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South Africa: swimming with whales and sardine run
June 15 - 23, 2024
June 23 - July 1, 2024
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June 15 - 23, 2024
June 23 - July 1, 2024
  • 8 days
  • Whales, freediving, snorkeling
  • Level of difficulty: easy
  • 3150 EUR
Highlights
The main purpose of this trip is to visit the Sardine Run, a unique natural phenomenon associated with the migration of three genera of fish of the herring family. Hundreds of millions of fish make the 1,000-kilometer journey along South Africa's east coast each year. Tens of thousands of predators come from all over the ocean to feast on the sardines. Whales, dolphins, sharks, tuna attack the pack that stretches for several kilometers from the depths, while gulls, bald eagles and cormorants attack from the air. Our goal is to see this feast of life and death with our own eyes on the surface and in the water - we will snorkel and freedive.
After a week in the Indian Ocean we can take a safari trip to Kruger Park or visit Cape Town.
  • 1
    Whales, thousands of dolphins, sharks, seals
    Whales and dolphins patrol the South African coast in search of sardines. The density of animals during the migration period is very high, and dolphins even gather in groups of up to thousand individuals. You can see humpback whales, bryde's whales, minke whales, and other species.
    Perhaps you have heard the story of Reiner Schimpf, a diver, who was accidentally "bitten" by a whale. It happened right here! Therefore, while in the water, you must not forget the safety rules - it is strictly forbidden to swim into the bait-ball.
  • 2
    Who are we going with?
    We will go to sea with the team of Steve Benjamin, a marine biologist, underwater photographer and long-time Team Trip partner. He has a long history of organizing swimming with marine mammals throughout South Africa and is involved in many conservation and scientific projects.
  • 3
    Wild Coast
    We will be based in the Wild Cost area on the southeast coast of South Africa. This is a remote region far away from big cities. It is known for its picturesque coastline of cliffs and green hills. Mass tourists do not get here, so there is only nature with a minimum of tourist infrastructure. We will live in traditional roundhouse Kos (Xhosa) - the people of the Bantu group. It will be not only interesting, but also very authentic.
Itinerary
Day 1. Arrival in East London. Transfer to Mdumbi. Briefing
Meet and greet at East London Airport. There will be a transfer waiting for us, so we should arrive in the morning. After check-in, the Team Trip tour leader will give a briefing, introduce us to the guest-house infrastructure and Steve Benjamin's team.
In the evening, equipment fitting before heading out to the ocean in the morning.
Days 2 - 7. Ocean excursions in search of cetaceans, sharks, sardines.
We will go out in the ocean all day every day to look for sardines, whales and dolphins. We usually have an early wake up. While the group eats breakfast, the guides conduct an aerial reconnaissance of the immediate area for cetaceans. Approximately we will spend time from 8:30 a.m. to 3 to 5 p.m. on the boat. In the ocean we may encounter different species of animals from the smallest to huge humpback whales. You can swim with all of them and take underwater photos.
Usually snorkeling is 90% snorkeling and 10% diving (if you have a certificate). Diving is possible in case of a sighting of a bait-ball. Sardines and marine mammals in the open ocean usually move fast enough, there is little chance of keeping up with them with a tank. But sometimes sardines, attacked from different directions, huddle together in a bait-ball and freeze in one place - that's when diving equipment comes in handy.
In case of bad weather, the aquatic program will be replaced by an alternative land-based program, such as river trekking or kayaking.
Day 8. Flight back home or continue tour to Kruger Park or Cape Town
Last day of the trip. Departure home.
If you want to continue your trip to Africa, just tell us!
Price: 3150EUR
June 15 - 23, 2024
June 23 - July 1, 2024
  • Included:
    • 6 days in the ocean (or alternative program in case of bad weather)
    • Accommodation and meals in Mdumbi (7 nights)
    • All transfers per program
    • All taxes and fees
    • Team Trip guide for the entire trip: on land, in the water and underwater
  • Not included:
    International flight to South Africa
    Visa fees
    Personal snorkeling and diving equipment: wetsuit, flippers, mask
    Medical insurance
    Meals not listed in the program
Additional info about the country
  • Air temperature: daytime +22 C, night-time +15 C
  • Water temperature: +15 C
  • South Africa - South African Rand (1 ZAR = 4.81 RUB)
  • Type of outlets: M (photo), voltage 220V
To-pack list
  • Passport, printed airline tickets
  • Sunscreen
  • Hat
  • Lightweight hiking boots (or sneakers)
  • Pants, sweatshirt (evenings can be chilly)
  • Mosquito repellent
  • Flippers, mask, snorkel, wetsuit 5mm
  • Swimsuits, swimming trunks.
  • Seasickness pills.
It's easy to book with us!
The process of booking becomes easy with Whale Watching Expedition
  • 1
    Contact us
    However you like: email info@whale-expeditions.com, using Facebook/Instagram or fill the application form below
  • 2
    We will call you back
    Or write a message. We will answer all your questions, explain all the details and discuss your personal wishes
  • 3
    Deposit payment
    When you are ready to book expedition, we would ask you to pay the deposit, usually it's 50% of the price. You can pay the rest later, the last payment day is 60 days before expedition start.
  • 4
    Done!
    You got your space on the trip, it's time to buy plane tickets! By the way, we can help you with tickets and visas if needed.
Your journey starts here!
Just give us some info and we'll contact you shortly.
Contacts
info@whale-expeditions.com