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Categorization
Level of fitness   Grading of accommodation

Dates and rates
Booking code: MTBTA
15.11.10 - 27.11.10	USD 2295
06.03.11 - 19.03.11	USD 0
20.11.11 - 03.12.11	USD 0

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South Africa

MTB tour from Table Mountain to Addo Elephant National Park

Bike partly the route of Cape Epic MTB race with rocky single trails, steep downhills in absolute wilderness with the chance to spot leopard, baboon, buffalo and kudu... – Individual and group travel

Bike highlights: Bike tour onto Table Mountain. On single trails in the Cape winelands and in the Jonkershoek Mountains near Stellenbosch. Bike excursion in the Groenland Mountains on Jeep tracks and single trails near Grabouw. Tough biking through Fynbos and rain forest in the Grootvaddersbos Nature Reserve. The special designed Mountain Bike Trail in the Harkerville Forest. Bike in absolute wilderness in Baviaanskloof where buffalo and kudu roam. Safari in Addo Elephant National Park: to be seen are elephant, antelopes, black rhino and lion.

Tour schedule:

Day 1

Arrival at Cape Town airport. A transfer takes us to our hotel. Depending on arrival time and weather conditions we do an excursion up Table Mountain. Sightseeing by foot leads us through the history of Cape Town: the old castle, parade ground with city hall, parliament gardens, the big “Groote Kerk“ church, Green Market Square, District Six and the Malay Quarter.

Day 2

A short transfer takes us to Tokai Forest on the Cape Peninsula. We cycle through a beautiful old pine forest and later through exquisite Cape fynbos (Ericas and Proteas) on the Constantiaberg Mountains, which at 920 m height provides magnificent views over Cape Town and the surrounding areas. (35 km, height 950 m, dirt roads/Jeep tracks/single trails). In the back-up vehicle we travel along the Indian Ocean to Boulders penguin colony and on to the Cape of Good Hope. Besides blessbuck, bontebuck, kudu and ostriches, cheeky baboons also make their home here. A short hike takes us on a panoramic route from Cape Point down to the Cape of Good Hope. We travel back to the city along the stunning, rocky cliffs of the Atlantic coastline. (B)

Day 3

Transfer to Stellenbosch. We cycle on the Dirtopia Trail around Stellenbosch. This beautiful trail was designed by a local mountain biking expert and offers challenging ascents to the Simonsberg Mountain and Jonkershoek Valley. We spend the night in a comfortable guest house (58 km, height 860 m, tar/dirt roads/Jeep track/single trails). (B, L)

Day 4

After a transfer to Grabouw we cycle in the popular mountain biking district of the Groenland Mountains (42 km, height 860 m, dirt roads/Jeep track/single trails). This area is well-known for its large number of single trails through plantations and fynbos-covered mountains. Following this, a transfer takes us through the wine farming district of the Breede River Valley to Montagu, where we are accommodated for the next two nights in a stylish guest house. (B, L)

Day 5

A short transfer brings us to the nearby Mount Eco Nature Reserve, where we cycle on Jeep tracks through the stark mountain landscape (30 km, height 1000 m). The views of the surrounding mountains are simply breathtaking. We can observe various types of antelope such as bontebok and springbok. With a little bit of luck we might see the spoor of the shy mountain leopard. In the afternoon we can relax at the pool. (B, L)

Day 6

A transfer takes us through the Tradouw Gorge to the foot of the Langeberg Mountains. On dirt roads, Jeep tracks and single trails we bike in the Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve. (35 km, height 1070 m). The BS&G (Blood, Sweat & Gears) Pass offer a real challenge; a 2,2 km long ascent with a 450 m rise in altitude. The vegetation ranges from forested areas with flowing rivers to the Klein Karoo where Ericas and succulents grow. We spend the night in a stylish guest house in nearby Swellendam, the third oldest town in South Africa. (B, L)

Day 7

We drive via Mossel Bay to George and Wilderness. Victoria Bay is the perfect place for a swim in the Indian Ocean. The afternoon in Knysna is free for your own activities. We spend the following two nights in spacious holiday apartments on the Knysna Lagoon. (B)

Day 8

We cycle past a gigantic 800 year old Yellowwood tree to the Diepvalle forest station. Via an old woodcutters trail across many streams we bike downhill to Garden Eden, where we have our lunch break. In the afternoon we cycle a specially designed mountain bike trail through the Harkerville forest. Snapped trees are evidence of the forest elephants. From the coast we have gorgeous views over the Indian Ocean. (58 km, height 1150 m, tar /Jeep track/single trails) (B, L)

Day 9

A transfer brings us back to Diepvalle. We cycle through the rugged Outeniqua Mountains, where a couple of long ascents and descents need to be mastered. We enjoy our lunch with a sculptor who has withdrawn here to the solitude, before we arrive at the Prince Alfred’s Pass (1050 m). Our goal for today is to reach a game farm. Among other animals, springbuck, zebras and eland can be found here. We spend the night in comfortable chalets. (65 km, height 1500 m, tar/dirt roads) (B, L, D)

Day 10

After a short transfer to Ouposberg we cycle through farmland to the start of the Baviaanskloof Gorge. A wonderful descent takes us through the Nuwekloof Gorge into the main valley. The landscape and vegetation change: Acacias and fig trees earmark a savannah-type flora. We spend the night at an ostrich farm. (94 km, height 600 m, dirt roads) (B, L, D)

Day 11

Today we traverse the Baviaanskloof, a world heritage site, on a trail intended just for 4 × 4’s. With a little luck we might see kudu, blesbok, monitor lizards and even buffalo. A demanding ascent takes us to the Bergplaas plateau. Magnificent views of the secluded Winterberg Mountains await us. (78 km, height 1100m, gravel road). In the late afternoon a transfer takes us to Jeffrey’s Bay. (B, L)

Day 12

We continue on to Addo Elephant National Park, the second largest park after the Kruger National Park in the country. On a safari in an open vehicle we might be lucky enough to see elephants, ostriches, tortoises, warthogs, zebras, blesbok, kudus, white rhinos and even lions. We are accommodated in a beautifully situated mountain lodge. (B)

Day 13

A transfer takes us to Port Elizabeth airport, which marks the end of this challenging mountain bike tour. (B)

Want more biking? The single trails around Sabie offer a great variety of single trails. Recommendable is the downhill into In de Dipte and swimming in the rock pools afterwards. On top biking with rangers in the Kruger National Park.

Services

Included:

• qualified English-speaking tour guide
• all accommodation in double/twin rooms (2-3*) with shower/toilet as above, except 1 night in Baviaanskloof
• Catering: 12x breakfast, 7x lunch, 2x dinner
• transport of bikes on trailer and permanent back-up
• all entrance fees
• all transfers & travel in air-conditioned minibus

Hints

Travel Information:
A good level of fitness as well as cycling ability is recommended for this trip. The routes consist of stony single trails with a couple of steep ascents and descents and sections where it is necessary to carry or push the bikes. In the Baviaanskloof Gorge the path has steep ascents and descents, and in parts there are passes. During the offered dates of travel comfortable temperatures of between 18-27 °C prevail in the areas of the Eastern Cape which are visited, and it is dry and sunny. In the Western Cape the temperatures are between 25-30 °C. It can also become cold at night.