2017 Itinerary White Shark & Wildlife Dive Safari.
9 nights / 10 days in total.
4 days cage diving with the Great White Sharks off Dyer Island / Geyser Rock, “The Great White Shark Capital Of The World”.
3 Full days on safari in the Kruger National Park.
Please remember, this is purely a “suggested itinerary” and we can add / reduce it any way you like, by increasing / decreasing the number of days spend diving or on safari at any of the above locations.
DIVE QUALIFICATION NEEDED
OW1 or equivalent.
Some of the deeper dives require an OW2 certification,
or equivalent. No nitrox.
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Best time of year: April through November which is peak Great White Season although this itinerary can be done all year round.
Please note, the Sharks, especially the Whale Sharks have not read this timetable and have no idea where they are meant to be and when!
This White Shark / Wildlife combination is unique to South Africa!
Where else in the world can you dive with the White Shark on one day and view the “Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) the next?? Only in South Africa!!
This unique combination is ideal for the dive enthusiast with a non-diving partner, as the non-diving partner will not want to miss out on viewing the oceans apex predator from the deck of the dive boat without getting wet, whilst the diving partner is in the cage getting up and close with the Great White. Then flying off to spend 4 nights / 3 full days on safari in arguably the greatest wildlife reserve in the world, The Kruger National Park, which is home to Africa’s “Big 5”, lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. An absolutely unique, wildlife experience, only available in South Africa. Let Dive The Big 5 host you.
Please note: The Great White Shark activity takes place on or just below sea level. Full scuba gear is not required for shark cage diving, as the cage is attached to the side of the boat and no diving certification or experience is necessary. Your head and shoulders are above sea level until the dive master gives the call to let you know that the Great Whites are approaching. You then submerge your head and shoulders below sea level for the close sightings of the Great Whites, as they swim towards and past the cage. Snorkel equipment and breath holding are the most popular options selected as the scuba gear sounds are found to be distracting to the extremely sound sensitive Great Whites. When you are not in our 5-6 man cage, refreshments are enjoyed while viewing the Great Whites and other sea life from the viewing deck.
Day 01
2017:
Arrive Cape Town International Airport, own arrangements. On arrival at Cape Town International you will be met by a representative of Dive The Big 5 for the 2 hour road transfer to Gansbaai. Rest of the day free. Overnight at Saxon Lodge in a standard room on a bed and breakfast basis.
Included:
Road transfer from Cape Town International Airport to Saxon Lodge
Accommodation at Saxon Lodge.
Excluded:
International / domestic air into Cape Town
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Bar
Items of a personal nature
Gratuities
Days 02, 03, 04
2017:
At a time to be advised the previous evening, you will be collected from Saxon Lodge for the short road transfer to Kleinbaai where, after signing the necessary indemnity forms, dive briefing and a light breakfast you will walk the 100 meters or so to the harbour where you will board the dive boat for 3 hours at sea in the vicinity of Dyer Island and Geyser Rock, cage diving or surface viewing with the Great White Sharks, weather permitting. On return to harbour you will be transferred back to Saxon Lodge where the rest of the day is free. Saxon Lodge is situated in town overlooking Gansbaai Harbour and is in easy walking distance of the shops, bars and restaurants. Overnight at Saxon Lodge on a bed and breakfast basis.
Included:
Breakfast
Return road transfer to/from Kleinbaai Harbour
3 hours at sea with the Great White’s, weather permitting
Services of a local dive master
Full equipment hire
Light snacks and refreshments on board
Accommodation
Excluded:
Additional touring
Lunch, Dinner, Bar
Items of a personal nature
Gratuities
Day 05
2017:
After breakfast and check out you will be collected from Saxon Lodge for your last “date” with the Great Whites, weather permitting. After the dive a representative of Dive The Big 5 will transfer you to Cloud 9 Boutique Hotel & Spa which is situated in the suburb of Tamboerskloof, Cape Town. Overnight at Cloud 9 Boutique Hotel & Spa on a bed and breakfast basis.
Included:
Breakfast
Road transfer from Saxon Lodge to Kleinbaai
3 hours at sea with the Great Whites, weather permitting
Full equipment hire
Services of a local dive master
Snacks and light refreshments on board
Road transfer from Kleinbaai Harbour to Cloud 9 Boutique Hotel & Spa, Cape Town
Accommodation
Excluded:
Lunch, Dinner, Bar
Additional touring
Items of a personal nature
Gratuities
Day 06
2017:
After breakfast, at a time to be advised, you will be collected from Cloud 9 Boutique Hotel & Spa by a representative of Dive The Big 5 for the short road transfer to Cape Town International Airport in time to connect with your 2 hour domestic flight to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport - Mpumalanga, own arrangements.
On arrival at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport at a time to be advised, you will be met by Dive The Big 5 for the 2.5 hour road transfer to Rhino Post Safari Lodge which is situated on a 12 000 hectare, private concession, in the world famous Kruger National Park.
Rhino Post Lodge consists of 12 luxury chalets. Whilst staying at Rhino Post Lodge all your game viewing is done from "open" safari Land Rovers, with two safaris / game drives daily. An early morning game drive, which sets off just after sunrise, and returns to camp at about 09h00 for breakfast, and the afternoon/evening safari /game drive, which departs camp at about 16h00. Depending on animal activity, you will return to camp from the afternoon/evening safari / game drive at about 20h00 for dinner.
Depending on your arrival time into Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport – Nelspruit (MQP), and taking into account the 2.5 hour road transfer from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport – Nelspruit to the Lodge, you may have to forego the afternoon / evening safari / game drive as this departs Rhino Post at 15h30. If your timing gets you to Rhino Post in time to join the afternoon / evening safari, at sunset, you will stop somewhere in the African bush for G&T’s and sundowners, and watch the African sun drop below the horizon. You will then continue with the safari / game drive, looking for the nocturnal animals, lion, leopard, Hyena, bush baby, civet, serval, honey badger, porcupine etc with the aid of a powerful spot lamp. Depending on animal activity you will return to camp at about 19h30 for dinner, which is served in the 'boma" alongside a roaring wood fire under the African stars, weather permitting. Overnight at Rhino Post on a fully inclusive basis. (All meals and game activities).
www.isibindi.com and click on Rhino Walking Safaris.
Included:
Breakfast
Road transfer from Cloud 9 Boutique Hotel & Spa to Cape Town International Airport
Road transfer from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport – Nelspruit to Rhino Post Safari Lodge
Kruger National Park conservation levies
High tea, if on time
Afternoon / evening safari / game drive, (if on time)
Dinner
Accommodation
Excluded:
Lunch, bar
Domestic air into Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport – Nelspruit
Afternoon / evening game drive if arrival at the lodge is after 15h30
Gratuities
Items of a personal nature
Day 07 - 08
2017:
Full days spent on safari at Rhino Post. You will receive a phone call from reception, about 45 minutes before the safari / game drive is due to depart from the lodge, as your wake-up call. Coffee, tea, juice, rusks, muffins etc. will be served in the public area before you set off for your early morning safari / game drive in "open" 4x4, safari vehicles in the Kruger National Park. You will return to camp at around 09h00, depending on game activity, for brunch. The rest of the day is free to bird watch around camp, sit on your deck with a book, sit by the bar overlooking the water hole, or to relax by the pool until high tea which is served on the deck before departing on the afternoon / evening game drive / safari. Overnight at Rhino Post on a fully inclusive basis.
Included:
Early morning tea, coffee, juice, rusks, muffins
Brunch
High tea
Morning and afternoon game drives / safaris
Dinner
Accommodation
Excluded:
Bar
Items of a personal nature
Gratuities
Day 09
2017:
Your last full day in “Wildest Africa”, including the early morning game drive, afternoon / evening game drive, and filling the time in between game drives, swimming, eating, sleeping, reading, watching the animals come down to drink, eating, sleeping, eating……… etc. Overnight at Rhino Post on a fully inclusive basis.
Included:
Early morning tea, coffee, juice, rusks, muffins
Brunch
High tea
Morning and afternoon game drives / safaris
Dinner
Accommodation
Excluded:
Bar
Items of a personal nature
Gratuities
Day 10
2017:
After the early morning game drive and breakfast you will be collected from Rhino Post Safari Lodge by Dive The Big 5 and transferred back to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport - Nelspruit where you will connect with the 1-hour domestic flight back to OR Tambo International Airport - Johannesburg, End of services.
Included:
Early morning game drive
Breakfast
Road transfer from Rhino Post Safari Lodge to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport - Nelspruit
Excluded:
Domestic air from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport - Nelspruit to OR Tambo International Airport – Johannesburg
International air from OR Tambo International Airport – home
Lunch, Dinner, Bar
Accommodation
Items of a personal nature
Gratuities
Non-diver cost based on two people sharing, diver with a non-diver
Cancellation policy:
- Full refund in the event of the dive being cancelled due to bad weather.
- Should we launch the boat for the dive and during the course of the dive the skipper decides to return to shore due to unfavourable weather conditions, there will be no refund.
- The skipper’s decision is final and is based purely on your safety and comfort
Other “bits & pieces” of interest:
The cage is an 8-man / woman / person, cage, subject to change, and groups of divers spend roughly 20 minutes in the cage during their 1st “dive” session, thereafter they take it in turns for subsequent turns in the cage. Exact times spent in the cage differ from day to day, depending on the number of divers on the boat, and obviously shark activity. No point being in the cage when there are no sharks about! The number of divers, surface viewers is limited to 22, excluding researchers and crew, which allows each diver more cage time and a personalised on-board experience. The boat is licensed to carry 30 people maximum. When you are not in the cage, on-board refreshments can be enjoyed whilst viewing the Great Whites and other sea-life from the upper sun-deck.
Please note: The Kruger National Park falls within a “low risk” Malaria area, and we strongly suggest that you consult your doctor about which is the best prophylactic to use to prevent contracting this disease.
Itinerary and prices are subject to change without notice.