Dive With Giants. Safari With Legends. Two Weeks of Whales, Whale Sharks & The Big Five.
A handcrafted, small‑group expedition combining Mozambique’s humpback & whale shark hotspot with a private Kruger safari – seamless logistics, expert dive crew, boutique stays, and unforgettable wildlife encounters on and below the surface.
Quick Glance
- Duration: 14 nights (travel span 16–17 days including overnights in the air)
- Dates: Friday 24 October – Saturday 8 November 2025 (overnight return lands 9 Nov)
- Destinations:
- Morrungulo
- Tofo Beach
- Marloth Park (Greater Kruger)
- Styles:
- Adventure Diving
- Big Animal Encounters
- African Safari
- Group Size: Limited (enquire for current availability)
- Price From: £3,845 per person (double occupancy)
- Deposit: £350 pp (non‑refundable) to secure your place
- Diving: 8 Morrungulo encounters (expedition-style days) + 8 Tofo two‑tank dives
- Safari: 2 private, full‑day (≈10 hr) game drives in Kruger National Park
- Transfers & Domestic Flight: Included
- Meal Plan: Daily breakfast + on‑water lunches & snacks during dive days
Why This Trip Is Extraordinary
- Peak Season Humpbacks: October brings mothers & calves lingering close in calm, clear water—acoustic song, breaching, nursing behaviour.
- Whale Sharks Year‑Round: Tofo’s resident population offers a high probability of respectful, in‑water encounters.
- Shark & Ray Diversity: Potential tiger, leopard (zebra), nurse & whitetip reef sharks; manta & eagle rays.
- Extended Ocean Time: Up to 8 hours “blue safari” style days in Morrungulo— not just two quick dives and back.
- Dual Ocean + Bush Experience: Transition from turquoise Indian Ocean to iconic African savannah without logistical headaches.
- Boutique Stays: Intimate properties handpicked for location, comfort & character.
- Private Kruger Drives: Maximise Big Five opportunities with early starts and flexibility.
- Seamless Flow: International flights, domestic hop, all transfers, structured payment plan.
- Ethical Focus: Low group impact, wildlife-first approach, local partnerships.
- Memory Density: You compress an ocean season and a safari bucket list into a single, curated arc.
At a Glance Daily Flow
Days 1–2: Overnight flight UK–Johannesburg–Vilankulos. Scenic transfer to Morrungulo. Settle & decompress.
Days 3–7: Morrungulo immersion (4 active ocean days / 8 dives + opportunistic megafauna snorkel drops).
Day 8: Coastal transfer to Tofo Beach. Sunset stroll & vibrant food scene.
Days 9–12: Tofo two‑tank dive program (4 days / 8 dives) + whale shark & humpback searching on transits. Evenings free.
Day 13: Long overland journey to Marloth Park (Greater Kruger) with cultural market stop. Bushveld arrival & firepit night.
Days 14–15: Two private, full‑day safari game drives in Kruger pursuing Big Five, iconic birdlife & riverine scenes.
Days 16–17: Transfer to Johannesburg. Evening international departure. Overnight flight lands UK early next morning.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 (Fri 24 Oct): Evening departure from London Heathrow. Settle into your overnight long‑haul—rest sets you up for adventure.
Day 2: Dawn arrival Johannesburg. Smooth connection to Vilankulos (≈90 min flight). Midday landfall; air‑conditioned 2.5 hr coastal drive to Morrungulo. Check‑in, orientation, Indian Ocean vistas, early night.
Days 3–7 (4 Ocean Expedition Days within this window): Morrungulo with Peri Peri Divers. Early launch. Fast RIB style or suitable vessel searching for surface activity. Two scheduled dives daily (reef or pinnacle sites), plus flexible snorkel/swim entries for whales (per regulations), dolphins, rays & pelagics when encountered. Return mid‑afternoon; debrief, logbooks, optional sunset beach walks. Non‑dive rest day(s) built in for nitrogen management & recovery.
Day 8: After breakfast, 2.5 hr transfer south to Tofo. Check into your sea‑facing room at Casa Do Mar Guest House. Afternoon at leisure (market, beach bars, local craft stalls).
Days 9–12: Tofo diving. Four consecutive two‑tank mornings (or tailored schedule). Iconic sites: manta cleaning stations, reef ledges, shark corridors. Surface intervals double as mobile megafauna scouting. Post‑dive: fresh lunch/snacks, then free time for culture, optional sunset horse ride, or oceanfront relaxation.
Day 13: Cross‑country journey inland to Marloth Park bordering Kruger’s southern sector. En route market stop (local produce, wines, curios). Evening fireside under star‑rich skies; listen for distant hyena calls.
Days 14 & 15: Private Kruger National Park safaris (≈10 hrs each). Pre‑dawn gate arrival for prime predator light. Focus: Big Five, plus giraffe, zebra, hippo, croc, raptors, oxpeckers & elusive nocturnal tracks. Breaks at riverside rest camps. Golden hour returns.
Day 16: Leisurely bush morning (depending on flight timing), then transfer to Johannesburg. Evening international departure.
Day 17: Early morning arrival UK. Adventure complete—memory cards full.
Diving Profile & Conditions (October)
- Water Temp: ~23–25°C (5 mm full suit recommended; optional hooded vest for extended in‑water time).
- Visibility: 10–25 m (variable with plankton – more plankton can mean more megafauna).
- Experience Level: Advanced Open Water (or equivalent) + 30+ logged dives strongly recommended; comfortable with back‑to‑back dives & entries through mild surf.
- Marine Highlights (Not Guaranteed): Humpback whales (mothers & calves), whale sharks, multiple shark species (tiger, leopard (zebra), nurse, whitetip reef), manta & eagle rays, dolphins (spinner, bottlenose), turtles, macro surprises (nudibranchs, leaf scorpionfish) on reefs.
- Approach Ethic: Strictly passive, minimal flash/interference, adherence to local guidelines for whale & whale shark interactions.
What’s Included
- International return economy airfare London Heathrow – Johannesburg (British Airways; sample schedule)
- Domestic flight Johannesburg – Vilankulos (23 kg checked baggage allowance)
- All scheduled ground transfers (air‑conditioned; WiFi where available)
- 6 nights Morrungulo (garden view, bed & breakfast)
- 4 Morrungulo ocean expedition days (8 dives + opportunistic megafauna snorkel/encounters; lunches & snacks onboard)
- 5 nights Tofo Beach (standard/sea‑facing room, bed & breakfast)
- 4 Tofo two‑tank dive days (8 dives; lunches & snacks onboard)
- 3 nights Marloth Park (cottage with breakfast)
- 2 private full‑day (≈10 hr) Kruger game drives
- Professional dive guides & boat crew
- Tanks & weights
- Tea/coffee & light breakfast pre‑dive (property dependent)
- Onsite briefings & marine life presentations (when available)
- Park/game drive conservation levies (if stated as covered—confirm at booking)
- Trip coordination & pre‑departure support
Not Included (Typical Extras)
- Dive gear rental (BCD, regs, wetsuit, computer, SMB, torch)
- Nitrox (if available) surcharge
- Additional dives, private guides or specialty courses
- Lunches/dinners ashore (except those provided during dive days)
- Drinks (alcoholic & specialty coffees)
- Crew & guide gratuities
- Travel & dive insurance (mandatory – must include medical evacuation & in‑water activities)
- Visa fees (if applicable based on nationality)
- Personal shopping & souvenirs
- Optional activities (horse riding, cultural tours, massage, etc.)
Pricing & Payment From £3,845 per person (double occupancy).
Single Supplement: Available on request (limited).
Deposit: £350 per person (non‑refundable) secures your space.
Interim Payments: £750 on 25 Oct 2024; £750 on 25 Jan 2025; £750 on 25 Apr 2025.
Final Balance: Due 25 Jul 2025.
Flexible Payment: Ask about spreading interim instalments monthly.
Price Basis: Current airfare & local cost estimates; subject to adjustment until ticketing/confirmation.
Who Should Join
- Certified divers seeking big animal encounters in a responsible framework
- Photographers (wide‑angle paradise; macro interludes)
- Adventure travellers keen to pair ocean biodiversity with iconic safari
- Couples or friends comfortable with early starts & active days
- Conservation‑minded guests wanting ethical interactions
Preparation & Requirements
- Minimum Certification: Advanced Open Water (or plan referral upgrade before trip)
- Recent Dives: We recommend at least 4 dives within 6 months pre‑departure
- Insurance: Must cover scuba to planned depths & emergency evacuation (e.g., DAN / DiveAssure)
- Fitness: Ability to do backroll/negative entries, manage moderate surface chop, and climb ladder
- Documents: Passport valid 6+ months beyond return; visa requirements checked early
Gear Tips Bring: 5 mm full suit, reef‑safe sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, logbook, DSMB & spool, dive computer, spare mouthpiece, motion sickness remedy (if needed), dry bag, waterproof housing, zoom + wide‑angle lenses.
Photographers: Red filter / adjustable white balance; avoid intrusive strobes on sensitive megafauna.
Responsible Travel & Sustainability
- Adherence to whale & whale shark interaction codes (no touching, limit approach angles, controlled group size)
- Preference for reusable water bottles (fill stations onshore)
- Support of local markets during overland legs
- Educational briefings elevate conservation awareness
Optional Add‑Ons (Advance Request)
- Nitrox packages
- Night dive (conditions permitting)
- PADI specialty (e.g., Nitrox / Digital Photography)
- Private photo coaching
- Extended post‑safari night in Johannesburg
- Upgrade to premium cabin class (subject to availability)
Spaces are limited and October prime humpback slots fill fast. Secure your place now—start your journey toward diving with giants and tracking the Big Five in one seamless African expedition.
Disclaimers Wildlife encounters, sea & weather conditions cannot be guaranteed and may necessitate schedule adjustments for safety. Dive & safari sequence order may shift. Flight schedules subject to airline publication; fare changes may affect final trip price prior to ticket issuance. Participation contingent on meeting medical & certification requirements.
Book online now at the top of the page.
Alternatively, pop into the Dive Centre, call us on 01622 212 022 or contact us via email at scuba@blueoceandiving.co.uk.
Additional Information:
All payments are non-refundable & non-transferable.
Holiday insurance is recommended from time of booking in case of cancellation.
Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for all Dive Club Holidays.
