A ‘Big 7’ marine and safari package has been launched by Raggy Charters and Lalibela Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape.

Guests will be able to view the traditional Big Five in the reserve and have the opportunity to witness Great White sharks and whales in Algoa Bay.

Algoa Bay is one of only five Whale Heritage Sites in the world, and hosts the largest breeding ground of Great White sharks in South Africa. Raggy Charters holds the only permit to conduct whale- and shark-viewing excursions in Algoa Bay.

The ‘Big 7’ package consists of two marine days and three safari days. Guests spend two nights in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) followed by three nights on safari at Lalibela.

The two marine days include one full-day trip and one half-day trip. Depending on the season, guests can expect to see various species of whales, sharks and dolphins as well as the sardine run, seals, penguins and 200 000 gannets, amongst other marine species.

The package includes all road transfers and a choice of either four- or five-star accommodation in Gqeberha and Lalibela.

Marketing Director of Lalibela Game Reserve, Vernon Wait, is excited about the five-night package. “The Eastern Cape has traditionally had a low season from mid-April until September. This, ironically, is when Algoa Bay has some of the best marine offerings, so we believe this Big 7 package is a wonderful way to address the issue of seasonality. We are already getting strong bookings out of North America, which is a market that is relatively new to the Eastern Cape.”