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

Dolphin tour dates

16 day tour South Africa(includes southern Mocambique)

On this tour you will swim with the dolphins, walk with the ‚Big 5' in the bush and experience the most beautiful landscapes of South Africa.
The dolphins in southern Mosambique are not fed or trained, they seem to have a natural attraction and curiosity towards man.

In Imfolozi we will spend time walking in the bush and doing game drives to see the spectacular wildlife here.
Elephant, rhino, buffalo, giraffe, kudu, lion are just a small selection of the game occuring here.
The landscape of Loskop and Ithala Game Reserves provide a spectacular backdrop for wildlife observations.
In the parks and game reserves we overnight in secluded bush lodges where possible, to enhance the experience in the natural environment.

All accommodation is in small lodges, chalets and guesthouses.

Highlights of this tour:

Boat cruises and game walks in Loskop Game Reserve.

Diving with dolphins in southern Mosambique.

Game walks and game drives in Umfolozi Game Reserve.

Hiking in the Drakensberg mountains.

Cheetah and Serval Project in Emdoneni Lodge.

Tour description:

Day 1:
Depart from Europe to Johannesburg (South Africa).

Day 2:

Arrive in Johannesburg and start immediately for Loskop Game Reserve. At Loskop we are transfered by boat to our secluded lodge, situated in a concession area. Here we are alone to enjoy the surrounding mountainous landscape. Our guide knows the area well and knows where to find the animals.
Overnight in Imbambala lodge in tents on wooden decks.

Day 3:
We spend the day in the game reserve. On the boat cruise on the lake, we usually find a lot of animals on the side of the water: rhino, waterbuck, warthog, giraffe, kudu, african fish eagle, zebra and impala antilope are regularly spotted.
On a game walk we sometimes get very close to rhino. Depending on the area, we get up to 15 metres of these magnificent animals. Water birds are plentyful, and smaller but interesting inhabitants of the bush are pointed out by the knowledgeable guide.
It is also possible to do game viewing on horseback (optional activity, not included in the price). Also here it is usually possible to get very close to the animals.
For the more adventurous there is the possibility of abseiling down one of the cliffs in the area. Overnight in Imbambala Lodge.

Day 4:
We head south to Ithala Game Reserve in the province of KwaZulu Natal. Also here the landscape is spectacular. Elephant, rhino(white and black), leopard, and many species of antilope live in this mountainous ‚highveld'. We overnight in a secluded lodge in the mountains.

Day 5:
In the morning we do a game walk with a experienced ranger. On foot we have the best chance of seeing the elusive black rhino. It is not only the big game that make the bush interesting, the other smaller animals and the plants that we encounter on the walk are part of this fascinating web of life. A game drive in the mountains with our vehicle usually offers a close up view of the many species of animals. Overnight in a small secluded lodge.

Day 6:
In Ponta D'Ouro in southern Mosambique we have a unique opportunity to swim with the dolphins. Also other creatures of the Indian Ocean like manta ray, whales and sharks are sometimes spotted. With our goggles and snorkel it is also possible to explore the rocky shores nearby. The colours of the fish and other ocean creatures swimming between the rocks, are incredible. Overnight in a Beach Camp near the beach.

Day 7:

During the morning we will go on a boat cruise to look for the dolphins. The skipper is very experienced, and the ride through the waves sometimes turns out to be an adventure in itselft. The dolphins are not fed or trained, they seem to be just as interested in us as we are in them. Once dolphins are found, groups of 4 people are allowed in the water with the dolphins. This is to make sure that they are not disturbed. Dolphins are not always co-operative, they will show immediately if they are not in the ‚mood' to interact. Pods (dolphin families) with young are particularly shy of human contact.
During July to October it is not unusual to find whales on the cruise as well. Humpbacked whales and southern right whales occur here.
The rest of the day is available for any activity on offer: diving along the rocky shore to look for the colourful fish there, take a long walk on the beach, or go on another boat cruise into the open ocean (optional activity, not included in the price).
Overnight in the Beach Camp.

Day 8:
In the early morning we do another boat cruise to look for the dolphins and other ocean creatures. After coming back we pack the vehicle t

o head back to South Africa.
With its densely vegetated dunes along the coast, and a series of lakes and lagoons of all shades of blue and turquise running parallel to them, Khosi bay has a tropical atmosphere. With goggles and snorkel it is possible to explore the water at the Khosi river mouth. Fish and other aquatic creatures of all shapes and colours can be observed at leisure.
Overnight in one of the lodges in the area.

Day 9:

Emdoneni Lodge is our next stop. Many endangered wildlife species, especially cheetah and serval, are cared for here with a view of reintroducing them back into the wild. In the afternoon we will do a tour of the area with a guide to learn about these fascinating animals.
St.Lucia Wetland Park nearby is a world heritage site due to the importance of a variety of aquatic eco-systems that occur here. If time allows we will do a boat cruise (optional, not included in the price) on the lake with regular sightings of hippo, crocodile, waterbuck, goliath heron and many other species associated with the aquatic environment.
Overnight in the Emdoneni Lodge.

Day 10, 11 und 12:
The next three days are spent in the beautiful african wilderness of Imfolozi/Hluhluwe Park. Apart from the ‚Big Five' (lion, buffalo, leopard, elephant and rhino) there are numerous other animal and plant species that make up this incredible web of life.

We will explore the bush on foot with a guide, or by vehicle. It is sometimes possible to get very close to the animals and observe their activities first hand.
It is here that the endangered rhino has found a safe refuge at the beginning of the last century. Since then, they have multiplied to such an extent, that they have to be transfered to other parts of South Africa and also in Africa.
A night drive (optional, not included in the price) with one of the local guides is an opportunity to see the nocturnal animals like hyena, white-tailed mongoose, procupine and bushbabys (among other animals).
A game drive covering the Imfolozi (southern part of the park) and the Hluhluwe (northern part of the Park) takes us through many vegetation zones and habitats, to observe the animals associated with them. The guide knows, through experience, what animals are most likely to occur in a particular area.
We overnight in a lodge/camp in the southern Imfolozi Park.

Day 13:
We drive along the coast and then up north to get to our next spectacular destination: Drakensberg mountains in the Ukahlamba National Park (also a world heritage site). Through erosional forces, mother nature has exposed the different layers of rock that have been laid down millions of years ago, to create this majestic landscape with bizzare rock formations and surprising variety of colours.
Our lodge is close to the small town of Underberg, with the awesome mountains rising up behind.

Day 14:
Early morning is the best time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. There are spectacular walks all around, we will choose one of these to suit the group.
Sani Pass is one of the few routes accross the mountains to Lesotho, and we will explore this renowned pass on foot or by vehicle. The views from the top of the Sani Pass are breathtaking.
There are also other activities available for those with a special interest (optional, not included in the price):

Horse riding in the mountains
Quad biking up the Sani Pass.
Fly-fishing for trout.
A trip with a glider plane to view the mountains from an eagles perspective.

Overnight in a lodge.

Day 15:
Unfortunately all good things come to an end. We leave during the morning to head back to Johannesburg to board the flight back to Europe.

Day 16:
Arrive back home.

Dates:
22/04/2005 - 07/05/2005
13/05/2005 - 28/05/2005
10/06/2005 - 25/06/2005
14/10/2005 - 29/10/2005
28/10/2005 - 12/11/2005

Price:
€ 2100-00 (2,940.00US$) per person sharing. Single supplement: € 220-00 (305US$) per person.

Minimum of 4 participants per tour. Maximum of 12 participants.

Included in the price:

All meals as indicated.
All transport.
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
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
All optional activities.
Lunches and dinners in southern Mosambique.
Personal insurance
Tips for guides

Tour Info:
No inoculations are necessary, but standard inoculations ( Hepatitis, typhus, tetanus) are recommended. Malaria prophylaxis is necessary for southern Mosambique and northern Kwa-ZuluNatal. 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.
The accommodation is in lodges( 8 nights), luxury safari tents or chalets ( 3 nights) and luxury reedcamp (2 nights).
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 and not on luxury. All lodges are on a self-catering basis, except the reedcamp in PontaD'Ouro (southern Mosambique).
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.
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 Magical Dolphin or the organizer. 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

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