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Sardine Run

Big Animals Expedition, Wild Coast in South Africa

Sardine Run - Big Animals Expedition
experience	15 years
where	Wild Coast South Africa, off East London
max no. of guests	6 guests
departure	June 24 - July 5, 2014
duration	11 days
pricing	$7,400 per person (excludes airfare, based on double occupancy)
facility	Mboyti Lodge
activities	Diving and Snorkeling
temperature	In Water: 72 - 75°F;   Air: 65 - 80°F

Location & Timing Details

The rugged coastline of southern KwaZulu Natal province along the eastern edge of South Africa holds a mysterious attraction to untold millions of Sardinops sagax as they migrate 1000 miles between the Agulhas Bank at South Africa's tip to the waters off Durban. Their annual appearance here in such vast concentrated numbers creates one of the world's most spectacular feeding frenzies.

Dynamic Diving Expedition

Let's consider the sardine-lovers who will be in attendance during our expedition: Bronze Whaler, Copper, Dusky, and Black Tip Sharks; game fish - shad, garrick, and geelback; Humpback and Bryde's Whales, and Common and Bottlenose Dolphins by the thousands; Cape fur seals, and an unbelievable sky full of birds: Cape gannets, cormorants, terns, and gulls. And of course, us.

To maximize the possibilities for wild encounters from close to shore to over the horizon. We deploy a Macro-light daily from early morning flying out to sea scouting for and directing us toward the action. Underwater photographers will have as many opportunities for amazing images. With only six divers onboard our twin engines zodiac reach the action in short time while it is still going on as there are millions of migrating sardines: the play of light on the flashing massing bodies of the small swimmers; the sudden appearance of any number of exited predators; the chaotic drama of the hunt by hundreds of diving Cape Gannets from above and underwater the tens of sharks and dolphins feeding frenzy. Occasional Brutus whale entering the foray and gulping thousands of sardine in one mouthful. At ten inches, the sardine wouldn't seem to warrant the attention of a company that calls itself BigAnimals Expeditions, but we promise that at the end of this exciting adventure , you'll understand what an important animal the sardine actually is for the Ocean apex predators.

The Operation

This will be a land based operation and we will be staying at the pictures and very comfortable lodge - Mboyti located just in the heart along the Wild coast. The action may take place either South or North from we based.

Early every morning our dedicated Macro-light go up in the air - while we just wake up and have breakfast, the pilot will start searching and scouting for the Sardine shoals and migrating whales.

Even before we hear any report from the pilot - we all get together by the Zodiac and launch them into the water in the African way - which is almost as good as riding in a roller-coaster run but now we are in the hands of an African capable skipper who is maneuvering the skiff skillfully through the waves while you are holding on to the vessel "for your life" till we break into the open water.

We plan to stay at sea as such as is there activity and return in just before darkness. We have our Scuba tanks, plenty of fuel, radio communication, and on board lunch and drinks.

With only six divers onboard we maximize the possibilities for wild encounters by staying out for as many hours at sea searching and chasing the fast moving sardine shoals as they swim away from their predators, sharks, dolphins birds and whales, giving you and the underwater photographers as many opportunities witness and film these dynamic happening. Welcome onboard.

General Itinerary

Day 1: Depart to Joberg, South Africa.

Day 2: On arrival to Joberg you continue on a domestic flight to Durban. We will be met by our local operator and overnight at Umcomass.

Day 3: Early morning get together, pack up you gear for the drive south to the Wild coast - arrive Mbotyi, the lodge. We settle in and prepare our gear for action.

Day 4-10: Commence our 7 days of adventure along the rugged, Wild Coast in search of sardines. We aim to locate shoals of Sardines, and with that, the feeding activity with dolphins, seals, sharks and migrating Humpback whales, we return every afternoon for the Lodge, hot shower and dinner, image sharing, story telling and photo coaching.

Day 11: Leave the Wild coast and transfer to Umcomass (90 minutes from Durban) for overnight stay.

Day 12: Group transfer to Durban airport to catch this morning flight to Joberg, then to your next destination.

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Included in tour price:

• Seven days of Sardine Run activities
• Nine nights at Mobtyi lodge. Breakfast and dinner
• Ground transport from Durban to Wild Coast and return
• Overnight at Umcomass
• Photo coaching
• All diving services
• Only six guests. One zodiac

Not included in tour price:

• International and domestic airfare
• Overnight at Joberg or East Durban
• Meals not specified above
• Overweight luggage
• Drinks and taxes
• Insurance (it is recommended you buy your own travel, health and diving insurance)
• Additional costs incurred due to independent travel arrangements
• Gratuities to the local guides

What To Bring Along

We will be in South Africa during the fall season. Warm clothes - Polartec jacket, raincoat and windbreaker are recommended. Outside temperatures can be from 50 - 65 degrees. Casual clothing is fine throughout South Africa. Jeans and/or khakis, and layering options are a traveler's best choice. Also recommended are a hat, sun glasses, sunscreen, etc. Please remember all of your medical requirements. Remember, bring your passport and c-card. Phone cards and credit cards are widely accepted throughout the country.

Consult you doctor for Malaria prescription!

Scuba Diving Equipment

You must bring your own exposure suit. We strongly recommend that you bring 5m wetsuit with a vest and a hood. Regulator, mask (bring spare mask), fins, BC and snorkel. Weight belt, (weights will be provided) and ankle weights. Diving gloves and diving hood. Spare parts and tools.

Travel Documents

US citizens are required to have a valid passport and round-trip air ticket. All other passport holder must check with your local South Africa embassy for the entry requirements.

Note: dates and prices may be subject to change without prior notice.

For more information
Contact:
Dive Discovery
@
1 800 886-7321
(415) 444-5100
or
Request Info