Diving in Zavora Mozambique, diving with mantas, sharks and whales

"ZAVORA HAS THE BEST DIVING IN SOUTHERN AFRICA"
according to Johann Boschoff, Author "Dive Sites of Southern Africa" and Editor of Divestyle Magazine, South Africa 

While Zavora, in Mozambique, has only one recently built permanent dive centre, sporadic diving has been taking place in the area since the early 1970s. Much like Tofo in its early days, Zavora is primarily known as a fishing destination for South African sports anglers. Zavora is quite remote and apart from some fishermen, there is hardly any tourism. Zavora is an ideal diving destination if you like peace and calm and great diving.

We offer diving holidays in small groups, maximum 8 divers in the zodiac. Our operator in Mozambique does a wonderful job in providing an excellent diving service to our clients. All diving is done from a zodiac, which is put from the beach into the water on each dive. There is no port or jetty here.

The diving itself isn't difficult, but diving from a zodiac on a GPS position with a surface current and possibly high waves can be a little stressful for a novice diver. You need to dropp of the zodiac and descend immediately without surfacing, therefore briefings are important and divers are required to have at least 60 logged dives.

Zavora has two very long, accessible reef systems. The north "deep reef" system runs parallel to the coast approximately 10 kilometres off shore. Multiple dive sites have been identified on this system, varying in average depth from 24 to 45 meters. This reef system is quite literally packed with life, with enormous shoals game fish, Manta Ray cleaning stations and an extremely healthy shark population, including Bull, Tiger, Dusky and Oceanic Blacktip sharks.

The "inshore reef" system lies just one kilometre off shore, north of Zavora, running parallel to the dunes known as locally as Red Sands and White Sands. The Red Sands area features multiple Manta Ray cleaning stations in 12 to 14 metres, and both parts of this system offer stunning Macro life and underwater topography, as well a wide variety of game fish, potato and brindle bass, plus more opportunities for shark encounters. Average depths range from 12 to 18 metres with pinnacles coming up to 6 meters. While manta's are resident in the area, whale shark encounters are not common as they would be in neighbouring Tofo, which is why a combination trip of Zavora and Tofo will offer you a superb and unforgettable diving holiday!

Both of these reef systems are quite literally kilometres long and to date, not all parts have been completely explored and mapped. Exploration diving in the area will be available to divers who are interested in participating.

More or less in between these two systems, about 6 kilometres off-shore, lays the wreck of the Klipfontein. A Dutch passenger/cargo ship built in 1939, she sank on January 8 th , 1953, after having struck an "unidentified underwater object". The Klipfontein was 160 meters long, and as she was sinking she keeled over and broke in half, coming to rest upside down in two separate sections, on a bottom of 52 meters, with both sections coming up to 34 meters. She offers some amazing dive opportunities on both parts of the wreck and has formed a stunning deep water artificial reef system. It is worth noting that no human lives were lost during the sinking of the Klipfontein.

The seasonal Humpback Whale migration begins in July and finishes end of October. During this period it is common to large numbers of Humpback Whales in the area and with optimal conditions, in water encounters are possible. The best months for Humpbacks are normally August and September.

Other dive highlight includes encounters with an extremely healthy turtle population, including Loggerhead, Hawksbill and Leatherback Turtles, as well as relatively common sightings of the Small Eyed Ray, the world’s largest known species of Sting Ray, which to date, has only been seen alive in its natural environment along the coast of southern Mozambique.

Average Watertemperature:

Kruger Park Extension
Accommodation will be in Marloth Park which is a private game reserve located on the southern edge of Kruger National Park. The entrance gate into the Kruger Park is only 10 km away on a gravel road. Inside the Marloth Park Conservancy no houses can be fenced and the game moves freely (giraffes, warthogs, zebras, antelopes, wildebeests, etc.) throughout the park. It is very easy to approach them on foot or by bicycle (to be planned). There is also an enclosure within Marloth Park with lions, rhinos and buffaloes. Night game drives will be available. Short walks along the Crocodile River which makes the border with Kruger Park will offer,
the opportunity of spotting the Big Five!

The lodges
There are about 12 small lodges inside Marloth Park, from 2 to 4 stars. We offer 2 qualities: Standard and Luxury.

The meals
Christian, our cook lives in the reserve. He will be taking care of the clients there and will cook in the normal quality lodges. Christian is also a good and lively organizer with a great deal of experience in Africa. Listening to his adventures in Africa will be part of the safari! He always finds a solution for every problem!

The Game Drives
The game drives in Kruger Park will be on a full day basis in an open 4x4 safari vehicle with an English speaking professional guide. Lunch will be organized by Christian.

We insist on the simplicity of this product operated by providers extremely reliable and professional.. For us, the “Standard quality” formula is, by far, the best with Vuka Moya Lodge as the main lodge. The place is very nice and the kitchen big and very well equipped. The perfect conditions for Christian to express himself!! This place willl be our base camp and our first choice for accommodation.. The best vallue..
The clients who choose the “Luxury quallity” forrmula will have their mealls in their respective lodge but will share the game drives with the “Standard quality” formula clients..

Lodge Category Standard
Vuka Moya Lodge - 3 bungalows (2 to 4 beds) en-suite. AC.
Du Bois Lodge - 6 double rooms en-suite. AC.
Impalla Lodge - 4 chalets en-suite. AC.

Lodge Category Luxury
Crocodile Kruger Lodge - 6 double rooms en-suite. AC.
Mvuradona Lodge - 3 double rooms en-suite. AC.
Njovu Game Lodge - 6 luxury tents en-suite. AC.

Day by Day

Dates & Prices

Practical information

Video on Zavora