South Africa Cycling Adventure

Join Johannesburg

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 2 or 4 hour cycling tour through Soweto (at your own expense). The tours start at 10.00 am or 2.00 pm, and include lunch and a transfer from your hotel to Soweto and back - ask us for costs.

Transfer to Private Game Lodge near Bandelierkop

Your transfer will depart at 10.00 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.

Commence cycling (20-40km)

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: 20-40km; Ascent: 150m, Descent: 300m.

Cycle to Letsitele and Kaross (25km)

Our next location is the Letsitele Valley and the small subtropical farming town of Letsitele. Letsitele is well-known for the vast amounts of citrus fruits produced and exported. The morning’s ride will take us through orange tree groves with a stop along along the way to visit a citrus packhouse to learn about the workings of a citrus farm, from the planting and farming phase, ending with the packing and export of the fruit. From the packhouse we continue along the canal to the Kaross embroidery. Kaross was started by Irma van Rooyen to create opportunities for rural women to make a living through their embroidery skills. Indulge yourself in the beauty of the embroidery followed by a typical South African lunch. The evening will be spent in the African bushveld. Approx Cycling distance: 25km; Ascent: 150m.*Depending on the time of year, we may visit a citrus packhouse. Alternatively we may visit an avocado/ macadamia nut packhouse.

Cycle in the Wolkberg Mountains (15-45km)

After enjoying breakfast overlooking the majestic Wolkberg Mountain range of Limpopo we will explore this area on our bicycles. 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 at the Coach House Hotel. The hotel has a Spa that offers optional massage and spa treatments (at your own expense). Enjoy a beverage in the historical bar and lounge, or the breathtaking views of the Wolkberg mountains from the comfort of your balcony or next to the pool. Approx Cycling distance: 15-45km; Ascent: 420m, Descent: 650m.

Cycle along the Blyde River, transfer to Kruger National Park (37km)

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. 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.

Game drive in Kruger National Park

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.

Cycle from Blyde River Canyon to Lisbon Falls and Bourke's Luck Potholes (20-40km)

Welcome to the Blyde River Canyon, the third largest and greenest canyon in the world. Our bike ride starts at the 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. Our next stop for the day is the Lisbon Falls which is the highest waterfall in Mpumalanga. Extend your bike ride by cycling to our lunch spot or hop into the bus for a relaxed drive to lunch, after which we will visit 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: 20-40km; Ascent: 420m, Descent: 620m.

Cycle to Echo Caves (27km)

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 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.

Early morning game walk, transfer to Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport (HDS), trip concludes

Your final day starts with a bushwalk accompanied by an experienced game ranger through Big 5 territory. Experience the bush as never before with the chance of a cheetah encounter on foot. 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. 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).