Mantas and whale sharks in Mozambique?

[ABLAB]

Just came across this thread. Planning a dive/safari trip in 2026. Trying to coordinate the best month(s) for both. I expect sharks will be everywhere all the time but really hoping to see mantas, dolphins, and if lucky hammers or tigers. As for the safari, the classic big 5 in particular lions, elephants, and rhinos. Have been in contact in Blue Ocean Dive resort near Aliwal and Peri Peri in Tofo.

Blue Ocean which is located in eMkhomazi (near Aliwal) and offers Aliwal and Ponto diving and Isimangaliso and Umfolozi park tours.

Peri Peri dives at Tofo, Ponta, and Morrungulo and offers a Krueger safari.

Also, would prefer dive locations where I can actually take a quick walk to grab a pint or bite vs being confined to the dive resort. And, a beach for relaxation.

If anyone can offer any tips/advice/suggestions as to the best time of year and which of one of these options is likely to suit what I'm looking for I'd greatly appreciate it.

Cheers.

 

[touny71]

Did the same 2 years ago, Kruger was a blast, Tofo was very underwhelming, cowboy diving with little playoff.

I think you should manage your expectations.
Aliwal is a good lock for sharks, but don't count on it in Moz, same for mantas.
Both Peri Peri Divers and Liquid Divers have good operations in Tofo and are beach side, particulary Liquid. I had an awful experience with Diversity Scuba In the past, so beware.

 

[ABLAB]

Thanks. Been communicating with Peri Peri. They have a 14 day tour with dives at Tofo, Ponta de Ouro, Morrugulo, and Aliwal and Safari at Kruger and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi. On paper it looks tailor made for what I'm looking for.

Why did you find Tofo underwhelming? I'm assuming the cowboys diving was with Diversity or did you think that was the case with Peri Peri and Liquid also?

Do you have a suggestion for the best months that would maximize both land and water sightings?

Frankly, I can dive with sharks in Florida. My main goal is to see oceanic mantas, whales, dolphins, lions, and rhinos.

Really appreciate your input. I'm relatively a new dive like you and try to make sure I dive with safety conscious shops especially at remote locations.

 

[touny71]

Thanks. Been communicating with Peri Peri. They have a 14 day tour with dives at Tofo, Ponta de Ouro, Morrugulo, and Aliwal and Safari at Kruger and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi. On paper it looks tailor made for what I'm looking for.

Why did you find Tofo underwhelming? I'm assuming the cowboys diving was with Diversity or did you think that was the case with Peri Peri and Liquid also?

Do you have a suggestion for the best months that would maximize both land and water sightings?

Frankly, I can dive with sharks in Florida. My main goal is to see oceanic mantas, whales, dolphins, lions, and rhinos.

Really appreciate your input. I'm relatively a new dive like you and try to make sure I dive with safety conscious shops especially at remote locations.

That looks like lot of travelling in 14 days. Road travel in Moz and SA is slow and during periods of unrest (as there were in first months of the year) can be somewhat dangerous, particulary if don't speak portuguese. If can cut KZ-Natal out of that schedule looks a great idea.

Another think to look out for is accomodation in or around Kruger. If you stay inside the Kruger and particulary in a private reserve you're going to have a much private experience and able to enjoy animals for longer, and in a calmer ambient away from the crowds. However that's going to be more expensive (think 400€/day) and that's not usually what those pre-arranged programs offer by default. So you should definitly look into that.

Regarding seasons, May - October is set season in Kruger and when you have higher changes of finding animals near ponds. June/July - October is also whale season in Tofo, so early July would be my choice.

Regarding the cowboy diving..yeah that's going to be a common with every operator. Beach launch with swells, drift diving with boat following the surface buoy.. there's no proper coast guard, so don't get lost

 

[ABLAB]

Great info and much appreciated. Didn't think much about the language barrier since this is a guided tour from start to finish. It looks like the Kruger accommodations are adjacent to Marloth Park. So, gotta figure out if the actual safari is in the greater Kruger or limited to Marloth Park which I wouldn't be keen on. The safari portion at Krueger is two 10 hour days so presumably we get into the greater Kruger but gotta confirm that before committing.