SA 2 weeks travel...

[maxITA]

Dear friends,
sorry for my bad english...

I would travel to South Africa the last week of november and the first week
on december.

What do you think about this diving trip :

Arrive a Cape Town and rent a car to Gansbaai.
2 or 3 Days stay in Gansbaai, to dive with Great White Shark.
Can you advise me wich is the best diving center.
I have found Michael Rutzen Shark Diving Unlimited.


Fly to Durban and rent a car in Durban.
Drive to Umkomaas and dive to Aliwal Shoal with Raggie Tiger or
I hope with tiger shark.
Which diving ?
I think to stay 2 or 3 in Aliwal Shoal and after dive on Protea Banks.
It's enough make 6 dives on Protea Banks ?

Go to Sodwana Bay and make dive on the two miles or five miles reefs...
Which diving ?

THe last two days we would visit some safari parks, any advice ?

I don't sure to dive to Sodwana Bay, I think it's like Monzabico or Maldive.
What can you see in Sodwana Bay in October/November ?

There is anyone the advice me for this travel ?

THanks in advance for all yours reply.


Bye
max

 

[Zambezi]

Ciao Max

Don't worry about your english at all, if I tried to answer you in Italian you would not understand a word. I only know a few words because my wife is Italian.

The trip you're planning to do sounds awesome!!

I can't comment on the Cape Town diving as I haven't dived there, YET.

Have a look at these two links, The Whaler and KwaMnandi, both are excellent. KwaMnandi have an excellent Tiger Shark dive. I haven't done the dive personally but some friends of mine have and they said it was brilliant, just don't wear striped fins like Mares Volo's, the sharks see them as fish.
www.whaler.co.za
www.kwamnandi.co.za

I'm only diving Protea Banks for the first time on the 23/9 but I'm pretty sure 6 dives will be enough to see all the sharks you want to see.

In Sodwana Bay try Coral Divers, www.coraldivers.co.za. Their website also tells you what you can see in October/November. When you go onto the website, click on "locations" and then "Dive sites" and "Marine life".

As for safari parks, it depends on your budget. On the lower end is the Kruger National Park, www.krugerpark.co.za. You will need to hire a car to drive yourself around the park.
If your budget is not an issue, try one of the private game parks like Sabisands, www.sabisands.co.za. The service is excellent and the game drives spectacular. Game rangers will take you out and make sure you see all the wildlife there is to see in the 2 or 3 days you are there.

Hope this helps

 

[maxITA]

Thanks for your reply.
What's the difference from dive in Protea Banks and in Aliwal Shoal ?
I have seen this diving center : http://www.africanodyssea.co.za
Do you know ?

Thanks a lot

 

[Zambezi]

Protea Banks is SHARK diving. If you definitely want to see sharks, that's the place to go.

Aliwal is more reef and wreck diving. Of course there's always the chance of seeing sharks Aliwal as well.

I've never dived with African Odyssey but all the reviews I've read in our local magazines have been very good. I see they offer both Protea Banks and Aliwal Shoal in a package, not a bad option at all.

Cheers

 

[maxITA]

Do you know some internet site when i can found some Dvd on these dive ?
Protea / Aliwal / Sodwana etc....

Thanks in advance.
max

 

[Zambezi]

Check out out these sites, they all sell DVD's

http://www.mickclarke.co.uk/aliwal_shoal_diving_information.htm
http://www.aliwalshoal.net/DVD Aliwal Shoal.htm
http://www.underwaterfilming.co.za/productions.html
http://www.africanscuba.com/
http://www.adventurescuba.co.za/protea-banks.htm

 

[Zambezi]

Max, have a look at the combined tour on Andy Cobb's site. If you want to dive the best of South Africa, Southern Mocambique and do some game viewing it looks like an excellent package.

Spankey is diving with Andy Cobb this weekend and giving a full report back.

http://www.adventurescuba.co.za/tours.htm

Combined Tour

14 DAY ALIWAL SHOAL - PROTEA BANKS – SODWANA - MOZAMBIQUE - WILDLIFE SAFARI

Day 1:
Arrive Durban - Met by Eco Diving & Safaris. Transfer to Umkomaas south of Durban stopping on the way to sort out hire gear at Eco Diving & Safaris. Overnight on B&B basis. Dinner at nearby restaurant for own account.

Day 2:
Early morning start for 1st dive on Aliwal. Back for
breakfast. 2nd dive. Afternoon relax. Overnight B&B basis.

Day 3:
3rd and 4th dive on Aliwal. Transfer to Shelly Beach.
This is on B&B basis. Dinner at nearby restaurant.

Day 4:
1st dive on Protea. Back for breakfast. 2nd dive . Overnight Guesthouse.

Day 5:
3rd and 4th dives on Protea. Overnight Guesthouse

Day 6:
Transfer to Sodwana Bay. Overnight Lodge on dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

Day 7:
2 dives Sodwana. Overnight Lodge DB&B.

Day 8:
2 dives Sodwana. Overnight Lodge.

Day 9:
Transfer to Mozambique. Overnight chalet B&B.

Day 10:
2 dives Mozambique. Overnight chalets B&B.

Day 11:
2 dives Mozambique - Overnight chalets B&B.

Day 12:
Transfer to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi for safari. Overnight in the park on dinner bed and breakfast basis.

Day 13:
Full day game viewing - optional night game drive - overnight in park DB&B.

Day 14:
Optional early morning walk with ranger in the park. After breakfast transfer to Durban.


Cheers

 

[ShoalDiverSA]

Max,

Unfortunately, you won't be able to see Ragged Tooth Sharks at the time of year you are visiting. But all other species are possible/probable. If sharks are a big interest, you must dive Protea Banks.

Cheers,

Andrew

 

[Palauman]

You might want to check http://www.africandiveadventures.co.za
Nice site, even nicer free photos on their images page.