14 Night SCUBA Diving and Safari Experience
Itinerary

Day 1:
Arrive at Durban airport in the early afternoon. Transfer over to the Aliwal Shoal Dive Centre in the Umkomaas followed by a greeting by the owners. Explore the surrounding area and have dinner at one of the local restaurants.

Day 2:
Enjoy 2 morning dives in the exquisite Aliwal Shoal area followed by a full English breakfast. Spend the afternoon relaxing around the pool or exploring the local area. You can even take in a few rounds of golf at the course literally over the road from the Lodge.
[Breakfast is included]

Day 3:
Today you will enjoy a baited tiger shark dive in the sea around Aliwal Shoal – marvel in wonder at the magnificent tiger shark as you observe one or more of them from a respectful distance eating from a bait box lowered to approximately 5 to 8m below the surface. The dive usually lasts for over an hour and you will learn a lot about the tiger shark’s habitat, feeding habits and behaviour. This is a truly spectacular experience to treasure forever. Please note that the baited tiger shark dive may be done on a different day of the trip if the situation and conditions make it safer for this to be the case.
[Breakfast is included]

Day 4:
2 morning dives inclusive of a full English breakfast, followed by the afternoon off to relax and explore.
[Breakfast is included]

Day 5:
1 morning dive at Aliwal Shoal followed by breakfast and a transfer to Sodwana Bay, stopping on the way for lunch. Arrive at Sodwana Bay in the afternoon and spend the rest of the day exploring the local town, or simply relax by the pool or bar.
[Breakfast and dinner are included]

Day 6:
Today includes 2 dives at the dives sites at Sodwana Bay, which boast more marine life than the Great Barrier Reef. The rest of the day is free to explore the golden sandy beaches or to partake in any of the many activities available to visitors.
[Breakfast and dinner are included]

Day 7:
1 morning dive followed by a break for lunch. The afternoon is spent enjoying a quad bike experience over the sand dunes that make up Sodwana Bay.
[Breakfast and dinner are included]

Day 8:
2 dives at the dive sites around Sodwana Bay, followed by the rest of the day off to relax and explore.
[Breakfast and dinner are included]

Day 9:
Today you have a day off with no pre-booked excursions, which leaves you free to choose which of the many local activities you would like to partake in. You can of course book extra dives for today if you wish, either in advance with us or through the Dive Centre the day before. Alternatively you can just spend the day relaxing by the pool and enjoying the peace and quiet.
[Breakfast and dinner are included]

Day 10:
1 last morning dive at Sodwana Bay followed by your transfer to Ubizane Wildlife Reserve or Mkuze Falls Game Lodge. The choice is up to you which you stay at depending on what level of luxury you wish to enjoy (please see our ‘Destinations’ page for more information to help you make your choice). You will arrive in the afternoon and spend the rest of the day relaxing. In the late afternoon or early evening you will then be taken on a game drive in an open safari vehicle led by a qualified field guide.
[Breakfast and dinner are included]

Day 11:
Today is all about the bush, and you will be taken on an early morning game drive as well as a late afternoon or early evening game drive. The rest of the day is spent relaxing or exploring the camp area for smaller game.
[Breakfast and dinner are included at Ubizane Zululand Safari Lodge, whilst if staying at the fully inclusive Mkuze Falls Game Lodge all meals are included]

Day 12:
Today you will be taken on the short transfer to the world renowned Hluhluwe Game Reserve, where you will be staying at Hilltop Camp. You will spend the drive to the camp looking out for the many animals inhabiting the park, including the Big 5. After having settled in to the accommodation you will be taken on an evening game drive with a fully qualified field guide. These drives typically last between two and three hours.
[Breakfast and dinner are included]

Day 13:
You will start the day with an early morning game drive into the bush, before returning to camp to relax. You can pass the time exploring the camp trail around the perimeter fence learning about the local flora and fauna, or simply unwind around the beautiful swimming pool. You will then be picked up for a late afternoon or evening game drive through the bush with a field guide, watching the sunset and hoping to spot some nocturnal nightlife.
[Breakfast and dinner are included]

Day 14:
Similarly to day 13 you will be taken on both an early morning and late afternoon game drive, with the time in between being purely at your leisure.
[Breakfast and dinner are included]

Day 15:
After your last breakfast at Hilltop Camp you will be transferred to Durban airport, making the most of any last minute game spotting opportunities offered by your drive from the camp to the park gate.
[Breakfast is included]


Meals

Whilst staying at Aliwal Shoal a full cooked English breakfast is included for each night spent there. There are numerous restaurants within walking distance from Aliwal Shoal Dive Centre and Lodge where you will be staying so there is a choice of places to eat in the evenings – please feel free to ask your hosts at the Dive Lodge for restaurant recommendations. The closest restaurant, The Shoal, is literally around the corner from the accommodation, and does very good food at decent prices. Their seafood is particularly good.

During your stay at Sodwana Bay Dive Lodge a full cooked buffet breakfast and dinner is included at the onsite Leatherbacks Restaurant. Breakfast consists of a hot buffet, toast, cereal, fruit and tea or coffee and can be enjoyed before heading down to the beach for your first dive of the day. Dinner is chosen from a full menu and includes a choice of steaks and seafood. The portion sizes are very generous and the food is highly rated.

Please note that drinks with dinner are not included in the price. Lunch is not included, but Leatherbacks is open over lunchtime and offers a variety of snacks and light meals at very decent prices. Adjoining the Leatherbacks restaurant is the on-site bar, where you can relax and enjoy a drink after your dive and well into the evening, possibly whilst watching any current sports events on the TVs there.

At Ubizane Wildlife Reserve both a full buffet breakfast and dinner of traditional African cuisine are included in the price of the trip. Lunch is not included but you are welcome to enjoy a light lunch from the room service menu. You will have a full kitchen with all of the usual facilities at your disposal should you wish to cater for any cooked lunches or snacks yourself.

Accommodation at Mkuze Falls Tented Camp is fully inclusive and consists of three stunning meals per day, high tea, beverages and snacks during your game drives and room service meals.

Meals are prepared by highly experienced chefs who are used to entertaining dinner guests to a spectacular culinary delight. The menu is changed daily and includes traditional South African food such as locally caught venison and braais (barbeques), the latter being served outdoors under the stars and accompanied by a show by traditional Zulu dancers.

Meals at Hilltop Camp are served at the Mpunyane Restaurant and consist of a hearty full cooked English breakfast and a la carte dinner. The dinner offers a variety of both hot and cold foods, and during good weather a traditional braai (barbeque) may be served. Please note that it is recommended that you book your table for dinner earlier in the day during busy periods. Cold drinks and alcoholic beverages may be enjoyed in the eloquently decorated safari lounge, which offers an astoundingly beautiful view of the surrounding valleys within the reserve.