Cycling >>
Cycling to the highlights of South Africa (17 days) 6-15
guests
Highlights
The Mpumalanga
Escarpment: 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
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
( B = Breakfast, L
= Lunch, D = Dinner ) ( km = kilometer,
am = altitude meters )
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)
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 35 °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 35
°C.
Included: qualified
English-speaking tour guide all
accommodation in double/twin rooms with shower/toilet as above incl. breakfast
(3-4*) transport
of bikes on trailer permanent
back-up all
entrance fees all
transfers & travel in air-conditioned minibuses
Excluded: flights
to and from South Africa gratuity flight
between Durban and Cape Town
Giant
mountain bikes We offer Giant Mountain Bikes with 27 gears, front shocks, water-bottle
holder and a small carrier for an additional charge on loan.
Book this tour
If
our fixed departure doesn't suit you, don't despair! Contact
us for exclusive itineraries for small groups or individual travelers,
we will be happy to put together a special tour for you.
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