14 Day Sharks and Sardine Run 2018 ( Seaonal spectacle is the largest marine migration on the planet )

Start Point

Shark diving tour start from Durban

End Point

Shark diving tour ends in East London

Days

14 days & 13 nights

Price Per Person

USD 0.00 Twin/USD 0.00 Single


Tour Description

NOTE : DUE TO CORONA ALL OUR ADVENTURE TOURS ARE CURRENTLY ON REQUEST PLEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION OR DEPARTURES PLEASE  CONTACT OUR CONCIERGE SERVICE TEAM AT CONCIERGE@ABOVE-5.COM 

This spectacle is the largest marine migration on the planet and an uncontested bucket list item for any diver. Bait balls swirl through the water attracting predators from miles away. Sharks, whales, dolphins, marlins and others attack from below, Cape Gannets and Gulls attack from above…and in the middle…is you.

 

Can you just not get enough diving? Do you want to spend all of your holidays with your head under the water? Do you want it all, the sharks, the dolphins and the incredible Sardine Run?  look no further. This tour combines our amazing Sardine Run tour with the Shark Adventure of a lifetime. The epic Sardine Run takes place between June – July each year along the “Wild Coast” of South Africa. This spectacle is the largest marine migration on the planet and an uncontested bucket list item for any diver. Bait balls swirl through the water attracting predators from miles away. Sharks, whales, dolphins, marlins and others attack from below, Cape Gannets and Gulls attack from above…and in the middle… are you. As if that wasn’t enough, join the marine world’s APEX predators in their natural environment on the reefs of Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks. No other species are as powerful and graceful as sharks, as they glide past you in the water. These amazing animals are inquisitive, not aggressive towards divers and spending time with them underwater will be a cherished memory.

This tour will give you the ultimate diving experience. Prepare to see a lot of sea life such as silverfish, sharks, dolphins, whales, seals and penguins. The ocean awakes and the thrill is simply indescribable.

  •   Vehicle Adventure Truck
  •   Duration 14 Days    13 Nights
  •   From / To Durban to East London
  •   Meals 12 Breakfast   12 Lunch   11 Dinner
  •   Countries South Africa

Our tours come with an "Optional Activity Package".  You will need to purchase this package if you would like to partake in what we consider to be "essential activities" on our tours.  The Activity Package has been written into the itinerary of the tour so please keep this in mind as if you don't book the package, the activities won't be included.  We suggest that you prebook and prepay for your Activity Package to ensure availability.

NOTE FOR THE ABOVE-5 GUESTS THE OPTIONAL ACTIVITY PACKAGE IS INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE 

For more information please contact our concierge service team at  concierge@above-5.com 

Day 1 Durban to Margate

Place visiting
Shark and Sardine diving tour is starting with excitement
Description

Please note that during the next few days (while we are visiting Protea Banks and Aliwal Shoal), the order of activities could change without prior notice and a degree of flexibility is needed.  This is to allow for maximum dive opportunities and experiences based on conditions and weather. Please also note that should conditions prevent diving we will substitute an alternative activity. 

 Leaving the city of Durban behind us we make our way south along the dolphin coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal. About 2 hours north of Durban is the launch site for both Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks, home to some of the best Apex Predator shark diving. We arrive at the Dive House and settle in for our stay. This afternoon we will check all dive equipment, ensure the correct gear is allocated and have a dive briefing for the following days.

Day 2 Protea Banks Diving

Place visiting
Protea Banks baited dive
Description

Over the next three days we will have 5 dives on the Protea Banks Reef where we hope to see some of the worlds largest marine predators. During these three days you will also be offered a baited shark dive. Diving both North and South Pinnacles we will have the chance to collect Sand Tiger Shark teeth and explore caves, swim-throughs and tunnels. An optional Tiger and Bull Shark baited dive at Protea Banks will be offered during our stay. This dive takes place in open water, hanging in the blue whilst possible Tiger, Bull, Hammerhead and Oceanic Black-Tip sharks come in to investigate the scent trail around us. A full safety briefing and training session is included and this is a breathtaking experience.

Day 3 Protea Banks Diving

Place visiting
Dive on the Protea Banks Reef
Description

Today we will enjoy 1 Dive on the Protea Banks Reef, allowing for us to have the afternoon at Leisure and be fully rested for our 2 x Dives tomorrow.

Day 4 Protea Banks Diving

Place visiting
Protea Banks Reef, see some of the world’s largest marine predators.
Description

Today we will have our last 2 dives on the Protea Banks Reef, with this being our last chance to possibly see some of the world’s largest marine predators.

Day 5 Aliwal Shoal

Place visiting
Aliwal Shoal Baited Dive
Description

The following two days we spend diving the equally famous Aliwal Shoal. Renowned for Raggie Tooth Sharks congregating in their hundreds, dolphins and the baited shark dive. Each morning we will travel the hour from our Dive House in Margate to the launch site for Aliwal Shoal. Over the two days we will do 3 recreational dives on the Aliwal Shoal, including the famous “Raggie Cave”. The optional baited shark dive is well worth it, with Oceanic Black-Tip Sharks gathering in large numbers and possibly Tiger Sharks investigating the bait.

Day 6 Aliwal Shoal

Place visiting
Raggie Tooth Sharks
Description

Today will be our last diving day and also our last night in South Africa. Please make sure to make the most of your 1 Diving activity today as this will be the last chance to spot the Raggie Tooth Sharks.

Day 7 Durban

Place visiting
Burban and the beaches
Description

Durban has long been the favourite holiday destination for South Africans, the golden mile with its warm seas and safe swimming beaches attracts visitors throughout the year. This afternoon we have time to spend on the beaches of the golden mile.

Day 8 East London to Coffee Bay

Place visiting
This morning we will be transferred to King Shaka International airport, boarding our flight to East London
Description

Please note that during the next few days we will be subject to weather and ocean conditions and may not be able to launch each day. To account for this risk we have created this lengthy stay in Coffee Bay in order to ensure you have the best possible chance. Please also note that Nomad cannot guarantee Sardine Run action at any time and are only able to book tours in the best possible window to the best of our ability.

This morning we will be transferred to King Shaka International airport, boarding our flight to East London.  Upon arrival in East London, we will meet our crew.   Leaving the city of East London behind, we travel north along the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape to the small town of Coffee Bay, our launch site for the famous Sardine Run. After settling into your hotel you will have the chance to explore this stunning area and visit the iconic “Hole In The Wall”. This evening you will have a full briefing on the operating of the Sardine Run adventure over the next few days.

Day 9 Sardine Run

Place visiting
Great Sardine Run is a natural phenomenon in June and July , massive schools of sardines migrate , thousands of dolphins, birds, fish of prey, whales and sharks.
Description

The annual Great Sardine Run is a natural phenomenon that usually occurs during the months of June and July, when massive schools of sardines migrate from the colder waters around the Cape to the warmer waters of Kwa-Zulu Natal to give birth to their offspring. Once they’ve laid their eggs, they return to the Cape, closely followed by thousands of dolphins, birds, fish of prey, whales and sharks. The ocean awakes and the thrill is simply indescribable.

After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to Mapusi, the most spectacular, idyllic river mouth from where we launch our boat. On the banks of this river, divers get ready for the launch. The 4 x 4 drives the boat down into the river. Divers and the crew have to push the boat further until there is enough water under the keel and all rocks are cleared. Once it is safe, the skipper gets on the boat and starts the motors. When he has enough water under the keel, he calls all guests on. With speed the boat drives over the sandbank and into the waiting basin. Once all waves have passed, the skipper chooses the safest moment to launch out to sea.

In the meantime our plane has taken off and done a good fly over in search of animal activity. The skipper and the pilot are in constant radio contact whereby the boat gets directed to the best action on hand. Sardine Run Action consists not only of silver fish but more so of activities such as whales, dolphins, sharks and gannets. Wherever there is something happening the boat will go.

The highly experienced and skillful crew will approach anything interesting with great care and only when it is safe will the divers be allowed to enter the water. More often than not this will be done on mask and snorkel. There is a constant off-the-boat and on-the-boat which requires stamina and certain fitness. Obviously it is always the client’s choice if he wants to remain on the boat or jump into the water.

To make a long day out at sea as pleasant as possible we offer sandwiches, fresh fruit, chocolates, cookies, fruit juice and water on the boat.

Each day we will launch (weather permitting) and spend a full day out at sea to give you the best chance of action. We return by early to late afternoon each day when you will get a chance to rest, relax, hike the area and charge those all important cameras. Each evening we have a sumptuous buffet and bar for tales of the day just past.

For more information please contact our concierge@above-5.com or concierge@above5stars.com or chat with us via our website chat !!!

Day 10 till Day 13 Sardine Run natural phenomenon

Place visiting
Full day diving
Description

Full day diving (Weather permitting)

14 Day Coffee Bay to East London

Place visiting
Diving tour ends upon arrival at the International Airport or your extention hotel
Description

Today we will retrace our steps from Coffee Bay back to the town of East London, where your tour comes to an end upon arrival at the East London airport.  Please ensure you book your flights for as late as possible in the afternoon.

 

WE FROM ABOVE-5.COM HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED YOUR HOLIDAY AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOME AND TO SERVE YOU AGAIN IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

For more information please contact our concierge@above-5.com or concierge@above5stars.com or chat with us via our website chat !!!

IMPORTANT DIVE AND STAY INFORMATION

Place visiting
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Description

SHARKS AND SARDINE RUN

All information provided in this tour dossier is subject to change without prior notice, changes would always be in consideration of your safety first and a better quality experience. This would be where we are able to make  he tour/event. Overnight accommodation stops can change depending on road or weather conditions or any unforeseen circumstances. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the properties listed in this dossier, these are to be used as a guideline only. We recommend that you download the most up to date version of this tour dossier one week prior to your tour departure date. Partaking in an adventure tour in Africa involves c overing hundreds if not thousands of kilometres and our tours are as much about this journey as they are about the destinations we visit. Use your time during these drives to talk to your fellow travellers, have a drink and take note of the world passing by your window. Some roads you travel on will be smooth and easy while others could take up to an hour to cover 1 kilometre. There is just no telling what could happen with road, weather, traffic and other conditions that may exist that will either increase or decrease the amount of time you spend on the road so take your watch off, put your iPad away, turn off your phone and just relax. An average day could take anything from 5 to 14 hours, it all depends on the day... and that’s only an “average”!

Please ensure that you have downloaded and read a copy of the PRE DEPARTURE INFORMATION booklet as this document contains important information (e.g travel insurance, visas, your money, health etc) you need to know before you depart on tour.

Departure Information will be send to you by pdf format before departure 

Activity Package / There is no Activity Package on this tour.

Maximum Number of Passengers 20

After hours emergency contact Our reservations staff are available to receive emergency calls. We would like to request that you respect this emergency number and use it only in the event of emergencies. Please only contact this number if, for example, you have missed your incoming flight, you cannot find your airport transfer or you are running late for your tour departure.

If calling from outside South Africa: 0027 82 578 2199

If calling within South Africa: 082578 2199

Arrival / Departure Please be sure to arrive 1 day before your tour is due to depart. This will avoid any unforeseen problems. As the activities on your tour can be moved to any day during your tour, we also highly recommend that you book your flights to depart the day after the tour officially ends. Pre and Post Tour Accommodation

If you require accommodation before or after your tour we can arrange this for you. We can also arrange airport transfers contact your travel agent or Nomad to make these bookings.

Your tour will be departing from the following location East London Airport

Your tour will be ending at the following location East London Airport

Countries Visited South Africa

All information provided in this tour dossier is subject to change without prior notice, changes would always be in consideration of your safety first and a better quality experience. This would be where we are able to make improvements, sometimes last minute decisions due to the nature of the tour/event. Overnight accommodation stops can change depending on road or weather conditions or any unforeseen circumstances. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the properties listed in this dossier, these are to be used as a guideline only. We recommend that you download the most up to date version of this tour dossier one week prior to your tour departure date. Partaking in an adventure tour in Africa involves covering hundreds if not thousands of kilometres and our tours are as much about this journey as they are about the destinations we visit. Use your time during these drives to talk to your fellow travellers, have a drink and take note of the world passing by your window. Some roads you travel on will be smooth and easy while others could take up to an hour to cover 1 kilometre. There is just no telling what could happen with road, weather, traffic and other conditions that may exist that will either increase or decrease the amount of time you spend on the road so take your watch off, put your iPad away, turn off your phone and just relax. An average day could take anything from 5 to 14 hours, it all depends on the day... and that’s only an “average”! Please ensure that you have downloaded and read a copy of the PRE DEPARTURE INFORMATION booklet as this document contains important information (e.g travel insurance, visas, your money, health etc) you need to know before you depart on tour.

Departure Information will be send to you before departure in pdf format 

Activity Package There is no Activity Package on this tour.

Maximum Number of Passengers 20

After hours emergency contact Our reservations staff are available to receive emergency calls. We would like to request that you respect this emergency number and use it only in the event of emergencies. Please only contact this number if, for example, you have missed your incoming flight, you cannot find your airport transfer or you are running late for your tour departure.

If calling from outside South Africa: 0027 82 578 2199

If calling within South Africa: 082578 2199

Arrival / Departure Please be sure to arrive 1 day before your tour is due to depart. This will avoid any unforeseen problems.

As the activities on your tour can be moved to any day during your tour, we also highly recommend that you book your flights to depart the day after the tour officially ends. Pre and Post Tour AccommodationIf you require accommodation before or after your tour we can arrange this for you. We can also arrange airport transfers contact your travel agent or Nomad to make these bookings. Your tour will be departing from the following location East London Airport Your tour will be ending at the following location East London Airport

Countries Visited South Africa

What’s included

Meals (Breakfast x 6 / Lunch x 6 / Dinner x 6 ) (unless otherwise specified, all meals are prepared and served at the Nomad truck), accommodation, guides and transport. Your marine park entry permit will also be included in this tour. We also include some of the highlights. These highlights are listed below in the day by day descriptions as “included highlights”. What’s excluded Items of a personal nature (snacks, alcohol, bottled water, soft drinks, tips) / entrance fees (associated with optional activities / souvenirs / activity packages and optional activities.Insurance (Compulsory) Please also note that for this tour you will require a diving insurance policy that permits multiple dives and dives to a depth of 30m (we recommend DAN divers insurance). Diving insurance can be purchased from the DAN website, Travel insurance can be purchased by CLICKING HERE 

or more information please contact our concierge@above-5.com or concierge@above5stars.com or chat with us via our website chat !!!

LIFE ON A DIVE TOUR

Place visiting
Beter to be prepared
Description

Southern Africa

Southern Africa has adapted to its visitors needs and most who are involved in the tourism industry put a lot of effort into ensuring that guests have an incredible all-round experience while visiting.  You will find most of your home comforts here and be very surprised at how easy it is to find your way around – especially with English being widely spoken throughout all Southern African countries.  The infrastructure is sound and traveling in these areas is “comfortable”.

The Guides

Both crew members are trained and qualified guides, but only one may be tour leader (either the driver or the courier/cook).  Although our guides are qualified for the work they do, please remember they are human too.  Adventure tours place enormous demands on our guides due to the nature and duration of the tours.  Working 18 hours a day, week after week would place a strain on anyone so please don’t be quick to judge them and rather have a quiet conversation with them if you feel that there is an issue.  Guides do this job because they love Africa and want to share it with our guests so please treat them with respect and decency and you will get the same in return.

It should also be noted that guests often hold guides responsible for things that are out of their control, so please be fair to them, the guides are not personal servants, butlers or maids and may be handling a lot more than you are aware of.

Sometimes our tour leaders and drivers have to make a decision with regards to health, safety, security and circumstances beyond their control.  This may not always be a popular decision but as far as possible, your guide will take into account the wishes of the group as a whole, but your understanding and patience at these times will be much appreciated.  Sometimes both crew members will need to discuss the matter together, this means that you’ll not always have someone in the back of the vehicle to answer questions and remark on certain locations.  For anything that you would like to know or have explained, please ask the guides so they may assist.

In terms of the information that is provided on tour, some guests prefer more information, others prefer less so if you feel that you’re not receiving enough information, or that you’re receiving too much, please let the guides know so that they can do something about it.  It is always easier to sort this out on tour than to complain about it afterwards.

The Tour Leader has complete authority on tour and his/her decision is final however you do have our emergency contact number if you feel that you’d like to speak to someone in the office too.

Translators

On some of our tour departures we have German translators who are there to help guests who are not confident in speaking English.  Please keep in mind that these translators are often foreign students and are sometimes not acquainted with the tour.  They are not guides and are only there to help along with the communication between the guides and guests.  They are not specialized in tour guiding nor are they professional interpreters.  They will do line by line translations directly from the guide to the guest.

Tipping

In Africa tipping is not compulsory.  Tipping in restaurants is usually 10% for good service and more if you feel that you received exceptional service.  You do not normally tip taxi’s and we provide specific information with regards to tipping certain groups.  This information is in your tour dossier under “Optional Activities” or under “Tipping on Tour”.

Our guides do work hard, but they are also paid industry standards for this work.  Our Crew can be tipped if you feel that they have done a good job and/or gone above and beyond the call of duty.

If you feel pressured by a crew member to tip please do not hesitate to report this to us at ops@nomadtours.co.za.  Please use this address for any other feedback you have from your tour with us.  At the end of the tour you will be provided with a confidential feedback form where you are encouraged to rate the tour, service, and experience with Nomad. We use this feedback extensively in our efforts to improve our tours and we really do appreciate receiving this information from you at the end of the tour.  You’re more than welcome to email it to us if you’d prefer not to hand it to your guide, however please do let them know that you’ll be emailing it if you intend on doing this.

The Group

Travelling in a group offers many advantages and allows you to share the experience with like-minded fun-seekers!  It’s also a cheaper and more secure way to explore an unfamiliar continent.  Making friends with your fellow travellers will certainly help you make the most of your tour and an open mind may sometimes be necessary as we have a range of cultures and nationalities on our trucks.

The guides are there to ensure that the tour runs smoothly and this includes the group dynamic.  If you feel that someone is behaving in an unsociable way the mature thing to do would be to mention this in a non-confrontational way to the individual.  If you do not feel comfortable with this please speak to our crew.

You are travelling in a truck together and the best way to avoid petty conflict is to follow the Guide’s schedule with regards to keeping the truck and environment clean and tidy at all times, the fastest way to lose friends on tour is to leave your smelly hiking boots all over the place.

In all honesty, it is very rare that we have passenger conflict on tour and we feel very lucky that the Nomad guests have always been like-minded and considerate people and we hear far more stories about people making friends for life (as well as meeting future husbands and wives) than we do about the very rare unsociable passenger problem.

An average day on tour

The days usually start early and end late, although a lot of time is spent travelling, we do cram a lot into every day.  Expect some frustrations, you are in Africa and things don’t work that well sometimes.  Coming on tour with an open mind, flexible attitude and realistic expectations will ensure you have a great time.

An average day on tour begins around 6am and departure is after breakfast at around 7am.  There are some mornings that need a very early start to reach our next destination, or to photograph a spectacular African sunrise – it’s all part of the adventure.  Prepare yourself for the worst, especially in winter when days are shorter.  We lose approximately 5 hours of daylight in Winter so it may happen that you’re setting up your tent in the dark or that some optional activities are not available then.

We usually take a lunch-break en-route and depending on the distance to be covered, afternoons are often spent relaxing or exploring the lay of the land.  Usually every few days, we will spend a couple of nights at one venue to break the travel routine.

Travelling in our purpose built Trucks

The transportation on tour is a major component of all adventure tours. These tours are road trips and incorporate long drives, bumpy roads and possible mechanical problems, also, digging your truck out of mud is sometimes a considered a highlight.  These setbacks are what you make of them so please be prepared and note that we have trucks and not buses.  Your Crew will be very unhappy if you call them bus-drivers.

Nomad vehicles are amongst some of the finest on the road however do not forget the nature of an adventure tour, it is not a city to city coach liner trip and there is no airconditioning or toilets on the truck.  We also don’t provide up-market tours, our tours are still budget tours aimed at the adventurous traveller.

No bus or other vehicle is designed out the box to operate under the conditions in which our trucks run and this is why we build them ourselves.  We run a strict maintenance program and all of the trucks are on a permanent rotation schedule.  Unfortunately break-downs are not uncommon so if a problem occurs, please be patient as it can take time to resolve mechanical problems in Africa so make the best of the situation.  I can guarantee you that your guides and our operations team will have any situation like this as their top priority and will do all in their power to ensure that you get back on the road as soon as possible.

Distances and road conditions

All of our tours cover long distances on the roads of Africa as our passion is to show you the magnificent sights of this continent. This means that there will be many hours spent driving which cannot be rushed for the following reasons:

You are in a truck and not a sports car so expect average speeds of approximately 80kph, however there are roads where we are forced to reduce to speeds of 30kph due to bad roads conditions or safety concerns.  The guides will always have your safety as their first concern.

Distances between highlights are often on a bigger scale than those at home.  Often there is absolutely nothing between focal points except vast open deserts.  Most tours average approximately 350 km per day however there can be stretches of up to 650km in a single day and that’s a long way in a truck so be prepared.

We will be travelling along winding dirt roads and your safety is of paramount importance, please keep this in mind when you are tired, hot and irritable.

Communication

An enjoyable trip depends heavily on open and honest communication between yourself, the guides and your fellow passengers.  Many problems have their root in a lack of communication, misjudgements and assumptions.  Essentially, you have people from all over the world, taken out of their comfort zone, put in a box in the middle of Africa, shaken around and then expected to all get along.. it requires a positive attitude because essentially, you are all there for the same reason!

On Tour

When on tour be sure to keep the communication channels open with your fellow passengers and the guides.  This is the key to a successful trip.  If you are unhappy, please discuss it because problems cannot be resolved if no one knows that there is a problem. Feel free to approach your guides at any time because the smallest problems can turn into big ones very quickly!

How others can reach you

The easiest option to keep in touch with your loved ones at home is to buy a SIM card of the respective country you are travelling in. Usually you can get sim cards rather easily in major cities and in some instances vendors might even sell them at border posts.  The cost for a sim card is usually rather low (often between ZAR 20 and ZAR 30).  Please keep in mind though that this is an adventure tour and that there still might not be reception in a lot of the areas we travel through.

Although you may not be able to contact the outside world easily while you’re on tour, we track you constantly and are always able to find you.  Feel free to provide your family with our contact details and should there be an emergency of any kind at home we will be able to contact you almost anywhere.  Please bear in mind that in certain instances there may be a charge for this (in some areas there are not even radio facilities) should we have to physically send someone by boat, road or air to your camp site, the person we send will expect to be compensated.  Please inform your families that although we can find you – it must be a real emergency – as we will not be sending one of our local contacts 500km over terrible roads to remind you to change your underwear regularly!

In an emergency your family can contact us on nomad@nomadtours.co.za or by calling our offices on +27 21 845 7400 and if the call is outside of office hours the emergency contact number is +27 82 578 2199.

We advise that you should also contact family and friends before leaving and tell them that you are on an adventure tour and that you will probably be out of contact for that time.

There are telephones in some places but do not count on these being all that reliable!  E-mail facilities can be found in major towns and city centres, but it is often very slow and expensive.

Climate and weather conditions

Please ensure that you are familiar with the exact weather conditions to be expected on your particular tour and be prepared because the weather in Africa can be extreme.  In the rainy season, prepare to get wet and in the dry season, prepare to bake, the weather is part of an African adventure but it can be a tough taskmaster.

The African sun is fierce and we suggest a factor 50 sunscreen and that you wear a hat.  From October until April you can experience extremely hot temperatures and during the winter months the nights can be extremely cold, even dropping down to below zero, but the days are generally warm to hot.

In Southern Africa, the short rains are from October to December, but the main rainy season begins in February and can last until April, Cape Town on the other hand experiences a cold winter with lots of rainfall from April to September.

Please note that this is only a general indication and the weather is not within our control and sometimes the rains start earlier or finish later, or don’t come at all. Local conditions also prevail, for example if your accommodation is on the rim of a crater or close to the seaside, conditions can be affected by the geography of the area so prepare for all seasons.

Included on your tour are three meals a day (unless otherwise specified in your tour dossier). We are able to cater for specific dietary requirements to a degree, however please keep in mind that you are traveling with a group and the guides generally prepare meals on two gas burners so it may not always be possible for them to prepare regular, gluten intolerant, lactose intolerant and vegetarian meals all at the same time.

If you are vegan, the guides will provide you with salads, vegetables, fruits, rice, beans, pasta, cereals and breads however their budget and time does not allow them to shop for quinoa, seeds, nuts, tofu, soy milk and other protein substitutes. Please keep this in mind when going to the supermarket so that you can supplement these foods for yourself, it will be at your own expense, the guides will however store it for you in their fridge.

Please also discuss your dietary requirements with your guides and let them know if you’re not getting the correct food as everyone has different requirements and levels of intolerance. Our guides can produce miracles on a camp-stove however in today’s environment there are more of our guests who have specific requirements when it comes to their dietary concerns so please do help us with this where possible. In East Africa it is more difficult to cater to certain requirements as there is not always accessibility to a large variety of food types.

When traveling through Africa, the guides are briefed to shop at supermarkets as far as possible, as shopping at street vendors could be a health risk to the guests as there is no indication as to where or how the vendors grow, harvest and transport their produce. Guides have to be responsible and ensure that their produce comes from reliable sources and this can generally only be done by shopping at the supermarkets. The prevalence of street vendors also means that there is thieving from local farms who support the local industry, and this in turn means that the farms become unsustainable, leaving the community in a worse off position.

Breakfast:

As breakfast is served very early in the morning (if there is driving or activities to be done) it is a simple but filling breakfast: Tea and coffee, breads and spreads, cereals, yogurts, fruits and on occasion, when there is time for a later breakfast, guides will serve a hot breakfast of scrambled eggs, porridge, bacon or beans. when staying in hotel accommodation the breakfast will be taken in the hotel.

Lunch:

Lunch is generally served at a picnic spot next to the road en route to a destination. As the guides only have approximately 45 minutes to get everyone off the truck, prepare lunch and then get everyone back on the truck again, lunches consist of sandwiches and salads (rice salad, pasta salad, tuna salad or green salad) which are quick and easy to prepare but which are quite filling. They do have meal plans which they should stick to, to ensure that there is variety on a day to day basis.

Dinner:
This is when the guides get time to prepare a delicious meal and they focus on a substantial protein, vegetable and carbohydrate dinner. We serve traditional cuisine consisting of braais (BBQ), potjie (stew), bobotie (mince), spaghetti and fish and chicken dishes.

All meals (on both accommodated and camping tours) that are included as per the dossier are prepared at the full service adventure truck. This is a unique adventure in itself where you get to dine under the stars with your new found friends and experience the real sights and sounds of Africa!

Most evenings are spent at camp talking about Africa. Your tour dossier will have details of where you will be each night and the prices of meals if we are spending an evening at leisure in a city or town.

After or during dinner, guides will do briefings, please use this opportunity to discuss things with them.

Standards of food in East Africa are not as high as they are in Southern Africa as there is much less time for preparation (the days on the road are longer in East Africa), food is a lot more expensive and there is not as much variety available.

For more information please contact our concierge@above-5.com or concierge@above5stars.com or chat with us via our website chat !!!

WHAT TO PACK AND WHAT TO BRING

Place visiting
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Description

You should pack the following:

Kit for all weather conditions including:

  • 2/3 shorts/skirts
  • 1 jacket/anorak
  • Tracksuit/pullover
  • 2 pairs of long pants/jeans
  • 2 pairs of walking shoes/boots/trainers
  • 1 pair of sandals
  • 3 or 4 T-shirts/short sleeve shirts or sundresses
  • 2/3 Long Sleeve Shirts
  • Smart casual change of clothes
  • Swimwear
  • Underwear & socks
  • Sun Hat – preferably that covers the back of your neck.
  • Raincoat
  • Kikoi/sarong
  • Beanie and gloves if you’re travelling in Winter

Your clothing should be easy to wash and dry and should preferably not need ironing.  Avoid synthetics, which can be very uncomfortable in hot weather.  Many people underestimate how cold Africa can be – remember your jersey/jacket!  There are also nights that are warm but you must still wear clothes that cover arms and legs from mosquitoes, or there are days that are warm but nights that are freezing so plan carefully.  Take a set of casual but smart clothes for the occasional evening out in a restaurant or club.  If you wear glasses (or contacts) it is also advisable to bring a spare pair along.

Additional Items:

  • Towel & facecloth
  • Baby wipes/ Wet Wipes
  • Personal toiletries
  • Sleeping bag
  • Torch & enough spare batteries (headtorch is best)
  • Camera & spare batteries and memory cards
  • Water bottle. (A 2-litre Coke bottle works well)
  • Penknife
  • Insect and Mosquito repellent
  • Suntan lotion, sun block & after sun lotion
  • Sunglasses
  • Watch
  • Biodegradable laundry detergent
  • Passport (plus a copy of your passport & visas)
  • Extra passport photos
  • Vaccination certificate
  • Money
  • Small sewing kit
  • Plastic bags (Ziplock)
  • Clothes line and pegs
  • Small scrubbing brush
  • A small padlock for your luggage locker in the truck
  • Small basic First Aid kit (painkillers, band aids, after-sun lotion, eye drops, anti-diarrhoea tablets. )

Your luggage is limited to one backpack, one dive equipment bag and one daypack weighing no more than 20kg.  As a general rule, if you cannot lift your own luggage, you’ve got too much stuff!  Most people make the mistake of bringing too many clothes on tour, less is more in this instance.

Please keep in mind that this is an adventure tour in an adventure truck and luggage should not include any Samsonite style suitcases.  As the wheelie / trolley bags have a solid frame, they don’t squeeze into spaces the same way a backpack or a duffel bag does, some of the lockers are as narrow as 38cms.  If the frame does not fit these diameters, there aren’t many other places to put your bag and it will inconvenience everyone else on tour.  Also, by day two, the mud and stones will get into the little wheels on your wheelie bag and the novelty will be over and you’ll be carrying your suitcase from A to B.  They aren’t as comfortable to carry as a duffel bag and as you think you don’t have to carry it, you end up packing a lot more than you normally would.

A compact & flexible duffel bag is perfect for stashing into a locker or an overhead shelf.

 

Not a good idea to bring big suitecases 

A money belt is an excellent way to carry your important travel documents, cash and cards

 

Buy a small combination lock to put on your locker – this way there will be no keys that may get lost.

On our camping tours you will have to bring your own sleeping bag as we do not rent out sleeping bags. So it is very important that you don’t forget to pack or buy a sleeping bag before you leave on one of our camping tours. Nomad does provide mattresses, which are 5 cm thick, so you have a comfortable sleep. Pillows are also not provided, so if you would like to use one, please make sure you bring one with.

Day Packs

Please check the itinerary for your specific tour as generally you will need to take along a smaller day pack for excursions.

 

 

 

In Southern, both local currencies and US Dollars are widely accepted. The conversion rates for local currencies do however fluctuate quite regularly so if you plan on using local currencies in the countries you visit, please check the exchange rate before you depart on tour. An example of a website that you can use to check a currency against your own is www.xe.com.

The information below is subject to change however we do update it as frequently as possible so please feel free to send us feedback if you feel that the information is not as accurate as it could be.

Cash

If you are carrying US dollars, always make sure that they have been printed after 2005 and if possible, request that your bank provides you with notes that are not torn or severely creased as you may find that the bills will not be accepted if they are not in a good condition.

Request that your bank provides you with a range of bills so that you can use the smaller ones for tipping and the larger ones for settling bills if required.

Carry your cash in a flat money belt on your body however always keep a small amount in a more easily accessible place so that you can access it easily if required.

Credit cards

Most of the major Southern African cities do have credit card facilities available, however they may charge you a surcharge to use the facility. Visa and MasterCard are the two most widely accepted credit cards in Africa, while Diners and American Express may not always be accepted. Cards should have a chip and pin if you plan to use them to withdraw money from ATMs. Please be sure to advise your bank before you travel that you will be using your card in a different country as they may block access to your card if they do not know that you are travelling.

ATM / Debit Cards

ATM cards are a good way to withdraw local currency on arrival in a new country. This may not always be possible but it is an option in most cases. Cards should have a chip and pin. The amount that you withdraw depends on how long you will be in the country for and what you plan to spend your money on while you’re there.

Street Vendors

You may encounter black market traders on arrival in countries who will offer to exchange your US$’s for a more favourable rate than the banks. Please don’t be tempted to do this, it is not worth the risk or the hassle and it is not good practice to display your foreign currency.

FIND YOUR IDEAL TOUR

Africa is alive and waiting for you to discover her magic! Come and explore with us… Forever changing, shifting and reinventing herself, Africa continues to inspire, impress and amaze visitors…

ADVENTURE TOURS AND HOW THEY WORK

If you dream of having an authentic African adventure, a South African Diving Tour is one of the best ways to achieve it. We organise and plan everything for you, leaving you free to relax and really enjoy your African experience.

All our adventures are ‘off the beaten track’ and the emphasis is on the journey, as well as the destination. Unexpected events are part of the package and often add to your real-Africa experience.

Who should, and does, go on a South African Diving Tour?

South African Diving Tours are for people who have a zest for life and a lust for adventure. If you have an interest in people, places, animals and adventure, then these tours are for you.

Our groups come from all walks of life, and of various nationalities. Although there are often couples and groups of friends together, most travellers are single and the male-female mix generally works out about equal.

All tours, besides guaranteed departures, have a minimum of 4 people. Our dive tours average around 14 people with a maximum of 20. Single Supplements are limited to 4 per tour on all tours.

Experience has shown us that our adventure trips are suitable for the majority of travellers from ages 16 to 65. However, we do accept people older than 65 years because we believe age is a state of mind.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Each day in Africa is new and exciting. A portion of the day is spent travelling from one place to another. The tours can cover large distances and include plenty of highlights. A typical day with us starts at sunrise, making the most of every minute. Lunches are normally informal affairs on the side of the road or a local picnic spot. Evenings are spent socialising and relaxing at camp.

Our guides do most of the work, and on a dive tour your participation is limited to taking turns to assist with washing-up duties and loading your bags.

Vegetarians are easily catered for and are always impressed by our varied menu. Our guides can produce miracles on a camp stove. Special dietary requirements can be met by special request.

Once you have booked with Nomad we will send you a Tour Dossier and a detailed Pre-Departure Information document.

At Nomad we try to design our tours to be as flexible as possible so you can experience Africa in your own way. You can customise your itinerary by mixing and matching the adventures we offer. Tell us what you want and we can make it happen for you.

WHAT’S INCLUDED, WHAT’S NOT, AND WHY?

Let’s face it, there is no such thing as an ‘all-inclusive tour’. There are always extra activities that you can do but at Nomad there are no hidden costs and you remain in control of your choices and finances.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Transport in our specialised vehicles, the services of two qualified guides, a dive leader, meals, accommodation, specified activities and most National Park fees.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?

Visas, vaccinations, items of a personal nature, alcohol, snacks, activity package items and optional activities.

WHAT IS THE ACTIVITY PACKAGE (AP) FOR?

This is an optional additional payment that covers what we consider to be essential activities on our tours. Ideally, we would include all of these but not everyone can afford this. This payment is 100% transparent and is listed with the itinerary of the tour. If you cannot afford it, or do not want to do the AP, rest assured that your tour will remain uninterrupted and meals and the services of the guides will continue. All the itineraries in this brochure are written with the Activity Packages included.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE TOURS

We always been the premier foreign language tour operator. All our scheduled tours are conducted in English.

For more information please contact our concierge@above-5.com or concierge@above5stars.com or chat with us via our website chat !!!