor. We'll stroll through Bo-Kaap, the city's “colorful” neighborhood, home to the descendants of slaves from Southeast Asia. Hence the second name - “Malay Quarter”. Colorful buildings, winding streets, beautiful Muslim mosques. Don't forget to charge your cameras!
We'll stop by the oceanarium, which doesn't use marine mammals (otherwise we wouldn't have stopped by). In the evening we'll have dinner on the waterfront.
Wine in South Africa is a goal for many travelers. This country knows exactly the date of the beginning of its wine history - February 2, 1659, the date when Jean van Riebeeck sent his first wine under the press. The idea was so successful that since then South Africa's winemaking has only blossomed. The main share of grape varieties at the moment are white varieties, and the most common is Chenin Blanc, which is used for making white table wines. But there is also a unique variety, a real treasure and patrimony of the country - Pinotage, it is used to make both light and full-bodied red wines with a unique flavor of meadow grasses, prunes and strawberries.
In Cape Town we will visit the most popular sights of Cape Town: Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the historic heart of Cape Town harbor. We'll stroll through Bo-Kaap, the city's “colorful” neighborhood, home to the descendants of slaves from Southeast Asia. Hence the second name - “Malay Quarter”. Colorful buildings, winding streets, beautiful Muslim mosques. Don't forget to charge your cameras!
We'll stop by the oceanarium, which doesn't use marine mammals (otherwise we wouldn't have stopped by). In the evening we'll have dinner on the waterfront.
Day 12 / Flying home
Today we are off to the airport for our flight home. We'll be sure to say goodbye to the ocean on the way!
Price
Price
3800 EUR
Dates
16 - 27 March, 2025
Included
- Accommodation in hotels and lodges
- Transfers throughout the program
- All excursions mentioned in the program (in Cape Town, land program changes are possible in case of ocean delays)
- Entries to national parks
- Diving program
- Cylinder and cargo rentals
- Guide accompaniment
Not included
- International flight to South Africa (program starts at Durban airport)
- Domestic flight Durban-Cape Town
- Travel insurance
- Visa to South Africa
- Meals
- Diving/freediving equipment, except for tanks and weights
ADDITIONAL information
About the country
Average air temperature in Cape Town in February +20 (night) , +26 (day) degrees, in Durban +23 (night) , +29 (day) Water in Cape Town 9-24 degrees (depending on the dive site), in Durban +25 Currency: South African Rand (ZAR), approximate exchange rate 1 ZAR = 4.75 RUB Socket type: M, voltage 220V
What to bring
- Passport, printed airline tickets
- Dive certificate
- Sunscreen
- Headgear
- Light trekking boots (or sneakers)
- Pants, sweatshirt (it may be chilly in the evening).
- Mosquito repellent
- Diving/freediving equipment
Your journey starts here!
Just give us some info and we'll contact you shortly.
Contacts
info@whale-expeditions.com