~HOLIDAY NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2025~
Winter has settled in across the Northern Hemisphere — the perfect time to snuggle up, dream big, and start planning your 2026 adventures.
As we gather with loved ones for the Holidays, many of us naturally start thinking ahead: Where will we go next? What memories will we make?
If you’re craving warm turquoise seas, world-class diving, and sunshine that never seems to end-
we have unforgettable holidays waiting for you.
Or maybe 2026 is the year you finally say yes to that long-imagined African Safari –
wildlife, wilderness, and soul-shifting moments you’ll never forget.
With some exclusive early-booking perks, hand-crafted itineraries, and options for every budget, now is the ideal time to secure your spot for 2026.
Some news~ DEMA SPECIAL:
BEAUTIFUL FIJI!
VOLIVOLI BEACH RESORT’S FALLFIT25 SPECIAL:
20% OFF ACCOMMODATIONS & DIVE WITH A 5 NIGHT STAY
30% OFF ACCOMMODATIONS & DIVING WITH A STAY OF 7 NIGHTS OR MORE
Standard Ocean View (8 on property)
Diver – Twin Share Diver – Single Non-Diver
5 Night Retail: $1,799 5 Night Retail: $2,360 5 Night Retail: $1,359
7 Night Retail: $2,439 7 Night Retail: $3,132 7 Night Retail: $1,730
10 Night Retail: $3,489 10 Night Retail: $4,473 10 Night Retail: $2,392
Deluxe Ocean View (9 on property)
Diver – Twin Share Diver – Single Non-Diver
5 Night Retail: $2,003 5 Night Retail: $2,768 5 Night Retail: $1,563
7 Night Retail: $2,695 7 Night Retail: $3,632 7 Night Retail: $1,980
10 Night Retail: $3,848 10 Night Retail: $5,187 10 Night Retail: $2,749
Sharks anyone?
There are several places around the world that offer unprecedented shark diving opportunities!
Sardine Run South Africa:
We have 2 amazing offers to dive in South Africa with the incredible Sardines which bring in a TON of everything including 7 species of sharks!
We have a lovely 3-star option: my friends Debbie and Rob do an outstanding job and get 5-star remarks from everyone!!!
And here is our 5-star resort on the wild Coast of South Africa! Staying at the stunning GweGwe Lodge; they are offering 3 set departures.
Where nature unfolds in barefoot luxury
Escape To This Extraordinary World
The magic here is the sardines come right up close to the resort, the way the sea and land are formed here!
Mozambique: For Shark diving lovers! Ponto do Oro! This is an amazing place to dive close to big beautiful sharks with NO baiting!!! We can then offer Safari pre-post your shark adventure!!
- For advanced divers only (no students).
- Professionally guided shark diving.
- Possibility of 8 different species of shark.
- 2 Unbaited shark dives a day. (extra diving can be arranged at further cost depending on weather conditions and availability).
- Small Groups (max 8).
MOZAMBIQUE~ BUSH & BEACH!
This is an absolute favorite of mine!
Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique is perhaps Africa’s greatest wildlife restoration story. Hugely successful since they began this incredible project to rewild this area since 2008, sustainable & balancing the needs of wildlife and people!
Then visiting the beautiful Bazaruto Archipelago. Renowned for their pristine white-sand beaches, the islands offer a haven of natural beauty. Bazaruto, the largest of the islands, is distinguished by its dramatic, towering sand dunes.
4-star and 5-star options available!
Malpelo! Massive schools of Hammerheads and Silky sharks are found here.
We now have 2 boats on offer to dive the magnificent Malpelo!!
Dry Season
January to April
Colder water 16 to 18 at thermocline (20m).
Reduced visibility (3 to 15) due to the nutrient rich waters.
Large schools of hammerheads can be observed close and at shallow depths of 10m or less.
Wet Season
May to December
Warmer water 25 to 27 at thermocline (25 to 30m).
Improved visibility with clearer waters.
Large schools of Silky sharks can be observed especially during the early months of the the wet season. Whale sharks, Galapagos sharks and Manta Rays can also be seen during the wet season.
Friendly Costa Rica! Pura Vida!!
We have a new tour to offer! A beautiful week to experience marine life.
Costa Rica Whale Watching Tours, Dolphins, and Turtles, 8 Days / 7 Nights
~BAJA MEXICO~
Whales don’t just sing — they communicate. Whales live in a world where light fades quickly and vision is limited, so sound is everything. Their vocalizations are essential for navigation, courtship, and connecting individuals across vast stretches of ocean.
Researchers are still unraveling the mysteries of this underwater language. From the low, rhythmic calls of blue whales to the soulful songs of male humpbacks and gentle exchanges between gray whale mothers and calves, their calls carry meaning we’re only just beginning to understand.
This underwater theatre comes to life every migration season in Baja California Sur, where every note and encounter brings you closer to their world. Join our Baja Ultimate Whales expedition for a rare chance to connect with these ocean giants alongside experienced naturalist guides.
We have several adventures to be a part of these whale encounters from January through mid April, now is the time to make a plan for the 2026 season!
DJIBOUTI~ WHALE SHARKS AND DESERT ESCAPES ~ Something different!
WHALE SHARK CRUISE IN DJIBOUTI
Diving And Snorkeling in The Red Sea
8 Days – 7 Nights – | From October to February Weekly group departures (Saturdays)
The trip includes 7 full days of cruising aboard the comfortable M/Y Felicidad II, exploring the Moucha and Maskali islands and the stunning waters of the Ghoubbet and Gulf of Tadjourah – a true paradise for snorkeling, freediving, and scuba diving. Departures are scheduled between October and February, the best season for whale shark encounters.
Highlights
- Whale shark encounters: the Gulf of Tadjourah hosts one of the world’s highest seasonal concentrations of whale sharks.
- Extraordinary ecosystem: over 800 marine species, pristine coral reefs, and underwater
- Small group tour: perfect for sharing the adventure with fellow
Cruise aboard the fully equipped M/Y Felicidad for diving, snorkeling and meals prepared by onboard chef. - Proven itinerary: carefully planned to optimize time and
- An experience for everyone: perfect for scuba divers, snorkelers, and freedivers
Details
- Accommodation on board MY Felicidad II in double cabin with full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner, soft drinks included).
- Transfers: car/minivan.Group size: minimum 6, maximum 18
- Guides: dive guide during cruise
WHALE SHARK CRUISE 8 days
GHOUBBET / TADJOURAH / MOUCHA ISLANDS
Outline Program (subject to sea/weather conditions)
SAFARIS IN AFRICA
A walking safari deep into the Okavango delta in Botswana! 4 days/3nights.
KHWAI PRIVATE RESERVE WALKING SAFARI 4 DAYS | 3 NIGHTS – ELEPHANT PAN, SKY BEDS TO LITTLE SABLE
An Immersive Guided Walking Safari in the Okavango Delta.
STEP INTO THE WILD On foot, Africa reveals itself differently. You feel it differently – slower, closer, sharper. It’s a chance to switch off from the everyday and slow right down. Unlike viewing wildlife from a safari vehicle, here you’re walking into the story of the bush. There’s something extra special about meeting nature at eye level. Every track, every sound, every scent is part of a story waiting to be uncovered. You’ll notice the smallest detail and all your senses will come alive.
This is a great add on to any safari we offer in Botswana!
The Kalahari Botswana~ Meno a Kwena… Life on the Edge of the Wild!
December to March in the wet season!
The Best place to see the Zebra Migration! Watch it unfold from the comfort of your beautiful, tented camp accommodation. It isn’t about fuss, it’s about the wild doing its thing..
ZAMBIA ~ IN THE BEAUTIFUL EMERALD SEASON
As the official safari season draws to an end, our camps in the Nsefu Sector – Nsefu Camp, Tena Tena and Luangwa Bush Camping have now closed until next year.
For those who have experienced the Nsefu Sector, or have been tuning in to Kingdom on BBC One every Sunday, you’ll understand why this place leaves such a lasting impression. There’s a reason the BBC spent five years here capturing its raw beauty and compelling wildlife stories.
So what if we told you that you don’t have to wait for the official safari season to start again in May to experience the magic of the Nsefu Sector?
From 1 February to 31 March next year, we reopen Nsefu Camp exclusively for our annual River Journeys that combines a stay at Nkwali Camp & Nsefu Camp, offering an opportunity for you to explore South Luangwa during the often overlooked Emerald Season. This is when the landscape is at its most vibrant: lush greenery, dramatic skies, abundant birdlife and the arrival of new-born wildlife all signal the season of renewal.
I visited this enchanting place,,, reminds me of the ‘wild wood’ in normal safari times May through October. This is how it looks when the rivers flood and they offer this delightfully unique exploration for 2 months each year. Just in time to runaway from the bitter cold of the northern hemisphere!
VOODOO FESTIVAL ~ WEST AFRICA
Departure on 8 January 2026, 14-day journey
There are only three rooms left for this superb journey departing on 8 January 2026 – an immersive adventure into the spiritual heart of West Africa, where tradition, ritual, and
ancestral memory come alive.
Every second Friday of January marks a uniquely significant day in Benin, one that celebrates the nation’s deep-rooted spiritual heritage: the Voodoo Festival. It is a national day dedicated to ancestral cults, traditional religion, and the living connection between communities and their spiritual world. Across the country, communities gather for ceremonies, rituals, dances and rites that honors gods, spirits and revered ancestors.
***This experience is very real and something to behold in person!
]
The Culture in West Africa is alive and well!
As many of you know how much Africa means to me, here is a great tribute to South Africa! South Africa stole the spotlight at this year’s World Travel Market in London, receiving Lonely Planet’s Top Destination for 2026 and Wanderlust’s Gold Winner for Nature and Wildlife.
These global accolades highlight the country’s exceptional diversity, from vibrant culture to breathtaking wilderness, and reinforce its position as a must-do destination for 2026.
~GROUP TRIPS~
We still have space on a couple of group trips escorted by Cindi
Enjoy an extraordinary week in Tonga on a very remote island where we will have the only whale swim permits in the area! Just us and the whales! We are also offering an optional add on to dive in Fiji at Volivoli dive resort prior to the whale swim since we will be making a stop there on the way to Tonga!
Tonga 2027
Before the secret gets out, join me on Damai as we circumnavigate the island of Halmahera!
Very fishy waters like it used to be! My favorite kind of Zen!
Located in the heart of the Coral Triangle, its marine ecosystem and rich biodiversity, with exceptional flora and fauna is still a secret gem with so much to be discovered.
Indonesia 2028
~ITALY~
Tuscany and Rome Uncovered; watch this space on our website. I am working on my trip report and images of our Sisters Trip to Italy last month in October! I am working with a fantastic partner in Italy, with Wine Tasting & Food tours! For all of us great winos! 😊
Speaking of Wellness!! Check our NEW website called Wellness in the Wild!
https://wellnessinthewild.net/
Wellness in the Wild invites you to step away from the noise of modern life and immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes of Africa — where mindful living meets raw, untouched nature.
These safaris all offer ‘Wellness’ to reenergize our soul! I invite you to take a peek of what is on offer! Bring a girls group of friends, or your partner as we are all overworked and need to reconnect with each other!
No better way than on Safari in Africa with mindfulness, yoga, spas at the camps!
Just do it!
Thank you dear friends and guests who have travelled with us this year, past and future!!
I give profound thanks to all of you!
Happiest of Holidays from our team at Dive & Africa Discovery Travel!
Cindi LaRaia
