Not only is Aliwal Shoal rated by Jacques Cousteau as one of his personal top 10 sites of the world, and  it is easy to see why. On a single dive, you can see up to 7 species of rays. You can see 9 species of sharks on a trip, eels, turtles, dolphins, whales, and macro. The reef is the crown area of the MPA (Marine Protected Area) making life flourish. The marine life of the shoal is spectacular. Raggies or ragged tooth sharks are regularly spotted between August and November as they use the area to mate. They are, despite looking like hunters of the deep, rather docile. In fact in the history of diving the shoal, there has been no recorded attack from a shark. You are more likely to spot them close to a famous area known as the ‘raggy caves’. But it is not only the prospect of seeing 15 to 20 sharks at any one time that attracts divers here.

You can also see mantas, moray eels, huge stingrays, sweetlips, potato groupers (also known as potato bass or cod) and turtles. Whilst, with any luck and only at certain times of the year, you can also hope to see dolphins, humpbacks, whale sharks and hammerheads. This excludes the schools of pelagic and coral fish that frequent the 5 kilometre long reef or shoal. During summer, temperatures in the water average a warm 24 degrees, whilst in winter it does not get much colder than 19 degrees because the shoal lies on the inner edge of the Mozambique current.

Shark dives

The baited shark dives here at the Aliwal Shoal are one of a kind, and something that must be done at least once during your time here. With two baited drums full of local sardines and fish oil, the drums slosh in the current creating a scent trail that the resident oceanic black tip sharks follow in to investigate. During the summer months (Nov- March) tiger sharks are seen frequently and can be accompanied by a shy bull shark at times. Hammerheads can be seen as they migrate past in the summer months, as well as the odd great white shark! You never know what you may see on the Aliwal Shoal Baited Shark Dive! There is NO feeding/touching on this dive. It’s a great opportunity to get up close and interact with sharks in a positive manner while capturing the experience on camera.

Situated in the exclusive Mjejane Private Game Reserve, Kruger Lodge Mjejane overlooks the Kruger National Park from the banks of the Crocodile River. Our safari  Lodge offers rare up close encounters with wildlife on your doorstep, the lodge is perfectly situated making it possible to relax and watch passing herds and hunters moving within meters of you. The ever changing savanna in front of you provides hours of relaxed game viewing.

Mjejane Game Reserve lies on the banks of the Crocodile River at the southern end of the famous Kruger National Park and enjoys 10km’s of spectacular river frontage. Mjejane’s borders with the Kruger Park are no longer obstructed by fences, which means the game can roam freely within the reserve.

The Big 5 are regularly encountered here from the luxury of your 5 star safari lodge, enjoy sundowners on the deck while within the most amazing African sunsets. 2 private game drives per day are included as well as all you meals, and  soft drinks. Alcoholic drinks are payable extra.