Backed by its extensive experience in the tourism and leisure industry, particularly in the dive travel industry, Wild & Blu Travel is perfectly placed to provide you with exciting and unforgettable land and liveaboard based safaris, as well as a host of other exciting tours!

Come with us on a journey of discovery to experience our planet's wild and beautiful places….


South Africa
South Africa has one of the most spectacular landscapes to be found anywhere in the world and the rich bio-diversity of flora and fauna to be found in this magnificent country is without equal. Come with us on a journey of discovery, from the wetlands and sub-tropical climate of the eastern seaboard to the wild and untamed west coast, taking in the best of what each region has to offer the dive traveller. Its cities are also vibrant, thriving metropolis where world-class hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and shopping areas can be found.

Dive sites on the South African coastline include the following fantastic reefs:

ALIWAL SHOAL
Aliwal Shoal, a massive reef system located 5 kilometres off the shores of a little seaside village called Umkomaas on the Kwazulu-Natal south coast, 30 kilometres south of Durban, is a dive destination unparalleled in its capacity to surprise and delight. Endemic to this area are schools of Ragged Tooth sharks, as well as scores of Bottle-Nose dolphins, Whale Sharks and other shark species. Big fish include the gigantic Brindle and Potato bass. There are also two diveable wrecks, the Produce and the Nebo. Diving here is best during the winter months (March-August), with near perfect surface and visibility conditions. Depths vary from 6-27 metres and water temperatures hover around 21ºC in winter and 27-29ºC in summer. Launches in zodiacs from the beach or through the nearby river mouth make an exciting start to the dive.

SODWANA BAY
Home to the world's southern-most coral reefs and boasting over 1 200 species of fish, Sodwana is a timeless realm of astounding bio-diversity and beauty. Wide lakes and extensive river estuaries shimmer with life, and fertile swamp and sand forests abound with rare and protected animal and plant species, while towering dunes shelter golden beaches from the lush interior. Venturing oceanwards, the seabed is bejewelled with coral reefs and formations of dramatic splendour, staging an unceasing pageant of every kind of marine life. Maputuland is home to the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park, a proclaimed World Heritage Site and one of the last remaining breeding grounds of the endangered Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles. It is also the site of the recent re-discovery of the rarely sighted, prehistoric Coelacanth, a fish thought to be the "missing link" in humankind's evolution from water to land. Sodwana Bay is also best enjoyed during the winter months from March through to August, when rainfall is minimal and visibility and surface conditions are at their best. Water temperatures here rarely drop below 21ºC. Surf launches in zodiacs add to the excitement of diving this region. The huge variety of dive sites cater for novices and experienced divers alike. Reefs have depths ranging from 12-36 metres, with drop-offs of 100 metres or more.

GANSBAAI
Near the southern-most tip of Africa, we reach Gansbaai, a small seaside village situated to the south-east of Cape Town. With its colder Atlantic waters and abundance of Cape Fur seals, this is the perfect location for an encounter with that most feared and misunderstood species, the Great White shark. Now a proclaimed protected species, the Great White shark was once near to extinction, having been all but hunted out by its only predator, Man. Dives take place in a narrow, shallow channel between Geyser Rock and Dyer Island commonly known as Shark Alley. When the sharks make their appearance, the divers enter a cage suspended in the water. Observing these apex predators in their natural environment is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The ideal months, however, are when surface and visibility conditions are at their best, and this is usually from February through to May. The water temperatures of the Atlantic Ocean here vary from 8ºC to a high of 20ºC - definitely semi-dry or dry-suit diving but a worthwhile and unique diving experience!

BIG GAME VIEWING
No visit to South African shores would be complete without a visit to one of our world-class game reserves, many of which are within easy reach of the diving areas. Big five (Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo and Elephant) game viewing in South Africa is best in winter when the vegetation cover is sparser and the animals converge in great numbers along the river banks and water holes. Some encounters will bring you close to White and Black Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo, Giraffe, Hippo and Zebra as well as many species of buck. If you are lucky you may spot the elusive Leopard, or come across a Lion kill on a night drive. Guided game viewing us undertaken in 4 x 4 vehicles and the privilege of seeing African wildlife at close range in pristine natural environments is an experience of a lifetime. Tall tales and the excitement of big game viewing can be savoured again around the camp-fire at luxurious bush lodges which cater for every possible need.

SAMPLE SOUTHERN AFRICA PACKAGES:
AFRIKAR DRIVE AND DIVE & WILDLIFE SAFARI (14 DAYS-13 NIGHTS) - GBP 1,840 PP SHARING
BEST OF SOUTHERN AFRICA - SOUTH AFRICA & MOZAMBIQUE (13 DAYS-12 NIGHTS) - GBP 1,880 PP SHARING
BEST OF CORAL/BEST OF SHARKS (11 DAYS-10 NIGHTS) - GBP 1,440 PP SHARING


Bali - AN INDONESIAN PARADISE
Bali is so picturesque that you could be fooled into thinking it was a painted backdrop: Rice paddies trip down hillsides like giant steps, volcanoes soar through the clouds, the forests are lush and tropical, and the beaches are lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. There are several attractions on the island, such as:

KUTA BAY
Situated in the south of Bali, about 10 kilometres southwest of the capital of Denpasar, Kuta Bay is a major draw card for travellers, offering great shopping, surf, sunsets and riotous nightlife. It has the only beach on Bali where the surf breaks over sand instead of coral. Ulu Watu is the area's most famous surfing spot. Behind the beaches, labyrinthine roads and alleys lead back to the most amazing clutch of hotels, restaurants, bars, food stalls and shops.

UBUD
Situated in the hills 20 kilometres north of Denpasar, Ubud is the serene cultural centre of Bali. Head off in any direction and you're in for an interesting walk to a secluded craft hamlet, through the rice paddies or into the dense Monkey Forest, just south of the town centre. Ubud is a good place to see Balinese dancing and hear Balinese music, and it has some of the finest restaurants on the island.

GUNUNG BATUR
The volcanic cone of Gunung Batur is situated in northern Bali, approximately 35 kilometres north of Ubud. The volcano and the lake, which fills half of the surrounding caldera, forms one of Bali's most spectacular landscapes. Climbing Batur (1 717m) to see the sunrise is a magnificent experience.

PEJENG
The Pejeng region around Ubud hides some of Bali's most ancient monuments and relics. Set in the bottom of a lush green valley surrounded by terraced rice paddies are the 10 impressive rock-cut shrines of Gunung Kawi. The shrines are carved out of the rock face in imitation of actual statues - in a similar fashion to the great rock-cut temples of Ajanta and Ellora in India. Less spectacular, but equally important, are the rock carvings at Yeh Pulu, the Pura Samuan Tiga temple and Goa Gajah (the elephant cave) - all just a couple of kilometres east of Ubud.

TENGANAN
The ancient village of Tenganan, inland from the east coast port of Padangbai, can only be reached by motorbike or on foot. It's a walled Bali Aga village, busy with unusual customs, festivals and practices. It's the centre for the weaving of the little-seen double ikat cloth, and ancient versions of gamelan and accompanying dances are performed here. The nearby towns of Amlapura and Tirtagangga are known for their decaying water palaces - relics of the power of the Balinese rajahs - which are surrounded by beautiful terraced rice paddies.

TAMAN NATIONAL BALI BARAT (WEST BALI NATIONAL PARK)
The Taman National Bali Barat covers nearly 20 000 hectares of Bali's western tip and 7 000 hectares of coral reef and coastal waters. Over 200 species of plants inhabit the various environments. Animals include black monkeys, leaf monkeys and macaques; Java, barking, sambar and mouse deer; squirrels, wild pigs, buffalos, iguanas and pythons. The bird life is prolific, with many of Bali's 200 species represented, including the striking Bali starling. The park's attractions include hot springs, uninhabited Deer Island (which has great diving) and guided jungle treks.

7 NIGHTS/5 DIVES - INCLUSIVE OF:
3-nights' accommodation at the Oasis Hotel in Kuta on a per person sharing bed & breakfast basis
2-nights' accommodation in Tulamben at the Mimpi Tulamben resort on a per person sharing, bed & breakfast basis
2-nights' accommodation at the Pertiwi Resort and Spa in Ubud on a per person sharing bed & breakfast basis
3 day dives at Tulamben including equipment, dive guide, lunch, soft-drinks & beach towels
2 day dives at either Nusa Penida or Padangbai including equipment, dive guide, lunch, softdrinks & beach towels
All airport transfers and transportation by land and boat in Bali
Local fees & porterage

10 NIGHTS/10 DIVES - INCLUSIVE OF:
2-nights' accommodation at the Oasis Hotel in Kuta on a per person sharing bed & breakfast basis
2-nights' accommodation in Tulamben at the Mimpi Tulamben resort on a per person sharing, bed & breakfast basis
4-nights' accommodation in Candidasa at the Watergarden Hotel on a per person sharing bed & breakfast basis
2-nights' accommodation at the Pertiwi Resort and Spa in Ubud on a per person sharing bed & breakfast basis
4 day dives at Tulamben including equipment, dive guide, lunch, soft-drinks & beach towels
2 day dives at Nusa Penida including equipment, dive guide, lunch, softdrinks & beach towels
2 day dives at Padangbai including equipment, dive guide, lunch, softdrinks & beach towels
2 day dives at either Nusa Penida or Padangbai (including dives at Biaha and a beach BBQ lunch)
All airport transfers and transportation by land and boat in Bali
Local fees & porterage


14 NIGHTS/20 DIVES - INCLUSIVE OF:
2-nights' accommodation at the Oasis Hotel in Kuta on a per person sharing bed & breakfast basis
2 nights' accommodation in Pemuteran at the Bali Taman Sari Cottages on a per person sharing bed & breakfast basis
2-nights' accommodation in Tulamben at the Mimpi Tulamben resort on a per person sharing, bed & breakfast basis
5-nights' accommodation in Candidasa at the Watergarden Hotel on a per person sharing bed & breakfast basis
3-nights' accommodation at the Pertiwi Resort and Spa in Ubud on a per person sharing bed & breakfast basis
4 day dives at Menjangan including equipment, dive guide, lunch, soft-drinks & beach towels
8 day dives at Tulamben including equipment, dive guide, lunch, soft-drinks & beach towels
4 day dives at Nusa Penida including equipment, dive guide, lunch, softdrinks & beach towels (including 1 day at Manta Point)
4 day dives at Padangbai including equipment, dive guide, lunch, softdrinks & beach towels (including 1 day at Gili Biaha and a Beach BBQ lunch)
All airport transfers and transportation by land and boat in Bali
Local fees & porterage


Egypt
The Red Sea is the stuff of legend for most divers. It is the epitome of all that is enticing and fascinating about tropical reefs, with fabulous coral walls and gardens stocked with mythically beautiful sea life. Its exploration was pioneered by the giants of diving's early history: Hans Hass, and Jacques Cousteau whose maiden voyage there in the Calypso brought diving, and the Red Sea, to the hearts and minds of a whole generation. The clear blue waters between Sharm-el-Sheikh on the Sinai Peninsula, and stretching south from Hurghada on the mainland Egyptian coastline hide some of the Red Sea's biggest surprises - stunning reefs and mysterious shipwrecks, the legacy of the maritime trade that has flowed through the region for millennia. The reefs of this region are as rich in history as they are in natural beauty. Most of the dive sites in the northern and southern Red Sea are accessible by liveaboard dive boat only and the comfort of diving from a fully equipped dive boat is incomparable. The shore-diving in the Red Sea is not to be ignored, however, as there are many beautiful dive sites located within a short walk from your hotel. Our shore-diving itineraries start from Dahab (approximately 1 hour's drive), a picturesque Bedouin village situated on the eastern coast of the Sinai Peninsula. Dahab's unique desert landscape, its spectacular mountain ranges and golden palm-fringed bays must make it one of the most beautiful and romantic locations in all of the Middle East. Its location on the shores of the Red Sea offers direct access to great diving and snorkelling spots. The hotels which are used all feature private bathrooms and air-conditioning. Experience a unique Bedouin dinner in a tent pitched in the shade of palm trees by day and beneath the sparkling stars by night. In-house dive centres provide a wide range of services from guided dives, equipment rental, courses, diving safaris and unforgettable night dives. Between dives you can enjoy your time relaxing at the beach, around the pool or taking a walk into the local markets. For those with an adventurous spirit, camel diving safaris are a must as these offer access to some of the most pristine unspoilt dive sites on the Sinai coastline inaccessible by either boat or vehicle!


Maldives
The Maldives woos tourists with promises of 'the last paradise on earth', and if your idea of paradise is a pristine tropical island with swaying palm trees, pure white beaches and brilliant turquoise lagoons, then the Maldives will not disappoint. It's also a major destination for scuba divers, who come for the fabulous coral reefs and the wealth of marine life. The Maldives is a chain of 26 coral atolls south-west of Sri Lanka, extending across the equator in a north-south strip 754km (468 miles) long and 118km (73 miles) wide. The 1 192 low-lying coral islands are so small that dry land makes up less than 4% of the country's total territory. Some islands are uninhabited sandbars with a patch of scrub, while others are several kilometres across and quite well vegetated. The most exciting wildlife is under the water. Anyone with a mask and snorkel will see butterfly fish, angel fish, parrot fish, rock cod, unicorn fish, trumpet fish, bluestripe snapper, Moorish idols, oriental sweetlips and more. Larger life forms, eagerly sought by scuba divers, include sharks, stingrays, manta rays, turtles and dolphins. Generally, the year is divided into two monsoon periods: the north-east monsoon or ruvai lasts from December to March, which are the drier months; the south-west monsoon or ulhangu lasts from April to November, and is wetter, with more storms and occasional strong winds. Daytime temperatures are about 28°C (82°F) all year. The humidity is slightly lower in the dry season but most days there's a cooling sea breeze. If you're looking for a few extra hours of sunshine then you should visit the Maldives between December and April, which is the dry season. This is the high season, however, and resorts can be fully booked and prices are higher than the rest of the year. The Christmas-New Year period is the busiest and most expensive part of the high season. Between May and November it's still warm, but the skies can be cloudy, humidity is higher and rain is more likely. This is the low season, and there are fewer tourists and prices are lower. The transition months of November and April are said to be associated with increased water clarity and better visibility for divers.


Mauritius
Mauritius is a volcanic island, measuring 58 km from north to south and 47 km from east to west. It lies in the Indian Ocean, roughly 800 km east of Madagascar, 3 860 km south-west of India and 220 km north-east of its nearest neighbour, Réunion. It includes the inhabited island of Rodrigues, some 560 km to the north-east, and other scattered coral atolls such as Cargados Carajos and Agalega. The island rises steeply in the south to a central plateau and slopes gently down to the northern coast beyond the mountains that back the capital, Port Louis.Unlike neighbouring Réunion, Mauritius has no active volcanoes, although remnants of volcanic activity - such as Trou aux Cerfs crater in Curepipe and millions of lava boulders - pepper the island. Mauritius is surrounded by a coral reef and lined by a few long stretches of white sand beach. The reef is broken in several places, with the largest break evident in the pounding surf along the black cliffs between Souillac and Le Bouchon on the southern coast. A smaller, less spectacular break occurs at Flic en Flac on the west coast. The abundant marine life found in Mauritian waters includes corals, mollusks, turtles, dolphins, four types of whale and innumerable fish. The Mauritian climate is a mixed affair. Atop the plateau, Curepipe's temperatures average a few degrees cooler than those on the coast; it's also common to find rain in Curepipe while the beaches enjoy blue skies and vice versa. Similarly, east coast weather differs from that of the west coast - the former being much drier during January and February, when prevailing winds drive in from the east, race up the mountains and dump rain on central and western Mauritius. There is no monsoon season, though cyclones hit the island every 15 years or so between November and May. During these months, there are usually a few days of heavy rains that keep everybody cooped up indoors. Light rains fall year round. The highest average daytime temperatures occur from January to April and top out around 35°C. The coolest period is from July to September, when temperatures average 24°C during the day and 16°C at night. Humidity is generally highest between October and June. Apart from the busy Christmas to New Year period, Mauritius doesn't really have a high or low season. The depths of Mauritian 'winter' occur from July to September, when daytime temperatures drop from sticky to balmy. With less rain and humidity, this is one of the choicest times to visit. Weather-wise, the least agreeable period is from January to April, when the long days can prove too hot and humid for some and the threat of cyclones is in the air. Visitors should be prepared to spend several days cooped up indoors during extra-heavy rains. December through March is the best time for diving, when the waters are at their clearest; June through August is best for surfing; and October through April is excellent for big game fishing, when the large predators feed close to shore.


Palau
Palau is one of the world's truly spectacular scuba diving locations, with coral reefs, blue holes, WWII wrecks, hidden caves and tunnels and over 60 vertical drop-offs. It's the meeting place of three major ocean currents, which bring abundant food supplies and an enormous variety of marine life to the area. Thanks to that, the waters surrounding the Rock Islands literally teem with over 1 500 varieties of reef and pelagic fish and more than four times the number of coral species than is found in the Caribbean. If you're an avid scuba diver, you already know tropical Palau's the last word in underwater wonderlands. What you may not know is that Palau also features Micronesia's richest flora and fauna, both on land and beneath the waves.

TRAVEL PACKAGES:
We are offering dive and hotel package deals with five popular Palau hotels. Each attractive package includes:
- 7-nights' accommodation on a per person sharing bed & breakfast basis
- 5-day (10 dives) dive package including tanks, weights, transportation, lunch & drinks
- 1-day kayaking tour including lunch & drinks
- Koror and Peleliu government diving permits
- Return airport-hotel-airport transfers
Packages exclude:
- International flights to and from Koror
- Airport departure tax
- Diving equipment rental other than tanks/weights
- Nitrox refills
- Night dives
- Other optional tours


Thailand
Various dive packages on board the 'Viking Of The Orient' - 35 metres long and with 4 decks (12 spacious cabins, all with private toilet and shower), safety, luxury and easy-going are the keywords!


Zanzibar
Zanzibar and Pemba are two coral islands set in the clear waters of the Indian Ocean off the coastline of Tanzania on the East Coast of Africa. Diving here is fantastic and Stone Town, with its reminders of the spice and slave trade which once took place on these islands, holds the essence of the allure of this archipelago. The islands' climate is tropical and high in humidity. From December to March, and again from May to October, the north-east trade winds blow. Monsoon rains fall between April and June, and "short rains" between November and January. The coolest and driest time to visit is between July and October. December and January are busy periods, quietening down again during February and March. April to June is the cheaper time to go but not recommended because of the monsoon rains.

TRAVEL PACKAGES:
- ZANZIBAR ISLAND: SELF-CATERING HOLIDAY (VALID FOR A MINIMUM OF 6 PERSONS): 5 OR 10 DAY OPTIONS AVAILABLE
- ZANZIBAR ISLAND/STONE TOWN: 5 & 8 DAY PACKAGES AVAILABLE AT THE BLUE BAY RESORT ON THE NORTH-EAST COAST AND THE EMERSON & GREEN HOTEL IN STONETOWN
- ZANZIBAR ISLAND/STONE TOWN: 5 & 8 DAY FULLY-INCLUSIVE PACKAGES AVAILABLE AT THE MAPENZI BEACH CLUB ON THE NORTH-EAST COAST AND THE CHAVDA HOTEL IN STONETOWN
- CHAPWANI PRIVATE ISLAND: 6 DAY PACKAGE AVAILABLE
- ZANZIBAR CYCLING SAFARI: 10 DAY PACKAGE AVAILABLE
- PEMBA ISLAND: ACCOMMODATION/SCUBA-DIVING PACKAGE: 8 DAYS BASED AT THE MANTA REEF LODGE ON PEMBA ISLAND


Mozambique
BASSAS DA INDIA

After a very successful season, there will once again be charters out of Vilancoulos in Mozambique to the atoll of Bassas da India. Situated in the Mozambique channel at 23°S and 39°E is the tiny coral atoll of Bassas da India. It rises from the deep oceanic basin floor of nearly 6000ft to just below the surface. Its sides are almost vertical and hence exposed to the powerful prevailing oceanic conditions. The Bas lies on an oceanic fracture zone, and is either volcanic or tectonic in origin,. The top is covered with coral. Its shape is typical of an atoll with large central lagoon and narrow fringing reef and although entrance channels are present, they are both narrow and difficult to locate. The Bas lies some 50 miles to the north of Europa Island and is likewise a French possession, though this claim to sovereignty is somewhat tenuous as there is only dry land once the tide is out. Though it is fairly well charted, and has been so for centuries, it is a most treacherous reef simply because it cannot be seen at high tide. For this, reason it is a graveyard for ships. Nobody seems to know exactly how many - but the place is littered with wrecks, perhaps as many as a hundred. Some of these wrecks, centuries old, others more recent. The most notable of which is the wreck of the SANTIAGO in 1585. The Bas is infrequently visited and then only by ocean going yachts or motorized vessels. The French too turn a blind eye to recreational use of the Bas but commercial exploitation is prohibited. The yacht used to reach the atoll is the Simonis design 54ft motorized catamaran, Ocean Explorer I, which has underwent a complete refit in 2002, to make it one of the few dedicated diving, live-aboard vessels operating on the east coast, to facilitate these trips.

Diving while moored at the Bas is unlimited and as easy as falling off the back of the boat. As the Bas is a long way from any medical facility, we carry an extensive medical, first aid and full oxygen kit. Nevertheless, only diving on computer will be allowed. In the interest of safety a required minimum, diving qualification, of PADI - Master SCUBA Diver, the equivalent or higher, only, will be acceptable to participate, together with a minimum of 50 logged ocean dives. Divers will also be interviewed by the dive master prior to diving and will be required to sign a liability waiver, indemnifying both company and crew against any liability in the event of an accident. Please note that any decision taken by either the dive master or skipper must be accepted as safety is paramount to fully enjoying the experience offered at Bassas da India.

SCHEDULED DEPARTURES 2007

FANTASTIC RED SEA SAFARIS FOR 2007 ONBOARD THE M/Y HYATT LIVEABOARD
09-19 June 2007 - R13,950,00
30 June-10 July 2007 - R14,450,00
14-24 July 2007 - R14,450,00
21-31 July 2007 - R13,950,00
04-14 August 2007 - R15,450,00 - SOUTH SAFARI TO BROTHERS' ISLANDS
11-21 August 2007 - R13,950,00
25 August-04 September 2007 - R13,950,00
08-18 September 2007 - R13,950,00
15-25 September 2007 - R13,950,00
All above prices include return flights from Johannesburg/Cairo/Sharm-el-Sheikh, 6 nights' accommodation onboard the liveaboard on a full board basis (including non-alcoholic beverages), all diving including tanks, weights & dive guide, 2 nights' accommodation at EITHER a 5* hotel in Sharm-el-Sheikh OR a 4* hotel in Dahab on a bed & breakfast basis and 1 day's accommodation in a 5* hotel in Cairo.


ONBOARD THE M/Y ROYAL DIVING III LIVEABOARD
31 March-10 April 2007 - R12,990,00 - including return flights Johannesburg/Cairo/Sharm-el-Sheikh, 4 night liveaboard, 4 night 4* Dahab & 1 day 5* Cairo
21 April-01 May 2007 - R11,950,00
23 June-03 July 2007 - R12,450,00
14-24 July 2007 - R12,450,00
21-31 July 2007 - R11,950,00
22 September-02 October 2007 - R12,450,00
Except where specified otherwise, all above prices include return flights from Johannesburg/Cairo/Sharm-el-Sheikh, 6 nights' accommodation onboard the liveaboard on a full board basis (including non-alcoholic beverages), all diving including tanks, weights & dive guide, 2 nights' accommodation at EITHER a 5* hotel in Sharm-el-Sheikh OR a 4* hotel in Dahab on a bed & breakfast basis and 1 day's accommodation in a 5* hotel in Cairo.


ONBOARD THE M/Y DOLCE VITA LIVEABOARD
19-29 July 2007 - R16,450,00 - DEEP SOUTH SAFARI TO ST JOHN'S ISLAND - PHOTOGRAPHIC SPECIALITY TRIP FULLY ACCOMPANIED BY ANDREW WOODBURN
Above prices include return flights from Johannesburg/Cairo/Hurghada, 6 nights' accommodation onboard the liveaboard on a full board basis (including non-alcoholic beverages), all diving including tanks, weights & dive guide, 2 nights' accommodation at a 5* hotel in Luxor on a bed & breakfast basis and 1 day's accommodation in a 5* hotel in Cairo.