Group Size: 8 – 15 participants

km = kilometer & am = altitude meter

Day 1              Depart from Johannesburg via Dullstroom to Graskop

Upon your morning arrival at the Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, you will be met by your tour guide and transferred to Dullstroom, a town known for its trout breeding, lying at the start of the Drakensberg Mountains. Continue over the Long Tom Pass in the eastern Drakensberg Mountains via Sabie to Graskop, where one will stay for 2 consecutive nights.

Graskop Hotel 3*

Distance by bus 380 km, duration 5 h

Day 2              Bike Tour from Pilgrim’s Rest via Bourke‘s Luck Potholes to the Blyde River Canyon

Visit the historical African gold mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest, cycling onwards to Bourke‘s Luck Potholes, an imposing system of potholes, through which the Blyde River makes its way to the Blyde River Canyon. Thereafter, continue cycling along the Panorama Route to the Three Rondavels viewpoint which offers one the most spectacular views of the Blyde River Canyon. Return transfer by bus to the hotel. (B)

Graskop Hotel 3*

Distance by bike 57 km, 530 am, tar/gravel road

Distance by bus 90 km, duration 2.5 h

Day 3              Bike Tour from God‘s Window via the Lisbon to Hazyview

Cycling in a loop along the Drakensberg escarpment, one will visit The Pinnacle Rock – an imposing rock column – and God’s Window – a viewpoint with a marvellous view over the Lowveld (914 am). If the weather allows you can see as far as the Kruger National Park and Mozambique. A short ride takes us to the Lisbon Waterfalls, followed by a longer descent into the Lowveld. 1 hour transfer to the world-famous Kruger National Park, where one may see lion, elephant, zebra, hippo, rhino, giraffe, buffalo, antelope, wild dogs as well as a colourful array of birds and diverse types of vegetation. Overnight accommodation will be in the South of the park. (B)

Camp Kruger Park 2-3*

Distance by bike 67km, 820 am, tar/forest road

Distance by bus 40 km, duration 1.5 h

Day 4              Safari in the Kruger National Park

Wildlife is generally very active in the cool morning temperatures. Join a guided walk with a ranger (optional, to be booked well in advance, only 8 places available). After breakfast, drive along the periphery of riparian forests and granite mountains to another camp in the park. In the afternoon, undertake another game drive in an open top game viewing vehicle. Overnight accommodation will be in another Camp in Kruger Park 2-3* in thatched chalets. (B)

Camp in Kruger Park 2-3*

Distance by bus 200 km, duration 6 h

Day 5              Bike Tour in Swaziland/Eswatini Jeppe´s Reef-Phophonyane Lodge

Undertake a morning safari prior to departure from the Kruger National Park to the Kingdom of Eswatini, home to the Swazi people. Start cycling from the border post of Jeppe´s Reef on a quiet gravel road past many homesteads of the Swazi people to the beautifully situated Phophonyane Lodge. Situated close to the namesake waterfall the area is now part of a new UNESCO World Heritage Site. The exposed rock strata are 3.55 billion years of age making it one of the oldest rocks on earth. (B)

Phophonyane Lodge

Distance by bike 27 km, 650 am, gravel road

Distance by bus 100 km, duration 3 h

Day 6              Bike Tour Piggs Peak-Mandlangempisi

A 20 minute transfer takes you just outside Piggs Peak. On a hilly gravel road ride to Nsangwini, a site where ancient rock paintings of the Khoi San are to be seen. A local guide will show you around. The lower you cycle the more the vegetation changes to a thorny bush savannah. After lunch we transfer to the Ezulwini Valley where you are accommodated at Mlilwane Game Sanctuary. (B)

Mlilwane Game Reserve 2-3*

Distance by bike 48km, hg 580m, tar/gravel road

Distance by bus 150 km, duration 2.5 h

Day 7              Bike Tour from Bhunya to Mlilwane

After breakfast, short transfer to the uSutu Forest – you will pass the palace of the King. On the quiet country roads, cycle past many kraals before reaching the famous Swazi candles workshop where candles are made accompanied by local music. Continue riding to the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. In the afternoon, do game watching on foot or by bicycle – it is completely safe, there are neither buffalo, elephant nor other predators in the reserve.) (B)

Mlilwane Game Reserve 2-3*

Distance by bike 55 km, 570 am, tar/gravel road

Distance by bus 50 km, duration 1.25 h

Day 8              Safari in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve

En route into the fertile Zulu country in South Africa, one will pass villages and fields of sugarcane. The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve is world renowned for its white and black rhino species protection program. Undertake a wildlife safari in the African Bikers vehicle. In addition to the BIG 5 – lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and buffalo, the beautiful lowland nyala antelope is also found here. Overnight accommodation for the next 2 consecutive nights will be in St. Lucia, a small town situated in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. (B)

Umlilo Lodge 4*

Distance by bus 380 km, duration 7 h

Day 9              St. Lucia – Boat Ride and Day of Rest

In the morning, enjoy a boat trip on the St. Lucia Lagoon (optional), where, in addition to crocodiles and hippo, one can see the African fish eagle, the goliath heron, and many other bird species. The rest of the day is at leisure. Swim in the warm Indian Ocean, take a walk in the rainforest, or visit and explore a small township by bicycle in the company of an enthusiastic local guide. (B)

Umlilo Lodge 4*

Distance by bus 20 km, duration 0.25 h

Day 10                        Bike Tour in the Valley of a Thousand Hills

Continue travelling into rural Zululand. You cycle through the Valley of a Thousand Hills. In this former homeland life happens on the streets. Cyclists are sure a rare attraction and you can expect some cheering of the locals. Cycle past numerous Zulu kraals. Cattle, goat and corn farming characterize the landscape. Thereafter, brief transfer to the comfortable Lexden Guest House 3* in Pietermaritzburg for the overnight stay. (B)

Lexden Guesthouse 3*

Distance by bike 43 km, 510 am, tar road

Distance by bus 320 km, duration 4.25 h

Day 11                        Bike Tour Bergville to Tugela

A 1.5-hour transfer takes you to Bergville in the Natal Midlands. Along the foothills of the uKhalambra Drakensberge (3000m), which is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage, you cycle through fertile farmland and past numerous Zulu Kraals. Overnight accommodation for 2 consecutive nights will be at the Tower of Pizza 3*. (B)

Tower of Pizza 3*

Distance by bike 46km, hg 730m, tar

Distance by bus 150 km, duration 2 h

Day 12                        Hiking Tour in the Royal Natal National Park

Drive along the edge of the Tugela River and enter the Royal Natal National Park. On a slightly undulating path, hike into the Tugela Gorge, where the Tugela Waterfall (1300m), cascades from the Amphitheatre. On a 6-hour hike enjoy viewing the beauty of the rain forest, tree ferns, proteaceae and orchids. Transfer back to the lodge. (B)

Tower of Pizza 3*

Hike est. 6 h (500am)

Distance by bus 40 km, duration 0.75 h

Day 13                        Drive back to Johannesburg – Visit the Apartheid Museum and Transfer to the O R Tambo International Airport

After breakfast you leave the province KwaZulu Natal and transfer back to Johannesburg. A visit to the Apartheid Museum gives one insight into South Africa’s turbulent past. A transfer to Oliver Tambo International Airport will be the end of this remarkable and multifaceted journey. (B)

Distance by bus 350 km, duration 4.5 h

Accommodation subject to availability

A moderate to medium level of fitness is required for the climbs on this route. It will be possible to cycle longer distances, because of the accessibility of the accompanying vehicle. During the mentioned dates of travel, the climate in the Kruger National Park and in Eswatini can reach up to 25°C to 30°C. In the summer months, it can also be turbulent and rainy.