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Categorization
Level of fitness   Grading of accommodation

Dates and rates
Booking code: RMTBTA
26.02.12 - 10.03.12	USD 2980
18.11.12 - 01.12.12	USD 2980

Gallery

South Africa

MTB tour from Table Mountain to Addo Elephant National Park

Endless sunshine, single trails and gravel tracks: Crossing the Cedarberg Wilderness Area from North to South. Bike onto Patryskop 5500 feet... – Individual and group travel

This challenging mountain bike trip takes us from the mountains of the Cape Peninsula through the wine growing regions of the western Cape along jeep tracks and single trails. We cycle through the wildness region of the Cedar Mountains up to 5400 ft above sea level, through ancient forests on the Garden Route and through the unique animal and plant rich world of, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bavlaanskloof, all the way to Addo Elephant National Park. We stay in carefully selected guesthouses, hotels and chalets.

Tour itenerary

mi = miles; Hg = Height gain in feet

Day 1 Arrival in Cape Town and sightseeing tour

Arrival in Cape Town Airport. A transfer brings us to our guesthouse. A sightseeing tour of the town takes us to the historical Cape Town: the old castle, parade with the town hall, Parliament Gardens, the large church ,Groote Kerk‘, Green Market Square, District Six and the Malay Quarter. You can choose to cycle the Panorama Road on Table Mountain and cycle the trails back to the guesthouse. (16 mi; Hg: 1200 ft; Tar/ Jeep tracks)

Day 2 MTB Trail on Table Mountain Plateau and Cape of Good Hope

A short transfer brings us to Tokai Forest on the Cape Peninsula. We will cycle through a beautiful, old pine forest and later through the beautiful Cape-Fynbos (Erica and Protea) in the Constantia Mountain, which, from 2760 ft, has a wonderful view of Cape Town and the surrounding area. (22 mi; Hg: 2850 ft; Tracks/ Jeep tracks/ Single trails). A downhill cycle of differing difficulty brings us back to the park entrance. In our accompanying vehicle we drive along the Indian Ocean to a colony of boulder penguins and further onto the Cape of Good Hope. Here cheeky baboons live along side blesbok, bontebok, kudu and ostrich. A small hike takes us on a panorama way from Cape Point down to the Cape of Good Hope. On the grand cliffs of the Atlantic we walk back along to the town. (B)

Day 3 MTB Trail in the wine regions around Stellenbosch

Transfer to Stellenbosch. On the Dirthopia Trail we cycle around Stellenbosch. This varying trail was created by a secret mountain bike insider and offers challenging ascents to Simons Mountain and Jonkershoek Valley. We will stay overnight in a comfortable guesthouse. (36 mi; Hg: 2610 ft; Tar/Gravel tracks/Jeep tracks/Single trails) (B, L)

Day 4 Pass through the Cedar Mountains on Jeep Tracks

Transfer to Clanwilliam, the centre of Rooibos tea plantations, in the north. Cycle up to the 720m high Pakhuispass. On secluded jeep track we cycle through the rugged rock formations of the Cedar Mountains. Heuningsvlei – named Honey Lake – lies so secluded that only donkey carts can reach it. We stay in a simple missionary guesthouse in Wuppertal. (28 mi; Hg: 3450 ft; Track/Jeep track) (B, L, D)

Day 5 In to the heart of the Cedar Mountains

First thing in the morning we have a steep cycle to Eselbank. The very good view in the far distance is a reward for the perspiration. We pass many rooibos fields on our way to the heart of the Cedar Mountains. Lunch break at a cave with drawings from the Khoi San, the natives of southern Africa. These are fascinating sandstone caves. Finally we drive to the height of almost 3000 ft to Groot River Pass. We stay in a very beautiful wooden lodge. (39 mi; Hg: 3600 ft; Tracks, Jeep Tracks} (B, L, D)

Day 6 On the 5490 ft high Patryskop

Along good tracks we cycle up the high plateau. From here, we begin the 7 mi long climb to Patryskop at 5490 ft. The view of up to 100 mi, all the way to Table Mountain, is phenomenal. Rare species of protea can be found in this region where it is at home in the alpine climate. After going back downhill, we cycle on flat ground past many bizarre rock formations until we almost reach Op-die-Berg. Transfer to our guesthouse in Ceres. (34 mi; Hg: 3900 ft; Tracks, Jeep tracks) (B, L)

Day 7 Bike in Boosmansbos Wildness Region

A 2.5 hr transfer takes us along the fertile wine farms at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains. On tracks, jeep tracks and single trails we cycle in the Boosmansbos Wildness Region. (22 mi; Hg: 3210 ft) The BS&G (Blood, Sweat & Gears) Pass offers a challenge, a 1.4 mi long ascent with a height gain of 1350 ft. The vegetation stretches from the forested areas with streams to the erica and succulent land of Little Karoo. We stay in a guesthouse in lovely chalets directly in the park. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Quiet day to swim

We will drive over Mossel Bay to George and Wilderness. The Victoria Bay is inviting for a swimming in the Indian Ocean. The afternoon in Knysna is free for you to choose what you do. We will stay for two nights in a charming guesthouse with an interesting garden. (B)

Day 9 On single tracks in Knysna Forest

We go past a huge 800 year old Yellow wood tree and bike to Diepvalle Forest Station. We cycle downhill over old wood-cutting paths and several streams to Garden Eden, where we take a lunch break. In the afternoon we go on a specially laid mountain bike trail through the Harkeville Forest. Fallen trees are witness of the forest elephants. From the coast we have a wonderful view out over the Indian Ocean. (36 mi; Hg: 3450 ft; Tar/Jeep tracks/Single trails) (B, L)

Day 10 Through the Outeniqua Mountains

A transfer brings is back to Diepvalle. On our bikes we continue through the solitude of the Outeniqua Mountains. A few ascents and descents take us to Die Vlug. The highlight is the 7 mi long uphill ride to the Prince Alfred Pass (3150 ft). Our goal for the day is a game farm. Here, amongst others, are springbok, zebra and African antelope, the eland. We will stay in comfortable chalets. (40 mi; Hg: 4050 ft; Tar/ Tracks) (B, L, D)

Day 11 Downhill through the Baviaanskloof

After a short transfer to Ouposberg, we cycle through farmland to the beginning of the Baviaanskloof Gorge. A varying downhill track brings us through the Nuwekloof Gorge in the main valley. The landscape and vegetation change: Acacia and fig trees mark a savanna-like landscape. We will stay on an ostrich farm. (58 mi; Hg:1800 ft; Tracks) (B, L, D)

Day 12 World Heritage Site Baviaanskloof Wildness Region

Today we will make our way through the UNESCO World Heritage Site and Wildness Region of Baviaanskloof, on a special bike and 4×4 only trail. With luck, we can see kudu, blesbok, monitor lizard and also buffalo. A challenging climb brings us to the mountain pass plateau. Amazing views in the solitude of the Winter Mountains await us. (49 mi; Hg: 3300 ft; Tracks). We stay in chalets on a farm. (B, L, D)

Day 13 Safari in Addo Elephant National Park

We drive further to Addo Elephant National Park, the second largest park after Kruger National Park. During a safari in an open vehicle we will, with luck, see elephants, ostrich, tortoises, warthogs, zebra, blesbok, kudu, black rhino and also lions. We will stay in a very nice mountain lodge for the night. (B)

Day 14 Transfer to Port Elizabeth and home journey

Transfer to Port Elizabeth Airport where the challenging, yet varied mountain bike tour comes to an end. (B)

Services

Included in price:

• English speaking tour guide
• 13 nights in hotels, guesthouses and chalets with private bathroom
• 13 x breakfast, 9 x lunch, 6 x dinner
• Constant vehicle backup as well as transport for bikes
• All entrance fees for sightseeing program
• South African tour guide

Not included:

• Flights to and from South Africa
• Tips
• Meals not mentioned above
• MTB Fully hire bike

Hints

Travel Information
A good level of fitness and also cycling technique is necessary for this tour. The routes consist of stony single trails with many steep climbs and downhill routes, jeep tracks and forest roads. In the Baviaanskloof Gorge the track goes through many streams and sometimes washed out areas. During the given travel dates temperatures in the Eastern Cape are between a comfortable 18 and 27 °C and it is dry and sunny. In the Western Cape the temperatures lie between 25 and 30 °C. Nights can get cold.

This tour is also available as a private tour, with minimum two participants.