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* Excluding
airfare. Based on shared accomodation. All flights and expedition
costs are subject to change without prior notice until confirmed
reservation.
About The "Big 7"
Concept
South Africa, savanas and its neighboring countries such as Namibia,
Botswana are teaming with wonderful wildlife, scenery and amazing
marine wildlife along the immense coastline.
After half a dozen trips to South Africa for the great
white shark, the whale shark and the Sardine Run, I have realize
that there is more to this sub continent than just diving or the
usual "Big Five" safari on land.
I have tested the concept of merging these two most
appealing photographic opportunities the on land "Big Five"
safaris (lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant & rhino) and the two
most impressive marine creatures, the awesome great white shark
and the amazing whale shark.
Once I'd reviewed all the selected images on the light
table, the concept emerged in front of my eyes. I thought to myself,
there must be four people out there in the world that, with long
range planning, can take off for 30 days and experience the ultimate
in wildlife photography... Are you going to be one of those lucky
people?
Tour Price Includes:
- 29 nights overseas. 12 nights between Gansbaai
and Simonstown, plus 17 nights on safari
- All meals except dinners while in South Africa
(diving program)
- Eight days cage diving. Four days shark breaching
and 17 days safari in Botswana.
- All diving services. Weights. Private charter
vessel
- Private safari vehicles, tents and guides
- All entries fees, park and special permits
- Amos photography seminar, 'Big Animals' and
photo coaching
- Only four participants
- All local taxes
Not included in Tour Price.
- International and domestic airfare and charter
flight during the safari
- Overweight luggage
- Overnight in Johannesburg (last day)and transfers
- Meals which aren't specified, drinks and
dinners in South africa
- Gratuities to the local guides. Airport Tax
- Insurance - we strongly recommend you buy
your own travel, health and diving insurance
- Additional costs incurred due to independent
travel arrangements.
Payment Policy & Deposit:
When we receive your deposit, we will send you a comprehensive and
detailed Trip Preparation Bulletin about the experience and the
destination. All flights and trip costs are subject to change without
prior notice until confirmed reservation.
- A non-refundable deposit of $11,500 is required
to secure a space on the trip
- Full payment is due no later than 90 days before departure.
- We reserve the right to sell any space that is not paid in full by 60 days before departure.
- Refund is made if replacement was found less unrecoverable costs of sales, administration special promotion.
- Cancellation must be made in writing, 90 days before departure.
- No refund is made for unused part of the itinerary.
What to Bring Along South Africa
DIVING PROGRAM
We will be in South Africa during the fall season. Warm clothes
- Polartec jacket, raincoat and windbreaker are recommended.
Outside temperatures can be from 50 - 65 degrees. Casual clothing
is fine throughout South Africa. Jeans and/or khakis, and layering
options are a traveler's best choice. Also recommended are a hat,
sun glasses, sunscreen, etc. Please remember all of your medical
requirements. Remember, bring your passport and c-card. Phone cards
and credit cards are widely accepted throughout the country. Consult
you doctor for Malaria prescription!!!
Scuba Diving Equipment
You must bring your own exposure suit. We strongly recommend that
you bring a Dry Suit . We also highly recommend that if you have
no experience in Dry Suit diving that you take course and/or a refresher
course. Polartec undergarment for your Dry Suit, dry gloves. Sweat
shirt and pants. Regulator, mask (bring spare mask) and snorkel.
Weight belt, (weights will be provided) and ankle weights. Diving
gloves and diving hood. Spare parts and tools.
Travel Documents
US citizens are required to have a valid passport and round-trip
air ticket.
BOTSWANA - SAFARI PROGRAM
Botswana is the northern border of South Africa and inland therefore
the safari portion of the expedition is not affected as much by
the winter season as while we are on the diving program. Day time
it will be warm, perhaps even hot when the sun is up. The night
are cool to cold.
Layers of clothing and casual are best during the
safari. Keep the color muted - khakis & whites work best to
keep us camouflaged and reflect the heat of the sun. Dark colors
absorb the heat which well make you uncomfortable.
Colorful clothing are easily spotted by wild animals
and scare them away. No aftershave or perfume while on the safari
since the animals have very keen sense of smell. Hat, good sun glasses
which keep UV and glare away. Sun block, at least 30.
Check with your doctor for any medication or inoculation
that is necessary for this part of the world. Malaria pills are
highly recommended.
The following are subject to
change:
- Cost of services which are not included in
the expedition price
- The vessel may change however, the number of participants will
not exceed 6 divers
- Weather and water conditions. The behavior and sighting of all
wildlife are not predictable
- I will confirm and update whatever information humanly possible
30 days prior to departure
A general note:
Although we have reported honestly and accurately about our sightings
and experiences in South Africa, we would like to point out that
we are working in the wilderness and despite all of our good intentions
and utmost preparation, Mother Nature may not cooperate with us
everyday to the tee, and the Great White Sharks and the "Big
Five" are not on contract with us. When we are at sea we are
not at Sea World and when we are on the Okavango Delta we are not
in the Zoo.
We trust our previous experiences and our expert guides
in the field - so far our record is receiving high marks. We believe
that with good planning and a realistic approach, you will have
a successful time with us in South Africa and Botswana to experience
the ultimate in photographic opportunities.
For Booking and/or further
questions, contact Amos:
Phone: (415) 923-9865
Toll free: 877-229-4253
Email:
We look forward to you joining
us on this adventure of a lifetime!
To join us, please complete the Registration
Form
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Day 1:
Depart South African Airways to Cape Town,
South Africa.
Day 2:
Arrive in Cape Town - after clearing customs and Immigration. A
representative of Marine Dynamic Diving Adventures will meet us
at the airport. Transfer to Gansbaai (about 90 minute’s drive
from Cape Town) and get situated in our private B&B.
Day 3 – 9:
Start our cage diving program for the next eight days. We will be
picked up every morning at about 9AM for the drive to Gansbaai port
(about a 5 minute drive). At the wharf, we load our gear on board
the boat and depart toward Dyer Channel. Dyer Channel is about a
20 minute cruise from the wharf. We return to the wharf every afternoon
by sunset (weather permitting) and transfer back to our Bed &
Breakfast.
The uniqueness of your adventure is enhanced by operating with a
small intimate group of 4 guests, allowing you excellent photo opportunities
and coaching. I will share my time and experience together with
you according to the action everyday.
Day 10:
After a day of cage diving, we pack up and transfer to Simonstown
to film breaching great white sharks.
Day 11-13:
Depart early every morning at about 6:00am and cruise to Seals Island
at False Bay and the place also called “Ring of death”.
Until about 11AM, we will tow a seal dummy in order to attract a
Great White Shark into its launch out of the water, taking the seal
dummy into its powerful jaws.
At early morning hours, from 07:00 till 08:00
when the rising sun is still low and behind the mountains, we have
a good chances to witness a natural predation of Great White Sharks
leaping out of the water and feeding on seals that are returning
from night fishing back to the safe shore of Seals Island. You can
see photos of this behavior on this web site just as you may have
seen on the Discovery Channel.
Day 14:
Depart Simonstown to the airport in Cape Town (only 60 minutes away)
for our flight to Victoria falls and commence our safari…
Day 15:
Arrive Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe where you will be met and transferred
by road the short distance across the border to Kasane airport,
Botswana. From Kasane airport you will be transferred by light aircraft
to Xakanaxa in the Moremi Game Reserve (where we will meet you)
arriving in time for a late lunch. Immediately after lunch we will
set off on our first afternoon wildlife viewing. We will base from
our own remote bush camp at an exclusive campsite for four nights.
Days 16 to 18:
Full days wildlife viewing in the Xakanaxa area. This is an area
surrounded by both the permanent and seasonal waters of the Okavango
Delta and has a mixture of habitats ranging from lagoons, malapu’s
(seasonally flooded plains) and grass areas to various woodlands
which combine to give the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife
in one of the most scenically beautiful areas of Botswana. Many
antelope species with herds of buffalo and elephant frequent this
area. The area is home to prides of lion, and it is one of the best
areas for spotting leopard.
Day 19:
A full morning wildlife viewing on route to the Khwai River area
of the Moremi Game Reserve, where we will aim to arrive in time
for lunch. After lunch we will set off on our first afternoon of
wildlife viewing in this area, arriving at another of our exclusive
campsites at sunset.
Days 20 & 21:
Full days wildlife viewing in the Khwai River Area. The Khwai River
marks the furthermost reaches of one of the Okavango Delta’s
fingers of water and so the resultant surrounding woodlands, open
floodplains and a fluctuating river make this area different from
other areas in Botswana. The wildlife viewing along the river includes
hippo, reedbuck and plentiful water birds while the floodplains
attract the zebra, tsessebe, impala and warthogs, and in the woodland
areas elephant, giraffe, kudu, roan and sable antelope. This is
another good area for leopard sightings as well as for seeing prides
of lion and packs of wild-dog.
Day 22:
Our early morning wildlife viewing will continue along the tail-end
of the Khwai River, over the sand-ridge, into the Mababe Depression
and to the Savuti area of the Chobe National Park, again aiming
to arrive in time lunch. After lunch we will continue our wildlife
viewing, with the day typically ending watching the sunset at one
of the waterholes that are so vital to the wildlife of this dry
area. The next three nights are based from another of our exclusive
campsites.
Days 23 & 24:
Full days wildlife viewing in the Savuti area, famous for its prides
of lions and other predators such as cheetah, hyena and wild-dog.
This area has a good variety of game and is also the best place
to see, photograph and learn about the large numbers of bull elephant
that are special to this area.
Day 25:
Our morning wildlife viewing will take us out of the Savuti area
and on through thick Kalahari sands and beautiful teak woodlands.
After a short stretch driving through villages (where there will
be an opportunity to buy traditional hand-made baskets and crafts
from the local village co-operative), we will come to the Chobe
river area of the Chobe National Park where we will continue our
days wildlife viewing, ending at sunset at another of our exclusive
campsites.
Days 26 & 27:
Full days wildlife viewing in the Chobe National Park. This area
has good wildlife viewing all year round thanks to the permanent
water of the Chobe River. The mornings here are best spent in search
of the lions, as well as taking time to appreciate the other animals
and birds that one comes across. This permanent river attracts a
huge variety of wildlife and is the only place in Southern Africa
where the puku can be seen. The afternoon highlight is viewing the
breeding herds of elephant and buffalo that come down to the river
to drink. On one of the afternoons we will take a boat trip on the
river to view the animals from a different perspective.
Day 28:
Our last morning wildlife viewing followed by a picnic lunch before
arriving at Victoria Falls. In the afternoon we will visit the world
famous Victoria Falls itself. One will soon see where it gets its
traditional name from - “Mosi oa Tunya”, the smoke that
thunders. We will have dinner at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge
and will overnight at Lokuthula Lodges. Lokuthula Lodges are beautiful
brick and thatched buildings that overlooks the Zambezi National
Park. Warthogs, monkeys and baboons are frequent visitors to the
grounds, and elephant and buffalo can often be seen in the valley
below. There is a swimming pool in the grounds and a floodlit waterhole
will enable you to watch the animals coming down to drink at night.
Victoria Falls is also the centre for a number of adventure activities
such as the best one-day white-water rafting in the world, horse
or elephant back riding and scenic flights over the Falls. (For
additional activities you will need to spend two nights.)
Day 29:
An early breakfast followed by another chance to view the Falls
in a different light or to walk upstream from the Falls along a
winding, twisting path among beautiful riverine vegetation. You
may prefer to wander around the curio markets of the town and pick
up mementos in the form of stone and woodcarvings (Zimbabweans have
the reputation of being Africa’s best carvers). We will transfer
you to Victoria Falls airport in time for your onward connections.
The mobile camp is a fully serviced camp with
comfortable 3m x 3m walk-in dome tents that are insect-proof and
furnished with camp beds, mattresses, duvets, pillows and a few
other items for your personal comfort. Washstands, toilets and hot
showers are also provided. Our camp can be thought of a scaled-down
version of a permanent tented camp but without losing any of the
standards and comforts. Quality, freshly prepared meals of a high
standard fit around the game-driving schedule, so as not to be a
detriment to possible wildlife viewing experiences and opportunities.
You will have exclusive use of our specialized open safari vehicle,
which is designed for maximum wildlife viewing and comfort, and
is ideal if you are interested in photography. This enables us to
concentrate on your special interests.
The exclusive campsites that we use are for the
use of members of HATAB (Hotel and Tourism Association of Botswana)
only, and only one company is allowed in each site at any one time.
This means that only your group and ourselves will be in the sites
reserved so enabling us to give you a totally exclusive safari.
All these sites are set within the prime wildlife areas of the National
Parks and Game Reserves, and are set away from the public campsites
and the permanent camps and lodges. There are no fences and so the
animals can wander freely through the camp. The hyena is a regular
night time visitor, and elephant and occasionally buffalo wander
through. When in these sites you feel as though you have Africa
to yourself, and it is an experience that cannot be beaten or forgotten.
The vehicle used and the mobile safari camp will be for your exclusive
use, Amos will be your personal guide and photo expert
on hand.
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