Expeditions
Each Expedition is hosted by Chris & Monique Fallows who’s passion, knowledge and love of the wildlife in the area makes this the most personalized and educational trip on offer, with a limited maximum of 8 participants to ensure the best viewing potential.
2011 Expedition
Package Deals
If you are a serious shark lover and if it is a life’s dream to experience the Great White Shark, then the best way to do this is to book a longer stay.
Sharks of Southern Africa Expedition 2011
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Dates: 13- 25 February 2011
Location: False Bay and Offshore, Cape Town South Africa.
Rate: (per person)
US$4,100.00
Additional Information
Africa.... the mere mention of the very name evokes images of roaring lions, and herds of giraffe and zebra racing across the Savannas. Yet often absent are the images of Great White sharks, Southern Right whales breaching and playful seals negotiating the enchanted kelp forests. The oceans that border Africa's shores are worthy rivals to the familiar terrestrial landscapes. Africa's Oceans are without doubt amongst the most valuable natural treasures in the world.
If a personalised exploration of seldom visited reaches of a magnificent coastline, a wander into the cobalt open ocean and a patrol of some of the worlds sharkiest waters interests you, then perhaps The Sharks of Southern Africa expedition is your calling. Well known for its famous population of Great Whites, the Cape Coast of South Africa is also home to an impressive array of other apex predators.
This expedition, hosted by world renowned Chris & Monique Fallows, aims to show you many of these impressive sharks and other marine life that is to be found along this beautiful coastline in a tour that is personalised and educational.
Since 2002 Chris & Monique have hosted these personalised expeditions for a select group each year.
In Chris’s words “it is a relaxed and special time spent in the company of amazing wildlife in beautiful settings with like-minded people that we look forward to each year. It is indeed an expedition that is often a highlight of our work”
Chris has worked with Great White sharks since 1991 and Monique from 1999. Chris along with a colleague discovered the now famous breaching sharks of False Bay. Together Chris & Monique have hosted or featured in more than 45 well known documentaries including Planet Earth, Air Jaws 1,2,3, Inside the Perfect Predator, Smart Shark, Great White Deep Trouble, Shark coast and many more. Chris has co-authored various papers on natural predation and has written the coffee table book, Great White and the Majesty of Sharks.
More so, the couple are known for their efforts to help in the conservation of these magnificent animals.
During past Sharks of Southern Africa expeditions we have averaged showing guests 10 species of sharks per trip.
You will have the chance to visit famous sharky landmarks such as the home of Air Jaws 1, 2 and just recently completed Air Jaws 3, Seal Island False Bay, The Cape of Storms - Cape Point - the resting ground for many ships sunk in the 1800's and early 1900's, South Africa’s largest estuary and the worlds largest Bull sharks, the Breede river, as well as several other beautiful locations.
Underwater locations include the magical and vast kelp forests which enrich rocky reefs by providing shelter for small creatures. Diving off the continental shelf, into the big blue, 10 - 25 miles off Cape Point in warm water with multiple Blue sharks and the magnificent Mako shark. Diving in a southern Cape reef system that still teems with life as the Agulhas current flows through it.
The following species have been encountered on previous trips and the likelihood of seeing these sharks is as follows:
- Mako shark 80%
- Blue shark 90%
- Ragged Tooth shark 80%
- Bronze Whaler 70%
- Hammerhead 90%
- Great White 75%
- Seven Gill shark 80%
- Spotted Gulley shark 60%
- Leopard catshark 60%
- Striped catshark 80%
- Puff Adder shy shark 80%
- Brown Shyshark 60%
- Lessor Guitarfish 60%
Game fish such as Yellowtail, Yellowfin Tuna ,Albacore Tuna, Dorado, Garrick, Bluefish, as well as various large reef fish are often seen.
Various Dolphin and Whale species are also regularly encountered and have on past trips included Humpback, Southern Right, Sperm, Pilot and Brydes whales. Common, Bottlenose, Dusky & Risso's dolphins
For guests interested in Pelagic birds part of this expedition occurs in one of the worlds premier areas to see various albatross, shearwater, petrel and many other open ocean bird species.
As a world renown marine and wildlife photographer, Chris is on hand to assist with any photographic expertise required. The expedition crew is experienced in positioning the boat to achieve the best lighting conditions needed for good images yet will always endeavour to make sure no wildlife is harassed whilst doing so.
During the expedition most of the diving is very easy and is done on snorkel but the great white and pelagic dives are cage dives due to legal and safety requirements. All dives are supervised by a Dive master and utmost importance is given to safety. The focus of the expedition is to show you magnificent sharks up close but also in a respectful and safe manner.
Due to the personalised nature of the expedition the maximum group size is 6 guests guaranteeing an educational and intimate experience.
Useful information
- On average 75% of days are seagoing.
- Water temperature ranges between 16-23c (62F-78F)
- Visibility ranges between 4-25m (14- 80ft) depending on location and activity
What is included:
- All dive gear
- Accommodation:
- Cape Town - bed and breakfast with sea, mountain and harbour views in Simons Town.
- Breede River - rustic wooden cabins overlooking a tranquil estuary 300km from Cape Town
- All transfers from Cape Town international airport to your points of accommodation.
- All meals on board the vessel
- All breakfasts in Cape Town
- All meals at the Breede River
- Cape Town - weather affected days - tours to Cape Point nature reserve, Boulders Penguin colony, Cape Town's famous wine route and The Two Oceans aquarium will be arranged and included in the package
- Breede River – weather affected days - tours to De Hoop nature reserve, scenic hikes and upriver cruises
What is not included:
- Flights
- Cape Town – Lunch and dinner
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