Johannesburg - Capetown by Bike

On the road

The whole world in one country

This biking tour takes you to the scenic and cultural highlights of South Africa, including Swaziland. On easy cycling legs of 20-50 km and short walks, our tour guide will show you this extremely diversified country. We start off at the world-famous Kruger National Park with its splendid wildlife, then travel on to the stunning Umfolozi-Hluhluwe National Park with the highest concentration of rhinos in the world, and ending in the Western Cape region.

Visit charming Cape Dutch towns like Stellenbosch and Swellendam and sample the local wine. For those with a spirit of adventure, there is even an ostrich ride in Oudtshoorn - but at your own risk! Bike through evergreen rain forests and along the rough coastline of the Garden Route with its beautiful beaches. Along the way, you will be able to meet the friendly people of Swazi, Zulu and Cape cultures. An ideal trip to get to know the fascinating and friendly "Rainbow Nation".

ITINERARY:

(subject to change without prior notice)

Rhinos

Day 1: Johannesburg

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 beadwork 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* B

Day 2: Pilgrim's Rest - Blyde River Canyon - Graskop

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) B

Day 3: Drakensberg - Kruger Park

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 centre of the park.
Chalets Rest Camp 2-3* (35 km, 300 am, tar) B

Day 4: Kruger Park

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* B

Day 5: Kruger Park - Mbabane

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) B

Day 6: Mbabane - St. Lucia

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) B

Elephants

Day 7: Umfolozi and Hluhluwe Game Reserve

Early morning we head for nearby Umfolozi & 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* B

Day 8: Durban

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 beachfront 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) B

Day 9: Cape Mountains

Board your flight (cost not included) to Cape Town. You are transferred to the green university town of Stellenbosch. A cycle into the Jonkershoek Valley takes us 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 guesthouse. Guest house 3* (35 km, 200 am, tar/gravel) B

Day 10: Montagu - Oudtshoorn

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) B

Day 11: Oudtshoorn

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) B

Day 12: Lake District - Knysna Lagoon

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) B

Day 13: Mossel Bay - Swellendam

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) B

Day 14: Swellendam - Hermanus

In the morning we tour the Drostdy Museum, the old residence of the bailiff furnished in 18th century style. We then cycle through the winelands 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) B

Day 15: Hermanus - Cape Town

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) B

Penguins

Day 16: Cape Town

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) B

Day 17: Departure

Depending on your return flight we transfer you to Cape Town International Airport, where this exiting tour ends. B