Our Story
Our Story
The Origin
Safari Drive & Dive was born from a deep obsession with Africa's wildest places — both above and below the waterline. What began as a passion for diving the world-class reefs of Mozambique grew into something far bigger: a full-service expedition company built on genuine local expertise, delivering seamless journeys through sharks, whales, big game, and some of the most jaw-dropping coastal scenery on the planet.
Every SDD expedition is crafted by experts who live and work in East Africa — guides and leaders with an intimate, hard-earned knowledge of these waters and wilderness areas. Guests benefit from that depth of experience at every step, from the first dive briefing to the last game drive.
While Steve and Nick are not always leading every tour in person, you will dive alongside at least one of the founders at some point on your expedition. Steve oversees operations and dives primarily at Morrungulo, while Nick's focus is on delivering your experience at Tofo Beach. Between them, every destination is covered — and the knowledge, passion, and standards they've built are present at every step of your journey.
The People
The Drive
Steve is the legend behind every epic ocean story and safari escapade. With three decades of unrivalled adventure, his enthusiasm for the underwater world and African wildlife is downright contagious. Whether you're swimming alongside tiger sharks or spotting elephants on safari, Steve transforms every trip into a lifelong memory. He is the true pioneer of the Safari Drive & Dive concept.
The Dive & Safari Guru
Nick has been making waves for a long time — by the age of 14, he'd already logged 100 dives. After completing his degree in Johannesburg, he traded city life for the ocean in 2008 and moved to Mozambique. There, in Tofo, he met Steve, and together they founded Peri-Peri Divers. His love for wildlife extends well beyond the shoreline — Nick's expertise in leading land-based safaris is just as impressive as his diving credentials. In 2017 he added freediving instructor to an already exceptional CV. Nick's natural habitat? Anywhere wild and wonderful.
DIVE INSTRUCTOR AND TRIP GUIDE
Originally from Spain, first fell in love with Mozambique and South Africa as a guest during our early years as a company. He left that first trip with a profound connection to the ocean — both above and below the surface — which inspired him to return and complete his dive instructor course. With years of diving experience behind him, Marti's calm, positive attitude shines through in every situation. His genuine passion for all things ocean- and land-based makes him an uplifting presence, capable of brightening even the rainiest day. As a dive and safari leader, you are in extremely good hands with Marti. His competence, warmth, and deep respect for nature make every adventure with him truly exceptional.
DIVE INSTRUCTOR AND TRIP GUIDE
Also originally from Spain, joined us on one of the earliest SDD expeditions — and from the very beginning it was clear he was something special. Massively passionate yet incredibly calm, he radiates a deep love for all living things. He loves his diving, he loves his safaris, and he genuinely loves his life. So relaxed he could fall asleep standing up, Marcel truly embodies the spirit of SDD: honesty, realism, kindness, and a grounded appreciation for nature. An exceptional diver and a qualified instructor, he brings both skill and heart to every experience he leads. With Marcel as your dive and safari leader, you are in very safe hands.
DIVE INSTRUCTOR AND TRIP & DRIVE GUIDE
Hailing from South Africa, has been part of the Tofo, Peri Peri, and SDD dream from the very beginning. If you don't find him surfing or hand-crafting one of his beautiful guitars, he'll be driving, diving, and guiding you on your epic journeys. Genuinely authentic in everything he does, Richie brings an extraordinary calm to any situation. Most importantly, he is always fully present — giving everything he can to make his home feel like your home. With Richie by your side, you're not just in safe hands — you're in the hands of someone who truly cares.
DIVE INSTRUCTOR AND TRIP & DRIVE GUIDE
A cheeky chappie from the slums of Liverpool (as he would say) — really from West Malvern — is another long-standing pillar of the team. A true fisherman at heart, Dave brings an incredible range of skills to every expedition. He's a gardener, a tree lover with deep respect for all things indigenous, a fish specialist, a bird enthusiast, and a man with talents that seem endless. An instructor for many years, a fish-farming guru, a videographer, a builder, and a well-known figure in the Mozambican movement. His linguistic flair, cheeky charm, and sharp wit brighten every single trip he joins. There is never a dull moment when this special man is at the helm.
TRIP & DRIVE GUIDE
Proudly South African and the man who keeps SDD and all our dive schools running in tip-top shape. He's our behind-the-scenes magician — the one who knows everything, fixes anything, and keeps the wheels (and the adventures) moving seamlessly. Driver, organiser, problem-solver… not a diver yet (we're working on him!), but an absolutely essential part of every expedition. Famous for his legendary braais, Dewald is as cool and calm as they come. On your expedition, Dewald is "THE DRIVE" — the steady force that keeps everything running smoothly.
THE GLUE BEHIND IT ALL
Our accounts and licensing queen, the glue that holds everything together. Highly organized, extremely efficient, and straight-talking, she balances professionalism with warmth and care. Never one to shy away from the awkward, she is the rock among us pebbles — always dependable, always present, and always ready to step in for absolutely anything. She's also our keyboard leader, guiding the rhythm of our operations with precision and heart. You'll most likely meet Carole online when dealing with invoicing or all things legal, and you'll quickly see her honesty and personality shine through.
The Fleet
Long-distance comfort matters. Our fleet of four purpose-equipped expedition vehicles means the transfer between destinations is part of the experience — not something to be endured.
Two VW Crafter 23-Seater Coaches (4x2)
Reclining seats, air-conditioning, trailer space for luggage and dive gear. Ideal for group expeditions.
Two Ford Everest 7-Seaters (4x4)
Premium SUV comfort for smaller groups and private transfers. Air-conditioned with trailer space for luggage and dive gear.
Every vehicle is meticulously serviced after each trip. On road transfers, guests enjoy 4G Wi-Fi via the guide's hotspot.
Transfer times:
Giving Back
SDD is proud to support rural schools in the Morrungulo and Massinga communities. If guests have space in their bags and would like to bring something along, everything is welcome — old clothing, shoes, school books, pens, pencils, stationery, backpacks, balls, toys, or any small useful items. What may seem ordinary to us can mean the world to a child with very little. There is no obligation — but if you'd like to contribute, your guide will make sure it reaches the right hands.
SDD is a proud partner of the Marine Megafauna Foundation — a world-leading research organisation working to protect ocean giants. A complimentary marine science talk is included on all SDD expeditions. Guests can also contribute directly to MMF's research by capturing identification-quality photos of marine life underwater and passing them to their dive guide or the MMF representative.
Rural Schools
Supported across Mozambique
MMF Partner
Marine Megafauna Foundation
Citizen Science
Contribute with your underwater photos
Our Promise to You
Our mission is to run expeditions with the highest standards, proven professionalism, and a deep, genuine love for the ocean and our wild. We think on our feet, adapt fast, and solve problems the way the ocean and bush demands — with calm heads, steady hands, and real-world experience. You've trusted us with your adventure, and we honour that trust by giving 100% to everything we can control. For everything nature throws at us — weather, breakdowns, or unexpected changes — we use our 40 years of combined experience to make the smartest, safest, and most rewarding decisions possible. Our promise is simple: we deliver what we sell, and we do it with passion, grit, and respect for the wilderness.
At a Glance
Our 7 Destinations
African Shark Adventure
November to May
Shark Diving Mozambique
November to May
The Big Five Above and Below Expedition
All year
Winter Migration Tour
June to October (peak July–September)
Whale of a Time
June to October (peak July–September)
Steve and Nick lead many expeditions personally. Book directly with the people who built it.