South Africa

Beyond the Long Break | 10 nights | Couples & Small Groups | Valid All Year Round | Fly to Durban

Places: Durban & Aliwal Shoal; Maputaland & Sodwana Bay; Cape Town and Gaansbai
Activities:  Scuba diving; shark-cage diving; go up Table Mountain in Cape Town; visit Robben Island; food, wine and shopping in Cape Town

Depart Chennai after midnight and arrive into Dubai in the morning. Take a quick connecting flight from Dubai direct into Durban, arriving in the later afternoon. Transfer to your hotel.

You will be collected from your hotel in Durban, and transported in comfort to Umkomaas, Aliwal Shoal. Aliwal Shoal is also famous for the large numbers of ragged tooth sharks to be found from July - December on an annual basis. You will have an hour to kit up and listen to the briefing from the divemaster, before boarding the boat. After your first dive, enjoy a slap up breakfast before embarking on a second dive. There are many varied dive sites on the shoal, some of which are suitable only for advanced divers, but definitely lots to please all. Return to Durban in the later afternoon.

Early morning, you are transferred by road to Sodwana Bay (3-4hours). Accommodation is in an excellent diving lodge with ensuite facilities, air-conditioning and fantastic views. Five nights at 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. Spend 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.

Depart for Durban by road and then fly to Cape Town. On arrival in Cape Town, you are transferred to your hotel.

In the evening, visit the chic Victoria & Alfred Waterfront to take in the romantic atmosphere of the city. Have an early dinner at a restaurant or back at your hotel.

You are picked-up early in the morning at 0630hrs and transferred to Kleinbaai (2.5hrs), a little village about 2km east of Gaansbai (the great white shark capital of the world!). Then board a high-speed boat with other participants on the trip out to Dyer Island and Shark Alley for the experience of your life. Lunch is included. You return to Kleinbaai at 3-4pm. Then transfer back to Cape Town arriving late evening. (Due to adverse weather conditions, the trip could get postponed; hence its better to do this trip out of Cape Town, so that you have other things to do while you wait till the next day)

In the morning, go up Table Mountain when the crowds are less and the air is clear and crisp. Take the cable car to the summit of South Africa’s most recognized icon for the most spectacular views of Cape Town.

In the afternoon, visit Robben Island. Declared a Cultural World Heritage Site, Robben Island is where former president Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for more than two decades. Catch the hourly ferry from the V&A Waterfront. On your return, get in some shopping at the V&A Waterfront, with loads of restaurants, bars and shops housed in restored warehouses.

Drive to Cape Town Airport and drop-off vehicle. Then fly to Dubai and India.