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ISLAND EXPERIENCES

  • The Private Residence
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    The Private Residence
    A Jewel of the Maldives.

    Located in the centre of an endless blue lagoon, in the northern Atoll of the Maldives, lies the Private Residence of Gili Lankanfushi. The resort is the epitome of luxury and relaxation with 45 elegant sea villas, delicately positioned on stilts above lapping waters and connected by a network of open air walkways. Each Villa is crafted from natural materials and designed with open plan living rooms, daybeds and in some cases glass bottom floors.
  • The Northern Lights
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    The Northern Lights
    Gaze in awe as a kaleidoscope of colours mesmerise onlookers as they light up the sky and dance across the horizon.

    The Northern lights have been fascinating human admires for hundreds of years.

    This natural phenomenon has given rise to many legends and superstitions. The Salteaus Indians believed the northern lights to be the spirits of great hunters and fishermen dancing across the sky, while the Eskimo’s believed them to be the dancing spirits of animals.

    Although science understands the dazzling display of lights to be caused by discharged particles from the sun colliding with the earth’s magnetic shield, they still hold the same fascination in us today as they did millennia’s ago.

    The lights can be seen in both the northern hemisphere, referred to as the Aurora borealis, meaning ‘dawn of the north’ as well as in the southern hemisphere, referred to as the Aurora australis, meaning ‘dawn of the south’. Although they can be seen in both hemispheres they are best seen in the Northern hemisphere in areas such as Canada, Norway, Greenland and Iceland.

    The Northern lights are always present, however the best time to see them is in winter during the months of September, October, March and April. Witnessing this mesmerising magical display is sure to delight you with memories that will last a lifetime.
  • Bird island
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    Bird island
    Whether you enjoy a sunset stroll along pristine sandy beaches, nature walks in the dense tropical forest or diving rich coral gardens, the paradise of Bird Island is a magical Island destination with magnificent scenery and fascinating wildlife experiences.



    Bird Island is the northern most island in the Seychelles archipelago. This remote destination is bordered by powdered white sandy beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters and lush tropical vegetation. The glistening water offers excellent diving and snorkelling opportunities along its rich coral reef and the lush tropical rainforest provides the perfect setting for a leisurely stroll.

    During the months from November to February you may have a rare opportunity to witness Hawksbill Turtles nesting along the beach in broad daylight as they pull their weight along the beach and begin digging in preparation to lay their eggs. Witnessing the hatchings during the months from February through to April is also a memorable experience as tiny hatchlings begin their fight for survival, frantically make a dash towards the ocean, fighting the odds against predators.
  • Bounty of Bunaken
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    Bounty of Bunaken
    Whether you enjoy feeling the sand between your toes as you take long walks on the beach, the thrill of a night dive as a spotted eagle ray lurks in the shadows or the nostalgia that comes with diving a sunken WWII shipwreck, Bunaken National Park is sure to exceed your expectations.



    Lying north of Sulawesi Island, offshore of Manado in Indonesia and covering a total surface area of 89,065 hectares, 97% of which overlain by sparkling clear, warm tropical water, Bunaken National Park makes for the ultimate divers paradise. The park has a unique bathymetry that lends itself to the absence of a continental shelf, allowing the coastal area to drop directly down to the sea floor. The top of the reef begins at 3m and drops an astonishing 600m, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced divers. Being part of the Indo-Pacific region as well as on a direct migratory route for protected sealife, Bunaken National Park also supports one of the highest marine diversities on earth.

    There are 5 islands that make up the park, namely Bunaken, Manado Tua, Mantehage, Nain and Siladen, all of which offer great diving opportunities. However, most diving takes place near Bunaken and Manado Tua.

    The island of Bunaken is easily accessible via motorized boats that leave daily from Mando Harbor. Lekuan Walls (I, II and III) can be found on Bunaken and boasts one of the Park’s best diving spots. The steep underwater walls are lined with deep crevices, giant sea fans and lush sponges. With the walls often being protected from stronger currents, sea life is abundant and ranges from larger species such as bumphead parrot fish, turtles and napoleon wrasses to smaller critters including scorpion fish, lionfish, nudibranch and seahorses. Mando Tua, on the other hand is a magnificent cone shaped volcanic island made up of steep sandy slopes, dotted with coconut palms. Due to the prevailing currents that run alongside it there is a great opportunity to see sharks and spotted eagle rays. Also Home to a 60m long sunken WWII shipwreck Mando Tau is a definite must see.

    For those who enjoy something out of the ordinary a night dive in Bunaken is sure to satisfy your craving for adventure. The thrill of diving the depths of the ocean in complete darkness as well as the excitement that comes with not knowing what could be lurking in the shadows is sure to get your adrenaline pumping. As the sun sets and the darkness creeps in a whole new underwater world comes to life as creatures rarely seen during the daytime creep out of their crevices while beautiful tentacles of coral stretch out to catch plankton.

    With water temperatures ranging from 26°C to 29 °C throughout the year, Bunaken is a diving destination for all seasons. Between the months of March to October is the dry season while November to March is the rainy season. Since visibility is reduced when it rains diving during the dry months of March to October is recommended.
  • Cocos The Island of Sharks
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    Cocos The Island of Sharks
    Thrilling drift dives, steep vertical walls, blue water diving and deep pinnacles categorize the many superb dive sites in the Cocos but the hundreds of patrolling hammerhead sharks are what make the Cocos island world renowned.

    Cocos Island is a remote uninhabited island located 550km off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Declared a marine National Park in 1978, this tropical island offers visitors a rare glimpse into one of the most pristine and untamed rainforests in the world. Created from large uprisings of volcanic seamounts and situated in the Golden Triangle, the converging ocean currents attract an array of marinelife and huge pelagic action, for which the Isla del Coco are famed.

    Schooling hammerhead sharks, white tip sharks, Galapagos sharks, tiger sharks, mantas, tuna and the occasional whale shark are attracted to the underwater world of the National Park, making it an excellent diving destination for pelagic lovers.

    The main attraction of the Cocos is the scalloped hammerhead sharks that congregate together, sometimes gathering by the hundreds! The best dive sites to see these odd looking creatures is Bajo Alcyone and Dirty Rock. Bajo Alcyone is a 600 ft long submerged mountain where legions of hammerhead sharks and majestic manta rays glide through the water, circling above and below divers in search of cleaning stations. Due to the strong currents here, Bajo Alcyone is better suited for advanced divers.

    However, for less skilled divers who still enjoy getting up close and personal with big fish, Dirty Rock is the preferred choice. Towered by spectacular volcanic formations and rock pinnacles this sheltered channel is the perfect location for divers to get in on the pelagic action. Schools of patrolling hammerhead sharks are not the only attraction here, turtles and playful dolphins, along with a huge variety of fish make Dirty Rock one of the most dynamic dive sites in the Cocos.

    For a change of scenery divers can enjoy thrilling night dives with whitetip reef sharks. At night these slender sharks emerge, hunting bony fish, crustaceans and octopus in groups. Due to their slender shape these sharks are capable of dashing in and out of caves and crevices as they search for hidden prey. Witnessing groups of whitetip reef sharks as they engage in a feeding frenzy while whizzing past divers is an exhilarating experience, sure to get your blood pumping and your heart racing!
  • Cruise Glaciers of Greenland
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    Cruise Glaciers of Greenland
    Cruise through a maze of rugged icebergs, beneath a curtain of fog that slowly dissolves as you glide through it, revealing giant glass-like glaziers that stretch across the horizon and tower high into the crystal clear blue sky. If you get close enough to these majestic sculptures you may even have an opportunity to hear the low rumble and cracking of ice, as an iceberg breaks off and plunges into the steel blue sea.



    Recognised as the largest island in the world, Greenland boasts miles of unchartered icy territory with spectacular scenery. From snow-capped mountains, rugged icebergs, glass glaziers and icy blue waters, exploring the magnificent landscape, either on foot or by boat, is sure to leave you feeling in awe.

    The Greenlandic waters are home to an extraordinary range of wildlife, including white whales, blue, sperm and humpback whales as well as narwhals. On land wolves roam the rolling hills, foxes hide in hidden caves and polar bears guard their icy territory.

    During the summer months, from May to July, a natural phenomenon known as the Midnight Sun occurs. The Midnight Sun shines throughout the night, making icebergs and glaziers glow a soft pink and orange colour, allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of their surreal surroundings, both during the day and night.

    Another natural phenomenon that occurs during the winter months, from September though to April, is that of the Aurora Borealis, commonly known at the Northern lights. The lights are best seen at midnight, dancing amongst the stars as they light up the sky a magnificent kaleidoscope of colours.
  • Misool Eco resort
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    Misool Eco resort
    The Misool Eco Resort offers blissfully secluded accommodation in one of the most bio-diverse diving regions in the world

    Misool Eco Resort is a remote dive resort and conservation centre located in the Southern region of Raja Ampat, West Papua. This magnificent resort is surrounded by an archipelago of uninhabited islands and located in the heart of one of the richest, bio-diverse dive regions in the world.

    For those divers who prefer a land based vacation as opposed to livaboard, Misool Eco Resort’s location makes it ideal for diving while at the same time providing guests with blissfully secluded accommodation, making it the ultimate tropical getaway destination for dive enthusiasts and holiday makers alike.

    The rustic water cottages are positioned on stilts above the lapping waters, overlooking the shallow turquoise lagoon. Stairs leading from the balcony allow guests to enjoy the temperate waters right from their doorstep, while hammocks set the scene for maximum relaxation.

    With the House Reef just a few splashes away guests can enjoy the dazzling variety of marine life without having to leave the resort or travel far. However, for guests who would like a change of scenery, boats from the resort leave daily allowing guests to travel and experience the wealth of diverse dive sites that Raja Ampat has to offer.
  • The Heads of Easter Island
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    The Heads of Easter Island
    The Easter Island statues and the mystery surrounding their creation continue to intrigue visitors today. Satisfy your curiosity while visiting one the most remote and isolated islands in the South Pacific. With its dramatic volcanic landscape, rugged sea cliffs and magnificent beaches, a trip to Easter Island will not only satisfy your curiosity but will far exceed your expectations.



    Located over 4000km west of Chile in the Southern Pacific Ocean, Easter Island remains one of the most remote and isolated Islands in the South Pacific. Famed for its enormous stone heads that stand some 4m tall and weigh an unbelievable 14 tons. The creation and transportation of these colossal statues speak volumes about their creators and bear testament to their remarkable physical triumphs and creativity.

    Carved from volcanic rock these giant statues lie scattered across the island, yet no one knows their exact significance. Some scholars believe the Moai were created to honour ancestral chiefs who were believed to be direct descendants from the gods. Their supernatural powers guard and protect the community, hence the statues being positioned facing the ocean, as if to watch over the people and protect the island from any unwanted visitors.

    The statues of Easter Island and their enduring appeal have contributed towards the Rapa Nui National Park being awarded its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, although these giant statues make it difficult to peel your eyes away from them, there is a lot more to see and do on Easter Island. With its rich volcanic soil, rocky sea cliffs and giant calderas, Easter Island boasts one of the South Pacific’s most dramatic landscapes, making a hike along the brim of a dormant volcano hard to resist!

    Despite its barren landscape Easter Island is home to a magnificent white sand beach. Bordered by towering coconut palms and blessed with soft white powder sand beach and crystal clear waters, the Anakena beach is an oasis of paradise, warm enough to swim in year round.

    Bellow the water’s surface the scenery is just as spectacular with mysterious caves and tunnels of lava rock, piercing blue sea and many curious creatures. Due to its isolation many of the underwater species are endemic, making for a unique diving experience. The usual suspects that can regularly be encountered on dives include eels, turtles, porcupine fish, butterfly fish and the occasional pelagic.
  • The Floating Hotel Cuba
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    The Floating Hotel Cuba
    Dive the magnificent waters of Cuba from the comfort of a double deck house boat, The Tortuga.



    The best way to dive the Jardines de la Reina is from the comfort of livaboards or houseboats. The Tortuga is a double deck houseboat anchored in a protected channel, close to spectacular dive sites. This provides guests the comfort of living in a hotel while remaining in close proximity to dive sites, allowing divers to reach diving sites within minutes on boats that leave from the Tortuga daily.

    The Jardines de la Reina, commonly referred to as the Gardens of the Queen is a magnificent mangrove forest network with spectacular beaches and excellent diving opportunities, housing over 40 dive sites. Beneath the surface divers can expect to find a fascinating variety of sea life including marlins, swordfish, goupers, barracudas, sharks, lobsters and morays. If you’re lucky you may find yourself diving alongside the rare Cuban crocodile, being sure to make diving in Cuba an unforgettable experience!

    Recognised as having one of the richest marine biodiversity’s and renowned for close encounters with a large variety of sharks, including silky, blacktip, reef, hammerhead, bull, leopard as well as whale sharks, diving the Gardens of the Queen is sure to exceed your diving dreams. Not only is the Jardines de la Reina home to a large variety of endangered sharks, the national park surrounding it is also home to numerous other endangered species of plant and wildlife, including loggerhead turtles, hawksbill turtles, Cuban crocodiles and black, staghorn and elkhorn corals.
  • The Last Wild Islands
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    The Last Wild Islands
    Tetepare Island, in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands, is one of the largest uninhabited islands in the South Pacific. Blessed with lush forestry, bordered by metallic black sands and fringed by magnificent turquoise lagoons, this remote island houses many hidden treasures.



    Tetepare is a wilderness-lovers paradise with lush virgin rainforests and inviting temperate waters, teeming with wildlife. For dive enthusiasts Tetepare’s coral gardens support one of the highest diversities of marine life in the world, second to Raja Ampat.

    Frequently visited by docile dugongs who graze along the grassy seabed, large schools of barracuda as well as a wealth of colourful reef fish. Other marinelife regularly encountered on dives include hornbills, pygmy parrots, coconut crabs, bump-headed parrot fish and pods of playful dolphins.

    Visiting Tetepare during the months from October through to January provides visitors with a rare opportunity to witness turtles, including the rare and endangered leatherback turtle, nesting along the Island’s volcanic black sand beaches. Camp on the beaches at night as you wait in anticipation for the turtles to reveal themselves from the depths of the ocean as they slowly pull their weight along the beach and begin digging in preparation for laying their eggs. From January through to March visitors can look forward to the hatching of the eggs as they begin their fight for survival, frantically making a dash for the shoreline.

    Daytime forest walks offer visitors an opportunity to explore the remnants of abandoned villages. Learn about Tetepare’s past as you explore these villages, attempting to piece together the mystery surrounding Tetepare’s lost civilisation.



    Under the cover of darkness visitors can enjoy the thrill of a night-time walk through the rainforest when unusual nocturnal creatures come out from hiding after sunset. Night-time brings with it the opportunity to see cuscuses, a nocturnal relative of the monkey, giant coconut crabs and huge colonies of bats, for which the Solomon Islands are famed.
  • Islands of the Indian Ocean
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    Islands of the Indian Ocean
    For those dreaming of island holidays with powder sand beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see, towering palms trees and lapping azure waters then a getaway to one of the many Indian Ocean Islands can make your dreams a reality.

    Boasting magnificent beaches and luxurious island accommodation, the exotic Islands of the Indian Ocean are the ultimate getaway destination. Although the Indian Ocean is the smallest of the world’s three major oceans, nestled in its warm waters are a wide variety of spectacular tropical island destinations to choose from.

    From the spice island of Zanzibar, the culture rich tropical island of Mauritius and the unique and fascinating wildlife of Madagascar to the excellent diving and snorkeling opportunities of Seychelles and Maldives, visitors are spoilt for choice. With a wide range of activities on offer, including diving and snorkeling, sunset catamarans, romantic starlit dinners, deep sea fishing or simply soaking up the sun, visiting the Indian Ocean Islands is the ultimate beach vacation fit for every occasion, be it a honeymoon, family holiday or business trip.
  • Museum of living species Galapagos
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    Museum of living species Galapagos
    These remote volcanic islands, with their unique and fascinating endemic species, continue to inspire and amaze visitors today, just as they inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution over 200 years ago.



    Situated in the Pacific Ocean, 1000km from the South American continent in the Province of Ecuador, is where you will find the remote Galapagos Islands. Home to some of the richest diversities of marinelife, due to its location where three ocean current converge, makes this magnificent archipelago one of the best diving destinations in the world and fully deserving of its status as a World Heritage Site.

    The ongoing volcanic activity on the islands bears testament to their creation. Born from erupting oceanic volcanoes, these isolated islands are home to a fascinating variety of wildlife, most of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. These circumstances inspired Darwin’s theory of natural selection and his theory of evolution following his visit in 1835.

    Most exciting for visitors is the unique and fearless wildlife that inhabit these islands. Marine iguanas, giant tortoises, sea lions, penguins, flightless cormorants and a variety of finches can all be seen and approached, most of which are curious of humans, making close encounters a common occurrence.

    Although the Galapagos Islands are notorious for their spectacular wildlife, the landscape is equally astonishing with long stretches of shoreline bordered by steep cliffs, magnificent lava and shell sand beaches and mangrove swamps that shelter secluded lagoons.
SATSA No. 207
 

Hartley’s Safaris is registered with Southern Africa Tourism Association Registration number 207.

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Copyright © 2016 Hartley's Safaris SA

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T/A Hartleys Safaris
Registered in England No. 2348880
Copyright © 2016 Hartley's Safaris UK

SATSA No. 207
 

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Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected.

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