GREAT WHITE SHARK EXPEDITION WITH SHARK BIOLOGY COURSE IN SOUTH AFRICA
(FEBRUARY / SUMMER EXPEDITION: FALSE BAY, MOSSEL BAY, GANSBAAI)
Apex Shark Expeditions with Alessandro De Maddalena
INTRODUCTION
The Great White Shark Expedition with Shark Biology Course in South Africa is operated by Apex Shark Expeditions, owned by Chris and Monique Fallows. The expedition is hosted by Alessandro De Maddalena, one of the world’s foremost shark experts. The participants will encounter great white sharks in their habitat and learn about biology, ethology and ecology of these predators. All guests can cage dive as there is no scuba qualification required. There is space for a maximum of 11 participants per expedition. Participants must land at Cape Town Airport, South Africa, and leave from the same airport.
COST OF THE PACKAGE
The cost includes:
– 6 or 7 nights accommodation in Simon’s Town, Gansbaai and Mossel Bay,
– course in biology, ethology and ecology of sharks presented by Alessandro De Maddalena,
– 7 trips to cage dive with great white sharks, to witness these marine predators breaching, and possibly to cage dive with other species of sharks (broadnose sevengill, blue, shortfin mako, bronze whaler sharks) in four locations (False Bay, Cape Point, Gansbaai, Mossel Bay), weather permitting,
– safari in the private reserve of Botlierskop (with the possibility of observing antelopes, rhinos, lions, elephants, hippos, giraffes, zebras, african buffaloes, etc.)
– all dive gear,
– possibility to observe other marine animals (Cape fur seals, southern right and Brydes whales, common dolphins, African penguins, etc.),
– sandwiches and drinks on board,
– land transfers,
– a signed copy of the book “Great White Sharks of South Africa” by Alessandro De Maddalena.
NB: Flights and meals are NOT included.
MEETING WITH THE GROUP
Participants will communicate to Alessandro De Maddalena their arrival at Cape Town International Airport (please provide fly company, flight number, date and time). Pick up at the Cape Town airport will be arranged for every participant. A driver from Apex Shark Expeditions will meet them at Cape Town airport (passed the documents’ check point and the baggage claim point, in the next hall, after the sliding glass door). The transfer is a 50 minute drive to Simon’s Town. Participants will meet Alessandro De Maddalena and the rest of the group upon their arrival at The Grosvenor in Simon’s Town.
COURSE IN BIOLOGY, ETHOLOGY AND ECOLOGY OF SHARKS
The course will be taught by Dott. Alessandro De Maddalena. Lectures are held at the Shark Museum in Simon’s Town ( www.sharkmuseum.net ) and at other expedition sites. Each lesson lasts approximately 1 hour for a total of approximately 7 hours of lectures. Every day the lectures are taught in english, french and italian. During the boat trips, Alessandro De Maddalena will be available to answer to all participants’ questions as the shark trips are a fundamental part of the course. Course program includes: evolution, classification, identification, size, coloration, morphology, swimming, buoyancy, skin, skeletal system, muscular system, digestive system, respiratory system, circulatory system, nervous system, sensory perception, urogenital system, reproduction, habitat, distribution, movements, mutualism, parasites, predators, social behaviours, predatory strategies, diet, threat to humans, fisheries, utilization, captivity, shark diving, conservation, research.
GREAT WHITE SHARK TRIPS
Seven trips to cage dive with great white sharks, to witness these marine predators breaching, and possibly to cage dive with other species of sharks (broadnose sevengill, blue, shortfin mako, bronze whaler sharks) in four locations (False Bay, Cape Point, Gansbaai, Mossel Bay), are scheduled. All trips are weather permitting. The operators for the trips are Apex Shark Expeditions (False Bay and Cape Point), Marine Dynamics (Gansbaai) and White Shark Africa (Mossel Bay).
Since the primary focus of this expedition is the observation of the great white sharks, the mako and blue shark trip, which takes place off Cape Point, is only done if the great whites are not present in False Bay. Broadnose sevengill and bronze whaler sharks are often present in the same sites that we visit to observe the great white sharks. Sea trips are normally done in the morning and the duration of each trip depends on the specific site and the presence of sharks.
Great white sharks are attracted to the boat by means of a small amount of chum and a bait that keeps their interest alive in order to be able to observe them. If the weather conditions are favourable, the cage is lowered into the water for cage diving. The dives are in a steel cage which accommodates several guests at a time. Everyone can cage dive, no scuba qualification is needed. All diving is on snorkel. We prefer not to use scuba equipment which produces a lot of noise and bubbles. This often keeps the sharks from coming close. Cage divers will have a better chance of seeing the sharks if we can communicate the direction the sharks are coming from, especially when the water visibility is poor. During the dives, the cage is fixed to the boat and remains at the surface. In False Bay we may also be able to observe the natural predatory behavior of great white sharks breaching to catch Cape Fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus).
Participants must keep in mind that the sharks we are going to observe are potentially dangerous animals, it is therefore necessary to follow carefully the instructions given by the staff. Do not stretch out your hands or feet from the cage nor touch the sharks and in general do not do anything that can threaten yours and the other guests safety. All dive gear is provided and includes 5 mm wetsuits, mask, snorkel, weight belt, booties and hood. Wet suit sizes range from small to XXXL. If guests prefer, they can bring their own wetsuit, camera, videocamera or other gear as there is space enough on the boat. It is advised to bring a second skin to wear under the wetsuit for extra warmth and comfort because the water is very cold.
Sightings of great white sharks are not guaranteed. The number of these animals has dramatically decreased in recent years. To ensure the maximum probability of being able to see the great whites, the expedition takes place at the time of the year when these animals are most abundant and on the different sites where they are most frequent.
It is usually possible to see other wildlife, especially many species of sea birds (skuas, terns, shearwaters, petrels, penguins, albatrosses) and sometimes long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis), short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), southern right whales (Eubalaena australis), Brydes whales (Balaenoptera edeni). A light lunch and snacks are offered on board (see section meals).
EXCURSIONS IN CASE OF CANCELLED SHARK TRIPS
Where a great white shark trip has to be cancelled due to bad weather, there will be no refund, and a half day excursion will be arranged.
- a) CAPE POINT NATURE RESERVE
At the tip of the Cape Peninsula 60 km south-west of Cape Town, lies Cape Point, a nature reserve within the Table Mountain National Park; a declared Natural World Heritage Site. Encompassing 7750 hectares of rich and varied flora and fauna; abounding with buck, baboons and Cape Mountain Zebra as well as over 250 species of birds, Cape Point is a nature enthusiast paradise. Rugged rocks and sheer cliffs towering more than 200 metres above the sea and cutting deep into the ocean provide a spectacular background for the Parks’ rich bio-diversity. The natural vegetation of the area, fynbos, comprises the smallest but richest of the world’s six floral kingdoms. The lightouse completed in 1860 still stands at 238 metres above sea-level on the highest section of the peak and it can be reached by feet or by funicular. There is an entrance fee to the Reserve.
- b) KIRSTENBOSCH NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDEN
The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is the most beautiful garden in Africa and is one of the great botanic gardens of the world. The Kirstenbosch is located against the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain. Kirstenbosch was established in 1913 to promote, conserve and display the extraordinarily rich and diverse flora of southern Africa. There are over 7000 species in cultivation at Kirstenbosch, including many rare and threatened species, covering a 36 hectares area. There is an entrance fee to the Garden.
- c) CAPE TOWN
There are two possible shark-related places to visit in Cape Town: the South African Museum (Iziko Museums) and Two Oceans Aquarium. The South African Museum (Iziko Museums) ( www.iziko.org.za ) is located at 25 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town, and hosts a permanent exhibit on sharks, Shark World, with taxidermied specimens, life-size models and jaws. Photographs are allowed. The visit lasts approx one hour. There is an entrance fee to the Museum. The Two Oceans Aquarium ( www.aquarium.co.za ) is located at Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, and hosts numerous fish species, including sandtiger shark (Carcharias taurus), spotted gully shark (Triakis megalopterus), Puffadder shyshark (Haploblepharus edwardsii) and Dark shyshark (Haploblepharus pictus). Photographs are allowed. The visit lasts approx one hour and half. There is an entrance fee to the Aquarium.
- d) TABLE MOUNTAIN
The Table Mountain is a 1086 m mountain overlooking the city of Cape Town. In approx. five minutes, the Table Mountain Cableway takes passengers to the plateau at the top of the mountain, offering views overlooking Cape Town, the ocean and the surrounding peaks. It’s important to bear in mind that the Cableway can be closed at any time due to high winds and clouds.
ACCOMMODATION
It is important to keep in mind that in South Africa there are power sockets of type M (BS 546 3-pin plugs, 15-A). Adapters can be easily found in stores and supermarkets in South Africa, but can be found even in other countries even if they are less common.
NB: This itinerary is merely indicative and subject to change at the discretion of the operator.
EXCHANGE
There are automated teller machines available in Simon’s Town where it is possible to withdraw Rands, but there are no banks to exchange Euros or dollars into Rands. Keep in mind that ATM scams and credit card fraud are common in South Africa, so you should keep withdrawals from ATMs to a minimum and refuse offers of help at ATMs. It is suggested to activate the SMS transaction notification service for your card. You will be notified about your transactions in real time and this will enable you to identify any fraudulent transactions taking place on your card.
MEALS
Meals are not included in the package except for the sandwiches and drinks on board. We will all have lunch and dinner together in the excellent, affordable restaurants available on the sites we visit.
INSURANCE
Please note that travel insurance is not included. It is wholly the participants responsibility to obtain adequate travel insurance.
PASSPORT
For entering South Africa it is necessary to have a passport with validity of at least 30 days after the date planned for your return to your Country. US and most European Union citizens don’t require a visa (check at the local South African Consulate). Passport needs to have 2 blank pages (if you don’t have 2 blank pages you risk not boarding at all).
VACCINATIONS
No vaccination is compulsory to visit South Africa. Malaria prophylaxis is suggested only for those visiting Kruger area and the coastal area north of Durban, therefore not for the Western Cape area where we will stay.
BAGGAGE
Considering the repeated and extremely frequent delays in the delivery of the baggage, it is strongly suggested to carry only hand luggage. Moreover when you embark, stay near the front of the queue as if the flight is full, the crew may request you check your hand baggage into the baggage compartment. If, at Cape Town airport you find out that your baggage hasn’t arrived, you must go immediately to the undelivered baggage point (in the same hall of the baggage claim point, on the right) and give the following address for the delivery of your baggage (it will be delivered 36 or 60 hours after):
The Grosvenor, 37 Forest Hill Road, Simon’s Town, South Africa. Mobile: +27795573201
TEMPERATURE AND WEAR
In South Africa, February is summer and July is winter. In February the temperature varies between 15°C and 30°C, while in July the temperature varies between 5°C and 20°C. It can be cold and windy at sea, but it can also be hot. Weather-gear for the trips is not provided by the operator. Therefore it is suggested to bring a waterproof jacket to protect you from the wind. Other suggested wear includes long pants, short pants, cap, waterproof shoes, swim-suit, second skin and suntan lotion. We also reccomend that you bring polarized sunglasses. For the winter expedition it is advisable to also bring gloves. Wear layers, so that if the temperature rises it is possible to undress accordingly. Water temperature is between 9°C and 17°C.
SEASICKNESS MEDICINE
It is important to prevent sea sickness. We recommend: Stugeron (cinnarizine) or Dramamine (dimenhydrinate). Stugeron works very well; a tablet taken the night before and a tablet in the morning an hour before you go to sea. It is strongly advised not to drink alcoholic beverages at night as alcohol can cause severe sea sickness.
PAYMENT TERMS
A non-refundable deposit of 50% to be paid upon booking. The balance of the monies to be paid by 120 days before the expedition start.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Here the information concerning the fee in the case that one of the participants decide to retire from the expedition.
– Cancellation 120 days or more before the time of start date: 50% of the fee.
– Cancellation less than 120 days before start date: 100% of the fee.
– No show or late arrival: 100% of the fee.
CONTACTS
E-mail: alessandrodemaddalena@gmail.com
Website: www.alessandrodemaddalena.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ADMshark