8 days/ 7 nights
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5 ocean days
snacks & drinks on boat
breakfasts and dinners
private guide
we speak your language
accommodation
PADI/SSI certified guides
By a pristine beach
pick up & transfers
hydrophone on boat
2.540€
Qué es el Sardine Run para nosotros
El Sardine Run o "migración de las sardinas" es sin duda un sueño para muchos amantes de la naturaleza!
Buzos y no buzos.
Para nosotros, el Sardine Run es, sin duda, el evento marino más impresionante que verás en la vida. Hemos formado parte de ello desde 2007. Es impredecible, lo que lo hace aún más emocionante. Volvemos cada año porque sabemos que, si nos lo perdemos, podríamos perder un momento único en la vida.
¿Y lo mejor? ¡Cualquiera puede formar parte de este espectáculo! No es necesario ser buceador. Gran parte de la acción ocurre justo en la superficie, así que nadar es suficiente. O, si lo prefieres, puedes quedarte en el barco, que es igualmente un lugar privilegiado para presenciar todo.
Cada día es diferente. Algunos días, desde el momento en que salimos, está lleno de aves, delfines, ballenas y las horas pasan volando. Otros días, puede que estemos esperando durante horas sin nada a la vista. Pero de repente, cuando menos lo esperamos, la acción estalla y nos ofrece el mejor momento acuático de nuestras vidas.
No somos una agencia, somos los guías que con mucho orgullo te ofrecemos esta Experiencia como poco otros.
Conoce a vuestro guía
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We are Robert and Lacin. You guides.
As pioneers in cautiously entering the waters with these gentle giants, we take responsibility not only for your safety but also for the whales themselves. We do this with certified guides, always ensuring your safety and that of these magnificent creatures.
We enter the water with a maximum of four people and one of our dedicated guides. Our guidelines on how to behave around these gentle giants are carefully crafted, a testament to our commitment to responsible tourism.
Qué es el Sardine Run para nosotros
Along the eastern coast of Africa, winter marks the arrival of migrating whales that travel thousands of kilometres along our shores. We’re incredibly fortunate to have these gentle giants passing through our waters during this season, offering unforgettable encounters right on our doorstep. Winter conditions, however, can be unpredictable, some days bring calm, glassy seas, while others remind us of the raw power of the ocean.
To make the most of this natural spectacle, we’ve designed a standard itinerary that includes a minimum of five water days. This gives us the flexibility to work around changing conditions and increases your chances of enjoying meaningful whale interactions. If time and budget allow, we always suggest adding extra days. Not only does this enhance your experience, but it also gives you the freedom to take a rest day in between, ensuring a more relaxed and rewarding trip overall.
See below our Nhatundwe Experience - Nhatundwe means "Whales" in Gitonga, the local language from Inhambane.
Day 1
Arrival to Mozambique
Arrival at Inhambane Airport (Mozambique), where our team will be ready to welcome you. From here, we’ll take a short 20-minute road transfer to Praia do Tofo, your home base for the days ahead.
We’ll stop at the activity centre in Barra beach for check-in and a quick orientation. This is where you’ll meet all our crew who will be looking after you throughout your stay, including the skipper, dive masters, and other members. You will also have time to get a first look at the boat you’ll be heading out on during our humpback whale trips.
After settling into your accommodation, the rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy. Take a walk through the laid-back fishing village of Tofo, relax on the beach, or explore the nearby Praia da Barra.
In the evening, dinner will be served at the accommodation, giving you time to unwind and settle into the rhythm of Tofo.
Day 2 to day 6
Swim with Humpback Whales
Each morning begins with a fresh breakfast at the accommodation before we head over to the activity centre, in Praia da Barra, for the day’s briefing. Once we are all kitted up we will walk you through the plan for the day, sea conditions, and what to look out for once we’re out on the boat.
Right after we will get down to the beach where we will be launching from to head out to sea and get ready for the day in search of humpback whales.
Over the next several days, you’ll spend around six hours on the ocean each day, exploring the rich waters off Praia do Tofo and Praia da Barra. Our main focus is, of course, the migrating humpback whales, which fill the bay with blows, tail slaps, and breaching displays throughout the season. Whenever conditions allow and the whales are receptive, we’ll carefully attempt to enter the water for a respectful, in-water encounter, always following guidelines to ensure both your safety and the whales’ well-being.
But the magic of Tofo extends far beyond the humpbacks. As we move along the coastline, we’ll keep our eyes open for whale sharks, manta rays, playful pods of dolphins, curious turtles, and whatever else the ocean decides to reveal that day. Some outings are filled with calm cruising and surface action, others burst into life with unexpected encounters that make each day completely unique.
After several hours at sea, we typically return to Tofo in the early afternoon. This is the time to unwind, take a hot shower, relax, or enjoy a quiet walk through the village before the evening sets in.
Snacks are provided on the boat to keep you fueled throughout the outing, and dinners are included at your accommodation, giving you a relaxed and easy end to each day.
Day 7
Relaxation day
Today is intentionally left open for you to enjoy at your own pace, whether that means unwinding and soaking up the serenity of Tofo or taking advantage of the many incredible experiences the Tofo and Barra area has to offer. This free day invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and relish the rhythm of coastal life, or to venture out and explore even more of this vibrant region.
For those looking to stay active, a wide variety of optional activities can be arranged: explore the Inhambane estuary in search of flamingos, snorkel with seahorses and other fascinating macro life, or head out on the water for kayaking, surfing, SUP, kitesurfing, or even a sailing excursion on a dhow or catamaran. If you feel like discovering the coastline from a different perspective, electric bicycles are available for guided or self-guided rides through local villages, across desert-like dunes with sweeping views of the ocean, or even to visit the Coconut Factory, an authentic glimpse into local life and culture. Quad biking, cultural tours, village visits, and relaxing massages are also available for those seeking either adventure or indulgence.
Lunch is not included, but we will happily guide you to one of Tofo’s charming local restaurants for a taste of authentic Mozambican flavors. If your heart is still set on the ocean, an additional day out at sea can be arranged depending on availability. And should a scheduled day on the water have been missed earlier in the trip, this is the ideal opportunity to make it up.
As the day draws to a close, you’ll return to the lodge for dinner, a relaxed and welcoming moment to share stories and highlights of the day.
Day 8
Departure
Breakfast at the accommodation. Free morning to rest and enjoy your final hours in Tofo. This is a wonderful opportunity to visit the local craft market, pick up some last-minute souvenirs, explore a bit of local culture, or simply relax on the beach under the sun. Many guests love spending this time enjoying a coffee with a view, reading a book, or taking one last walk along the shoreline.
We will take you back to Inhambane Airport (20 min).
***Optional transfer to Vilanculos Airport (not included, 4 hours).
International flight back to your destination.
from
2.165€
INCLUDES:
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Arrival airport assistance
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Transfers from Inhambane airport (to and from Inhambane)
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7 nights accommodation (double or twin room), in Praia do Tofo/ Barra
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5 days of ocean safaris of 6 hours each, in Praia do Tofo
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Snorkelling equipment (wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins and weights)
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Hydrophone on board for listening to the whales
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Snacks and drinks on board
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Government fee
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Private divemaster and whale expert
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All breakfasts during the trip
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Private local guide
EXCLUDES:
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International and domestic flights
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Entry visas to Mozambique
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Meals not specified above
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Optional activities during the trip
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Travel insurance (recommended)
This is high-touch, low-volume travel. That’s why our prices reflect quality, not quantity."
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
• 50% deposit required to confirm the booking of the Experience, and remaining 50% to be paid 60 days prior to arrival • All payments done by providing bank card details will carry an extra 5% (bank fees) • All payments done through PayPal will carry an extra 5% • All payments done by bank transfers to be done using “banking our instructions” (client pays all bank transfer charges) • By paying the deposit you are deemed to have accepted our terms & conditions • Cancellations before 60 days prior to arrival will incur a cancellation fee of 50% of total booking amount (during local public holidays will incur a cancellation fee of 100% of total booking amount) • Cancellations after 60 days prior to arrival will incur a cancellation fee of 100% of total booking amount • Dive trips being cancelled due to bad weather not refundable • If as a result of a major force, such as a pandemic or political instability, the trip cannot be made on the scheduled dates, the amount paid is not refundable and the trip will be rescheduled for other dates in accordance with the availability of the client and Mozambique Experience •
Un día en el Sardine Run
On this programme, the daily departures are snorkelling excursions, so the Whale Swimming Experience is suitable for everyone. Entering the water to swim with the whales is not compulsory, so those less daring can also enjoy the show from the safety of the zodiac.
Entering with scuba diving equipment with the whales is almost impossible as they move quite fast, and keeping up with them is very difficult.
Even so, on our dive trips, we see them quite often while we are at depth.
For those willing to go in and swim with them, you should have a minimum of snorkelling experience, and have a minimum level of fitness as there is sometimes a lot of swimming involved in these excursions.
We usually get in the water with whales almost every day, but the idea is to have safe and unforgettable encounters first and foremost. Our aim is to have a couple of quality experiences on each of the trips, where quality means encounters of more than 10 minutes and close to the whales.
Each trip is composed of a maximum of 8 people, and only 4, together with the guide, will go into the water at a time. With this we want to invade the whales' space as little as possible and optimise the encounter with them.
Swimming with the whales is not easy, 'it's an art', some experts say, and at Mozambique Experience we have some of the best guides with years of experience between Mozambique and South Africa, and even in French Polynesia. And believe it or not, the difference between an experience and an unforgettable experience is often there.
The encounters require a lot of concentration, a lot of attention, and to strictly follow the instructions of our guides. At Mozambique Experience we have been working all these years on various strategies to achieve the desired results, and we are succeeding, and all our clients take with them magical and unforgettable moments.
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Un día en el Sardine Run
BALEEN
EYES
VENTRAL
PLEATS
INCUMPLIMIENTO
DORSAL FIN
FLUKE
DORSAL RIDGE
PECTORAL FIN
KNOBS
BLOW HOLE
Migration
Humpback whales are true globe-trotters, undertaking one of the longest migrations in the animal kingdom. They travel from cold, nutrient-rich feeding grounds in polar regions to warmer breeding and calving areas closer to the equator. The exact routes vary between populations, but they often traverse vast ocean expanses.
Migration serves multiple purposes for humpbacks. They feed in cold waters during the polar summer, accumulating the necessary fat reserves. As winter approaches, they migrate to warmer waters for breeding and calving, where the calves have a higher chance of survival in the milder conditions.
Humpbacks exhibit remarkable fidelity to their breeding and calving grounds. Each population has specific areas where they return year after year, forming distinct communities. For instance, whales from the Antarctic might travel to warmer regions like Mozambique or Hawaii for their reproductive activities.
Despite the grandeur of their migrations, humpback whales face various challenges. Human activities, such as ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear, pose threats to their journey. Conservation efforts are crucial to ensuring safe passage for these majestic travelers.
Océano Atlántico
Océano Índico
Frequently asked questions
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