South Africa Cycling Adventure

Welcome to South Africa. Upon arrival you will notice that you are in a country filled with smiles. Our local representative will meet you at O.R. Tambo International Airport and accompany you to your overnight hotel accommodation in Johannesburg. The rest of the day is your own free time where you can rest or explore some of Sandton’s attractions, such as Nelson Mandela Square (right across from your hotel), Sandton City Mall, or Hop-on-hop-off Johannesburg (www.citysightseeing.co.za/destinations/joburg).

Depending on your arrival time, we can arrange a 4 hour cycling tour through Soweto (at your own expense). The tours start at 10.00 am or 1.00 pm, and include lunch and a transfer from your hotel to Soweto and back - ask us for costs.

Your transfer will depart at 8.00 am from your hotel. Travel time from Johannesburg to our overnight accommodation is approx. 5 hours. Along the way, we will stop to visit an Open-Air Museum which demonstrates the daily life of the Bakone people who inhabited the Polokwane area 250 years ago. The next two evenings will be spent at a Private Game Lodge near Bandelierkop. After settling in, we will end our day with a bushwalk to get acquainted with the African bush and a cozy dinner in an African boma.

After breakfast, our first bike ride is an exploratory ride through the bushveld. Our aim with this safari cycle is to have personal encounters with some of the animals of the African Bush. The Lodge has a wide variety of non-dangerous animals including Giraffe, Impala, Zebra, Kudu and many bird species. Learn more about the lifestyle and habits of the different species as well as the tracking of animals. Join us for a Sunset game drive or alternatively enjoy a relaxed afternoon next to the swimming pool. Dinner will be a unique South African experience served in the boma.

Approx Cycling distance: 25km; Ascent: 180m.

After breakfast we travel for 60 minutes to the start of our bike ride outside the town of Tzaneen. Tzaneen is a large tropical garden town in a high rainfall fertile region with tropical and subtropical agriculture taking place in a 20,000 square kilometres region. Tzaneen's name is derived from a Northern Sotho word 'Tsaneng', which means gathering place. Tzaneen is Limpopo's paradise and it has been nicknamed 'Land of Silver Mist' because of the frequent mist that occur on the mountains above it. It is located in lush, tropical surroundings and is home to Limpopo's highest mountain, the Iron Crown Mountain, lying more than 2,200m (7,200ft) above sea level. Our bike ride consists of a mix of easy flowing single tracks, gravel roads and jeep tracks through indigenous forest, circling dams with the possibility of a hippo sighting. On a special day you may have the opportunity to spot Samango Monkeys and the rare Bat Hawk. After lunch we have a short drive to our accommodation for the next two evenings.

Approx Cycling distance: 30km; Ascent: 500m.

The Wolkberg Mountains separate the highveld from the lowveld of Limpopo. It also contains some of the most intensive and well established avocado and macadamia nut farms in South Africa. Our bike route for the day is a circular one that passes through pine and eucalyptus plantations with splendid views of the surrounding mountains and farms. Lunch will take place at a local restaurant with picturesque views of the area. A relaxing afternoon awaits you with breathtaking views of the Wolkberg Mountains.

*Depending on the time of year, we may visit an avocado/macadamia nut packhouse.

Approx Cycling distance: 15-45km; Ascent: 420m, Descent: 650m.

Our bike ride follows the Blyde River through the canyon to a spectacular viewpoint of the Blyde Dam. The Blyde River rises on the western slopes of the Drakensberg near Sabie in Mpumalanga and flows northwards past the town of Pilgrim's Rest for more than 100 km, through a region of extraordinary beauty along the eastern escarpment and into the Blyde Dam which was completed in 1974. Along the way be on the lookout for kudus and baboons. Explore the Blyde Dam with a boat cruise and spot hippo’s and crocodiles as well as the amazing Three Rondavels from below. After lunch we will depart for the Kruger National Park. Enjoy your first evening in Kruger with a “braai”.

Approx Cycling distance: 37km; Ascent: 410m.

Today is your big Kruger Safari day. * Please note we do NOT cycle within the Kruger National Park.

Although Kruger is renowned for the Big 5, it has so much more to offer. Get your cameras ready to capture the special moments in one of Africa’s largest national parks covering an area of 19,485 square kilometres. This wildlife sanctuary is like no other, its atmosphere so unique which will allow you to experience the true heartbeat of Africa. After our day in the Kruger National Park, we will be treated with a delicious dinner. Take time to share stories and photos of your special day in the African bush.

Welcome to the Blyde River Canyon, the third largest and greenest canyon in the world. Our bike ride starts at Pinnacle Rock where we will ready the bikes whilst you savour the magnificent view. The route follows the escarpment to Wonder View, which is said, on a clear day it is possible to see all the way to Mozambique. Visit a spectacular waterfall, before travelling to the Bourke’s Luck Potholes. The potholes were formed over centuries of water flowing from the Treur and Blyde River. From here it is a short drive to the famous Three Rondavels lookout point and onto our overnight stay overlooking this escarpment.

Approx Cycling distance: 40km; Ascent: 620m.

Take in a last look at the striking panorama of the Three Rondavels before we get onto our bicycles. Our route, which is mostly downhill, is surrounded by citrus farms. The Echo Caves marks the end of our cycling. This underground wonderland was stumbled upon by a local farmer in 1923, whilst looking for his lost cow. We will visit the cave before driving along the Abel Erasmus Pass and entering the Lowveld for our last evening. The adventure begins with a late afternoon game drive in a Big 5 area in an open game viewer with an experienced guide. Dinner will be served in a boma around a fire with sounds of the African night in the background.

Approx Cycling distance: 27km; Ascent: 330m.

Your final day starts with a bushwalk accompanied by an experienced game ranger through Big 5 territory. After the bushwalk, enjoy a leisurely breakfast whilst saying farewell to your cycling companions. This will be the end of our time together (approx 10:00am). You will be transferred to the Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport (HDS) in time for your flight (note - do not book any flights earlier than 12.00pm from Hoedspruit). If you would prefer to travel to Johannesburg by car, a private transfer can be booked with us.

Please note: a non-private shuttle service is available from Hoedspruit Airport (depart 11.00am) to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport (arrive between 5.00pm - 6.00pm) and can be arranged at additional cost. If you are flying out from O.R. Tambo International Airport on the same day, we recommend that flights are booked to depart from 21:00 onwards (international) or from 20:00 onwards (local).