On easy cycling legs of 20-50km and short walks, our tour guide will show you this extremely diversified country along cycling routes through the scenic Panorama Route and then going on game safaris in the world-famous Kruger National Park with its splendid wildlife. You experience the warm hearty hospitality of the Swazi people before heading for the stunning Umfolozi-Hluhluwe National Park with the highest concentration of rhinos in the world. We cycle in a private game reserve and through the scenic Valley of 1000 hills near Durban.
After a flight to Cape Town you will visit charming Cape Dutch towns like Stellenbosch and Swellendam and sample the local wine of the region. For those with a spirit of adventure you may even embark on an exciting ostrich ride in Oudtshoorn –though at your own risk! Along the Garden Route, we bike through evergreen rain forests and along the rough coastline with its beautiful beaches. On the way you will meet the friendly people of the Cape. An ideal trip to get to know our fascinating and friendly "Rainbow Nation".
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: You arrive in Johannesburg for the start of the tour. We transfer by road to Middleburg and visit a village of the Ndebele tribe along the way (2hrs.), which is famous for its distinctive and elaborate bead work done by the women. The colorful wall decorations on their huts are done by finger painting. We then move on to the beginning of the Panorama Route where we will be accommodated in a comfortable hotel (1,5 hrs.). Hotel 3*. Includes: (B).
Day 2: We visit the historic gold-digging village of Pilgrim's Rest before we transfer to the famous Bourke's Luck Potholes. This is found where an impressive system of whirlpools through which the Blyde River (meaning "river of joy" 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", which are rock formations. A long, relaxing downhill follows before we load the bikes and return to our hotel in Graskop. Hotel 3* (40 km, 250 am, tar). Includes: (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 see the "big five", namely lion, rhino, elephant, leopard and buffalo. We stay in chalets or rondavels in a rest camp in the center of the park. Chalets Rest Camp 2-3* (35 km, 300 am, tar). Includes: (B).
Day 4: We do an early morning, a late morning and an afternoon game drive in the park. After dinner, you can go on a night-drive in an open Landrover with a ranger. This is optional but certainly an unforgettable experience. We will be accommodated in rondavels in the southern region of the park. Chalets Rest Camp 2-3*. Includes: (B).
Day 5: Another early morning game drive is done before breakfast. We then leave the Kruger National Park for the Kingdom of Swaziland. In the Ezulwini Valley or Valley of Heaven we cycle to the Matenga cultural Swazi village and go on a short hike to a scenic waterfall. We will be accommodated close by in a beautiful mountain hotel situated outside the capital of Mbabane. Hotel 3* (20 km, 50 am, tar). Includes: (B).
Day 6: We cycle along the fertile fields of the locals and passing the palace of the Swazi King Mswati 3rd. We cycle in the Mlilwane Wildlife sanctuary where many antelope, zebra, baboon and many other mammals are living. 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 Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, a world heritage site. Guest house 3* (40 km, 200 am, tar/gravel). Includes: (B).
Day 7: Early morning we head for nearby Umfolozi and 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*. Includes: (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 flat road. Rural Zululand scenery with kraals and the cheers of the locals make this trip a memorable one. We transfer to the famous Durban beach front for our overnight stay in a comfortable hotel. A visit to the Ushaka Marine world with the 5th largest aquarium in the world is worthwhile. Hotel 3* (40 km, 200 am, tar). Includes: (B).
Day 9: After a short transfer to Durban airport we fly to Cape Town (cost not included). Another transfer takes us to the green university town of Stellenbosch. A cycle into the Jonkershoek Valley lead into the Hottentots-Holland Mountains. Protea and Erica, part of the plant kingdom Capensis show there beauty. We continue to the beautiful village of Montagu nestling in the Cape Mountains. Here we will be accommodated in a charming guest house. Guest house 3* (35 km, 200 am, tar/gravel). Includes: (B).
Day 10: We take a walk through a romantic gorge to the hot springs of Montagu (1 hr). Afterwards we transfer to Calitzdorp, the port wine capital of South Africa in the Little Karoo. We cycle along an isolated gravel road passing some ostrich farms. We arrive at our comfortable, historical hotel in Oudtshoorn - built in Victorian style, in the late afternoon. Hotel 3* (30 km, 200 am, gravel). Includes: (B).
Day 11: We visit the famous Cango Caves with its impressive stalagmites and columns as well as an ostrich farm before cycling back to Oudtshoorn through the beautiful Schoemanspoort Gorge. We transfer over the Outeniqua Pass to the beautiful Garden Route and spend the afternoon on the beach of the warm Indian Ocean, within walking distance from our hotel. Hotel 3* (30km, 0! Am, tar). Includes: (B).
Day 12: Today we will cycle through the Lake District, a collection of 5 lakes popular among bird watchers. 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 be it for shopping, beer tasting from the local Mitchell Brewery, a boat cruise with oyster tasting on the lagoon, a steam train ride in the popular Outeniqua Choo Tjoe or simply relaxing at the bustling Waterfront. We return to our hotel in the late afternoon. Hotel 3* (40km, 100 am, tar/gravel). Includes: (B).
Day 13: We transfer to Mossel Bay (1 hr.) where we learn more about the discovery of Africa in the Diaz Museum. We then travel to Heidelberg (1,5 hrs.) 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. Guest House 3* (42 km, 250 am, tar/gravel). Includes: (B).
Day 14: In the morning we tour the Drostdy Museum, the old residence of the bailiff furnished in 18th century style. We then cycle through the wine lands of the Breë 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 (2,5 hrs.). Hermanus is the ideal place to watch whales from land at close range from July to October. We are accommodated in a charming hotel next to the sea. Hotel 3* (45 km, 200 am, tar). Includes: (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 its fishing harbor and yacht basin. We load the bikes and head for Cape Town, the Mother City, where we are accommodated for two nights in a comfortable guest house/hotel close to restaurants and the Waterfront. A leisurely afternoon walk takes us to the Castle, Parade, Flower Market, and Company’s Garden with the National Gallery, Green Market Square and the historical Malay Quarter. Guest house/hotel 3* (50 km, 300 am, tar). Includes: (B).
Day 16: Today we will explore the Cape peninsula. 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. As Cape Town is situated between two oceans, seafood is a specialty and very affordable. If you feel like an evening out, Cape Town's nightlife is worth experiencing and Sea Point with its famous promenade and the V&A Waterfront are just around the corner (40 km, 200 am, tar). Includes: (B).
Day 17: Depending on your return flight you can do a township tour and visit the kindergarten supported by our company in the morning. Alternatively, you can take the cable way 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. Includes: (B).
Notes: We offer various extensions and other services such as car rental, hotel/ guest house accommodation that will be tailored to your needs.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Qualified English-speaking tour guide
- All accommodation in double/twin rooms with shower/toilet as above including breakfast (2-3*)
- Transport of bikes on trailer
- Permanent back-up
- All entrance fees
- All transfers and travel in air-conditioned minibuses
Price Excludes:
- Flights to and from South Africa
- Gratuity
- Flight between Durban and Cape Town
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
South Africa
Bicycle Touring
Cultural Journey
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