Out to Sea and On Safari in South Africa

Unlock unexplored corners of this extraordinary country with two iconic experiences: the wild chaos of the sardine run and an immersive safari in one of South Africa’s last remaining wilderness areas, a vast area unlike anywhere else on the continent.

When to go
May-Jul
 
From Price
£27,400 PP*
(excl international flights)
Ideal Length
11 Nights
 



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Experience Highlights

  • Dive straight into the frenzy of the South African sardine run as you enter the water beside vast swirling bait balls, witnessing dolphins, whales, sharks and gannets hunting in a breathtaking display of raw marine power.
  • Explore the vast landscapes of the Kalahari with a private guide and tracker, venturing across red dunes, grasslands and rocky outcrops while learning about the ecology, geology and wildlife of this immense private reserve.
  • Search for iconic species at their most active by heading out at dawn and dusk, searching for elusive black-maned lions, desert black rhino, cheetah and other predators as they move silently through this unique ecosystem.
  • Track elusive nocturnal creatures such as aardvark, pangolin, aardwolf and brown hyena with specialists who use their deep understanding of the terrain to give you exceptionally rare and intimate sightings.

This experience calls all intrepid adventurers who feel called to go beyond the tested trail, looking to forge a new path in search of travel that transcends the usual. With Pelorus’s unique access to specialist marine crews, there is a small seasonal window to get into the thick of the East Coast’s annual sardine run, before trading the chaos for calm and heading for one the most sparsely populated regions in the country – the Kalahari.

Shoals and Sharks: The Sardine Run

Your South African adventure starts on the East coast as you move quickly to witness one of this coastline’s wildest, most unpredictable events: the sardine run. You’ll watch as dolphins whip the ocean surface into whitecaps, thousands of birds dive into the water, and whales surface to feed on the shoals of scattering fish. The sardine run is the largest biomass migration on the planet, and for the next few days you will spend every waking moment immersed in it.

Up close in the water

Rising at the crack of dawn, your private boat will be ready and waiting to take you out onto the ocean as you head out to sea to marvel at this natural phenomenon. The sardinax sadax (migratory sardine) congregate in a gigantic mass, so your expert marine guide will point out dolphins and gannets hunting to make sure you don’t miss any of the action. After a few hours, you’ll take a break from all the excitement with a picnic lunch and warm drinks on board the boat. Then, get going again and fully immerse yourself in the action by spending the afternoon in the water, watching the feeding frenzy from an incredibly close vantage point.

Before dusk settles in, you’ll follow your guide and line up in the water to watch more of the predators’ hunt (think dolphins, gannets and whales). Or, for those who love diving, get kitted up and dive with the ragged tooth sharks for a truly amazing experience. Spy nursery pods of dolphins, young humpback whales or playing seals, all the while soaking up the raw power of this extraordinary natural event. Later, head back to your accommodation to warm up. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and taking some time to unwind, before the next leg of your South African experience begins.

From Ocean to Desert

The second part of your journey sees you travel to the Kalahari Desert area of South Africa, where you will have the chance to explore a truly remote protected wildlife area, in striking contrast to the bustle and crowds of the coast around the sardine run. The reserve is characterised by dramatic landscapes (think savannah grasslands, red dunes and ancient mountains), and you’ll be exploring it all.

The variety of habitat and climate here means that there’s an incredibly diverse animal population. With over 80 species of mammals and 240 species of birds, you’ll discover it all at your own pace with exclusive use of a private safari vehicle, guide and tracker. From the landmark Korannaberg mountains to the southern Kalahari’s typical arid savannah and iconic ochre dunes rippling away to the horizon, your days here are unscripted and easy-going. This is no ordinary safari, and you won’t see the typical ‘Big Five’ here. Instead, you’ll spot black-maned lions and rare desert rhino as well as search for the ‘Elusive Five’: pangolin and brown hyena, aardvark, aardwolf and bat-eared fox. Spend a late afternoon watching aardvark above ground foraging for termites or head out on a bush walk or horseback safari. For an altogether different perspective, take to the skies in a helicopter to view the unique landscape down below and hop between nearby points of interest and historical landmarks.

Meerkats and Mouthfuls

One of the highlights of your time here is spending a morning visiting a colony of meerkats and witnessing them in their natural habitat. Venture out at daybreak – the best time to see them as they first emerge. Watch as they pop in and out of their burrows, stand sentry, play and soak up the sunshine, as you get within a few metres of them for an unforgettable encounter. As if you weren’t close enough to nature, spend a night under the stars, sleeping in an exclusive starbed, and fall asleep to the sound of the reserve. You’ll have a spacious deck area for dining and stargazing before you doze off in comfort.

Finish an extraordinary experience of nature with an equally extraordinary dinner, dining at the fabled desert restaurant: JAN. Helmed by Michelin-starred chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen, every dish is a celebration of South Africa’s rich culinary heritage but with a modern twist. Using seasonal produce sourced from local farmers and artisans, the cuisine is complemented by the finest wine from the lodge’s private cellar. Enjoy a delicious meal at a spot of your choosing, whether that be private dining on your veranda or a barbecue in the boma to make the most of the endless views and end off your stay here in style.

Where to Stay

Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa

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