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SOUTH AFRICA SHARK DIVING HOLIDAYS

Welcome to Dive Machine's South African Scuba Diving and Land Safari Adventure.

We have come up with a real treat for you ! This isn't just a holiday, this is an adventure.

Our last trip was 18th to 29th October 2008.

We are currently arranging dates for 2009 & 2010

What did our divers think of this trip?
Just did the trip last week with Rob from Dive Machine and despite the mixed/unusual weather, have to say the whole experience was absolutely fantastic and due in no small way to the personal touch shown by all of ScubaAddicts to our group. My first visit to South Africa which I will remember for years to come for all the right reasons. My test is simply this....would I do the trip again? Answer, yes.Nothing was too much trouble for any of the team whatever we wanted to do, whether it was a trip to the supermarket to get yet more beers (hope these have found their way into Clint's care) or a run out to a bar/restaurant for a meal. Incidentally enjoyed immensely the Sharks/Bulls game on Saturday afternoon, that was a bonus.
The photos are good so something to adorn the computer desktop, not to mention the video footage Rob shot. "Stunning" Thanks again to you all for making the trip so enjoyable ( I hesitate to use the word 'holiday' because it was bloody hard work at times!!) and a special mention to Sean who looked after us so well from the time we touched down in Durban, thru to Sodwana Bay,Hluhluwe Park and back to Umkomaas, he was a real star.
Wish you all well and continued success,
Best regards, Mike H. (Aka Deco)

The 11 Night SA Adventure is a very special tour, which due to its nature has very limited space, in
fact only 18 places maximum are available due to restrictions on transportation and dive boats.
Your guides for these 11 days won't be starting work at 8am and knocking off at 5pm, they will be with
you 24/7 for the duration of your tour. They will be joining you for every meal, every dive, and every
road transfer, in fact they won't be bidding you farewell until they drop you back off at Durban airport
for your flight home.

During your 11 days you will be visiting the world renowned dive sites of Aliwal Shoal ( famous for its
abundance of Raggie's) Protea Banks (Hammers, Bulls & Bronze Whalers) Sodwana Bay (beautiful coral
reefs). You will also get to spend the day diving with the stunning Tiger Sharks that frequent the
southern tip of the Aliwal Shoals, and if that isn't enough, don't forget you get a whole day to spot
Africa's 'Big 5' (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo,black and white rhino) with a day and a nights stop over
at Hluhluwe Game Park.

During your Diving Adventures in South Africa on our 11-day 'Shark and Reef Diving Safari' you will experience the very best diving that South Africa has to offer including Sodwana Bay, the Aliwal Shoal, Protea Banks and Tiger Shark Diving.

You will also get up-close and personal with Africa's wildlife at the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi 'Big-5' Game Park.
'Experience the best of South Africa above and below the water'

The tour is fully guided and during your stay we will not only show you the attractions above and below the water, from
the moment you arrive we are your hosts and guides and will show you the wonders of South Africa. We will also enjoy
nights out at local bars & restaurants as well as BBQ's [known locally as braai's] under the African sky.....
Our team consists of the top tour and diving specialists including Craig Smith, Dave Moldenhauer, Shona Clark, Trevor
Krull, Walter Bernardis and Neville Ayliffe. The team bring you all their shark and reef diving experience at the top
locations in South Africa.

The Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrive Durban -- Transfer to Sodwana Bay -- Overnight Sodwana Bay.
Your adventure begins when you arrive at Durban International Airport. You will be met by your guide and we transfer
north to Sodwana Bay on the KZN North Coast. Our accommodation is in a fantastic up-market lodge with en-suite
facilities, air-conditioning and fantastic views. Overnight at Sodwana Bay.



Day 2 : 2-dives Sodwana Bay -- Overnight Sodwana Bay.
An early morning rise to enjoy two dives on Africa's southern most coral reefs. Between dives breakfast is served on
the beach or at the cabin with views overlooking the ocean. After breakfast we enjoy another dive before spending the
afternoon relaxing or enjoying one of the many other activities on offer. Should the weather and sea conditions permit
there will be an option for more diving in the afternoon. In the evening we enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants.
Overnight at Sodwana Bay.


Day 3 : 2-dives Sodwana Bay -- Overnight Sodwana Bay.
An early morning rise to enjoy two dives on Africa's southern most coral reefs. Between dives breakfast is served on
the beach or at the cabin with views overlooking the ocean. After breakfast we enjoy another dive before spending the
afternoon relaxing or enjoying one of the many other activities on offer. Should the weather and sea conditions permit
there will be an option for more diving in the afternoon. In the evening we enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants.
Overnight at Sodwana Bay.

Day 4 : Transfer to Hluhluwe Game Reserve -- Overnight Hluhluwe.
Spend the morning relaxing before we transfer north to Hluhluwe Game Park on the KZN North Coast. Set in the heart
of Zululand, Hluhluwe Umfolozi is the oldest game Reserve in Africa. Established in 1895, the game reserve is home to
Africa's 'Big 5', lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and both the black and the white rhino. Viewing hides overlook pans and
waterholes enabling you to observe Africa’s wildlife at close range. The night is spent within the reserve in a luxury-
thatched chalet with fantastic views. Overnight Hluhluwe.



Day 5 : Full Day Game Safari -- Transfer to South Coast -- Overnight KZN South Coast.
An early rise within the game park offers fantastic game viewing. We enjoy breakfast in one of the hides & spend the day game viewing, there are many hides overlook pans and waterholes enabling you to observe Africa’s wildlife at close range. The game viewing offers some fantastic photo opportunities. In the afternoon, we transfer to the South Coast, situated at Illovo Beach [near the aliwal shoal]. Our accommodation is situated on the Kwa-Zulu Natal South Coast at Illovo Beach. The luxury upmarket log-cabins overlook the ocean and have en-suite facilities. There is a swimming pool just a few meters away from your chalet & a braai [BBQ] area under an old mahogany tree. The accommodation is available as single, twin or double occupancy and is serviced daily. In the evening we enjoy a BBQ [known locally as a braai] where you will get to know the group and your guide. Overnight KZN South Coast, South Africa.


Day 6 : 2-dives Protea Banks -- Overnight KZN South Coast.
An early morning rise for two dives on the Protea Banks, situated about 7.5kms offshore from the town of Shelly Beach
on Kwazulu Natal’s South Coast. Our aim today is to dive with Ragged Tooth Sharks or Zambezi [BULL] Sharks, and by
using acoustics, we have upclose encounters with these fantastic creatures. The Protea Banks offer a great chance to
see many different sharks including Hammerheads, Tiger Sharks, Bronze Whalers, Duskies, Guitar Sharks and more...
In the evening we enjoy dinner at one of the local bars or restaurants. Overnight KZN South Coast, South Africa.


Day 7 : 2-dives Aliwal Shoal -- Overnight KZN South Coast.
An early morning rise for two dives on the Aliwal Shoal, situated about 5kms offshore from the town of Umkomaas on
the Kwazulu Natal South Coast, it has been rated as one of the best sites in the world to see Ragged Tooth Sharks &
Giant Guitar Sharks. In the evening we enjoy dinner at one of the local bars or restaurants. Overnight KZN South
Coast, South Africa.


Day 8 : Full Day Tiger Shark Diving -- Overnight KZN South Coast.
Today we spend the day at sea, diving with Tiger Sharks on the southern end of the Aliwal Shoal. The Tiger Shark
diving is very similar to the Great White Cage Diving. We create a chum line to attract the sharks. When the sharks
arrive, the real action begins and we enter the water. We normally have between two and six [but can be as many as
fifteen or more] Tiger Sharks as well as Blacktip [spinner] Sharks and on occasion other species. This is an amazing
encounter with one of the oceans most awesome predators. In the evening we enjoy dinner at one of the local bars or
restaurants. Overnight KZN South Coast, South Africa.


Day 9 : 2-dives Protea Banks -- Overnight KZN South Coast.
An early morning rise for two dives on the Protea Banks, situated about 7.5kms offshore from the town of Shelly Beach
on Kwazulu Natal’s South Coast. Our aim today is to dive with Ragged Tooth Sharks or Zambezi [BULL] Sharks, and by
using acoustics, we have upclose encounters with these fantastic creatures. The Protea Banks offer a great chance to
see many different sharks including Hammerheads, Tiger Sharks, Bronze Whalers, Duskies, Guitar Sharks and more...
In the evening we enjoy dinner at one of the local bars or restaurants. Overnight KZN South Coast, South Africa.


Day 10 : 2-dives Aliwal Shoal -- Overnight KZN South Coast.
An early morning rise for two more dives with the sharks on the Aliwal Shoal. Today we go to slightly deeper dive sites
or we can also dive the wrecks, the Produce or the Nebo. In the afternoon we relax at the lodge or enjoy one of the
local activities. Overnight KZN South Coast, South Africa.


Day 11 : Airport Transfers to Durban International Airport.
In the morning you enjoy breakfast at the lodge and then you will be transferred to Durban International Airport, where
we will bid you farewell [until next time!!!].

The price for this amazing adventure is £1285 + (£825 for flight currently in March 2008 based on current airport taxes, which can be subject to fluctuation).
The dates for this trip are from 18th to 29th October 2008.

What's Included : -
• Guide for the entire tour.
• Transfers & Transportation.
• Breakfasts
• International & Internal Flights

What's Not Included : -
• Personal Holiday Insurance
• Dive Gear [can be hired]
• Lunches, Dinners, Drinks ( 3 course meal in good restaurant approx €15, main course only €8)

Insurance
Comprehensive insurance is a vital part of your holiday and it is a condition of booking that you have such cover, it should cover all aspects of your holiday including diving, please provide us your policy details for our files.

FAQ's
A visa is issued on arrival in South Africa, you must be in possession of a full passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of proposed departure.

Average annual temperatures? Summer: October to March : Daytime Temp 27-34°C & Water Temp 24-29°C.

Climate conditions during the dive tour? Sep to Nov : Warm, dry & sometimes windy. Sea conditions are calm becoming choppy & windy later. Dec to Feb : Very warm with rainfall. Sea conditions are calm becoming choppy & windy later.

What should you bring? Space is fairly limited and the areas we visit are very casual. Several costumes, shorts, several t-shirts, trousers, shirt, and a wind breaker, torch all packed in soft luggage. Shoes or sneakers, sandals, towels, suntan lotion, sunglasses, and a jacket which will be useful in winter. Also, in winter, sweatshirts are advisable. You will also require personal items such as aspirin, decongestants, shampoo, toothpaste etc. Spare diving gear i.e. mask and fin straps.

Medical precautions you should I take. SA & Mozambique is a low risk Malaria zone, however you should consult a travel doctor. General medical kit: Mosquito Repellent, Paracetamol, plasters, anti-inflammatory tablets, Immodium, re-hydration sachets, swim ear etc.

Breakfasts usually consist of: Depending on where we are, we enjoy either a, cold breakfast which consists of a selection of cereals, yoghurt, fruit, muffins or rolls, orange juice, tea or coffee or a hot breakfast which consists of eggs, bacon, sausage, beans, mushrooms, toast, orange juice, tea & coffee. Please advise when booking if there are any special dietary requirements.

Costs of the Dinners? During the dive tour we enjoy dinner at some of the fantastic restaurants & lodges local to where we are staying, where we enjoy the culture and atmosphere that each region has to offer. The cost of a main meal is about R70.00 and a normal three course meal is about R150.00. Tipping is optional [10% is recommended]. We will advise about tipping at each area.

Currencies that are used and how much money you need to bring: South African Rand & UK Pound. Latest exchange rates available at http://www.xe.com. The only spending money you will require will be for lunch, dinner, drinks, souvenirs & tips etc. Most places accept major credit cards & there are cash machines available in most places.

Time zone is South Africa in:- GMT + 2 hours.

Looking for Insurance?
We offer very competitive rates with our on line Insurance company.
Take a look and see how good the rates are.

DIVE MACHINE
Unit 11, Orchard Business Centre, Sanderson Way, Tonbridge, Kent. TN91QF
Tel: 01732-773553 email:robert@divemachine.co.uk Web: www.divemachine.co.uk

Last Updated : May 19, 2009

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