Immerse Yourself's Dive Safari Packages are all designed to suit your personal preferences. We have various set packages to chose from, or if you would like to we can even tailor make a package for you.

Safari Dates

Click here to view safari dates.

Sardine Run

 

From June to August, millions of sardines and various other species bait-fish make their way up the South African east coast within a band of cold water trapped between the coast line of South Africa and the warm Agulhas current of the Indian Ocean running south. They pass along the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape in the deep water (where we will be diving with them), and eventually into the shallows when reaching KwaZulu-Natal's coast line.

 

This natural phenomenon has been termed the Sardine Run and is unrivalled in its sheer bio mass, with sardine shoals ranging up to a couple hundred meters in length, forming an ample and extensive feeding ground for all the ocean's predators. The objective word there being ample...the open Indian Ocean is a huge place, but with the guidance of the Immerse Team who has done over a Decade of Sardine Run you will head out there with the best possible chance of returning with some truly incredible sightings.

 

The Sardine Run is the biggest Bio-Marine event on the planet, and attracts the full scope of the ocean's predatory creatures, led by the 1000's of Common dolphins who track the sardine shoals, hoarding them into bait-ball formations and preying on them. Joining the Common dolphins are Bottlenose dolphins, numerous species of sharks, including the Bronze Whaler (Copper), Dusky, Oceanic Black-tip, Ragged-tooth (Sand tiger), Zambezi (Bull), Tiger, reef sharks and various species game fish. The sea's frenetic action is rivalled only by that in the air above, where huge flocks of Cape gannets, Terns, Albatross flock to get their share of the mass-feast.

 

With the Gannets diving from the sky into the mêlée below at up to 120km/h it truly makes for an incredible underwater scene having these birds dive-bomb in like torpedos amongst the dolphins, sharks and other predators taking full advantage of this once-a-year seafood buffet. The underwater capability of the Cape Gannet is truly remarkable, being able to actually swim around underwater and catch more than one fish per dive... all the while the beautiful common dolphins execute a perfect attack pattern over and over, picking the sardines off one by one; various species sharks flying through the baitball taking huge mouths full of prey at a time... with the ultimate experiencing being the submarine-like gigantic Brutus (Bryde's) Whale come through and half the baitball with one mouthful.

 

This truly is the ultimate Ocean Experience and a great privilege to witness. Any Scuba diver, Free-diver, Photographer or simply a Nature-Lover will undoubtedly have a new highlight in their respective field of interest, one they will definitely treasure for life...!!

 

For detailed info on this safari package, click here or download the PDF.

 

7 Species in 7 Days

 

The ultimate Shark Safari with the mission to identify no less than 7 Shark Species in 7 Days, an action packed adventure for all divers crazy about sharks. All dives sites are selected for the highest chance of shark sightings and we dedicate each dive to spotting at least one shark species. Take up the challenge of diving with Tiger Sharks, Great Whites, Bull Sharks, Oceanic Black-tips, Ragged Tooth (Sand Tiger) Sharks, Whale Sharks, Dusky Sharks, Hammerheads, Guitar Sharks, Leopard (Zebra) Sharks, as well as Black-tip and White-tip Reef Sharks

 

Our 7 Species in 7 Days package takes us to the South Coast where we will be diving on Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks. The Reef dives on Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks will bring possible sightings of Ragged Tooth (Sand Tiger) Sharks who take up residence on the shoal for much of the year, as well as Guitar Sharks and Hammerheads are often seen. Whale Sharks are a frequent sighting as they cruise up and down the east coast from October to May. Other shark species are also often seen hanging around these reefs.

 

These unique dive areas are also two of the only places in the world where you can dive with Tiger and Bull Sharks outside the confines of a cage. Dusky Sharks and Oceanic Black-tips often join the Tiger and Bull Shark dives. Experienced shark divers will guide you through these exciting encounters, dedicated to your safety and enjoyment of the dives.

 

You can also start your Shark Safari by including 3 days at Sodwana Bay and increase your chances of spotting your 7 shark species. Alternatively, extend your stay and include a few nights in Cape Town where we will do some deep blue dives with regular sightings of Blue sharks, Mako sharks and even Great Whites.

 

South Africa’s East Coast is fast becoming one of the world’s top shark diving destinations, and we’d like to share our love for sharks with you.

 

Are you up for the challenge...?

 

For detailed info on this safari package, click here or download the PDF.

South African East Coast Safari

Upon your arrival at King Shaka International Airport (Durban) you'll be warmly welcomed by the Immerse Yourself Crew who will be your guides throughout your dive safari. From here you will make your way up the coast to the Zululand Tree Lodge in the Ubizane Game Reserve adjacent to the world famous Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Your first evening will be spent in a stilted cabin nestled in a tranquil Yellow Fever Tree forest. In the late afternoon you will get your first taste of the African bush with a game drive as the sun goes down. Dinner is served in the bush under a starry African sky. The perfect start to your South African dive safari!

 

Early the next morning as daylight breaks you will find yourself on a game drive in the Hluhluwe- Umfolozi Game Reserve, giving you a chance to spot the rest of the Big 5. Breakfast will be served back at the lodge and afterwards have some time to freshen up before we depart for Sodwana Bay.

 

Exquisite scenery will surround you as we enter this World Heritage site, the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park with its pristine lakes and winding river estuaries, dense coastal forest and some of the world's highest natural sand dunes protecting miles of golden beaches and tropical coral reefs rated amongst the Top 10 in the world. This beauty forms the backdrop for your three night stay in Sodwana Bay. The afternoons will be spent exploring the area or relaxing before sundowners are served as the African sun sets.

 

Next morning after breakfast we will head down to the beach for your first 2 dives. Exciting beach launches in a RHIB takes you beyond the wave breaks into the open Indian Ocean where we will explore some of these world class tropical coral reefs, and we’ll also be on the lookout for the two gentle giants, the Whale Shark and Manta Rays. Your surface interval will be spent on the beach before the fun begins again. Lunch will be back at the lodge and the early afternoon is yours to spend at own leisure before we take you on an optional afternoon outing through the nature-reserve followed by sundowners on the beach.

 

The following morning you will again do two morning dives leaving the afternoon open for group activities or your own leisure time. We can take a 4x4 trip through the bush to beautiful Lake Sibaya, spotting for hippos and crocs with sundowners and snacks. Or we can organize off-road quad biking, Micro-light flights around the bay, or just relaxing on the beach with a cooler box packed with refreshments. In the evenings relax around a campfire at a local bar.

 

The arrival of day four marks the end of your stay in Sodwana Bay. You'll enjoy your last dive on Sodwana's pristine reefs before we transfer back to the Ubizane Game Reserve. You will have time to relax by the pool before your late afternoon game drive, where the game ranger will once again guide you through the African bush. Dinner will be served at the Lodge in their tranquil restaurant overlooking a waterhole.

 

For detailed info on this safari package, click here or download the PDF.

 

Beach & Big 5

On the morning of your arrival at Durban International Airport you'll be warmly welcomed by the Immerse Yourself Crew who will be your guides throughout your dive safari. After a 3hr drive north into Zululand you will arrive at the 4star Zululand Tree Lodge to spend 4 nights in the Ubizane Game Reserve adjacent to the world famous and oldest game reserve in Africa, the Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Your stay at the Ubizane Reserve will be spent in stilted cabins of the Tree Lodge nestled in a tranquil Yellow Fever Tree forest. In the late afternoon you will get your first taste of Africa with a game-drive as the sun goes down. Dinner is served in the bush under a starry African sky. The perfect start to your African dive safari!

 

Early the next morning as daylight breaks you will find yourself on a game drive in Hluhluwe game reserve, giving you another chance to spot the Big 5. Breakfast will be served back at the lodge, and after which you will have some time to relax around the pool and enjoy lunch at your own time. Afternoon tea will be followed by another game drive in the Ubizane game reserve which has most of the African wildlife incl. various species of antelope, Giraffe and one of the Big5, Rhino. Sundowners will be enjoyed along the drive, followed by dinner and relaxing with some good wine and friends around the campfire.

 

The next two days will include two game drives as day, a morning drive in the Hluhluwe National Reserve and an afternoon drive in Ubizane Reserve. Middays can be spent relaxing around the pool with bar area and lunch at own leisure.

 

On the morning of day five you will have a last opportunity to spot the Big 5 in the Hluhluwe game reserve. Breakfast will be served back at the lodge after which we will depart for the beautiful little coastal town of Sodwana Bay. Exquisite scenery will surround you as we enter this World Heritage site, the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park with its pristine lakes and winding river estuaries, dense coastal forest and some of the world’s highest natural sand dunes protecting miles of golden beaches and tropical coral reefs rated amongst the Top10 in the world. This beauty forms the backdrop for your four day stay in Sodwana Bay. The afternoons will be spent exploring the area or relaxing before sundowners are served as the African sun sets.

 

Next morning after breakfast we will head down to the beach for your first 2 dives. Exciting beach launches in a RHIB takes you beyond the wave breaks into the open Indian Ocean where we will explore some of the top tropical coral reefs in the world, as well as be on the lookout for the two gentle giants, the Whale Shark and the Manta Ray as it is their season as well. Your surface interval will be spent on the beach and a small brunch will be provided before the fun begins again. Early afternoon will be yours to spend at your own leisure before we take you on an optional outing through the nature-reserve followed by sundowners on the beach.

 

For detailed info on this safari package, click here or download the PDF.

 

 

Nile Crocodiles (Okavango Delta, Botswana)

 

For more than a decade we have been working with some of the top Apex predators ruling our waters, and for the past years we have been intrigued with the ultimate of them all… diving with the Nile Crocodiles in their natural environment. With this the National Geographic documentary “Dragons Feast” was done featuring a member of our dive team, Walter Bernardis. After the production we started developing protocols for diving with these incredible creatures, and for the past two years have been running and offering the very exclusive Crocodile Dive Safaris.

 

The Crocodile is without a doubt nature’s ultimate survivor… and one of the animals that has been on this planet the longest. From a physiological point of view they truly are incredible, being able to not only physically control its own heart rate but also being able to harvest up to 70% of its needed energy purely from the sun. They also have very potent antibiotic properties in their skin and blood… and it is technically unknown how old or how big Nile Crocodiles can grow to, and actually believed to be limited only by food and sunlight. The biggest croc we have had the privilege of diving with is a huge 5m+ male, however the average size crocs you will most likely be diving with are between 2-4m (depending on your comfort level).

 

The one major factor involved in diving safely with these dinosaurs is the specific time of year when the water temperature is at its lowest. Normally in the month of May the rains fall on the Angolan highlands with a resulting factor of a huge flooding of cold clean water pushing through the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Depending on the rainfall we can even expect a secondary push, improving diving conditions even further and allowing us a small window of opportunity in June/July each year to explore the amazing underwater world of the Okavango Delta.

 

The water that push through is between 14 – 16 degrees Celsius, which as said, plays a huge role in the behaviour of the crocodiles in and underwater. When the water is this cold the crocodiles are mostly in ‘energy saving’ mode, and when underwater they tend to be very passive. This, unless they are disturbed, makes for fantastic photographic opportunities and most unforgettable close encounters with these magnificent creatures.

 

This dive is physically and psychologically quite challenging though, and not just for the fact that you will be looking for and diving with nature’s ultimate predator but also because dive protocols are very strict ie. Entry and Exit procedures needs to be fast and accurate, with absolute minimum time spent on the surface.

 

Once you arrive we will have an extensive briefing as to the various protocols when diving with the crocs, incl:

 

- How to enter and exit with the least amount of surface time

- How to use the current and correct body orientation

- How to and what to look for when spotting crocs in their natural environment

- How to behave around the crocodiles underwater, danger areas etc.

 

 

For detailed info on this safari package, click here or download the PDF.

 

Southern Africa Safari

In either 10 or 14 days of bliss you’ll get to explore Sodwana Bay, the African bush in a Private Game Reserve, mystic Southern Mozambique, as well as the untamed Aliwal Shoal.

The Southern Africa Safari is a 14 day safari for those wanting to experience all Southern Africa has to offer. During this safari you will visit magical Sodwana Bay, the untamed Hluhluwe game reserve, stunning Southern Mozambique and adrenalin pumping Aliwal Shoal.

Sodwana Bay offers stunning diving on pristine reefs buzzing with life from the huge Whale shark to the smallest nudibranch. Spend your surface intervals on a 9 mile golden beach, horse ride over sand dunes and sip sundowners at lakes edge. Hluhluwe Game Reserve's vast hectares are home to the Big 5 and other African wildlife, all waiting to be spotted from the back of an open top safari vehicle.

Truly unwind in the remote tranquillity of Southern Mozambique and dive the beautiful seascapes of hard and soft coral. Whale Shark and Manta Rays feed on the plankton rich waters here and Dolphin encounters are very common.

Swap this tranquillity for an adrenaline pumping Tiger Shark dive on Aliwal Shoal or glimpse a piece of history on the wrecks of Nebo and the Produce. Dive the fascinating rocky topography of the Shoal and spot some of the 1000s of species of tropical fish or even the Ragged Tooth Shark who use the shoal as a resting ground in late winter. From impressive coral reefs, to adrenaline pumping shark dives, remote beaches, Big 5 land safaris and historic wrecks - this safari has it all!

A choice of accommodation is available at all sites. Let us know if you're looking for a luxury or standard package and we will tailor your quote to your preferences!

 

Itinerary Summary

Day 1:    Arrive at Durban International Airport - Transfer to the Ubizane Game Reserve - Afternoon game drive
Day 2:    Morning game drive - Transfer to Sodwana Bay
Day 3:    Two dives at Sodwana Bay *
Day 4:    Two dives at Sodwana Bay *
Day 5:    Transfer back to the Ubizane Game Reserve - Evening game drive
Day 6:    Morning game drive - Transfer to Southern Mozambique
Day 7:    Two dives in Southern Mozambique *
Day 8:    Two dives in Southern Mozambique *
Day 9:    Transfer back to the Ubizane Game Reserve - Evening game drive
Day 10:  Last game drive - Transfer to Umkomaas (Aliwal Shoal)
Day 11:  Two dives on Aliwal Shoal
Day 12:  Tiger Shark Dive *
Day 13:  Tiger Shark Dive *
Day 14:  Transfer to Durban International Airport

* Optional afternoon activities will be arranged after the morning dives or opt to do an additional dive.

 

Please contact us and we will put a quote together for you.

Training Safari

Immerse Yourself Safaris offers you the opportunity to come on a "Training Safari". This means that should you be interested in furthering your Scuba training, we can put together a package for you combining a dive safari along with a Tech Course - there is no better way or place to obtain your next qualification without it having to cost you an arm and a leg!

Tailor-made Safari

The tailor made safari gives you the opportunity to decide exactly where you want to go and for how long. If one of our standard safaris is not exactly what you are looking for i.e. maybe you want to spend a little more time at Sodwana Bay and less time at the Aliwal Shoal or spend some more time at the game reserve, we can tailor make a safari just for you. It has never been so easy to get a safari put together exactly as you want it.

 

Please contact us with your tailor made safari needs and we will put a quote together for you.