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Dates and rates
Booking code: RHS 1 & 2
15.11.10 - 01.12.10	USD 3295

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South Africa, Swaziland

Bike tour to the highlights of South Africa

First time to South Africa? The ideal trip slightly hilly and short cycle distances plus comfortable accommodation. Discover on roads less traveled the natural wonders... – Individual and group travel

Tour Highlights: The Mpumalanga Escarpment, that is visiting per bicycle the Blyde River Canyon, Pilgrims Rest, Graskop, Bourkes Luck Potholes, God’s Window the Pinnacle and many more. The Kruger National Park: 2 million hectares of unrivalled diversity of life forms fuses with historical and archaeological sights – this is real Africa. The Royal Kingdom of Swaziland: There’s something magical here…..diverse ancient landscape, dramatic mountains, spectacular valleys and a bike ride in a prolific game reserve await us. Imfolozi and Hluhluwe National Park: Hluhluwe Park….the oldest park in Africa spanning over 96000 hectares, Imfolozi Park….the home of the white Rhino. St. Lucia World Heritage Site: Discover the natural beauty by boat. The Wine lands: Cycle into beautiful Jonkershoek Valley and taste the famed wine. Garden Route: An abundance of blue skies, white sand beaches, rolling oceans, mountain scenery and indigenous fynbos. Cape Town: The cultural melting pot on the tip of the continent. Bike to a colony of the African penguin and cycle to the Cape of good hope.

Tour schedule:

Day 1

You arrive in Johannesburg for the start of the tour. We transfer by road to a village of the Ndebele tribe along the way, which is famous for its distinctive and elaborate beadwork done by the women. We then move on to the beginning of the Panorama Route where we will be accommodated in a comfortable hotel.

Day 2

We visit the historic gold-digging village of Pilgrim’s Rest before we transfer to the famous Bourke’s Luck Potholes, an impressive system of whirlpools through which the Blyde River starts meandering into the gorge. We cycle to a viewing site and enjoy breathtaking views into the Blyde River Canyon. Dominating the gorge are the triplet peaks known as the “Three Rondavels”. A long, relaxing downhill follows before we load the bikes and return to our hotel. (40 km, tar) (B)

Day 3

Today we cycle a circular route along the escarpment of the Drakensberg. We pass Pinnacle Rock, an impressive rock pillar and God’s Window, a viewing site with spectacular views across the Lowveld, 1 000 km below us. A short detour to the Lisbon Waterfalls follows and we then continue to the famous Kruger National Park to look out for the “big five”, namely lion, rhino, elephant, leopard and buffalo, as well as giraffe, antelopes and abundant birdlife. We stay in chalets in a rest camp in the centre of the park. (35 km, tar) (B)

Day 4

We do an early morning game drive in the park when the animals are most active. After breakfast, we head out on another game drive through the park in our vehicle. In the afternoon you can join a walking safari with a ranger, certainly an unforgettable experience. (B)

Day 5

Another early morning game drive is done before breakfast. We then leave the Kruger National Park for the friendly Kingdom of Swaziland. In the Ezulwini Valley we cycle to the Matenga cultural Swazi village and go on a short hike to a scenic waterfall. We will be accommodated in a hotel situated outside the capital of Mbabane. (20 km, tar) (B)

Day 6

We pass the fertile fields of the locals on the way to the Mlilwane Wildlife sanctuary where we cycle amongst the many antelope, zebra, baboon and other mammals. Next stop is a craft shop where the unique and famous Swazi-candles are made. Passing the low lying area of Swaziland we pass many sugar cane fields before entering the scenic Zululand. Our stop for two nights is at a cozy guest house in St. Lucia. This is the entry point to the World Heritage Site iSimangaliso Wetland Park. (40 km, tar/gravel) (B)

Day 7

Early morning we head for nearby Umfolozi & Hluhluwe Game Reserve, famous for its black and white rhino conservation efforts, however elephant, lion and buffalo plus the elusive nyala can be found. We return back to St. Lucia around midday. The afternoon is at your leisure. Recommendable is a boat cruise into the St. Lucia estuary where you see hippo, crocodile, fish eagle, heron and many other bird species. A swim in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, or a walk in the rain forest is also an option. Guest House 3* (B)

Day 8

We continue towards the lively City of Durban, the harbor city with good beaches. We turn into the Natal Midlands and start a bike ride through the valley of a thousand hills – on a surprisingly fl at road. Rural Zululand scenery with kraals and the cheers of the locals make this trip a memorable one. We transfer to a comfortable guest house where we will overnight. A visit to the uShaka Marine world with the 6th largest aquarium in the world is worthwhile. (40 km, tar) (B)

Day 9

Today we board our flight (cost not included) to Cape Town. We transfer to the green university town of Stellenbosch. After a walk through the historic village we cycle into the Jonkershoek Valley located in the Hottentots-Holland Mountains. Protea and Erica, part of the plant kingdom Capensis show their beauty. We continue to the beautiful village of Montagu nestling in the Cape Mountains. Here we will be accommodated in a charming guesthouse. (35 km, tar/gravel) (B)

Day 10

We take a walk through a romantic gorge to the hot springs of Montagu. Afterwards we transfer to Calitzdorp, the port wine capital of South Africa in the Little Karoo. We cycle into an isolated valley passing some ostrich farms. We arrive at our comfortable, historical guesthouse in Oudtshoorn in the late afternoon. (30 km, gravel) (B)

Day 11

We visit the famous Cango Caves. Cycling back to Oudtshoorn through the beautiful Schoemanspoort Gorge we visit an ostrich farm. We transfer over the Outeniqua Pass to the beautiful Garden Route. The change of landscape from the dry Little Karoo to the green coastline is truly amazing. We spend the afternoon on the beach of the warm Indian Ocean, within walking distance from our hotel. (30km, tar) (B)

Day 12

Today we will cycle through the Lake District, a collection of 5 lakes with abundant bird life. A transfer takes us onto the old Cape road where we cycle through green lush farmlands and down the Phantom Pass to the Knysna Lagoon. The afternoon is at your leisure: Beer tasting from the local Mitchell Brewery or a boat cruise with oyster tasting on the lagoon. We return to our hotel in the late afternoon. (40km, tar/gravel) (B)

Day 13

We transfer to Mossel Bay where we learn more about the discovery of Africa in the Diaz Museum. We then travel to Heidelberg from where we cycle along the impressive Langeberg Mountain range to the Mission village of Suurbrak. We continue to Swellendam, the third oldest town in South Africa where we reach our guest house built in a typical Cape Dutch style. (42 km, tar/gravel) (B)

Day 14

In the morning we tour the Drostdy Museum, the old residence of the bailiff. We then cycle through the winelands of the Breede River Valley to Robertson. After the ride a wine tasting offers the opportunity to sample the famous South African wines. We transfer to the coastal town of Hermanus. Here is the ideal place for whale watching from land at close range from July to October. We are accommodated in a charming hotel next to the sea. (45 km, tar) (B)

Day 15

We shuttle in our bus to the coastal town of Kleinmond from where we start cycling again along the Indian Ocean. This takes us along a breathtaking coastal road with a few short climbs to Gordon’s Bay with beautiful beaches and the warm waters of the False Bay. We load the bikes and head for Cape Town, the Mother City, where we are accommodated for two nights in a comfortable guest house close to the city and the Waterfront. (50 km, tar) (B)

Day 16

Today we will explore the Cape Peninsula. Our first stop is the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. We drive along the Indian Ocean to the renown Cape of Good Hope with our bikes loaded. We stop to see a penguin colony on the way. We unload our bikes and cycle back to Cape Town along the Atlantic coast via the famous scenic drive known as “Chapman’s Peak”, one of the most breathtaking routes in South Africa, also used by the Argus Cycle Race, the biggest cycle event in the world with more than 35.000 participants. We will return to Cape Town late afternoon. (40 km, tar) (B)

Day 17

Depending on your return flight you can do a township tour and visit the kindergarten supported by AFRICAN BIKERS in the morning. Alternatively, you can take the cableway up to Table Mountain to enjoy the stunning views of the Mother City. In the afternoon we transfer you to Cape Town International Airport, where this exciting tour ends. (B)

Still 3 days left? We recommend a visit to Victoria Falls combined with Chobe National Park. You see one of the largest waterfalls on earth and the animal rich game reserve of Northern Botswana. Ask us for further details.

Services

Included:

• Qualified English-speaking tour guide
• Accommodation in double/twin rooms with shower/toilet as above incl. breakfast (3-4*)
• Transport of bikes on trailer and permanent back-up
• All entrance fees
• All transfers & travel in air-conditioned minibuses

Hints

Travel Information:
Cycling the gentle slopes on this trip does not require special fitness. The back-up allows individually shorter distances and loading the bike on up hills. The temperatures in the Kruger National Park and in Swaziland can go up to 30 °C in summer, rain and thunderstorms can occur in the afternoon. In the Cape Province its pleasantly warm, in the Little Karoo the summer temperatures can go up to 30 °C.