LIONS, LEOPARDS, BUFFALOS, RHINOS, ELEPHANTS…AND SHARKS
Our newest safari The Big 5 & Shark Dive offers the best of land and sea with incredible game viewing in two of Southern Africa’s top reserves, plus the unparalleled aquatic adventure of shark cage diving.
Lioness and cubs at Mala Mala, Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa
Begin at Botswana’s Mashatu Game Reserve where you’ll spot lions, leopards and elephants, as well as more surprising species including aardwolf, bat-eared fox, African wild cat, honey badger and the recently introduced endangered wild dog. Mashatu offers unexpected adventure beyond the game drive with horse-back safaris, cycling safaris and guided walks in the wild that connect you with an Africa largely known only in wildlife documentaries and glossy books. Next, head to MalaMala, the largest private Big 5 game reserve in South Africa, strategically sandwiched between Kruger National Park and the Sabi Sand Reserve.
Due to the rich ecosystem, sightings of the Big 5 are highly reliable: in the camp’s 17 years each of the Big 5 (lion, leopard, African buffalo, rhino, and African elephant) have been viewed daily while on game drives at least 96% of the time. Conclude in Cape Town, where you’ll enjoy the city’s multi-cultural history and stunning natural beauty, and where you’ll also be perfectly positioned to encounter fascinating marine wildlife, especially great white sharks, of whom only an estimated 2,500-3,000 remain in the world’s oceans. Just 45 minutes from Cape Town, expert guides specializing in great white shark diving and conservation will seek out the most natural opportunities for you to experience breaching, predation and shark cage diving all in one trip. No prior diving experience is required, and dives last between 20 to 30 minutes. Please note that February through September is the peak time to see great white sharks in South Africa. Back in Cape Town, enjoy longboarding and surfing at False Bay, or explore Table Mountain National Park on foot or mountain bike. Or, wind down from your active safari with a visit to the Constantia Valley wineries, a mere 10 miles from the city center, and yet a world away.
The first version of this article was posted on 13 Jun 2014 at 11:34 AM.