Sardine Run Experience 2021

Arrival at Johannesburg airport and transfer to your hotel, free evening.
The South African province of Gauteng, which, in the local language is nicknamed "golden place", is home to one of the most alive cities in Sub-Saharan Africa with its economic capital Pretoria, lively Soweto, the Magaliesberg mountain range, and places considered the " Cradle of Humanity ". Although it is the smallest of South Africa's provinces, it serves as the country's economic powerhouse. Gauteng is known for its multicultural mix of people, with its rich heritage and vibrant cities lined with purple jacaranda shrubs surrounded by natural vistas. Visitors can enjoy numerous opportunities with nature excursions, discover South Africa's most famous district and explore the origins of humanity. Overnight at the Belvedere Estate hotel.
The hotel:
Each room is comfortable and welcoming, has a wood-burning fireplace and a kitchenette with microwave, refrigerator and any other comfort as if you were at home. Breakfast is included. On request, dinners and catering services for every need and taste are served. Morning or afternoon tea can be served under the courtyard, by the pool or in the elegant dining room.

Stretching over 200 kilometers along one of South Africa's most pristine, wild and magnificent stretches of coastline, the Wild Coast is renowned for its hidden bays, secluded beaches and rolling emerald hills. For those who love peace and quiet, surely you are in the best destination thanks to its picturesque wild nature. The location offers many outdoor fun activities, including fishing, diving and swimming. You will explore the traditional Xhosa villages that dot the hills, relax in a hammock and hike along the breathtakingly beautiful coastline among secret pools, rocky headlands, sheer cliffs, pristine beaches and lazy lagoons.
This morning we will fly to East London, in the Eastern Cape. Leaving the city behind, we travel north along the Wild Coast to the small town of Coffee Bay, the starting point for the famous Sardine Race. After settling in your hotel, you will have the opportunity to explore this beautiful area and visit the iconic "Hole-In-The-Wall". In the evening, full briefing on the progress of the event.
Keep in mind that in the next few days, the course of the event will depend on the weather and ocean conditions. Therefore this long stay in Coffee Bay was created in order to ensure more possibilities of stay.
Characterized by stretches of sandy beaches, the Wild Coast is one of the most exciting stretches of coastline in southern Africa. It is a mystical and magical place with fantastic views, ancient cultures and traditions intertwined in a colorful setting of traditional life. A place where time is marked by the rhythm of the sea where gentle sounds echo from its gentle hills. The living room at the Ocean View hotel is characterized by bright double and twin rooms, most of which have a spectacular view of the sea. The family rooms have a view across the gardens. All accommodations are comfortably furnished and have a ceiling fan and private bathroom. Tea and coffee are available for every need.

The Southern African Sardine Race is a phenomenon that usually takes place during the months of June and July, when huge schools of sardines lay their eggs in the cold waters of the Agulhas shoal and then move to north along the east coast of South Africa. At the end of the phenomenon, they are followed by thousands of dolphins, birds, raptors, whales and sharks. You will experience magical moments when the ocean awakens in all its liveliness. The event does not consist only in the sighting of sardines but also of large schools of whales, dolphins, sharks and gannets.
Breakfast at 7 am and transfer to Mapusi, the most spectacular and idyllic river mouth from where we will depart with our boat. The staff, with the help of a 4x4, will push the boat into the river. Once he is sure that he has cleared the protruding rocks, the skipper gets on board, starts the engines and makes all guests board.
The crew has great experience, professionalism and skill, so every decision is made with accuracy. An airplane pilot will fly over the area and will constantly update the skipper via radio on the maneuvers to be adopted. Most of the time, the dives will be done with a mask and snorkel. We will be in and out of the boat all the time, so some stamina and physical fitness are required. Obviously, the guest can always decide whether to stay on board or dive into the water. At guests' disposal for a pleasant stay we offer sandwiches, fresh fruit, chocolates, biscuits, fruit juices and water.
Every day (weather permitting) we will spend whole days at the beach but there will be moments of rest and so you can recharge your cameras. In the evening, a rich buffet awaits you and a chat with your fellow adventures.
Sardine “Bait Ball”
The sardines gather to form what is called a "bait ball". Once the group is compacted, sharks and whales swim through this formation until there is no trace of the sardines left. Gannets often join in too and, from dizzying heights, dive and plunge into depth using their wings in search of sardines. Then a Bryde Whale emerges from the depths and opens its jaws to swallow thousands of sardines. As divers, we will approach with caution and observe from the boat what is happening. Next, we will slide into the water and witness the incredible scene from a depth of about 5-7 meters. The formation of fish can last from a few minutes to half an hour or even more. At the end, we get back on board and leave for the next batch of sardines. The situation can go on for hours or even a whole day with a short lunch in between.

The Southern African Sardine Race is a phenomenon that usually takes place during the months of June and July, when huge schools of sardines lay their eggs in the cold waters of the Agulhas shoal and then move to north along the east coast of South Africa. At the end of the phenomenon, they are followed by thousands of dolphins, birds, raptors, whales and sharks. You will experience magical moments when the ocean awakens in all its liveliness. The event does not consist only in the sighting of sardines but also of large schools of whales, dolphins, sharks and gannets.
Breakfast at 7 am and transfer to Mapusi, the most spectacular and idyllic river mouth from where we will depart with our boat. The staff, with the help of a 4x4, will push the boat into the river. Once he is sure that he has cleared the protruding rocks, the skipper gets on board, starts the engines and makes all guests board.
The crew has great experience, professionalism and skills, so every decision is made with accuracy. An airplane pilot will fly over the area and will constantly update the skipper via radio on the maneuvers that must be adopted. Most of the time, the dives will be done with a mask and snorkel. We will be in and out of the boat all the time, so some stamina and physical fitness are required. Obviously, the guest can always decide whether to stay on board or dive into the water. At guests' disposal for a pleasant stay we offer sandwiches, fresh fruit, chocolates, biscuits, fruit juices and water.
Every day (weather permitting) we will spend whole days at the beach but there will be moments of rest and so you can recharge your cameras. In the evening, a rich buffet awaits you and a chat with your fellow adventures.
Sardine “Bait Ball”
The sardines gather to form what is called a "bait ball". Once the group is compacted, sharks and whales swim through this formation until there is no trace of the sardines left. Gannets often join in too and, from dizzying heights, dive and plunge into depth using their wings in search of sardines. Then a Bryde Whale emerges from the depths and opens its jaws to swallow thousands of sardines. As divers, we will approach with caution and observe from the boat what is happening. Next, we will slide into the water and witness the incredible scene from a depth of about 5-7 meters. The formation of fish can last from a few minutes to half an hour or even more. At the end, we get back on board and leave for the next batch of sardines. The situation can go on for hours or even a whole day with a short lunch in between.

Today we will resume our steps from Coffee Bay to return to the city in East London, free dinner and overnight.

Breakfast and check-out, transfer to the airport from where we will take the flight to Johannesburg.