If you have ever wanted to see manta rays then you could hardly do better than join one of our Manta Ray Research & Conservation experiences in Mozambique. You will be able to join an Aqua-Firma team which will include the Queen of the Mantas*, Dr Andrea Marshall, on her home patch of water on daily manta ray research dives.

(*Queen of the Mantas was the title of the BBC documentary about Andrea's work.)

Each day we will head out in search of mantas and stay with them for as long as possible, collecting data on their behaviour, what they eat, their location and try to identify individuals. There will be two research dives each day and in between we will stay out on the water in search of whale sharks. If we locate whale sharks, you will have the chance to snorkel alongside them.

In the afternoon, you can either elect locally to take another dive, relax on some stunning surf beaches or join us in interpreting the day's data. You will be amongst experts who probably know as much about manta rays as any set of researchers on the planet. The team will provide evening talks on mantas ray research and conservation in Mozambique and beyond, as well as talks on coral reef ecology and whale sharks. Whale shark talks will cover both Mozambique and the Seychelles where Aqua-Firma has been running Whale Shark Research & Conservation experiences since 2006.

But this is not all about learning. The experience of diving with manta rays and people who dedicate their lives to them should be an inspiration. All this in the knowledge that your role is a positive one, diving to a responsible Code of Conduct and contributing financially to ongoing work of the Marine Megafauna Foundation of Mozambique - one of the world's most active and committed marine research and conservation organisations.

This experience has been set up very much in the mindset that participants may want to take the opportunity to explore further in Southern Africa. Aqua-Firma is a company that specialises in small group and tailor made diving and wildlife adventures. Tailor made diving and safari options can be arranged in Mozambique, South Africa and Botswana.

Just before the April trip starts, leader, Aqua-Firma director and former dive instructor, Ralph Pannell, will be taking those interested on a safari within the Kruger National Park. After the manta trip, he will also be taking a dive safari to the Protea Banks, Aliwal Shoal and coastal forests of southern Natal. April is considered a peak period for opportunities to dive with Tiger Sharks at the Protea Banks.

For those keen on additional diving in Mozambique, we can arrange more luxurious diving in the same part of Mozambique, Bazaruto or to some of the most pristine islands in east Africa: the Quirimbas Archipelago in the far north, close to the border of Tanzania.  For those interested to experience the rarely visited wilderness of Mozambique, we can arrange safaris to Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park; the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park on the border with Kruger; and Lake Nyasa which is more often known to people as Lake Malawi. We can adjust your flights between Johannesburg and Mozambique too to it in with any timing adjustments you need.

Accommodation in South Africa & Mozambique

Johannesburg is the start and end point of this trip and a night in a hotel in the capital is included on your first and last nights, as well as all airport transfers.

Accommodation in Mozambique is rustic and adequate (our focus is on the opportunity to dive with manta rays and manta ray research professionals. We will be based in three cabanas. Two have two twin / double rooms and a third has three twin / double rooms. Each cabana has self catering facilities, but we can also take the opportunity to explore local options. Breakfasts are included at the lodge.

Diving conditions

Sea surface temperatures:

April         ~ 25^oC - 27^oC
November ~ 24^oC - 27^oC

3mm wetsuits should be fine, but consider bringing a rash vest to go inside if you tend to feel the cold.

For full Dates & Prices and Itinerary details please click on the | Dates & prices | Itinerary | tabs just beneath the banner images above the text on this page:

2012 Dates

31^st Mar - 9^th April (Johannesburg - Johannesburg)

24^th Nov - 3^rd Dec (Johannesburg - Johannesburg)

Prices from £1,855 pp sharing in a three room cabana. Includes return international flgihts between South Africa and Mozambique.

Photographs kindly provided by Andrea Marshall, Simon Pierce & the Marine Megafauna Foundation

South Africa Safari and holidays - Kruger National Park - Sodwana Bay - Vamizi Island - Hluhluwe - Mkuzi - Johannesburg - Durban Natal Province - Stellenbosch & Cape Town casa - Great White Sharks - Titsikama - Barry - Botswana - Pemba Tanzania - Marine Megafauna Foundation - Kenya Airways