Group Size: 8-20 participants

km = kilometer & am = altitude meter

Day 1              Arrival Johannesburg – Transfer to Kruger National Park

On Sunday morning you arrive in Johannesburg (flight time approximately 10 1/2 hours from Europe with maximum one-hour time difference depending on the season). You meet your tour guide immediately upon exiting customs at the airport. Together we take an approximately five-hour bus ride to Hazyview on the edge of the Kruger National Park. The spectacular descent into the subtropical Lowveld is an unforgettable experience. Beautifully situated at the outskirt of Hazyview along the Sabie River is your very comfortable accommodation, the Hippo Hollow Country Estate 4* (swimming pool). During the cocktail hour you can already observe hippopotamus and listen to the sounds of Africa. (D)

Hippo Hollow Country Estate 4*

Distance by bus 390 km, duration 5 h

Day 2              Game drive in Kruger National Park

Today is dedicated to the incredible world of African wildlife in the expansive Kruger National Park, which has the same surface area as Belgium. The park is home to 3,000 hippopotamus, 9,300 elephants, 2,000 leopards, 3,000 zebras, as well as 500 bird species. With luck you observe the Big Five: buffalo, rhinoceros, elephant, lion and leopard. In any case it is an incomparable wildlife experience. You spend a second night in the Hippo Hollow Country Estate 4*. (B,D)

Hippo Hollow Country Estate 4*

Distance by bus 0 km, duration 0 h

Day 3              Panorama Route – Flight to Port Elizabeth

After breakfast you head out on a panoramic route through the Drakensberg Mountains in the direction of Johannesburg enjoying spectacular views of the Blyde River Canyon along the way. You explore Bourke’s Luck Potholes, a system of bizarrely carved out rock formations at the confluence of the Blyde and Treur rivers and enjoy the famous view of the Three Rondavels. After these landscape highlights you fly from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth in the afternoon. (Flight costs not included in tour package). The Paxton Hotel 4*, overlooking the Indian Ocean, welcomes you tonight (swimming pool). (B,L)

Paxton Hotel 4*

Distance by bus 470 km, duration 6.5 h

Day 4              1. Bicycle Tour Clarkson – Tsitsikamma

Your bicycle tour starts near Clarkson at the beginning of the Garden Route. You ride through an easy landscape of fields and forest bordered to the north by the Tsitsikamma Mountains, and the Indian Ocean to the south. In the late afternoon, the charming Tsitsikamma Village Inn 3* awaits you (swimming pool). (B,D)

Tsitsikamma Village Inn 3*

Distance by bike 40 km, 210 am, tar

Distance by bus 140 km, duration 2 h

Day 5              2. Bicycle Tour Tsitsikamma National Park – Natures Valley

After a descent into the virgin forest of the Tsitsikamma National Park you arrive at Storms River. During a one-hour hike you shall cross three fantastic suspension bridge directly over the mouth of the river and see the dramatic spectacle of the river gushing into the Indian Ocean. In the afternoon, the route takes you into the depths of the primeval forest of the Bloukrans River Gorge At the Bloukrans River you cross the border from the Eastern to the Western Cape Province, your uphill efforts are rewarded with a thrilling descent into Nature’s Valley and kilometers of empty beach. In nearby Plettenberg Bay you spend the night in the pleasant Cornerway Guest House 4* (swimming pool). (B,D)

Cornerway Guest House 4*

Distance by bike 36 km, 380 am, tar

Distance by bus 35 km, duration 0.5 h

Day 6              3. Bicycle Tour Sedgefield – Wilderness

This morning finds you on a two to three-hour hike on the unique Robberg Nature Reserve, a red sandstone peninsula covered with Fynbos. With some luck you may see whales and dolphins, and most certainly the seals who have colonized the area. After a noontime break in the vacation town of Knysna, you travel on a natural trail through the lonely Lake District to Wilderness. Tonight’s accommodation, the stunning Views Boutique Hotel & Spa 5* (swimming pool), is reached in the late afternoon. (B,D)

Views Boutique Hotel & Spa 5*

Distance by bike 26 km, 230 am, 20 km track, rest tar

Distance by bus 70 km, duration 1.25 h

Day 7              4. Bicycle Tour Cango Caves – Oudtshoorn

The bus takes you over the Outeniqua-Pass to the Little Karoo for a visit to the world famous Cango Caves, giant limestone stalactite caverns. By bicycle you traverse the spectacular Schoemans Gorge before visiting an ostrich farm. Here you learn about the ostrich life cycle and their economic importance for the Oudtshoorn region. At the end of your ride with expansive views over Little Karoo, you are welcomed by the owners of the charming Adley House 4* in Oudtshoorn (swimming pool). In the evening the owners prepare an authentic South African Braai (barbecue). (B,D)

Adley House 4*

Distance by bike 29 km, 190 am, 14 km track, rest tar

Distance by bus 100 km, duration 1.5 h

Day 8              5. Bicycle Tour Barrydale – Buffeljagtsrivier

Leaving the ostrich capital behind, you cross the Little Karoo by bus towards the east along the Swart Mountains, a route offering wonderful views over the endless barren steppe. From Barrydale you bike through the impressive Tradouw Gorge down to the little missionary town of Suurbraak. Riding along a gently undulating road you reach Swellendam. Founded in 1743, it is the third oldest city in South Africa. Tonight, you shall be spoiled in the excellent Schoone Oordt Guest House 5*. (B,D)

Schoone Oordt Guest House 5*

Distance by bike 33 km, 270 am, tar

Distance by bus 190 km, duration 2.25 h

Day 9              6. Bicycle Tour Drew – Van Loveren Wine Estate

In the morning, you visit the Drostdy museum, former seat of the district judge, and get an idea of the life of the Boers in the 18th century. Your cycle tour leads along the Breede river through a fruit- and wine-growing valley. You enjoy your lunch at a vinery near Robertson which gives you the chance to taste some of the local wines. Afterwards, the bus takes you to the Atlantic coast and the romantic town of Hermanus. You spend the night in the comfortable Misty Waves Boutique Hotel 4*. (B,D)

Misty Waves Boutique Hotel 4*

Distance by bike 34 km, 280 am, tar

Distance by bus 180 km, duration 2.5 h

Day 10             7. Bicycle Tour Betty´s Bay – Gordon´s Bay

Your cycle route to Gordon’s Bay leads mostly along small coastal roads, with only a few moderate ascents, along the False Bay. If the weather permits, the view of the Cape Peninsula accompanies your way with the „Mother City“ already in view from the distance. In Gordon’s Bay a lively beach promenade awaits and you get a first impression of multicultural Cape Town. You spend the night in the Zevenwacht Country Inn 4*, located aside the Stellenbosch Wine Route. It offers an own wine production and a comfortable restaurant with Cape-Dutch style. (B,D)

Zevenwacht Country Inn 4*

Distance by bike 34 km, 410 am, tar

Distance by bus 80 km, durations 1.5 h

Day 11             8. Bicycle Tour Stellenbosch – Jonkershoek UNESCO World Heritage Site

In the morning you ride along small roads from Stellenbosch to the nature reserve of Jonkershoek, where you bike a loop of about 13 kilometers. The landscape is reminiscent of Switzerland: forested valley floors surrounded by steep rock walls. The landscape has little in common with the area of Stellenbosch only a few kilometers away, lending truth to South Africa’s reputation as the whole world in one country. This afternoon you visit the Dorp Museum in Stellenbosch. The historic buildings bear witness to the lifestyle of the 18th Century Afrikaner. You have time to wander through this historic university town before traveling by bus to nearby Franschhoek which means French Corner. In the evening you can enjoy comfort at the well-known Protea Hotel Franschhoek 4*. A restaurant known for its French cuisine welcomes you tonight. (B,D)

Protea Hotel Franschhoek 4*

Distance by bike 29 km, 235 am, tar

Distance by bus 40 km, duration 0.75 h

Day 12             Walking Tour near Franschhoek – Khayelitsha Township – Cape Town

You undertake two hours of light hiking through the Mount Rochelle Nature Reserve with fantastic views over the Winelands around Franschhoek. The incredible range of fynbos (1300 plant varieties) in this nature preserve is overwhelming. In the early afternoon, the bus takes you to Cape Town and a visit to a kindergarten in Khayelitsha Township which is supported by African Bikers. The Portswood Hotel 4* is your splendid hotel for two nights in the Victoria and Albert Waterfront. Tonight, you dine in an African restaurant in the city center. (B,D)

Portswood Hotel 4*

Distance by bus 80 km, duration 1.25 h

Day 13             9. Bicycle Tour Cape of Good Hope – Scarborough

Your starting point today is the famous botanical garden of Kirstenbosch directly below Table Mountain. You then continue along the Cape peninsula in the direction of the Cape of Good Hope. After taking in the view from the tip of Africa, you ride through the Table Mountain National Park to Kommetije where your African cycling tour ends. The bus takes you along Chapman’s Peak Drive high over Hout Bay, a ride of breathtaking natural beauty. Your farewell dinner is celebrated at a well-known restaurant in Cape Town. Second night in The Portswood Hotel 4*. (B,D)

Portswood Hotel 4*

Distance by bike 34 km, 340 am, tar

Distance by bus 110 km, duration 2 h

Day 14             City tour Cape Town – By Cable car onto Table Mountain

On a tour of the historic center you see many points of interest including the Parliament buildings and the former garden of the Dutch United East Indies Company. For your final outing a cable car ride up the 1067m Table Mountain awaits you to take in the spectacular view from Cape Town to Robben Island. In the early afternoon you say goodbye to Cape Town and drive to the airport for the flight back home. Cape Town lends itself for an extended stay to explore the city and/or for a side trip to Victoria Falls and Chobe National park. (B)

Distance by bus 25 km, duration 0.75 h

Accommodation subject to availability

A moderate level of fitness is sufficient for the climbs on this route. Due to the accompanying vehicle it is possible to cycle longer or shorter distances. During the given travel dates, the climate in Kruger National Park can reach up to 25-30 °C, along the Garden Route and Cape Town temperatures are between 22-28 °C.