SARDINE RUN

 

 

 

 

"The Ultimate Ocean Experience..."

7 Days /6 Nights (5 Days at Sea)

9 Days /8 Nights (7 Days at Sea)

11 Days /10 Nights (9 Days at Sea)

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...!!

 

On the morning of 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 Sardine Run Safari. From here we will make our way down the coast to the Mbotyi River Lodge on the Wild Coast. You'll be showed to your cabin where you will have some time to freshen-up. We invite you to join us for a lovely dinner, and afterwards we will discuss the next day's plans with our skipper and Micro-light pilot. We will do a briefing as to exactly what and what not to do, and how we will get the absolute best from the experience.

 

Early the next morning you will enjoy breakfast before we make our way to the boats. Once through the surf and on backline we will make contact with our pilot, Capt. Sparrow, who by now will also be in the air. We will start working specific areas depending on previous day activity, weather conditions as well as feedback from various points along the coastline... and as soon as the action is found it's all stations go! You may prefer to enter the water with skin gear only or with full scuba. We will spend approx 5 to 6hrs out at sea, weather depending. We will make our way back to the lodge around 13h00 for you to have a nice shower and enjoy lunch.

 

The afternoon is yours to spend at own leisure, relaxing on the beach or around the pool, or enjoy one of the many local activities. Dinner is served followed by after-dinner drinks and a discussion as to what the next day's plans.

 

Each of your remaining days you will have the same action packed itinerary as the first, with afternoons to spend at own leisure.

 

With the arrival of the last day you'll enjoy breakfast at your own leisure, after which you will have time to get yourselves packed and ready. The Immerse Yourself Crew will transfer you back to the King Shaka International Airport, where we will wish you a fond farewell with hopes of seeing you again soon!

 

Afternoon activities include:

 

Safari Includes:

 

Safari Excludes:

 

 

7D/6N     - 5 Days at sea R32 000.00 p/p/s
R35 500.00 single sup.

 

 

 

9D/8N     - 7 Days at sea R43 000.00 p/p/s
R48 500.00 single sup.

 

 

 

11D/10N - 9 Days at sea R54 000.00 p/p/s
R61 500.00 single sup.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flights: This safari starts in Durban. It is best to arrive sometime before lunch. International flights from the UK, Europe or America generally fly via Johannesburg or Cape Town, but there are some direct flights to King Shaka International. We are usually able to arrange internal flight connections from Johannesburg or Cape Town to Durban for you should you require this service.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact us dive@scubasafaris.co.za

Copyright © 2009 Immerse Yourself Safaris                                                                                                     Johannesburg, South Africa | T +27 82 _336 8573