Get on your bike and join this fantastic 12 day cycling adventure through many beautiful landscapes and the bush.
12 Days in South Africa & Botswana
01.1.10
BUSH & BIKE EXPERIENCE
What to expect?
This cycling tour starts en ends in Johannesburg and will lead you along the famous Panoramic Route, to Kruger National Park and to the stunning landscapes of Botswana.
Recommended for:
Cycling
Adventure
Friends
Landscapes
Big 5
Your African experience starts here
Includes: Dinner, Bed, Breakfast
Day 11 - Soutpansberg
After breakfast you will depart by vehicle to Pont Drift by 10:00 and carry on to your last stop in the Soutpansberg. Enjoy the unique atmosphere of Mashovhela Lodge in Morning Sun Nature Reserve, sited between cliffs where Black Eagle's nest. This Natural Heritage Site is situated in the scenic, malaria free Soutpansberg Mountains of the Limpopo Province in South Africa.
Savour the unique mythology and the magic of the sacred Mashovhela rock pool. Let the friendly staff pamper you whilst you relax in the cozy Venda style lodge, which is recognized for its eco-friendly principles & sustainable energy usage. In the afternoon, take a stroll to the sacred lake of the Venda people and if the time allows, visit a spectacular spot high on a rocky hill for sundowners. In the evening you will be treated to the dancing & music of the local villagers.
Day 10 - Tuli Block
Today brings a new dawn and you bike out towards Kgotla, your last camp. Testing terrain and changing landscapes make for a great ride. A pasta lunch and hot showers welcome weary legs and an opportunity to sit back, relax and savour that sense of achievement.
After an afternoon of leisure, we head off for a short walk to a nearby cliff for a sundowner. Return to an open fire prepared meal, fireside stories and a restful night's sleep under the stars concludes the safari on a high.
Includes: Lunch, Dinner, Bed, Breakfast
20 km
Day 9 - Tuli Block
After a night under the stars, awake early to fresh brewed coffee and breakfast, prepare your bikes and head off to uncharted terrains. Discover new skills as rocky outcrops, sandy riverbeds and open plains test biking abilities.
You will break for a tea/drinks stop along the route and arrive back at camp for lunch. A welcome afternoon siesta follows. The late afternoon will bring the chance to ride or drive to a nearby sundowner point.
Includes: Lunch, Dinner, Bed, Breakfast
Includes: Bed, Breakfast, Guided Tour
Day 1 - Johannesburg
Upon arrival in Johannesburg early morning a shuttle will pick you up and bring you to your accommodation in Melville. In the afternoon you will be picked up by a guide who will take you to Soweto, the Apartheid Museum and give you general insight into the history of the Gauteng Province and the city itself.
In the evening you are welcome to explore the safe surrounding of your lodging and to try one of the many cozy restaurants in the vicinity.
Includes: Lunch, Dinner, Bed, Breakfast
20 km
Day 3 - Moholoholo
After coffee and rusks you will take an early morning bush walk, followed by breakfast. Afterwards you will visit the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and learn about the work with animals and birds they are doing. One of the guides leads you through the Center and shows you the birds and animals that are currently in Moholoholo’s care. You will have a chance to feel the weight of a white backed vulture as it lands on your gloved arm. Moholoholo always has a surprise in store for guests.
An afternoon cycle to the Swadini Dam is an option, or alternatively, drive to the dam, where we will go on a 1.5 hour cruise. You will see the second largest tufa waterfall in the world – commonly known as the “weeping face of Africa”.
Day 2 - Panoramic Route
The next morning you will leave Johannesburg early and travel in an easterly direction towards Mpumalanga (land of the rising sun). You will stop in the quaint village of Dullstroom and later have lunch in Lydenburg before continuing along the dramatic Eastern Escarpment of the Drakensberg ("Dragon Mountains"). You will visit Bourke's Luck Potholes and the Blyde River Canyon for spectacular views of the Blydepoort Dam and the Three Rondavels before arriving at our overnight accommodation in time for an afternoon game drive, or dinner, then an evening game drive.
Moholoholo nestles on the slopes of the 1,944 metres high Mariepskop, one of the highest peaks of the Drakensberg range in this area. This affords a breathtaking view of the towering mountains and vertical cliffs on one side and the rolling Eastern Transvaal Lowveld savanna towards Kruger Park on the other. Visitors to Moholoholo can experience both Lowveld woodland as well as indigenous mountainous rain forest without leaving the Game Farm.
Includes: Dinner, Bed, Breakfast
drive to the next destination
Day 4 - Kruger NP
After breakfast you will check out of the camp, then cycle about 15 -20 kms towards the Reptile Park for an optional visit. Rack bikes here & drive to Phalaborwa, where you will have lunch & then check into you accommodation. Set against the seemingly endless savannah landscape of the African Bushveld with its intense blue skies and the perpetual background song of Cicadas, you will find your lodge offering guests an authentic experience in the heart of the bush. Recognized as the jewel of Phalaborwa, your guest house is unrivalled luxury four star accommodation located a mere stone’s throw from the Kruger National Park. An oasis of calm and tranquillity in the hot surroundings of the majestic Limpopo province. Settle in & meet for a late afternoon game drive & bush barbecue in the Kruger Park.
Includes: Lunch, Dinner, Bed, Breakfast
20 km
Includes: Dinner, Bed, Breakfast
20 km
Day 5 - Kruger NP
Early start to the day as you will enter the Park at the Phalaborwa Gate and proceed to the drop off point. The potential to cycle into the big 5 (Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino, Lion, Leopard) is ever present, so the number of guests is limited to 6. You will be fully briefed before setting off on your ride. The terrain is rough so you will have to be fairly fit as you will be going over rocks, soft sand & through Mopani trees. The route is approximately 20 km & traverses between the Tsutsi River and Sable Dam in the Kruger Park.
This takes about 4 hours. You will be provided with breakfast & water on the safari. Once back at the lodge, a sparkling pool beckons the riders. An afternoon visit to the Amarula factory is an option before sundowners & dinner.
Day 6 - Louis Trichardt
An early morning walk or another cycle is planned for today – the Park Rangers will entertain and impress you with their expansive knowledge on the flora and fauna of the Kruger National Park. Depart at your lodge at 09:30/10:00 & stop at a huge Baobab tree before continuing towards Tzaneen & Louis Trichardt, where you will have lunch. Then you will be driven over the Soutpansberg (the only freestanding mountain in South Africa) to Musina & on to your next lodge which lies within a private nature reserve close to the World Heritage Site of Mapungubwe. This entire area is earmarked for inclusion in the enormous Transfrontier Conservation Areas of Greater Mapungubwe and Greater Limpopo.
Your accommodation is the ideal base for exploration to the Mapungubwe National Park & World Heritage Site, a rich Cultural Landscape in both heritage and scenic beauty. This exclusive four star lodge provides gracious living and fine dining with true South African warmth and hospitality. Mopane Bush Lodge is personally managed and hosted by its owners and their management team, constantly ensuring attentive service and an authentic African experience, true to the hallmark of a classic safari...fellowship, fine food and the adventures of the day retold while seated around a flickering fire.
Includes: Dinner, Bed, Breakfast
20 km
Includes: Dinner, Bed, Breakfast
15 km
Day 7 - Mapungubwe
After breakfast, you will do a guided bush walk. Walking amongst the many massive, century’s old baobab trees, you will have ample opportunities to admire the scenery that is dominated by bizarre rock formations. Whilst you walk, look out for plains game and birds that may cross your path. After our walk, you will visit Mapungubwe, one of the richest archaeological sites in the country.
You will be able to learn how people lived in this area 800 to 1000 years ago. Bushman paintings – San Rock Art is an afternoon option. Fascinating stories told, around the Bushman spiritual world. Well worth a visit, less than 5km down the road. In the evening we will savor our sundowners amongst the impressive baobab trees. Or enjoy a game drive Masepu Nature Reserve.
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Day 8 - Tuli Block
You will meet your guide on the South African side at Pont Drift Border Post at 13h00. Once done with border formalities, you will prepare your bikes, load the support vehicle and enjoy a light lunch. Then you will bike to your first wilderness camp. After an exhilarating afternoon ride you finally arrive to chilled drinks, a hot bucket shower and a wholesome dinner.
Your temporary, low impact, fully equipped wilderness camp provides for an unforgettable night's rest after a hard day's cycle. Meals are prepared on open fires. Starlit skies and night sounds will awaken your senses, and a night under canvas will inspire your instincts.
Includes: Lunch, Dinner, Bed, Breakfast
15 km
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Day 17- Back Home
After breakfast you will depart for the airport in time to catch your flight to your home country or you move onwards to your next destination.
drive to the airport
Package includes:
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Transportation in air conditioned vehicle
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Registered, professional guides
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All accommodation (DBB)
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Private Soweto & Apartheid Museum Tour
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Gate and entrance fees KNP
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Game drives open vehicles
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Cycle safaris with armed rangers
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Bourke’s Luck Potholes
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Three Rondawels
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Moholoholo Rehab Centre Tour
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Swadini Dam boat trip
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Bike hire
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Conservation fees
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Mapungubwe entrance fees
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All other walks/cycling
Package excludes:
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Lunches unless specifically mentioned in the itinerary
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Entrance fees to optional activities (Reptile Park, Marula Factory)
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Drinks
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Items of a personal nature
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Gratuities
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all flights
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laundry
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souvenirs
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personal, medical & travel insurance
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vaccinations
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visas (where applicable)
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anything not mentioned under "package includes"
so what's included and excluded?
1 Day in Johannesburg
1 Day 0n Pano Route
1 Day in Moholoholo
2 Days in KNP
1 Day in Louis Trichardt
1 Day in Mapungubwe
3 Days in Tuli Block
1 Day in Soutpansberg
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