Duration: 14 Days and 13 Nights Price: $5,880 Day 1: Road transfer from Lilongwe to Senga Bay. The yacht will be anchored in a sheltered bay at Senga Bay awaiting guests arrival. Set sail across to Cape Maclear. Enjoy a light meal, drinks and snacks on board. Overnight at Danforth Yachting luxury lodge.   Day 2: Spend the day at Danforth Yachting lodge enjoying the variety of water sports and activities. Go scuba diving, snorkeling, waterskiing, sailing on Hobie-Cats, mountain biking, take a nature walk, swim, or just rest and relax. Dinner and overnight at Danforth Yachting lodge.   Day 3: After breakfast, load the yacht ready for 3 nights on board. Sail south from Cape Maclear to Monkey Bay, stopping in at Monkey Bay Harbour to see the vessels, both old and new. Sail on further south past Nkudzi bay. Stop off for a drink at one of the local lodges. Overnight at anchor on board the yacht "Mufasa".   Day 4: Early morning coffee and rusks followed by a refreshing swim and hot water shower on the yacht. After breakfast, head on to Boadzulu Island for snorkeling and swimming. Sail around the island and on to the area around Mpandi Island which is a marshy wetland. Look out for pelicans on the lake and hippo in the swampy areas. Spend the day enjoying beautiful scenery whilst sailing. Have a barbeque on the back of the yacht at anchor in a secluded bay. Overnight on board the yacht “Mufasa".   Day 5: Go on shore for a walk and to stretch legs. Cool off with a swim followed by a hearty breakfast. Set sail again, via Chirombo Bay. Try your hand at some fishing. Stop off for scuba diving or snorkeling at Mzinzi Bay, crystal clear waters and an abundance of brightly coloured tropical fish endemic to Lake Malawi. Sail on past Monkey Bay and head towards the Marelli Islands. Overnight at anchor on board the yacht.   Day 6: A short sail from Marelli Islands to Senga Bay. Breakfast on board. After breakfast, road transfer from Senga Bay to Lilongwe for onward travel plans.   Day 7: Fly to Bazaruto and the Indigo Bay Island Resort. Depart Johannesburg on a scheduled Pelican Air flight to Vilanculos. On arrival at Vilanculos Airport, you will be met by a representative of Indigo Bay Resort, and assisted for a light aircraft charter to the resort’s airstrip. On arrival at the lodge, you will be welcomed with a refreshing cocktail and taken on a familiarization of the resort. The balance of the day will be at your leisure. Close to exotic diving destinations such as Mauritius, Maldives and the Seychelles, Mozambique has to be the world’s best kept scuba diving secret! Think tropical desert islands, palm fringed powder white beaches and crystal clear waters, then you are imagining Southern Mozambique. In Mozambique you don’t have to spend a fortune chartering a motor yacht to take you to some far-flung un-inhabited island or tiny atoll in the middle of the ocean to dive ‘untouched’ pristine reefs. You can simply take a leisurely walk down to the beach. Bazaruto Archipelago Between the continent of Africa and the island of Madagascar lies a string of spectacular sub-tropical islands that rank alongside Australia's Great Barrier Reef as one of the earth's superb underwater wildernesses - the Bazaruto Archipelago. One of the most beautiful places in Africa and famous for its pristine beaches, the world is starting to discover what we here in Africa have known for awhile - that these islands offer world class diving. The waters around the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park are an ecological paradise. At 1400km2, it is one of the largest marine conservation areas in the Indian Ocean. With sites at a depth of 12 to 30 m and visibility up to 40 m you will discover protected reefs teeming with dolphin, hump back whales, whale sharks, sharks, manta and spotted eagle rays, game fish, green turtles and giant lobster. The endangered dugong of which only a very small number still exist, swim in the shallow crystal clear waters that are also home to abundant starfish, soft and hard corals, anemones, seahorses and a dazzling array of beautiful tropical fish. Bazaruto Island is one of five islands in the Bazaruto Archipelago, which lies just 30km off the coast of tropical Mozambique's, Inhambane Province. The island falls into the Eastern African Marine Ecoregion, which stretches over a 4 600km coastline, from South Africa to Somalia. Part of the world's largest fringing reef system, there is over 2 000 fish species, 100 hard and 27 soft coral species, over 4 whale and 5 dolphin species. Bazaruto Archipelago is also home to the largest remaining population of the highly endangered Dugong in East Africa, raising the islands profile to a highly significant global marine conservation priority. Along with several other islands is the archipelago, Bazaruto is probably one of most unique 'desert' islands in the world. Not only is she surrounded by magnificent stretches of beach and the warm Indian Ocean -a tropical paradise, but her interior is equally fascinating with freshwater lakes that contain crocodile, leftovers from when the island was more connected to mainland Africa. There are plenty of walks and hiking trails that lead through a wide variety of scenery, huge sand dunes, inland lakes, forest and marshy grassland. The island group is also home to all five marine turtle species of the western Indian Ocean. They are highly endangered and in urgent need of conservation. The turtles annually come to the beaches to breed and their nests are extremely vulnerable to predators. Towering dunes clad in indigenous forest overlook kilometers of sun drenched, deserted pure white beaches, crystal clear seas and virtually untouched coral reefs that promise some of the best diving of your life. Scattered around the protected bay are reefs, gullies and caves between 10m and 40m depth, making it possible for all certification levels to dive here. Average visibility is 15-30m and water temperatures vary from 22 to 26 degrees C. Whale sharks and dolphins are sighted. Game fish abound, potato bass, scorpion fish, turtles, rays, big grouper, humpback whales and of course tropical fish in their millions. Indigo Bay This exquisite island resort is situated on the idyllic and pristine Bazaruto Island. It offers visitors the quintessential Indian Ocean island holiday, as well as a gateway to the unspoilt beauty of the Bazaruto Archipelago. All chalets and main living areas at the resort are constructed of natural materials like reed, thatch and wood to blend harmoniously with the perfect surroundings. The luxury is understated yet elegant, and the emphasis is on making the most of the superb location on the golden shores of Bazaruto Island. All rooms are air conditioned, fully mosquito screened, with en suite shower and or baths, mini-bar, 24 hour power, satellite TV and telephone access. Facilities at the resort includes a patio bar, swimming pool and wet pool bar, dive centre, "scuba training pool", airvan to operate island transfers (7 people), sunset cruise craft, specialist deep sea fishing and scuba diving boats, hobie-cats, motorized water sport and ski boats • PADI / NAUI Dive instructors, Land Rovers for scenic island drives, binoculars, underwater videos and digital cameras, all necessities for beach games like touch rugby, football, volleyball, Frisbees, mini-cricket, swing ball etc.   Day 8: (see day 7)   Day 9: (see day 7)   Day 10: (see day 7)   Day 11: Fly from Vilanculos to Durban where you will pick up a rental car and head north the Lake Pongola. You will then be transferred to your luxury house boat. House Boat Cruise and Wildlife Safari The Pongolapoort Lake which covers 16000 hectares is the only lake in South Africa which is home to tiger fish, scientifically known as Hydrocynus vittatus, or commonly known as the "striped water dog". It is the third largest lake in South Africa - 30km long and up to 7km wide, not counting the 10km gorge leading to the dam wall, with a depth in the gorge of 60 meters. Lake Jozini / Shayamanzi Luxury Houseboat The live aboard fishing safari cruise usually begins in the Northern area of the Lake where the Pongola River, which is the only water source feeding the Lake, enters. While the extreme Northern tip creeps into Swaziland the rest of the Northern area and the entire Western and Southern banks are bordered by the Pongola Nature Reserve and the Pongola Game Reserve. The game reserves host many animal species which can be seen from Shayamanzi's decks. White Rhino, elephant, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, kudu, nyala, bushbuck, mountain reedbuck, common reedbuck, red duiker, grey duiker, waterbuck, steen buck, suni antelope, black backed jackal, hyena, cheetah, wild dog, cerval cat, warthog, bush pig, banded mongoose, legavaan, terrapin and the occasional sitting of leopard which roam the slopes of the Lebombo mountains. The muddy plains and reed banks provide excellent breeding grounds for the water birds which can be seen in there thousands - Whistling Duck, Yellow billed Storks, Spur wing and Egyptian Geese, Cormorants, various Herons, Kingfishers, and several Fish Eagles. Along the entire Western bank is the magnificent Lebombo Mountain range. One of the evening anchorages is a night in the Gorge. Here the Mountains rise either side of you, covered in indigenous cycads and ferns and where the glo-flies make a spectacular show along the shoreline. The lake covers 16 000ha, 160 km2 and compares favorably to the wilds of Lake Kariba. Accommodation Your home while you cruise the lake is Shayamanzi, an 83-foot (25 meter), double pontoon, luxurious houseboat launched in 2002. Cruising in style at 8 knots, Shayamanzi passengers enjoy different anchorages each evening. The boat is fully serviced with a friendly crew who will ensure you delicious meals, a safe cruise, great fishing, game viewing and bird watching of more than 300 species. As you lie in your oak paneled cabin, the stars reflecting on the water and the moonlight shining through the flattering, drifting curtains, you wonder what could be more romantic. The hippos snorting in the nearby bay remind you that you are surrounded by nature at its best. There are 6 cabins, which are en-suite with shower, basin and toilet. The cabins are 3,6m x 3,5m and airy with large sliding window doors as your boundary to the water. Facilities Let me introduce you to your crew. Bramson is the charming and experienced skipper who will take you on your journey of Lake Jozini. The Chef is the smile behind the sumptuous meals. Wholesome breakfasts, light lunches and delicious 3-course dinners or braais are served on the upper deck. You are welcome to help yourself to teas and coffees and homemade biscuits. Deckhands ensure your cabins are clean, your meals are served, and they will also take you on fishing or game viewing trips. The welcoming wet bar, 8 seater jacuzzi, passenger cabins, crew cabins and kitchen are situated on the lower deck. The top deck is comfortably furnished with a lounge, dinning area, bar and sundeck. Bramson, your Captain, has his bridge in the centre on the top deck. Optional Activities Lake Jozini is the only water in South Africa where you find the ferocious fighting Tiger Fish, an African game fish, which sends you thrills as it jumps out the water, throwing his head from side to side trying to get off your line. Two double pontoon tender boats allow passengers to explore the Lake's secret coves for fishing or game viewing. Tackle and 12 rods are available for hire. Should you like to reserve live bait (tilapia) for your fishing excursions, this is an extra cost and needs to be booked by prior arrangement. Other land activities can be enjoyed such as game drives, elephant monitoring, rhino walks, mountain biking and horse riding excursions. Overnight: Shayamanzi House Boat. BLD Other Activities Fishing The largest tiger fish recorded to date is 8,3kgs caught by angler Franz Grey of Pongola in 1997. Tiger fish are everywhere at Pongolapoort, from shoals of fish no bigger than your thumb to trophy specimens. The best bait is live talapia which is available on request from Shayamoya. However anglers also find a variety of lures and spinners effective. Fly fishing for tiger fish seems to be a real challenge! Certainly Pongolapoort Lake has a greater variety of species than any other body of fresh water in the country. This is not only because floods dumped exotics such as bass and carp into the lake, but also because the lake lies in a sub-tropical area and is thus home to species normally found only in Central Africa - hence the tiger fish. As well as tiger and blue kurper (Oreochromis mossambicus), there are also red-breasted kurper (Tilapia rendalli), huge catfish and a species of large yellow fish, red-nosed mudfish, silver and butter barbell, a dozen species of barbs and minnows including th silver robber or dwarf tigerfish (Micralested acutidens), and even tiny fresh water gobies which have adapted from a marine lifestyle. There is certainly no shortage of food for the predators! While fishing, enjoy the prolific bird life and multitude of game around the lake. Recently, elephants and buffalo were re-introduced into the area surrounding the lake, with hippo's keeping a watchful eye on the day's fishing. The Pongolapoort is referred to as a mini-Kariba with all the wildlife action on the edges. Elephanting This is an educational activity for guests to learn about and gain an understanding of the Pongola Game Reserve elephants which were translocated here in 1997 from the Kruger Park. It is about the challenges facing their future in our fenced and protected areas and although on most occasions you do get good sightings of the bulls and/or herd, this is not guaranteed. Join Brad, the guide, who is highly knowledgeable having studied these magnificent animals closely with the purpose of conducting the “Space for Elephants” Research program. You are assured of an excellent outing. This is a specially requested activity, which requires booking by prior arrangement. Departure times are between 2pm and 3pm and include a vehicle transfer to the Reserve where we meet the guide. Game Activities are conducted in an open viewing vehicle on the Pongola Nature Reserve which covers 12000 hectares. You'll appreciate this early morning or sundowner experience sitting the wild and yet curious animals while our game ranger enlightens you with interesting facts about the history and nature of the area. The game reserve hosts 25 animal species: White Rhino, elephant, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, kudu, nyala, bushbuck, mountain reedbuck, common reedbuck, red duiker, grey duiker, waterbuck, steenbok, suni antelope, black backed jackal, wild dog, cerval cat, warthog, bush pig, banded mongoose, legavaan, terrapin and the occasional siting of leopard which roam the slopes of the Lebombo mountains. A boat cruise on the Pongola river provides for an interesting alternative to game drives. Most popular at sundown. Witness the hippo's, crocodiles and game coming down to drink at the waters edge or identify the large variety of water birds. These outings are conducted on a 12 seater, shaded viewing boat on the Pongola river.   Day 12: (see day 11)   Day 13: (see day 11)   Day 14: Return to Durban for flight home.   Details: Spend 5 magical nights on Lake Malawi, exploring the shore line and exotic islands, from the comfort and luxury of our, live-aboard catamaran yacht. Professional crew, excellent cuisine and breathtaking scenery make this an unforgettable fresh water sailing and diving experience. You are embarking on a journey of discovery. Explore the greatest fresh water dive destination on earth. Discover Lake Malawi - a giant aquarium and the jewel of Africa's Great Rift Valley! This beautiful lake contains close to one thousand species of freshwater fish – more than in Europe and North America combined and has been selected by Diver Magazine as one of the Top 10 ‘must see must dive’ destinations in the world! You will journey on a luxury yacht, from one African bush covered island to another and surrounded by an Inland Sea experience one of the worlds unique diving destinations. Lake Malawi National Park – World Heritage Site Lake Malawi, one of the largest lakes in the world is 560km long, 80km wide and 700m deep. Located at the southern end is Lake Malawi National Park and World Heritage Site. The National Park is home to many hundreds of fish species, nearly all are endemic and its importance for the study of evolution is comparable to that of the Galapagos Islands. Infact the biodiversity of this beautiful lake is astonishing with close to one thousand species of freshwater fish – more than are found in Europe and North America, combined! Water temperatures are warm and visibility is aquarium-like. Awesome swim-through’s, gigantic overhangs, mysterious dark entrances that beg to be explored, waving tendrils of aquatic plants, white sands and the attendant swarms of riotously coloured fish await. Add in fish-eagles wheeling overhead, two species of otters and the possibility of hippos and crocodiles throw in (although they are rarely, if ever, seen around the islands in the National Park) then you have a truly different diving experience. It is no wonder that Lake Malawi has been selected by Diver Magazine UK as one of the Top 10 ‘must see must dive’ destinations in the world!

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