Diving:

December proved to be difficult month for diving with unforeseen rain nearly every day. This did not stop the divers from enjoying what they do best. On some days divers were rewarded with 25 - 30m visibility and more to see than what they ever thought possible.

However January brought better days and better conditions for divers as well as the snorkelers. Water temperature ranges between 21 and 25 degrees warm enough for short wetsuits.

Cricket

The English cricketers with the wonderful support of the Barmy Army visited our shores during December and January. An enthralling test series ended in a one all tie with South Africa possibly coming out slightly on top. We took some guests to Sahara Kings Park in Durban for a fantastic day of cricket. The balmy weather, great supporters and competitive cricket resulted in an awesome day at the park.

Credit Crunch Specials:

Our promise to you:

Due to the negative credit crunch time we endeavor to quote better prices where possible. We will never drop our professionalism or take short cuts where one should not.

Our company obeys all the South African Laws and complies with all legal requirements. Be wary of the illegal fly by nights that do not comply with the law.

We will gladly email / fax our client's proof of all our documentation (National Road Transportation Permit, Public Liability and Passenger Liability Insurance, Membership of TKZN and Sapphire Tourism, Padi Qualifications and status, First Aid certificates and status, Guiding qualifications). Forward us any quotation and we will do our best to beat the quote you received.

Specials: Look in our archives for more special deals...

Itinerary:

• Day 1: Transfer from Durban / Umkomaas - Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Evening Game Drive
• Day 2: Early Morning Open Safari Vehicle Game Drive. Full day to enjoy what nature has to offer in Evening Game Drive. Dinner Included
• Day 3: Breakfast. Transfer St. Lucia. Lunchtime River Cruise. Rest of day at Leisure.
• Day 4: Breakfast. Transfer Shakaland - cultural Experience. Transferred back to Durban / Umkomaas Or Airport.

Price: R 9 473.00 per person sharing Wait Book 6 pax and only pay R 8 473.00 per person sharing! (Single Room levy at R 1200.00 extra)

Package Includes:
Dinner Bed and Breakfast.
All Transfers and Game Drives as per Itinerary

Package Excludes:
Lunch & all Refreshments
Flights and other extra activities.
Tips to Guides & Drivers

Join us for the Sardine Run 2010 in Port St Johns, Transkei!

The Sardine Run occurs between late May and July along the East coast of South Africa when millions of sardines migrate up the East coast of South Africa from the Cape. Their sheer numbers create a feeding frenzy along the coastline in what is one of the largest marine events in the world. This has been dubbed "The Greatest Shoal On Earth" by the Kwazulu-Natal Tourist Board and it is the marine equivalent of the annual migration of the Wildebeest in the Masai Mara in Tanzania, and maybe even more impressive when you consider the amount of prey and predators involved.

It is thought that dolphins (estimated as being up to 18,000 in number, mostly the common dolphin but also the bottlenose dolphin) are largely responsible for rounding up the sardines into bait balls. Once the sardines are rounded up, sharks (primarily the bronze whaler, but also dusky shark, Black Tip shark, spinner shark and Zambezi shark), game fish (like shad or elf, king mackerel, various kingfish species, Garrick, Geelbek and eastern little tuna) and birds (like the Cape gannet, cormorants, terns and gulls) take advantage of the opportunity.

Join us on a Sardine Run Adventure where you can experience the awesome sight of dolphins, whales, seals, sharks, game fish and a myriad of sea birds feeding on these fish.

This swimming fish restaurant and ensuing feeding frenzy is an amazing sight and certainly one of the wildest and most spectacular events to occur anywhere on the planet. During this adventure, we ride the ocean following the sardine activity off the spectacular, untamed Transkei Wild Coast from the sleepy town of Port St Johns.

We offer a boat-based adventure for all nature lovers, including photographers, bird watchers, dolphin and whale enthusiasts, snorkellers and scuba divers. This is an unforgettable experience suitable for most members of the family. Because of the manner of the boat launching and beaching as well as possible uncomfortable sea conditions it is advisable that those of limited mobility, frailty or with back problems limited themselves to land based viewing. 

From our land base at Port St John, we cruise the ocean each day in search of sardine activity - normally located from sightings of large flocks of sea birds or huge schools of common and bottlenose dolphins. We also communicate with the Sharks Board, other boat operators and micro light pilots. The action is huge and involves a massive feeding frenzy involving the entire food chain.

Once the Sardines are located and we have established the bait ball is not moving too fast, snorkellers and divers are invited to enter the water to view the activity first hand, while those that prefer to stay dry can witness this amazing phenomenon from the boat, which is just as spectacular. Join us for an adventure of a lifetime. The Accommodation in Port St Johns, for the Sardine Run 2010.

Port St Johns is reached by tar road and is 360 km South from Durban. We have booked accommodation at the newly renovated “Jetty River Lodge” it is beautifully situated on the banks of the Umzimvubu River, just five kilometers from the town of Port St Johns, and set in the grounds of a tropical fruit orchard, The Jetty lodge is the ideal holiday retreat for jaded city slickers and nature-lovers alike. Relax around the sparkling pool and Braai area under century old pecan nut trees. The Lodge offers: Swimming Pool, Tea/Coffee facilities in room, Bar Area, Self-Braai area, Pool table & games room, Fans in room, DSTV, Credit cards accepted, Babysitting, Hikes, Safe in room/reception, Mountain bikes or trails, Safe open off-street parking, Fishing, Laundry Service, Bird Watching, Ironing service, Wheelchair friendly.

Join us anytime from the 13th June to the 17th of July 2010. Past records from the Natal Sharks Board and our experience indicate that this is the optimal period in which to view the sardine shoals.

5 Day / 6 Night Package Dates: (Only 14 Spaces available per trip) - R 11 000.00 per person sharing

Itinerary:

Price includes: Five full days boat based viewing of sardine run, six nights accommodation on a full board basis (incl. all meals), picnic lunch and refreshments on boat trips, cylinder & weight-belt hire, qualified skipper and guide to conduct trip and inform passengers

3 Day / 4 Night Package Dates: - Only 7 spaces available per trip - R6,600 per person sharing

Itinerary:

Price includes: Three full days boat based viewing of sardine run, four nights accommodation on a full board basis (incl. all meals), picnic lunch and refreshments on boat trips, cylinder & weight-belt Hire, qualified skipper and guide to conduct trip and inform passengers

Both Packages Excludes: Transfers to and from Port St Johns all transfers add an additional R 1000.00 per person per transfer, equipment hire of: BCD, Regulator, Wetsuit, Mask & Fins, Beverages.

All excursions are conducted on Department of Transport approved boats and have all the required safety equipment on board.

For more details and prices email us at: bookings@southafricanadventuresafaris.co.za

Gearing Up for the 2010 Soccer:

Soccer World Cup:

Everybody is slowly getting more and more excited as the 2010 world cup is fast approaching. We are now in the position to offer two self catering accommodations that can be used as home base to travel from on your stay in South Africa. This will include your transfers to and from the airport every time you will need to fly to your next game. We will even throw in your transfer to the game at Durban and return you safely back to Umkomaas!

As Umkomaas is in close range of many different destinations this makes it easy to take a day or two in between and see the country side, (however this will be at extra cost).

1. Flat: Consist of two bedrooms one with double bed and main en suite bathroom, 2nd room double bed, sleeper couch sleeps two in the lounge. Open plan kitchen (fully fitted) with dining room and lounge. Wooden deck facing the sea. Walking distance to the shops, banks, restaurants and beach. Fully fenced and safe for children.
2. House: Swimming pool, barbeque area, big garden, Jacuzzi, fully fenced, Big screen TV entertainment area, Kitchen and 4 bedrooms.

- All prices are quoted in South African Rand and prices may change according to exchange rates and increases from service providers -

We are proud to say that South African Adventure Safaris has all legal requirements stated by law. We are members of Sapphire Tourism and Tourism Kwazulu Natal also known as TKZN.

- Be Aware of Scams and Fly By Night Operators -

2009 South African High and Low Seasons:

Low Seasons:
21 January to 03 April, 15 April to 26 June, 20 July to 23 September, 05 October to 11 December 2009

High Seasons:
4 April to 14 April, 27 June to 19 July, 24 September to 4 October, 12 December to 20 January 2010

DONT MISS OUT!

SEE YOU SOON FOR A TRULY AMAZING EXPERIENCE!