ISLAND ADVENTURE SAFARI – MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO, BURMA

Price: US$880

Additional: US$100 for Customs Entry Permit & visa.

In the deeply spiritual and mystical golden land of Myanmar, lies a long lost island archipelago. Eight hundred densely forested tropical islands, engulfed in a luxuriant emerald sea. It is here in the Islands of the Mergui Archipelago that SEAL offers a unique Safari experience for nature lovers, looking for an active outdoor holiday in South East Asia. Unspoiled and untouched by humanity, the Islands of the Mergui Archipelago are teaming with wildlife and abound with breath taking beauty.

The SEAL Adventure Safari offers a variety of activities each day, such as sea kayaking, jungle river kayaking, snorkeling, diving, jungle trekking, beach barbeques and yoga, as well as plenty of relaxation time. For five days and six nights you will be guests at our tented tropical Island Safari camp situated on it’s own private island, located deep in the vast interior of the Mergui Archipelago.

A typical day on safari will start with some early morning yoga exercises (optional!) on the beach in front of the camp, followed by a healthy breakfast served with fresh coffee or tea. Expect to be joined at the breakfast table by our resident troop of crab eating Macaque monkeys. They come out of the forest and sit patiently around the table in hope of free handouts of banana or watermelon. The troop consists of about thirty monkeys, including babies. 

After breakfast our guides will load up our support vessel, with kayaks or diving equipment. Then you’ll head off for some exciting paddling, diving or snorkeling at neighboring Islands. Lunch would be a freshly packed picnic hamper, laid out under a large shady fig tree on the edge of the beach. After lunch and a dip in the crystal clear waters for a swim or snorkel, it will be time to carry on the days adventure. This could be a jungle walk in to the forest to discover the islands flora and fauna, or maybe a scuba dive. Late afternoon will see you back at the camp, for a refreshing shower and some time to chill in one of the camp hammocks. A delicious dinner of local seafood and Thai spicy curries will be served at dusk followed by drinks and stories around the open campfire, under a star blessed night.

The Camp - In front of the safari camp is a large crescent shaped http://www.seal-asia.com/seakayaking/camp.htm white sandy beach, one and half kilometers in length. Whilst the backdrop is pristine rainforest, scattered throughout the grassy clearing are old hardwood trees and Casuarina pines providing shade. SEAL's safari camp is the home of our Island Adventure safari. Devoid of life's non-essentials, this truly idyllic spot is a wonderful place to unwind and relax. It is the only land-based form of accommodation in all of the Mergui Archipelago, situated more than 70 km's from civilization.

The tall shady trees not only provide shade but also attract some beautiful birds, butterflies and monkeys – the latter are particularly fond of the fruit of the strangler fig trees. 

We have kept the campsite in tune with nature whilst being fully aware that some creature comforts are also important. Instead of electric lighting we have gaslights and candles, which are quite adequate and give a very romantic feel. We do have a water purification unit and flush toilets.

A short distance from the camp is our tree top look-out platform (for those who are agile and don’t mind heights) where one can quietly observe the forest canopy wildlife.

In the evenings we usually sit around the campfire, exchanging stories whilst watching the intensely bright stars and planets shining above – you’re guaranteed to see shooting stars. With no light, or other pollution, the heavens shine brilliantly in the Mergui Archipelago. 

Directly in front of the camp is a huge white powdery beach, at the end of which, are caves. Strolling along the beach in the early morning, many fresh animal tracks can be seen, and very often turtle tracks, where these huge creatures have lumbered up the beach to lay their eggs.

Snorkeling: Not far off the beach, within swimming distance in fact, is a beautiful coral reef alive with healthy corals and fish including a resident Nurse Shark, Sea Horses and Ghost Pipefish. At very low tide the reef actually breaks the surface. Beyond the camp reef, every island has good snorkeling possibilities.

Diving: We offer four dives to qualified divers. Non-divers will have the opportunity to do an “introductory” dive from the beach.

Kayaking: The ideal way to explore the islands many bays, coves, inlets and tidal rivers is by sea kayak. Our guides will paddle with you along ancient jungle river systems, and mangrove forests. Pointing out all the rare indigenous plants, butterflies, birds, reptiles and mammals as you go. The totally untouched eco-systems of the islands interiors are any wildlife enthusiasts dream!

Surfing: When the wave conditions are right, our guests enjoy surfing from the beach right in front of the safari camp on buggy boards, surf boards and surf kayaks. Great fun!

Trekking: We have cut paths across the island, starting from our safari camp. Naturally the paths don’t stay there for very long due to the rapid undergrowth, particularly during the monsoon season. A machete is part of the guide’s equipment!

Treks can be from anything from an hour and a half to four hours, depending how energetic our guests are feeling. The routes can be circular or across the islands, where we are picked up by our support vessel. It’s well worth the effort – you’ll see many rare orchid plants hanging from the treetops, huge ancient trees, beautiful birds and monkeys.

Yoga: Our sea kayaking guide Cedric, is an avid Yoga teacher, and is happy to offer daily yoga classes before breakfast to help limber up and stretch mussels, in preparation for the days kayaking adventures. Morning classes are held on the beach in front of the camp. After a good work out, it is time for a nice healthy breakfast and a strong cup of freshly brewed coffee.

Bird Watching: In the diverse habitats of the islands, more than forty species have already been identified as resident or migrant. From the camp, a short hike takes us to a twenty-meter high viewing platform (tree house). At dusk the canopy is alive with Hornbills, Flower-peckers, Sunbirds, Woodpeckers, Parrots, Drongo’, Monarchs, Gofin’s, Shama’s, flycatcher’s, Pigeon’s and Dove’s. 

With silent kayaks, one can easily approach a good variety of shy bird species that inhabit the mangroves, such as brightly coloured Kingfishers, Egrets, Herons and Kites, whilst the rocky shores, sandy beaches and tidal estuaries of the archipelago provide one of the best undiscovered habitats for Southeast Asian shore birds; Turns, eagles, Bee-eaters and Thick-knees.

Nevertheless, the highlight of the bird life that we spot on the safari is often voted to be a rare and healthy colony of Plain Pouched Hornbills! The sighting of these magnificent birds flying to their roosting sites at sunset, shortly followed by thousands of Flying Foxes passing overhead on their nocturnal search for food.

Trip Features:

• Remote, unspoiled tropical islands, guided sea and river exploration plus an abundance of wildlife.
• Safari style camp accommodation. Main tent is 60 x 40 ft. on poles with roll-up/down sides with teak dining table
  and chairs for 10 people taking up half the area; the other half is laid out with bamboo matting on the floor with
  comfortable Thai style cushions for relaxing with books and entertainment centre.
• 2 shower tents & 2 toilet tents.
• Kitchen tent
• Sleeping tents for guests and support crew.
• Single and double sit-on-top Ocean Kayak - no need to learn the Eskimo roll !
• Support vessel: 9 m. powerboat
• Support crew: guides, skipper, cook and porters
• All skill levels and ages welcome, no experience required.

Trip details:
• Guided Sea Kayak Safari
• Departure : Friday               08.30 hrs. Weekly from Phuket
• Return     : Thursday           16.00 hrs to Phuket or Airport

Typical itinerary:

Day 1: Check in at SEAL’s office in Phuket at 08.15 hrs for 08.45 hrs departure by air-conditioned minibus, arriving in Ranong approx. 15.00 hrs, stopping en route for lunch. Check out at Immigration (Ranong) then cross the Pakchan River (Thai/Burma border) to Kawthoung where your visa will be issued on arrival. Transfer on our support vessel ‘SEAL 1’ to our Kayak Safari ‘Base Camp’ on an exotic tropical island. Settle into a comfortable and relaxing tropical camp environment. Dinner and drinks will be served.

Day 2: After breakfast, general briefing and basic kayak training before visiting the sea gypsy village to experience their unique culture and way of life. After lunch we paddle to the west side of Lampi Island and spend the evening relaxing around the campfire.

Day 3: Early morning start; paddle and explore a fascinating mangrove river (dependent on tide). Following a lunchtime beach barbecue and swim; afternoon spent paddling and exploring then back to camp for evening cocktails and Thai seafood dinner.

Day 4: Spend the morning snorkelling and exploring the nearby islands and coral reefs. After a lunchtime rendezvous we will take you trekking through the tropical rainforest to our evening campsite, showing you the secrets of the forest en route.
Enjoy a late afternoon swim before sun-downer cocktails are served.

Day 5: An exhilarating early morning paddle across to Salet Galet, a fascinating area, which you can explore at your leisure. Relax in the afternoon before dinner, after which comes a moonlight paddle in the sheltered waters of this unique area.

Day 6: Relaxing paddle around the south coast of Wa-Ale Khun to a stunning white sandy beach for picnic lunch. In the afternoon you are free to explore the island, swim, snorkel or relax on the beach

Day 7: Early morning breakfast in camp. Transfer back to Kawthoung by ‘SEAL 1’. On arrival, complete Immigration formalities, then transfer back to Ranong where our mini-bus will be waiting to take guests back to Ranong airport, or Phuket.