Bike and Safari South Africa featuring Kruger National Park Bike Tour

Day 1: Sunday, arrival in South Africa and overnight near Polokwante
Day 2: Monday: Safari cycling, 20 - 40 km
Day 3: Tuesday: Mapungubwe National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site (Hike)
Day 4: Wednesday: Wolkberg Mountains, cycle 15 km - 30 km
Day 5: Thursday: Letsitele and Kaross Workshop, cycle  20 km 
Day 6: Friday: Blyde Dam and the Kruger National Park, cycle 27 km
Day 7: Saturday: Kruger National Park (Full day)
Day 8:Sunday: Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, cycle 16 - 40 km
Day 9: Monday: Echo Caves, cycle 27 km
Day 10: Tuesday: Departure

Day 1: Sunday: Arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport
Welcome to South Africa! Upon arrival, you will notice that you are in a country filled with smiles. A guide will meet you at O.R. Tambo International Airport and accompany you to your overnight accommodation at Bandelierkop, near Polokwane, the capital of Limpopo Province. The transfer will depart at 11:00 am from the Airport. Travel time from the Airport to the overnight accommodation is approximately 4 hours. The first 3 nights will be spent at a Private Game Lodge. After settling in, you will end your first day in South Africa with a game drive and a cozy dinner in an African boma.

Includes: Dinner, Game Drive

Day 2: Monday: Safari cycle, 20 - 40 km,150 hm – 300 hm
After breakfast, your first bike ride is an exploratory ride through the bushveld. The aim of 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. An optional afternoon activity includes a bushwalk or alternatively enjoy a relaxed afternoon next to the swimming pool. Dinner will be a unique South African experience served in the boma. 

Includes: Bike ride and Bushwalk
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Tuesday: Mapungubwe National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site (Hike)
Day 3 has an early morning start but is well worth the effort. It consists of a visit to Mapungubwe National Park and is without a doubt one of the highlights of the tour. The ancient land of Baobabs is one of the most significant historical landmarks in Southern Africa. What was once known as the center of the largest kingdom in the subcontinent, where a highly sophisticated people traded gold and ivory with China, India and Egypt, rests a magical place open for discovery. Partake in a hike up the Mapungubwe Hill and learn more about the fascinating history of the ancient kingdom of Mapungubwe. Apart from the incredible history, Mapungubwe is also home to some of the iconic wildlife of Southern Africa and it is a member of SANParks, like the Kruger National Park. A special moment in this tour is taking in the breathtaking view of the confluence of the Limpopo and Sashe rivers, separating South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.

Includes: Entrance to Mapungubwe NP, Tour to Mapungubwe Hill, Explore 3 countries with one view
*SANParks = South African National Parks Association

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Wednesday: Wolkberg Mountains, cycle 15 km - 30 km, 420 hm – 650 hm
After breakfast, you will depart to your next location which is the majestic Wolkberg Mountain range of Limpopo. 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. The 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 Letsitele valley, our next location. A relaxing afternoon awaits our guests at the Coach House Hotel. The Hotel has a Spa that offers optional massage and Spa treatments. Drinks can be enjoyed in the historical bar and lounge and guests can enjoy the breathtaking views of the Wolkberg mountains from the comfort of their balconies or next to the pool.

Includes: Bike ride, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Thursday: Letsitele and Kaross Workshop, cycle  20 km, 150 hm
Your 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 you through orange tree groves with a stop 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 you 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.

Includes: Bike ride, Kaross tour
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

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

Day 6: Friday: Blyde Dam and the Kruger National Park, cycle 27 km, 410 hm
Your 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. Lunch will take place on the banks of the Blyde River after which you will depart for the Kruger National Park. In the late afternoon, explore Kruger on a drive. Enjoy your first evening in Kruger with a “braai”.

Includes: Bike ride
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Saturday: Kruger National Park (Full day)
Today is your big Kruger Safari day. 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 kilometers. This wildlife sanctuary is like no other, its atmosphere so unique which will allow you to experience the true heartbeat of Africa. After your 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.

Includes: Full day in KNP
Brunch and Dinner

Day 8: Sunday: Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, cycle 16 - 40 km, 260 hm - 620 hm
Welcome to the Blyde River Canyon, the third largest and greenest canyon in the world. Your bike ride starts at the Pinnacle Rock where your bikes will be made ready whilst you savor the magnificent view. The route follows the escarpment all the way to Wonder View, which is said, on a clear day it is possible to see all the way to Mozambique. The next stop for the day is the Lisbon Falls which is the highest waterfall in Mpumalanga. Extend your bike ride by cycling to your lunch spot or hop into the bus for a relaxed drive to lunch, after which you 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.

Includes: Bike ride, Entrance to Lisbon Falls and Bourke’s Luck Potholes
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9: Monday: Echo Caves, cycle 27 km, 330 hm
Take in the 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.

Includes: Bike ride, Entrance to Echo Caves, Game Drive
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10: Tuesday: Departure
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. Return to your home country via the Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit which is included in your tour price or a transfer to Johannesburg (which you can book for a supplement). Advice on your return journey or an extended stay is available on request.

Includes: Bushwalk
Breakfast

Day 1: Arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport. Overnight in Sandton, Johannesburg
Day 2: African Bush. Transfer to lodge from Johannesburg
Day 3: Safari cycling, 12.5 - 25 mi. (20 - 40 km)
Day 4: Letsitele and Kaross Workshop, 16 mi. (25 km)
Day 5: Wolkberg Mountains, 9.5 - 28 mi. (15 - 45 km)
Day 6: Blyde Dam and the Kruger National Park, 23 mi. (37 km)
Day 7: Kruger National Park (Full day)
Day 8: Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, 12.5 - 25 mi. (20 - 40 km)
Day 9: Echo Caves, 17 mi. (27 km)
Day 10: Departure

Day 1: Arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport. Overnight in Sandton, Johannesburg

Welcome to South Africa! Upon arrival, you will notice that you are in a country filled with smiles. A guide will meet you at O.R. Tambo International Airport and accompany you to your overnight accommodation in Johannesburg. The rest of the day is at your leisure where you can rest or explore some of Sandton’s attractions. Please take a look at our recommendations below:

• Nelson Mandela Square (right across from your hotel)
• Hop-on-hop-off Johannesburg (www.citysightseeing.co.za/destinations/joburg)
• Sandton City Mall
• Soweto (depending on your arrival time, we can add a 2 or 4-hour cycling tour through Soweto. The tours start at 10 am or 2 pm and includes lunch and a transfer from your hotel to Soweto and back; Price: 90 or 110 euro per person).

Includes: Transfer to accommodation

Day 2: African Bush. Transfer to lodge from Johannesburg
Your transfer will depart at 10 am from your hotel. Travel time from Johannesburg to your overnight accommodation is approx. 5 hours. Along the way, you 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, you will end your day with a bushwalk to get acquainted with the African bush and a cozy dinner in an African boma. (B)

Includes:

• Transfer to lodge from Johannesburg
• Open Air Museum
• Bushwalk

Day 3: Safari cycling, 12.5 - 25 mi. (20 - 40 km). 500 - 1000 ft/150 - 300 m of elevation
Your first bike ride is an exploratory ride through the bushveld. The 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. (B, L, D)

Includes: Bike ride and Game Drive

Day 4: Letsitele and Kaross Workshop, 16 mi. (25 km). 500 ft./150 m of elevation
Your next location is the Letsitele Valley and the small subtropical farming town of Letsitele. Letsitele is well-known for the production and export of different varieties of Citrus fruit. The morning’s ride will take you through orange tree groves with a stop 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,  you 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. Your stay for the next two evenings is at the Coach House Hotel and Spa. (B, L, D)

Includes:

• Kaross tour
• *Depending on the time of year, we may visit a citrus packhouse. Alternatively, we may visit an avocado/ macadamia nut packhouse

Day 5: Wolkberg Mountains, 9.5 - 28 mi. (15 - 45 km). 1,400 - 2,150 ft/420 - 650 m of elevation
After enjoying breakfast overlooking the majestic Wolkberg Mountain range of Limpopo we will explore this area on your 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. Your 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 our guests at the Coach House Hotel. The Hotel has a Spa that offers optional massage and Spa treatments. Drinks can be enjoyed in the historical bar and lounge and guests can enjoy the breath-taking views of the Wolkberg Mountains from the comfort of their balconies or next to the pool. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Blyde Dam and the Kruger National Park, 23 mi. (37 km). 1350 ft./410 m of elevation
The cycling itinerary 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 62.5 mi./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,  you will depart for the Kruger National Park. Enjoy your first evening in Kruger with a “braai”. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Kruger National Park (full day)
Today is your big Kruger Safari day. 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 kilometers. This wildlife sanctuary is like no other, its atmosphere so unique which will allow you to experience the true heartbeat of Africa. After your 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. (Brunch, D)

Includes:

• Full day in KNP
   

Day 8: Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, 12.5 - 25 mi. (20 - 40 km). 1400 - 2040 ft./420 - 620 m of elevation
Welcome to the Blyde River Canyon, the third largest and greenest canyon in the world. Your bike ride starts at the Pinnacle Rock where your bikes will be made ready whilst you savor the magnificent view. The route follows the escarpment all the way to Wonder View, which is said, on a clear day it is possible to see all the way to Mozambique. The next stop for the day is the Lisbon Falls which is the highest waterfall in Mpumalanga. Extend your bike ride by cycling to your lunch spot or hop into the bus for a relaxed drive to lunch, after which you 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. (B, L, D)

Includes:

• Entrance to Lisbon Falls and Bourke’s Luck Potholes

Day 9: Echo Caves, 17 mi. (27 km). 1090 ft/330 m of elevation
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 your 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.
(B, L, D)

Includes:

• Entrance to Echo Caves
  Game Drive

Day 10: Departure
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. Return to your home country via the Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit or a transfer to Johannesburg. Advice on your return journey or an extended stay is available on request. (B)