St helena &
KWAZULU-NATAL
ICONIC GIANTS FROM SEA TO SAVANNAH
FEB 26 - MAR 17 2027 • 20 DAYS • Limited to 7 GUESTS only
Embark on a truly extraordinary journey that spans two of the Southern Hemisphere’s most captivating destinations.
Begin on remote, rugged St Helena, one of the world’s most isolated inhabited islands, set deep in the South Atlantic Ocean and largely untouched by modern life. Accessible via South Africa, this hidden gem has only recently become a focus for divers and adventure travellers, offering an authentic and largely undiscovered destination. Renowned for its whale shark aggregations, frontier diving, and fascinating history as Napoleon’s final place of exile, St Helena is the only place on Earth where whale sharks gather in roughly equal numbers of males and females, offering a rare glimpse of these gentle giants in their only known breeding grounds.
Dive dramatic volcanic walls alive with endemic species, explore historic shipwrecks, black sand beaches, lava tunnels, and lava arches, and discover the island’s rugged valleys and ridges dotted with historical remnants. Vertical walls and overhangs are cloaked in clouds of Saint Helena butterflyfish, a species found nowhere else, while schools of mobulas, mantas, green and loggerhead turtles, and large pelagic species frequent the clear waters.
After a week on St Helena, cross to South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal Province, a region of striking contrasts where pristine Indian Ocean reefs meet wild savannahs and untamed wetlands. Here, the adventure continues beneath the waves and across the African bush.
Just offshore, Aliwal Shoal, a world-renowned Marine Protected Area, offers high-energy dives with some of the ocean’s most powerful and iconic species. Oceanic blacktip sharks patrol these waters year-round, while seasonal visits from tiger sharks and bull sharks provide thrilling, close-up encounters. Deeper edges may reveal scalloped hammerhead sharks, alongside graceful manta rays, eagle rays, green turtles, guitar sharks, whitetip reef sharks, and the iconic potato bass.
Further north, Sodwana Bay is a true jewel—home to South Africa’s southernmost hard coral reefs and widely regarded as the country’s premier dive destination. Warm Indian Ocean currents support vast coral gardens, mushroom-shaped pinnacles, caves, swim-throughs, dramatic drop-offs, and bustling cleaning stations. These vibrant dives deliver excellent visibility and remarkable biodiversity, including colourful reef fish, sea turtles, migratory manta rays, ragged-tooth sharks, and whale shark sightings.
Your adventure continues on land with an unforgettable African safari experience. Begin with a boat safari on Africa’s largest coastal lagoon, where hippos dominate the waterways, Nile crocodiles line the banks, and flamingos and pelicans fill the skies. Then settle into your elegant lodge within one of the region’s largest private game reserves, where expertly guided private game drives at dawn and dusk reveal cheetah and the iconic Big Five— elephant, black and white rhino, lion, leopard, and buffalo—encountered in uncrowded, intimate settings.
From swimming with whale sharks and diving world-class reefs to tracking Africa’s most legendary wildlife on safari, this journey delivers a rare and seamless blend of ocean adventure, wild landscapes, and safari luxury - diverse, immersive, and truly unforgettable.
HIGHLIGHTS
Swim with majestic whale sharks, the world’s largest fish and gentle giants of the ocean, in the crystal-clear blue waters of St Helena.
Explore the pristine underwater riches of the “Galápagos of the Atlantic”, diving spectacular swim-throughs, volcanic walls, pinnacles, and reefs.
Search for endemic marine species found nowhere else on Earth, alongside frequent visitors including Devil’s Nose (mobula) rays and playful dolphins.
Discover the wildly dramatic and unspoiled beauty of St Helena’s landscapes, immersing yourself in the island’s rich history and legacy of past exiles.
Experience the heart-pounding thrill of coming eye-to-eye with tiger sharks and Zambezi (bull) sharks and feel the electric buzz of being surrounded by dozens of oceanic black-tip sharks at Aliwal Shoal.
In Sodwana Bay, dive South Africa’s southernmost hard coral reefs, coming face-to-face with ragged-tooth sharks and manta rays, and keep an eye out for Loggerhead and Leatherback turtle hatchlings as they may make their first journey to the sea.
Transition from ocean to savannah with exclusive safari experiences, including expertly guided game drives in a private reserve, tracking cheetahs and the iconic Big Five in uncrowded, intimate settings, complemented by immersive bush walks led by expert trackers.
Unwind in a luxurious safari lodge retreat, where refined comfort meets wilderness - featuring exceptional cuisine, personalized service, and sweeping views over the African bush.
RESERVE MY SPACE & ENQUIRIES
You've got that "I don't want to miss out" feeling for a good reason. Our expeditions are life changers and we have a solid following of Wild Earth Explorers who love returning to adventure with us. Don't hesitate in reserving your space today.
“I have to keep rewatching our photos to convince myself the trip was real. What an absolutely incredible experience. I checked off bucket list items I didn’t even know existed (shout out to the red-lipped batfish!). Thomas and Sabine, you set the gold standard for adventure travel. Thank you both for orchestrating such an unforgettable journey. It was a privilege to explore the Galápagos with such an amazing group. ”
© Google Earth
ITINERARY OVERVIEW
ST HELENA & KWAZULU-NATAL
ICONIC GIANTS FROM SEA TO SAVANNAH
FEB 26 - MAR 17, 2027 • 20 DAYS • Limited to 7 GUESTS only
Day 01 | Feb 26 Depart home / Travel to Johannesburg, South Africa
Day 02 | Feb 27 Fly to St. Helena / Welcome dinner
Day 03 - 07 | Feb 28-Mar 04 Whale shark snorkelling / Frontier diving / Island hikes
Day 08 | Mar 05 Napoleonic history / Plantation & Longwood House / Coffee estate
Day 09 | Mar 06 Fly to Johannesburg
Day 10 | Mar 07 Fly to Durban / Transfer to Scottburgh
Day 11 - 12 | Mar 08 - 09 Aliwal Shoal shark diving / Travel to St. Lucia
Day 13 | Mar 10 iSimangaliso lagoon cruise & uMthoma Boardwalk / Travel to Sodwana Bay
Day 14 - 15 | Mar 11 - 12 Dive Sodwana Bay / Travel to Hluhluwe
Day 16 | Mar 13 Wild cat conservation visit / Private safari game drive
Day 17 - 18 | Mar 14-15 Morning & afternoon game drives / Bush walk & cultural experience / Farewell dinner
Day 19 | Mar 16 Early morning game drive / Travel back to Durban / Fly home
Day 20 | Mar 17 Arrive home
WILD EARTH LEADER
PHOTO CREDIT © Thomas Baechtold, Sabine Templeton, Google Earth, & Adobe Stock