SODWANA BAY DIVING & ZULULAND SAFARI MAY 2020 - Dive Shack UK

SODWANA BAY DIVING
                                                         & ZULULAND SAFARI
                                                             MAY 2020
                                  .     .

                                                 £1400 Per Person Sharing
                                                   ARRIVE: Durban - King Shaka International Airport
                                                   DEPART: Durban - King Shaka International Airport

                                                  HIGHLIGHTS:
                                                  *St Lucia - Estuary Cruise
                                                  *Zululand - Cheetah Project experience
                                                  *Sodwana Bay - Scuba Diving
                                                  *Hluhluwe iMfolozi National Park - Game Drive in open vehicle

From the culture of the Zulu nation to the warm Indian Ocean shores and incredible African wildlife. Pristine
beaches, excellent diving to big game viewing and bush walks with a local ranger. This is an easy paced,
relaxing dive holiday and safari for those looking for a different diving experience, and some of the best
diving South Africa has to offer.
Note: You fly into and out of King Shaka International Airport in Durban on the first and last day of tour.
Transport included.
Overnight - The accommodation on this tour is simple in style, with 9 nights in nicely styled, wooden cabins in
Sodwana Bay, inside the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Meals - 8 breakfasts, and 9 dinners are included. Lunches will be for own account due to the variety available
and so as not to restrict movement if extra activities are undertaken (except for in the game reserve where
two are included).
Scuba Dives - 10 Dives are included in the package. These are based on diving 2 Mile Reef. For further reefs,
which are weather and experience dependant, we will include a dive to explore 5,6,7,8 and 9 Mile Reefs as
well. Tanks and weights are included in the dive price, as is any extra equipment needed (BCD, Reg, Wetsuit
etc.)
Transport - We use a Sprinter minibus or similar with air conditioning (with trailer for diving equipment and
luggage) for the transfers to and from the airport, and to access the wildlife areas. Whilst in Sodwana Bay,
Coral Divers will provide the necessary transport.

SODWANA BAY DIVING SAFARI PACKAGE 10 May to 19 May 2020
                               ACCOMMODATION GRADE:- MID-RANGE

Day 1: DURBAN to ST LUCIA, ZULULAND [ Elephant Lake Hotel or similar - DBB]
Zululand... home of the nation forged by King Shaka Zulu - from the warm Indian Ocean, across the rolling
green hills to the Drakensberg Mountains in the East, it stretches northwards to Mozambique. You will be met
at King Shaka International Airport in Durban, at approximately 06:00am (or once your flight has landed,
luggage retrieved and Customs has been cleared). You will be traveling northwards up the East Coast of South
Africa, into the heart of KwaZulu-Natal known for its rich culture and spectacular wildlife. Our lodge for the
night is situated in St Lucia, gateway to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since
the flights arrives early in the day, we head straight through to St Lucia for “brunch” (own account) after which
we will be able to check in to the hotel and relax for a bit, before the Sunset Cruise on the estuary at around
4pm.
Day 1: Dinner provided by the hotel
Includes: Meet & Greet and transfer from airport to St Lucia, and Sunset Cruise.
Overnight: Elephant Lake Hotel - For 1 night we stay in the en suite rooms.
Driving Distance/time: 212km, ± 2½ hours, excluding necessary stops

Day 2: ST LUCIA - SODWANA BAY [Coral Divers Ensuite Cabin - DBB]
You will be able to enjoy breakfast before we depart St Lucia for the Cheetah Experience at Emdoneni,
followed by the scenic drive to Sodwana Bay. Upon arrival in Sodwana Bay, we will enter the park and drive
through to Coral Divers. You will be able to check in and then spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure,
enjoying the beach or perhaps a visit to the nearby Mseni Lodge for ‘sundowners’. Dive Planning takes place in
the main dining area at 6.45pm. Here you will meet your Divemaster and have any equipment requirements
sorted out. Dives for the following day are planned according to weather conditions predicted. Please note
however that we always re-assess on the actual day to give you the best possible experience. Dinner is a buffet
and this opens at 7pm. We have a fully licensed bar and drinks may be charged to your room to be settled on
departure.
Day 2: Breakfast provided by Elephant Lake Hotel
Day 2: Lunch for own account
Day 2: Dinner provided by Coral Divers
Includes: Entrance fees to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (both the gate fee and daily overnight fee).

Overnight: Coral Divers Resort - For 6 nights you stay in an Ensuite Cabin.
Driving Distance/time: 171kms, ± 2½ hours, excluding necessary stops (you travel slowly through a section of
the iSimangaliso Wetland Park)

Days 3-7: SODWANA BAY [Coral Divers Ensuite Cabins - DBB]
You start your dive holiday! This morning you will need to catch the Courtesy Beach Shuttle which departs the
resort at 45 minutes prior to your booked dive time. It is a short 2,5km ride through the park to the main
beach. Here, you will be taken to our gazebo and equipment kitting-up area where your Divemaster will show
you the ropes. We use 7m long RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats) that are designed for our unique style of surf
launching. Each boat will take a maximum of 10 divers (excluding the DM and boat skipper). All our boat
skippers are fully licenced and hold certification from the South African Dept of Transport. Further information
on the reefs of Sodwana Bay and our dive sites is available on our website www.coraldivers.co.za.
Day 3-7: Breakfast provided by Coral Divers
Day 3-7: Lunch for own account
Day 3-7: Dinner provided by Coral Divers
Includes: Entrance fees to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (both the gate fee and daily overnight fee).
Overnight: Coral Divers Resort - For 6 nights you stay in an Ensuite Cabin.
Optional Activities Microlight flights, Sharklife Museum etc.

Day 8: SODWANA BAY to HLUHLUWE-IMFOLOZI NP [KZN Wildlife Chalets - DBB]
Sadly this morning you depart Sodwana Bay... but now for another adventure! You will be transferred
approximately 2 hours by road (you have to drive slowly where you cross through the iSimangaliso Wetland
Park). Upon arrival at the park gate, the driver will need to fill in some paperwork and then proceed through to
the main camp. Keep on the look out here as you never know what you may see! You will check in to the
chalets and have an afternoon game drive, followed by dinner at the Hilltop Restaurant.
Day 8: Breakfast at Coral Divers
Day 8: Lunch own account
Day 8: Dinner at Hilltop Restaurant
Includes: Entrance fees to the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi National Park (both the gate entry fee and daily fees).
Overnight: Hilltop Camp - For the night you will stay in the KZN Wildlife chalets.
Driving Distance/time: 128kms, ± 2 hours, excluding necessary stops

Please Note: The distance and travel times quoted above are an estimate only, and subject to local road
conditions and the speed limits dictated by the iSimangaliso Wetland Park where applicable).
Day 9: HLUHLUWE-iMFOLOZI GAME RESERVE TO DURBAN
You will need to get up early on Day 10, and the game ranger will meet you to take you for the early morning
game drive in an open safari vehicle. KZN Wildlife park rangers are excellent at their job, and know the African
bush extremely well. He will introduce you to the wildlife and do his best to help you spot the Big 5, amongst
many other wonderful creatures to be found here. The drive will end around mid-morning and you will head
back to camp for breakfast and to check out. We explore more of the park on our way out, and the driver will
now take a leisurely route through the park to the iMfolozi section and the southern gate. We then head south
to Umdloti for our last night in South Africa.
Day 9: Breakfast at Hilltop Restaurant
Day 9: Lunch own account
Day 9: Dinner own account
Includes: Transfer to Greenfire Lodge in Durban
Overnight: Greenfire Lodge Twin Room.

Day 10: UMDLOTI TO KING SHAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Sadly today you depart South Africa. You will be transferred by road to King Shaka International Airport for
your return flight.
Day 10: Breakfast not included (flight)
Day 10: Lunch not included (flight)
Day 10: Dinner not included (flight)
Includes: Transfer to airport.
Overnight: N/A
Driving Distance/time: 4kms, ± 15 minutes

Package Price: (Valid: May 2020)
£1400 Per Person Sharing
(with a minimum group size of 9 pax)
Single supplement: To be advised

In a nutshell
* Zululand is an exciting destination with an exotic African flavor! Beautiful and unexplored...
* A holiday destination that offers an adventure in diving and an accommodated safari at a reasonable price,
  while staying inside the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Sodwana Bay and the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi National Park.
* Fascinating dive safari with culture, wildlife, adventure, diving, walking and beaches.
* Zululand wilderness, tropical beaches and great food!
* All inclusive price – We have ensured that your dive trip provides the best inclusions and experiences. When
  booking on our package there are no hidden costs. All of the entrance fees are included, and a wide range of
  activities, and most meals. We have included many highlights in our package, so that you will experience the
  highlights without having to pay extra when you get here.
* Safety – our fleet of boats are well maintained and pass annual inspections by the SA Dept of Transport. All
  vehicles used in transportation are properly licensed and maintained.
* Responsible travel - Our commitment to sustainable & responsible tourism is reflected in our low impact
  style where all we take is photographs and all we leave are our footprints.
* Experience - Coral Divers is the longest running dive operation in Sodwana Bay and has held the concession
  here for over 25 years. As such, our operation is constantly being perfected, ensuring your dive holiday will
  runs smoothly.

* Shopping - The Sodwana Bay Craft Market is a great place to explore, where local ladies show their
  incredible skill in grass weaving and beaded jewellery. No visit is complete without trying the Sodwana
  ‘pineapple ice-cream’... Apart from this, there is the Beach Shop for clothing, souvenirs and equipment
  purchases, as well as few local supermarkets for other essentials.
* Food - We pride ourselves on producing great meals for our guests and will provide dinner
 and breakfast each day, except for lunches where you are able to try out local restaurants (inside
 the game reserve it is not possible to do this so a packed lunch will be included). A great option is
 to pay a visit to nearby Mseni Beach Lodge for their fabulous cocktails, gourmet milkshakes and much more...
 **We cater for most special dietary requests (e.g. vegetarian or allergies.)

Common questions about this trip
Can I buy camera memory cards? Memory cards and other photographic accessories will be available several
times on tour. A camera with a zoom lens from wide angle to telephoto, 35-300mm, is advisable to capture
both scenic and wildlife shots.
Safety? Keep a careful eye on your belongings and don’t leave anything lying about - petty theft is not
impossible. In the wild areas your guide will brief you on the necessary precautions, follow this advice and you
will be fine. Be aware of your personal belongings and you will have a great trip!
Do I need malaria tablets? Yes, the trip passes through malaria areas and prophylactics are recommended for
the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi National Park. Sodwana Bay is a Low Risk area and as some prophylactics are not
compatible with diving, it may be an idea to start taking them only once the dives are completed.
Please consult your doctor before arriving in Southern Africa.