Wild Coast Legends: Mega Migration - A Tale of Whales, Sardines & Coastal Adventures

Join the rare few who witness this ancient primal odyssey — a passage older than memory. This is nature's oldest story, lived in motion on the wild coast of South Africa. 

Each year, the ocean stirs with a mega migration: gentle giants of all kinds and shimmering sardines move as one, summoning life from every corner of air and sea. Stealthy sharks glide in shadow. Driving dolphins weave their silver trails. Above, gannets dive-bomb in a flurry of wings, answering the same ancient call.

Join us to share in this lrare experience -- a convergence of beauty, abundance, and wild harmony. We have shaped a journey to immerse you in the magic and culture of this extraordinary place, where wonder unfolds each day.

Mornings greet you with impossible sunrises. Sip coffee on your riverfront balcony as the calm river carries your gaze toward the open sea — where the action awaits us. After our mornings at sea, afternoons are spent exploring vistas including grassy seabluffs, and powerful waterfalls cut into colorful rock canyons covered in canopies of lush green. Coast down the river with cocktails and evening appetizers. Enjoy getting to know your fellow travelers and recount the shared adventures of the day over dinner. Let our warm-hearted hosts and expert guides lead you into moments that will stay with you forever.

This is more than an adventure. It is a once-in-a-lifetime passage into the heart of the Wild Coast — where nature writes another chapter of its timeless saga, and you are invited to be part of it.

Group Size:  Intimate/Small - 8 Guests, 1 Skipper, 1 Dive Professional Guide Per Boat (2 Boats)

                           Total Group size, 16 Total Guests, plus hosts

Aquatic Experience:  Boating & snorkeling with animal life as opportunities develop. Opportunity to scuba

                                             when bait balls are static.

Activity Level:   Mild to Moderate

                                             (opporunity for high intensity hikes, running, swimming, etc for those included)

Your Experience: Elevated - Warm and inviting, refined comfort in a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere

                                              without sacrificing authentic nature experience.

EXTENSIONS:  Luxury Big 5 Safari - 4 Days Prior.  Acclimate after travel in this breathtaking nature

                                              reserve where your every comfort is attended to. Enjoy animal and landscape filled adventure days with 2 daily safaris and incredible star-filled evenings.

                                              Sharks & Wreck Diving in World-Famous Aliwal. Scuba dive the world famous

                                              Aliwal Shoal in Scottburgh. We will transport you to comfortable ocean-front

                                              boutique resort where you will enjoy 2 dives each day including a variety of stunning

                                              reef and wreck dives baited shark dives (neutrally bouyant - not on the sea floor!).

                                              Tiger sharks, Ragged-Tooth Sharks, Black-tip Reef, and others are plentiful this time

                                              of year.

Climate:  Comfortable Winter in South Africa.

                                              Low-to-mid 70s air temp.

                                              Mid 70s water temp.

                                              Wetsuit 5MM - 7MM recommended (rental available onsite).

Itinerary Overview

EXTENSION DAYS - BIG 5 SAFARI

Hluhluwe Imfolozi

June 15-18, 2026 ahead of June 18 - 25 Mega Migration

or

June 29-July 2, 2026 ahead of July 2 - July 9 Mega Migration

• Private, peaceful, cozy. On a hill overlooking the expansive game reserve and watering holes.

• World-class chef prepares custom meals while warm, caring staff attend to your every comfort

• 2 Game Drives Each Day and The Option For a Bush Walk Add-On

• Cool, herbed washcloths and beverages after morning safaris. Hot, herbed washcloths and beverages after night safaris. Every thoughtful little comfort is delivered in spades here.

• Expert Guides Drive You in Comfortable Safari Jeeps and Track Down Cheetahs, Elephants, Giraffe, Nyala, Antelope, Leopard, Buffalo, Hyena, Wild Dog, Warthogs, Lions, and Unique Local Birds up close in their wild habitats.

• All Meals, Water, Tea, Coffee, and Refreshments/Cocktails on Game Drives are Included

• On-site Spa and Pool, Firepit, and Deck for Viewing Amazing Night Skies

• Transfers from Durban Airport and After Safari to Umngazi for The Mega Migration Odyssey

  
  

Mega Migration Odyssey 

Umngazi

Day 1 - Transport to Umngazi Accomodation

Days 2-6 - Mega Migration Odyssey Days

• Optional morning yoga and mediation experience.

• Morning boat launches. Each day brings a different experience with the ocean and its life deciding what to show us from the adreneline rush of frenzied sardine balls and gannets bombing into the water all around you, to calmer whale-breech filled boat days, or being held in the ocean with huge pods of playful dolphines, or close, awe-inspiring in-water encounters with curious whales, you'll love the variety of each day.

• Lunch back on land either at the lodge, or packed for enjoying during afternoon activities.

• Afternoon programming brings you further into the culture and beauty of this land. Enjoy exploring all that it has to offer with your hosts.

  - Waterfall Hikes, Horseback Riding, Microlite Flights, Riverboat Cruise, Local Village Cultural Visits, Beach Bonfires, Art & Crafting Demonstrations,

• Evening meals back at the lodge where incredible company, shared stories, and new friendships are forged.

Departures from Umngazi to Airport

8:00am Departure - Your choice of transport options

Day 7

• Scenic drive through the villages and towns up to Durban (7 hours) on comfortable transport

• Upgrade to the chartered flight from Port St John to Durban Airport for additional cost (45 minute flight)

OR

EXTENSION DAYS - Shark and Wreck Dive - Aliwal Shoal

Scottburgh

Day 8

• Transportation from Umngazi and Check-in

Days 9-10

• Exciting, active diving on Aliwal Shoal Wrecks, Reefs, and Shark Dives!

• Very comfortable ocean-front accomodations, well appointed ammenities

• All meals, coffee, tea, water, snacks

• 2 Dives each day on wrecks and on the beautiful reef sites

• Baited shark dives - neutrally bouyant! No laying on the sea floor for this amazing experience.

• Highly trained and experienced dive professional guides on each dive with you.

• SSE Host

Aliwal Shoal is a world-renowned scuba diving destination located off the coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It's a fossilized sand dune that has become a thriving reef system, teeming with diverse marine life including sharks, rays, and various fish species. The shoal is particularly famous for its population of ragged tooth sharks "raggies" which gather there to mate.

Transportation to Durban Airport (DUR) 

King Shaka International Airport, Durban

Day 11

Departure from accomodations at 8am for Airport

Flights should not leave prior to 1:00pm on day of departure from Aliwal.

There is a hotel in Durban we can recommend if you prefer to take a flight the next day.

HOLD YOUR SPOT NOW - $500 deposit per person.

(2026-Based) Cost - Final Confirmation by 9/15/2026:

• EXTENSION Big 5 Safari Ahead of Mega Migration - $1,550

• Mega Migration Odyssey - $5,350

• EXTENSION Aliwal Shoal Shark & Wreck Diving - $950

  • Non-diver Aliwal Extension cost $500

Costs are for double occupancy. For private room solo traveler, ad 20%. (If open to sharing, book the double occupancy rate and we will room you with another fabulous guest. If the room isn't full you will not be charged the solo rate)

Save $100 when you book at least one extension!

• IF BOOKING ALL THREE: $7,750 per person double occupancy

• IF BOOKING SAFARI + MIGRATION: $6,800

• IF BOOKING MIGRATION + ALIWAL DIVING: $6,250

  • NonDiver MIGRATION+ ALIWAL DIVING: $5,425

    
    

Note: Travel more than a year out may experience slight price increases due to local adjusting policies, park fees, or surcharges.