As part of your 2012 International Aquarium Congress experience, we are offering 12 special travel packages, through which you can explore beautiful South Africa.

For pre- and post-congress tour enquiries, please email [email protected]. Alternatively, fill out the enquiry form at the bottom of this page and a representative will be in touch with you.

Cape Highlights Tour

A four-day exploration of the Cape: From your hotel as base, you will enjoy a tour of Cape Town’s cultural and geographical heritage, the beaches and natural landmarks as well as the famous Cape winelands.

Dates

• Pre-congress tour: 6 September 2012
• Post-congress tour: 14 September 2012
• Scheduled departure dates:  Any other date preferred by delegates. We would require a minimum of four passengers to run the tour on a private basis for conference delegates only in order to qualify for the scheduled tour rate. For private bookings for less than four, we would need to re-quote accordingly.

 

Eastern Cape Safari

A three-day safari trip to Rippon’s Safari Lodge, located in one of South Africa’s top, malaria-free game-viewing regions. Highlights include open vehicle safaris, Big Five sightings and superb cuisine.

Dates

• Pre-congress tour: 7 September 2012
• Post-congress tour: 14 September 2012 or 16 September 2012
• Scheduled departure dates: Any other date preferred by delegates. We would require a minimum of six passengers to run the tour on a private basis for conference delegates only in order to qualify for the scheduled tour rate. For private bookings for less than six, we would need to re-quote accordingly.

Extension suggestion: Combine with our Garden Route Classic Tour either as a pre- or post-tour extension departing on 16 September 2012.

 

Full day Hluhluwe Game Reserve

Enjoy a full day of game viewing in a 96 000 hectare wildlife sanctuary and the opportunity to spot Africa’s amazing animals, including the Big Five. The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve is renowned for its conservation efforts in saving the white rhino from extinction.

Dates

• Departure dates: Daily

 

Full day Shakaland Experience

Feel the pulsating rhythm of mysterious and magical Africa as you re-live the excitement and romance of the days of Shaka, King of the Zulus.

Dates

• Departure dates: Daily

 

Garden Route Classic Tour (excluding Cape Town)

From Cape Town to Barrydale, Outdshoorn, the Cango Caves, Plettenberg Bay, Knysna Elephant Park, Tsitsikamma National Park to Port Elizabeth – this tour includes all the stunning highlights that South Africa’s Eastern and Western Cape provide.

Dates

• Pre-congress tour: 6 September 2012
• Post-congress tour: 13 September 2012
• Scheduled departure dates:  5 or 15 September, or any other date preferred by delegates. We would require a minimum of six passengers to run the tour on a private basis for conference delegates only in order to qualify for the scheduled tour rate. For private bookings for less than six, we would need to re-quote accordingly.

 

Full-day uShaka Marine World and Durban Tour

Durban’s uShaka Marine World is the largest marine aquarium in Africa and the fifth-largest in the world. It enjoys a long, collaborative relationship with the Two Oceans Aquarium. uShaka’s unique design offers the visitor an underwater exploration resembling a journey through sunken wrecks. The tour ends with an unforgettable dolphin show. Included in this tour are visits to Durban’s other important places: The Natal Sharks Board, the Natal Museum, Durban City Hall and the famous Durban Playhouse theatre.

Half-day Durban City Tour

A tour dedicated to the discovery of the cultural and  historical contrasts of this cosmopolitan city, where east meets west.

Dates

• Departure dates: Daily

Half-day Valley of a 1 000 Hills Tour

This is a tour of complete scenery, culture and game all rolled into one tour. Visit a reconstructed Zulu village where you will be taken into traditional beehive-shaped thatched huts, where the various artefacts, beliefs and rituals are explained. Then, enjoy a guided tour of the Crocodile and Snake Park.

Dates

• Departure dates: Daily

 

Johannesburg Explorer

A two-day tour of South Africa’s economic centre, including a visit to Gold Reef City and Soweto.

Dates

• Pre-congress tour: 7 September 2012
• Post-congress tour: 14 September 2012
• Scheduled departure dates:  Any other date preferred by delegates. We would require a minimum of six passengers to run the tour on a private basis for conference delegates only in order to qualify for the scheduled tour rate. For private bookings for less than six, we would need to re-quote accordingly.

 

Kruger National Park Experience

Kruger National Park consists of nearly 2-million hectares of unrivalled diversity of life forms fused with historical and archaeological sites – this is real Africa. The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. This three-day tour will give you the best that this park has to offer.

Dates

• Pre-congress tour: 4 or 7 September 2012
• Post-congress tour: 14 or 18 September 2012
• Scheduled departure dates:  6 or 15 September, or any other date preferred by delegates. We would require a minimum of six passengers to run the tour on a private basis for conference delegates only in order to qualify for the scheduled tour rate. For private bookings for less than six, we would need to re-quote accordingly.

 

Scenic Garden Route Circular

A five-day circular tour of the stunning Garden Route: You’ll travel over the Hottentots-Holland Mountains via Sir Lowry’s Pass into a region of immense beauty. Your tour will include a stop at the Hamilton Russell Vineyards in Hermanus, land-based whale watching, a journey to the Cango Caves, leisure time in Knysna, an up-close-and-personal encounter with nature at the Knysna Elephant Park and more.

Dates

• Pre-congress tour: 3 September 2012
• Post-congress tour: 17 September 2012
• Scheduled departure dates:  4 or 15 September, or any other date preferred by delegates. We would require a minimum of four passengers to run the tour on a private basis for conference delegates only in order to qualify for the scheduled tour rate. For private bookings for less than four, we would need to re-quote accordingly.

 

Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

Visit Africa’s jewel, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, with our tailored and convenient tour. Over two nights and three days, you’ll be treated to a guided tour of Victoria Falls, a walk through the magnificent rainforest and a sunset cruise on the Zambezi. Overnight at the Kingdom at Victoria Falls or similar.

Dates

• Departure dates: Daily

 

Marine Big 5 Seafari

Experience an educational marine “seafari” in beautiful False Bay with Apex Shark Expeditions.

The marine Big Five – common dolphin, Cape fur seal, African penguin, great white shark and the southern right whale – can all be seen near Seal Island. Seal Island is Africa’s largest island bound seal colony and is home to an incredible 65 000 Cape fur seals. Great white sharks move inshore from September to March – we will search the inshore areas in the hope of locating and interacting with these apex predators. This part of the tour is purely for viewing the sharks from the boat and sightings vary daily.

Southern right whale season is from August to November. Up to 3 500 southern right whales mate and give birth along the South African coast. Bryde’s whales can be seen year round and humpback whales may also occasionally be seen.

Common dolphin pods feeding on bait fish delight the ocean lover and are regularly encountered, especially in the early part of each season. Occasionally bottlenose and dusky dolphins are also seen.

 

Itinerary

Seafari

Arrive: 12h45 – Simon’s Town pier. Safety briefing.

Depart: 13h00 – 3 hours at sea, depending on marine life activity.

Return: 16h00 – Simon’s Town Pier

Great white shark predation trip

Arrive: 06h15 – Simon’s Town pier. Safety briefing.

Depart: 06h30 – False Bay

Rates

Seafari: R2 150 per person

Great white predation trip (no diving): R2 550 per person

 

Please note

• Please be aware we need a minimum of 6 guests for this trip to go ahead.
• Trip includes return transport (pick up and drop off), light lunch, snacks, fruit and refreshments on board.
• Trip is weather permitting.
• Maximum: 12 guests.
• Please note that like any seafari, wildlife cannot be guaranteed but every effort will be made to show as much marine wildlife as possible by utilising our 20 years of operating experience on an almost daily basis in False Bay.