A land-based trip off the pristine, rugged Eastern Cape coastline brings guests close to whales year-round. The area is also known as the bottlenose dolphin capital of the world. This is one of the region's prime birding destinations where a number of pelagic, freshwater, coastal and bush bird species may be spotted. Activities include guided drives, hikes, birding, botanical, historical, lighthouse and marine explorations. If you are fortunate to be here at the right time of year – generally between May and July - the sardine run is a phenomenal natural annual event that has been rightly called the ‘greatest show on Earth’ the marine equivalent to the mass wildebeest migration in East Africa. For a few weeks, the ocean boils with the frenzied action of billions of sardines (sardinops sagax) migrating northwards along the eastern coastline, attracting abundant marine predators and birds in their wake. Shoals can reach 7km in length, 1.5 km wide and a depth of up to 30 metres. To be present during this time is truly one of the most spectacular wildlife sights on the planet. But any time of the year offers its own special sightings in this species-rich marine paradise.