Magical Dolphin - swim with dolphins, dolphin swim, dolphin & whale watch Ponto D'Ouro Mozambique

Dolphin tour dates

24 day tour South Africa (includes Swaziland and southern Mocambique)

This tour is designed for the real adventure addict and nature lover.
The most beautiful areas in South Africa have been selected, always with the perspective on the adventure activities that are offered there. It is definately a tour for active people who enjoy the great outdoors.
South Africa offers exceptional experiences with the african wildlife, spectacular landscapes and an unbeatable variety of activities.

Hightlights of this tour include:

Boatcruises and gamewalks (we get very close toRhino ( 15 metres!) at Loskop Game Reserve, game drives in Kruger National Park and Umfolozi Park to see a wide variety of african wildlife.

Hiking and mountainbiking in Swaziland.

Diving with the dolphins (and sometimes with whales, manta ray and whale sharks) at Ponta D'Ouro in southern Mosambique.

Hiking and horseriding in the spectacular Drakensberg mountains.

Seakayaking, hiking and mountainbiking in Tsitsikama and Knysna ( ‚Garden Route' of South Africa).

Boat cruise to Dyer Island to see sharks, whales, dolphins, seals and penguins.

The beautiful ‚Mother City' of South Africa - Cape Town.

On this tour you will experience South Africa as one of the prime adventure safari destinations on this planet.

Day 1:
Leaving for Johannesburg (South Africa).

Day 2:
Arrival in Johannesburg International Airport and transfer to Imbambala Lodge in the Loskop Game Reserve. The lodge is situated in a concession area where we will be alone to experience the african bush. During the afternoon we will do a boat cruise ( depending on the water level in the dam) or a game walk in the area. It is not unusual to see Rhino, Gnu, Zebra, Kudu, Waterbuck and many interesting waterbirds.
For the more adventurous there is the possibility of Abseiling down one of the cliffs in the area.
Overnight in the Imbambala Lodge.

Day 3:

After the boat transfer back to our vehicle we leave for the world renowned Kruger National Park. On the way there is a lot to be seen:

Blyde river canyon - a spectacular sight. This area is one of the most beautiful in South Africa.
God's Window' view point. A short walk in the small rainforest nearby.
Burkes Luck Potholes - interesting rock formations.

In the afternoon we arrive in the Kruger National Park - one of the largest parks in Africa. Apart from the ‚Big Five' ( Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino), the Park boasts with an impressive number of african animals to be seen.
Camping

Day 4:
In the morning and in the afternoon we do gamedrives in our vehicle. It is usually possible to get very close to the animals with the vehicle. The guide is very experienced and knows where the chance of seeing animals is the greatest.
Night gamedrives are possible (not included in the price).
Camping.

Day 5:
Swaziland is our next destination. This little kingdom ( ruled by king Mswati ) is rich in culture and beautiful landscapes.
In the afternoon we arrive at Sondzela in the Ezulwini Valley. If time allows we will visit a african market nearby.
Our Camping spot is situated inside the Mlilwane game reserve and also here there are zebra, warthog, hippo and other animals to be seen.
Camping in Sondzela.

Day 6:
We have the whole day at our disposal to enjoy the activities on offer (not included in the price):

Rafting on the Usutu river
Hiking to Sibebe Rock, the second largest granite rock in the world (after Ayers rock in Australia)
Mountainbiking in Mlilwane Park.
Adventure caving in one of the caves in the Ezulwini Valley.

The guide is there to assist with information and logistics.
Camping in Sondzela.

Day 7:
Our journey leads us through the huge sugar cane fields of Swaziland, along the Lebombo mountains and then on to Ponta D'Ouro by the Indian Ocean.
The speciality offered here is diving and swimming with the wild dolphins. Whales (humpback and southern right whales) are also often seen from June to October.
Overnight in Reed bungalows close to the beach. (Lunch and dinner at own expense).

Day 8:
During the morning we will go on a boat cruise looking for the dolphins.

Our skipper is a specialist with many years of experience on the ocean. Equipped with diving goggles and snorkel, small groups (not more than 4 at a time, as not to intimidate the dolphins) are dropped into the water after spotting the dolphins. The dolphins are not fed or trained, they seem to have a instinctive curiosity towards humans. They sometimes approach very close, and sometimes they show clearly that they are not ‚in the mood' to interact.
We may pass other ocean living creatures like the manta ray, sea turtles, seals and the impressive whale shark ( a shark that feeds on plankton, the largest fish species in the world).
After the boat excursion we relax on the beach, go for a walk or go diving in the nearby rock pools with goggles and snorkel to see the myriad of colourful fish living there.
It is also possible to do scuba diving in the spectacular coral reefs nearby (not included in the price). Overnight in Reed bungalows. (Lunch and dinner at own expense).

Day 9:
In the morning we again try our luck looking for the dolphins and (June to October) for whales. After this last boat cruise, we head to the border and cross back to South Africa and on to Khosi Bay. A beautiful scenery awaits us here: The Khosi area consists of a series of lakes (lagoons) the are aligned paralell to the dunes adjoining the ocean. Surrounded by palms and coastal vegetation, together with the crystal clear water of the lagoons, creates a spectacular vista of colours.
In the afternoon we do a walk in this beautiful area.
Camping.

Day 10:
In the early morning we walk down to Kosi mouth,- where the series of lagoons finaly find their way into the sea. This is also a renowned place to do snorkelling among the colourful tropical fish.
On our return to camp we pack and make our way to the wilderness area of False Bay Park, situated next to the Greater St.Lucia Wetland area ( a world heritage site).
Apart from the interesting vegetation and prolific bird life, there are numerous species of animals, most notably nyala, suni antilope (weighing only 5 kg), crocodile and hippo.
We pitch our tents next to the beautiful lake.

Day 11:

We rise very early to do game drives inside the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve. The Park comprises about 100 000 hectares of unspoilt african bush. A varied topography and changing vegetation zones make this reserve one of the most beautiful ‚Big 5' destinations in southern Africa. It is the major conservation success in regards to Rhino, with many being captured here and released in other parts of Africa where they are threatened with extinction. Elephant, giraffe, wild dog, lion, buffalo, zebra, leopard, baboon and cheetah make up only a small part of the fauna of this reserve.
We spend the whole day in the reserve, having lunch at one of the picnic sites inside the reserve.
In the afternoon we head back to False Bay Park, and, if time allows, we will do a walk along the shores of the lake. (For those who have a rod, it is possible to go fishing in the lake).
Camping

Day 12:
Our journey takes us along the coast of the Indian Ocean, past Durban and on to the spectacular Drakensberg range. (The whole mountain range has been declared a national park and a world heritage site!)
We will be staying in the southern part of the range, in chalets with a beautiful view of the mountains.
Depending on weather conditions, we may leave immediately on a hiking trip and overnight in caves in the mountains.
(We have the opportunity to ascend to Rhino peak ( 3050 metres above sea level!). It is a hike for the adventurous and physically fit).

Day 13:
We have the whole day at our disposal to enjoy the scenery and tranquility of the Drakensberg.
Depending on weather conditions and individual preferences, we will be hiking in the mountains or do one of the following activities (activities are not included in the price):

Horse riding in the mountains
Mountainbiking
Quad-bike excursion up Sani Pass.
Trout fishing in one of the nearby lakes.
View the mountain range from a glider plane.

Overnight in chalets.

Day 14:
Further south,the drive to the wild coast takes us through interesting and varied mountainous landscapes of the Transkei (birthplace of Nelson Mandela).
Long beaches, dunes overgrown with dense vegetation surrounding lagoons,await us here.
Dinner is served in Michaelas Restaurant, a famous restaurant of the area on top of a overgrown dune, with a spectacular view of the Ocean and surrounding area (dinner at Michaelas Restaurant is not included in the price).
Camping in Cintsa.

Day 15:
Relax, horse riding (not included in the price) on the white sandy beach, paddel on the nearby lagoon... Spend the day as active or as inactive as you want.
It is also possible to hire a surf board and go surfing in the waves. For beginners a short introductory course is offered (not included in the price).
Camping

Day 16:
Bypassing East London and Grahamstown we reach Addo Elephant Park north of Port Elizabeth. The remnants of the formerly large elephant population of the Cape is protected here. In 1913, when the area was declared a national park, there where only a few elephants left. Today there are more than 300 in the park.
The landscape is totaly different than the parks in the north (Umfolozi and Kruger National Park). Zebra, Gnu, Rhino, Blesbuck...
Game drive in this unique Park in the afternoon.
Camping.

Day 17,18,19:

The Tsitsikama coast, Knysna lagoon and Wilderness are often desribed as South Africa's most beautiful areas. All these areas are close to each other and easily reached by car.
The Tsitsikama coast offers spectacular views: it includes a walk to the famous Storms river mouth and the first leg of the Otter trail ( judged among the 10 most spectacular hiking trails in the world). We will visit ‚Knysna Heads' (cliffs at the entrance of the lagoon), and do walks in the surrounding area.
Plettenberg Bay is known for the sightings of dolphins, whales and cape seals.
A few activities offered in this area ( not included in the price):

Sea kayaking in Plettenberg Bay to see dolphins, whales, seals and many species of sea birds.
Mountain biking in Harkerville forest.
Viewing the area from a glider in Plettenberg Bay.
Black-water tubing in the spectacular Storms river gorge.
The world's highest bridge bungee jump (216 m) at Bloukrans bridge for the adventurous.
And more (abseiling, hiking, horse riding).

Camping.

Day 20:

We leave early in the morning, heading for the Cango Caves north of Oudtshoorn. As soon as we pass the Outeniqua mountains the landscape changes dramatically. The ‚fynbos' vegetation is adapted to the dry conditions of this region: only small shrubs survive in the harsh environment, giving the area a distinctly semi-desert appearance. The impressive Cango Caves boast huge stalagmites and stalagtites. The Caves are 30 km long, we will only explore a small part of it. We continue accross the Swartberg Pass with its stunning views and steep ascents and descents. Cape Town, the mother city of Africa, is the next stop. With Table Mountain in the background and the Atlantic Ocean in the foreground, it is definately one of the most beautiful setting a city can have.
Overnight in a bed and breakfast establishment close to the city. (Lunch and dinner at own expense).

Day 21, 22 and 23:
Our activities are planned according to weather conditions and preferences of the group/individuals.
Of course Cape Town and surrounds offer a few musts: Table Mountain, Cape Peninsula and Cape Point. There is also a planned excursion to Dyer Island to do a boat cruise (not included in the price) on the Ocean to see the great white sharks that are often spotted here feeding on the seals, penguins and variety of fish. The islands are protected as breeding sites for hundreds (sometimes thousands) of penguins and cape seals. During winter (June to November) there are whales (humpback and southern right whales) that give birth to their ‚little ones' ( 200kg at birth!) here. Other species of animals are also seen: dolphins, Byrd's whales and many (usually rare) sea birds - a little marine paradise.

Cape Town is also a mecca for adventurers (activities not included in the price):

Canyoning in the mountains around Cape Town.
Mountainbiking
Paragliding along the mountains of Cape Town (tandem flights available).
Helicopter flight.

Overnight in a bed and breakfast establishment near Cape Town. (Lunch and dinner at own expense).
Transfer to the airport on day 23 of the tour and flight back to Johannesburg/Europe.

Day 24:
Arrive in Europe.

Dates:
24/03/2005 - 16/04/2005
21/04/2005 - 14/05/2005
14/07/2005 - 06/08/2005
25/08/2005 - 17/09/2005

Price:
€ 2500-00 (3,500.00US$) per person sharing.
Single supplement: € 200-00 (280 US$) per person.

Minimum of 6 participants per tour.
Maximum of 12 participants.

Included in the price:

All meals as indicated (Lunches and dinners in Mozambique and Cape Town , dinner at Michaelas restaurant (day 14) at own expense).
All transport and transport costs from Johannesburg to Cape Town.
Competent english speaking guide and driver.
All accommodation.
All activities (except optional activities as described in the programm).
All entrance fees in parks and on sight seeing excursions.
All camping equipment necessary for the tour.

Not included in the price:

International flight to and from Johannesburg (on request we can help you with that), and flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg.
Visa for Mosambique (visa can be bought at the border crossing at approx.€ 20-00 per person).
Diving goggles and snorkel. Bring your own from Europe, or buy in South Africa (usually cheaper).
Drinks
Sleeping bag and Iso-mattress. (These can be hired from Adventure Purists).
All optional activities.
Lunches and dinners in Cape Town and southern Mozambique, also dinner at Michaelas restaurant (day 14).
Personal insurance
Tips for guides

Tour Info:
No visa fees are necessary for Swaziland.
No inoculations are necessary, but standard inoculations ( Hepatitis, typhus, tetanus) are recommended.
Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for southern Mosambique, Swaziland and northern Kwa-ZuluNatal (day 3 to day 11). Other areas in South Africa are free of Malaria.
We suggest you bring your own diving goggles and snorkel for diving in southern Mosambique and in Khosi Bay. ‚Flippers' for diving are optional, not necessary.
Camping equipment, cutlery, pots, tents, chairs etc. are provided by Adventure Purists.
The accommodation is in tents, self-catering chalets or lodges, or bed and breakfast establishments.
The Imbambala lodge in Loskop Nature Reserve is basic, but beautifully situated in the bush of the exclusive concession area. The emphasis is on bush experience.
Campsites have been selected for beautiful setting, cleanliness and tranquility.
All ablutions on the tour are clean, hygenic and well kept. This applies to all accommodation offered on the tour. The guide is responsible for the catering, but it is expected that participants help with the cooking and washing up.
The lodge in Cape Town and the reedcamp in southern Mocambique are on a bed and breakfast basis. Imbambala Lodge (Loskop), Drakensberg and all camping are on a self-catering basis.
Meals are prepared from fresh ingredients. Meals are healthy, tasty and variable. ‚Tin food' and ‚fast food' is avoided where possible.
Optional activities described in the program are carried out by local tour operators. These activities can therefore not be guaranteed by the organizer or Magical Dolphin. The optional activities are paid directly to the operator and not to Magical Dolphin.
Activities offered on this tour are by nature dependant on weather conditions. If, due to unfavourable weather conditions, some activities cannot be offered, the organizer will endeavour to seek alternatives.
In winter (May - August) temperatures can drop to below 0°C/32°F at night, and usually pick up during the day to 15 or 20°C/59 - 68°F. Summer months can be hot (up to 38°C/100°F), but it cools down considerably at night. South Africa is a huge country with many climate zones. On this tour we also spend time at many different altitudes (from zero to over 3000 metres above sea level). Be prepared for considerable temperature fluctuations (this applies to summer and winter).

organizer

Adventure Purists