Trip at google maps
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Group size
Terms & Conditions
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| Booking code: MTBWC | |||
| 01.10.12 - 10.10.12 | USD 2790 |  |
book |
Discount
5% discount on bookings made 6 months prior to departure| Extra services | |
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| 2012 Single room surcharge | USD 220 |
| South African Airways (SAA) offers free transport of your bike up to 20 kg | on request |
| 2012 Mountain Bike 27 speed hire | USD 260 |
Gallery
South Africa
Mountain bike trip along the Wild Coast and top of the Drakensberg Mountains
Unique MTB tour organized by the specialists: Bike along the Wildcoast, the most remote area of South Africa. Ride on single trails, jeep tracks and hard packed beaches, through the villages of the local Xhosa people and nature reserves, past huge waterfalls and onto the Drakensberg mountains... – Individual and group travel
On this mountain bike tour we visit the most natural piece of coastline in South Africa, the ‘Wild Coast’, whose name best describes the wildness of this region. The tour provides experiences of the Xhosa culture and the fascinating landscape in one of the most beautiful, almost non-discovered bike trails of South Africa. Sometimes you cycle over hard sand along the beaches of the warm Indian Ocean, sometimes you carry your bike over boulders and other times you cycle up and down steep paths of the coastline. In two nature reserves the wildlife can be seen from your bike. On foot or by boat there are several rivers to cross. Depending on the water levels this can be a real adventure! The second part takes you onto the highest trails of South Africa in the Drakensberg Mountains a UNESCO world heritage site.
Mountain Bike-Adventure along the Wild Coast and into the Drakensberg Mountains
Tour schedule:
mi = miles; Hg = Height gain in feet
Day 1: Arrival in Durban and bathing in the Indian Ocean
After your arrival in Durban and being welcomed by your tour guide we drive along the subtropical coastline to Port Edward where we will stay overnight in a good guesthouse close to the sea. (2,5 hrs) (B)
Day 2: Bike tour Mkambathi Nature Reserve – Port Grosvenor
After a satisfying breakfast we drive onto Mkambathi Nature Reserve in the north of Wild Coast (2,5 hrs). Here we unload our bikes and cycle through the 8000ha nature reserve. Many antelope, such as eland, red hartebeest, blue wildebeest and blesbok are at home here, as well as many birds, such as the large Hornbill. There is also a colony of Cape Vultures along the Msikaba River. Finally, we cycle both inland and along the coastline to Port Grosvenor where we come to a beautiful camp of round huts directly on the coast with a private beach. (B, L, D) (37 mi; Hg: +2670 ft) (Single trials, Beaches)
Day 3: Bike tour Port Grosvenor – Mbotyi Lodge
Today we initially cycle along single trails close to the coastline. Along the way we take a 2 hour hike to Bluff Waterfall, the highest in the world, which cascades directly into the sea, as well as to the imposing Cathedral Rock, a single, towering rock in the sea. Further along the coast we come to a wonderful lagoon close to the beach in Mbotyi Lodge, where we will spend the next two nights. (B, L, D) (17 mi; Hg: +1290 ft) (Single trails, Jeep tracks)
Day 4: Bike tour Mbotyi Lodge – Manteku Camp – Port St. Johns
After breakfast we depart from the beautiful Mbotyi Lodge and cycle along animal trails close to the coast and over beaches to Manteku Camp. After a short cycle along the coastline, we turn inland along hilly Tracks towards the Mzimvubu River. Through beautiful forest we cycle the last few kilometres along the river to our coastal destination, Port St. Johns, where we will stay in lovely chalets on the river in the Cremorne Holiday Resort. For dinner we can choose from many restaurants in Port St. Johns. (B, L) (28 mi; Hg: +21600 ft) (Single trails, Beaches, Tracks)
Day 5: Bike tour Port St. Johns – Hluleka Nature Reserve
After breakfast we cycle up Mount Thesinger where we have beautiful views of the Mzimvubu River and Port St. Johns. Descent to Port St. Johns. We cycle partly along the coast and partly inland on one of the most demanding routes of the Wild Coast, passing through Silaka Nature Reserve as well as others with many altitude metres until we reach the beautiful coastal Hluleka Nature Reserve. (B, L, D) (41 mi; Hg: +3060 ft) (Single trails, Beaches, Tracks)
Day 6: Bike tour Hluleka Nature Reserve – Coffee Bay
Today we will be cycling part of the way on many demanding single trails and tracks to Coffee Bay where we will be staying in the beautiful Ocean View Hotel. Along the way there are again many beaches and rivers to cross, many with boats from the locals, which is a real adventure! In the afternoon we visit the nearby ‘Hole in the Wall’, a magical place resident to the Xhosa Tribe. (B, L, D) (17 mi; Hg: +1830 ft) (Single trails, Beaches, Tracks)
Day 7: Transfer Coffee Bay – Naudes Nek – Rhodes
After breakfast we head through the hilly countryside to Mthata the administrative and commercial hub of the Transkei. After a break we shuttle to the top of Naudes Nek the highest tarred road in the country 7500 ft above sea level. We offload the bikes and ride into the village of Rhodes and stay in acharming hotel in the village. (B, L, D) (18 mi; Hg: + 620 ft)
Day 8: Rhodes – Tenahead Mountain Reserve – Carlisle’s Hoek Pass – Rhodes
Today’s ride follows upstream of the Bell river. After a few miles the long climb up into the Tenahead Mountain Reserve starts. On a rocky trail you reach the source of the river 8740 ft. Follow the hilly plateau up to the Lesotho viewpoint 8780 ft above sea level. Here you will stand in two countries and can enjoy the fantastic views and emptiness of the Drakensberg mountains. Cycle across Carlisle’s Hoek pass and along the namesake river back to Rhodes. (B, L, D) (53 mi; Hg: +6560 ft, Jeep Tracks, Single trails). This trip can be shortened.
Day 9: Rhodes – Tiffindell – Wartrail – Rhodes
A transfer takes us to top of Carlisle’s pass. We start biking by climbing up to the only ski resort in southern Africa. Ride past Loch Ness dam in an altitude of 9500 ft. The less oxygen is compensated by awesome views across the western Drakensberg. Alpine flowers and rare bird species such as the Cape vulture can be found. Ride down Volunteershoek pass down into the Joggern valley. We pass many rock formation doted into the grassy landscape into Mosheesesford and further onto Rhodes. (B, L, D) (40 mi; Hg: +6070 ft, Jeep Tracks, Single trails). This trip can be shortened too.
Day 10: Departure
After breakfast we leave for Durban International Airport (7 hrs). In the afternoon fly back to Johannesburg. Change for flights back to your home. (B)
For those who wish to stay an extra few days we recommend the Garden Route and Cape Town, or just the wine region of Cape Town with its many trails or visit the impressive Victoria Falls combining it with a Safari in the wildlife rich Chobe National Park.
Services
Included in price:
- English speaking tour guide
- 9 nights in hotels, guesthouses and chalets with private bathroom
- 9 x breakfast, 8 x lunch, 7 x dinner of which one traditional barbeque ‘Braai’
- All named travel and transfers as well as luggage transport
- All entrance fees for sightseeing program
- South African travel guide
Not included:
- Flights to and from South Africa
- Tips
- Meals not mentioned above
- MTB Fully hire bike
Hints
Travel information:
Although the Wild Coast is tropical, it is malaria free. A reasonable if not good physical fitness is needed for this tour as well as a degree of cycling technique. On the Wild Coast the routes are made up of single trails and Tracks with many ascents and descents as well as areas where the carrying or pushing of the bikes is necessary. The temperature in the time period when the tours are offered is a comfortable 64-80°F in the Eastern Cape and is normally dry and sunny.
