The Greatest Shoal on Earth
The Sardine Run Expedition
is a unique expedition exploring the annual sardine
migration on South Africa’s rugged Wild Coast. Sardine
fever hits the Wild Coast sometime in June each
year when the annual migration of sardines,
the “sardine run”, occurs. These fish start life
in the waters of the southern Cape, forming large
shoals and moving northwards to form “the greatest
shoal on earth”.
This expedition was created to allow participants
to follow and observe this mobile eco-system. For
the photographer the “action” opportunities are
amazing. To be in the middle of this incredible
phenomenon where predator and prey fight for their
existence, sometimes from horizon to horizon, leaves
us feeling a little small and inadequate in the
face of nature's magnitude.
Feeding on the sardines are
sharks and thousands of dolphins as well as game fish such as shad and garrick.
Approx. 3000 bottlenose
dolphins follow the coast within a very short distance
of the rocky shoreline
having their easiest meal of the year. There are
also multitudes of sea birds (several species of
albatross, storm petrels, white-chinned petrels, Cape gannets, several
tern species and even african penguins) not to mention
the occasional fur seal following the sardines and enjoying
this free marine buffet. Sightings of humpback whales
are also common. After several weeks of moving northwards,
they swim offshore to be carried along the inner
edge of the Agulhas Current back to the southern
Cape to spawn.
Participants will be met by our team at Durban Airport
and transferred by vehicle to Port Saint Johns.
Accommodation is at the guest house of Rod Haestier,
the Wild Coast’s most famous photographer who will host
us for the week and brings a lifetime of Sardine Run
experience to the group. Each morning, the boats will be launched
from a jetty from which we will proceed to
sea. Breakfast and packed lunches will be provided.
- 7 days, 6 nights based on the Wild Coast
- Twin Rooms
- 5 days spent at sea with unbelievable Sardine Run action
- Breakfast/lunch included