RED SEA LIVEABOARD SAFARI

RED SEA LIVEABOARD SAFARI 28 AUGUST 2010 – 6 SEPTEMBER 2010

Reefteach will be hosting this trip in conjunction with Wild and Blu Travel aboard the M/Y Royal Diving III. This will be a Reefteach trip and all the dives will be done “the Reefteach way” – nice and relaxed with a focus on the marine life and especially the critters. We will ensure that reference books are also readily available.
                                                                                            
The Red Sea is a unique area for many reasons. It occupies part of The Great Rift Valley and covers an area of 438,000 km². Due to the narrow opening at Bab-el-Mandeb in the south, low rainfall levels and the high evaporation levels the Red Sea is one of the most saline on earth. The water temperature in summer is 26 °C in the north and 30 °C in the south. This temperature varies only by 2 degrees in the winter. Visibility is typically 20 – 30 metres.

The Red Sea has over 2,000km of coral reefs and notwithstanding the high salinity and warm waters there is very little sign of coral bleaching. In fact studies are being done on the ability of the corals to withstand direct sunlight as many areas of the reefs stand above the water level at low tide. The red Sea has a large marine diversity with over 200 species of corals, 1,200 species of fishes (of which 10% are endemic) and over 1,000 invertebrate species.

The calm seas, warm water and fantastic visibility give ample opportunity for photography of the myriad corals and prolific sea life. Huge coral fans stand taller than a man hiding numerous fish and critters. Carpets of varied corals stretch as far as the eye can see. Night diving has to be one of the biggest advantages of the liveaboard. See Spanish Dancers and parrotfish in their cocoons. The Red Sea also has many wrecks of which the most famous is the Thistlegorm. This largely intact wreck is spell binding, swimming through the holds and seeing old trucks with motorcycles still stacked on top of them.

Come join us for 6 nights and 21 dives on the liveaboard. Thereafter we spend 2 days in a 5 star hotel to explore Sharm-el-Sheik with a final day in Cairo where tours to the Pyramids and Sphinx can be arranged. Arrangements can be made to join the tour from the UK or Europe.

TOUR PRICE (Per person sharing in double accommodation) R16 950,00

INCLUDING

  • Return flights on EgyptAir Economy Class from Johannesburg/Cairo excluding airport taxes
  • Return domestic flights within Egypt on EgyptAir Economy Class from Cairo/Sharm-el-Sheikh excluding airport taxes
  • 6 nights’ accommodation onboard the M/Y Royal Diving III liveaboard dive boat for a Northern Red Sea safari on a full board basis including all non-alcoholic beverages (tea/coffee/mineral water/soft-drinks/tonic water/soda water)
  • All diving (typically 21 dives) onboard the liveaboard including 12 litre aluminium tanks, weights/weight-belts & dive guide
  • 2 nights’ accommodation at the 5* Novotel Beach Hotel, Sharm-el-Sheikh on a bed & breakfast basis
  • 1 day’s accommodation at the 5* Sonesta Hotel, Cairo on a bed-only basis
  • Meet & assist at all airports within Egypt & all transfers to fit the programme
  • Tour t-shirt

EXCLUDING

  • Airport taxes:  Currently R2 100,00 subject to change prior to the issuing of airline tickets
  • Lunches, dinners & drinks in Sharm and Cairo
  • All alcoholic beverages:  Wine/spirits are not available onboard and must be brought from home country.  Beer can be ordered onboard the liveaboard:  US$3,00/can (Heineken/Stella)
  • Ras Mohammed National Park entrance fees:  US$5,00/person payable in cash onboard the liveaboard
  • Equipment rental other than 12 litre aluminium tanks/weights/weight-belts:  US$30,00/day – full equipment;  US$20,00/day – BC/reg only;  US$15,00/day – dive computer (compulsory);  US$12,00/day – reg only;  US$8,00/day – dive torch (including batteries);  US$60,00/week – 15 litre tank (if required)
  • Nitrox:  US$120,00/week for unlimited Nitrox refills
  • Service charge:  US$70,00/person payable in cash onboard the liveaboard on the last day
  • Cost of processing Egyptian visa:  R200,00/passport
  • Half-day tour to Pyramids & Sphinx, Cairo:  R600,00/person to be booked and pre-paid in home country
  • Full-day tour to Pyramids/Sphinx/Egyptian Museum/Khan-el-Khalili Bazaar:  R1100,00/person to be booked and pre-paid in home country
  • Nile cruise dinner:  R600,00/person to be booked and pre-paid in home country

Please contact us at info@reefteach.co.za for more details or to make your booking.

NB All photos taken by myself on a trip in 2005 (with a Sony P100).