12-day cycling trip through South Africa, from the Big Five to mountain passes

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About the South Africa cycling trip

The cycling trip through South Africa, from the Big Five to mountain passes

This 12-day cycling trip takes you through South Africa from north to south and shows you three entirely different sides of the country. You begin among the wildlife of the African bush, then fly to the coast around Cape Town, and finish in the rugged mountain landscape of the Klein Karoo. Each region has its own landscape, atmosphere and character, so every part of the trip is a completely new experience.

A fully supported trip

All the transfers between the different regions of South Africa are arranged for you, so you can concentrate on the riding, the surroundings and the landscapes that keep changing along the way.

High points of the route

On safari in South Africa

The trip begins in the Lowveld, a landscape of wide bushveld, dry riverbeds, acacia trees and long views. Several ecosystems come together within the reserve. That variety supports a high level of biodiversity, a high density of wildlife and a landscape that keeps changing. With experienced rangers and trackers you go out in search of the icons of the African wilderness. There is a good chance of coming across the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. Thanks to the carefully managed reserve, the chances of good sightings here are among the best in South Africa.

From the bush to the coast

After the safari part of the trip you take a domestic flight to Cape Town. Here the ocean and Table Mountain set the landscape. Cape Town lies at the foot of Table Mountain. Wherever you are, the mountain is almost always in view and shapes the landscape, the outlook and even the local weather. Within short distances, city neighbourhoods, coastline and open country follow one another.

From Cape Town you ride out onto the Cape Peninsula, with ocean on both sides. On these rides, cliffs, rocky headlands, wide beaches and winding coastal roads follow one another. Under the influence of the Atlantic the weather here can change quickly, so no two days are the same. After the coast the trip moves inland to the Klein Karoo, where a very different landscape is waiting.

Cycling through the Klein Karoo

A road transfer takes you to the last part of the trip: the rugged Klein Karoo. From the country town of Ladismith you explore this wide landscape on a network of quiet gravel roads. You ride past remote farms, through broad valleys and over mountain passes, with the character of the landscape changing as you go.

This is the part of the trip where you spend the most time on the bike. The quiet, the space and the long views are a striking contrast to the safari and the coast, and let you see South Africa from a very different side one more time.

Departure dates

Departure dates for the cycling trip through South Africa

Each departure date gives you South Africa in a different season. Below you can read what to expect in each period.

October: the South African spring

October is a good period for this trip. At the end of the dry season the wildlife is still easy to see, while Cape Town is moving slowly towards summer. In the Klein Karoo the temperatures are comfortable for riding. It is a period in which the three regions are well balanced.

May: autumn, with comfortable riding temperatures

In May the dry season begins in the wildlife parks, which increases the chance of good sightings. Cape Town often still has sunny, mild days before the winter rains start. In the Klein Karoo, too, the temperatures are ideal for long days on the bike.

July: winter and the best time for safari

July falls in the middle of the dry season and counts as one of the best months for a safari. In the dry conditions the animals gather more often at waterholes, so the chance of seeing the Big Five is high. Cape Town is cooler and wetter in this period. In the Klein Karoo the mornings can be fresh, but during the day the dry climate and clear air make for excellent riding conditions.

Departure date	Duration	Level	Availablility	Price p.p.
18-05-2027	12 days	Mixed	Available	€ 4.495,00	Book this trip
27-07-2027	12 days	Mixed	Available	€ 4.495,00	Book this trip
26-10-2027	12 days	Mixed	Available	€ 4.495,00	Book this trip

Day by day

South Africa by bike: from the bush and the Klein Karoo to Cape Town

The trip takes you through three entirely different regions, each with its own landscape and character. You begin in the Lowveld, where safaris in a private reserve are the focus. You then fly to Cape Town for a few days and travel on by road to the rugged Klein Karoo.

Day 1: Johannesburg, the City of Gold
Your 12-day trip through South Africa begins in Johannesburg, the City of Gold. On arrival you are met by our team and taken to a comfortable airport hotel for an easy start to the trip.
This first night is deliberately simple and relaxed: a chance to recover from the flight and adjust to the time. Rest well, because tomorrow you leave the city behind and take a short domestic flight to the African bush.
Accommodation: City Lodge Hotel OR Tambo, Johannesburg
Meals: none
Day 2: Johannesburg to the Lowveld
After a short domestic flight to Hoedspruit, the gateway to the Greater Kruger, the safari begins. It is a short transfer from the airport to the Kapama Private Game Reserve. The change to the Lowveld is felt straight away: the air is warmer, the landscape is different and the bush stretches to the horizon.
After checking in you set off on the first afternoon game drive, just as the heat of the day drops. As the temperature falls the animals become more active, and there is a chance of coming face to face with the Big Five straight away.
Accommodation: Pungwe Safari Camp, Greater Kruger Park
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3: A full day of safari
Before sunrise you set off in an open 4×4 safari vehicle. With experienced rangers and trackers you look for the Big Five and the other animals that are most active in the cool morning hours. After the morning drive you return to the lodge. The time until the next drive is yours to fill. Take a swim in the pool, watch the waterhole where animals regularly come to drink, or join a guided bush walk to learn more about the plants, the tracks and the smaller species.
Later in the afternoon you head into the bush again. As the temperature drops, more and more animals become active. At sunset there is a stop for a drink in a good spot, after which the drive continues. Using spotlights you look for nocturnal animals such as hyena and leopard. Back at the lodge you have dinner, often served around the fire in the outdoor boma. It is a good moment to look back together on the sightings of the day. With the experienced guides and trackers at Kapama, there is a good chance you will see a great deal of wildlife during your stay.
Accommodation: Pungwe Safari Camp, Greater Kruger Park
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4: Kruger to Cape Town
After a last morning drive through the bush you leave the Lowveld and travel to Cape Town. You are taken to Hoedspruit Airport for the flight south, where a very different landscape is waiting.
On arrival in Cape Town the contrast is immediate. The wide bush of the Lowveld has given way to the Atlantic coast and Table Mountain, which dominates the city. After the transfer to your hotel the rest of the day is free to get to know Cape Town or to recover from the journey.
Accommodation: Sweet Orange House (or similar), Cape Town
Meals: breakfast and lunch
Day 5: Cape Town, the city and Table Mountain
Over breakfast you meet the trip leaders. You then start the day with a visit to Table Mountain. The cable car takes you to the top, where you have time to explore the plateau and Maclear’s Beacon. Afterwards you visit Signal Hill, with its view over Cape Town, Table Bay and the surrounding mountains.
After lunch you get on the bike for the first time. This easy warm-up ride takes you from Suikerbossie to the V&A Waterfront via the Sea Point Promenade along the Atlantic coast. The route is flat, with sea air and views over the ocean.
After the ride you walk through the historic centre of Cape Town. You visit the Company’s Garden, laid out originally as a vegetable garden for the first European settlers and now a green space in the heart of the city. Several historic buildings stand around the park, including the parliament building, which together give a sense of the history and cultural diversity of Cape Town. A visit to the colourful Bo-Kaap neighbourhood is part of the walk as well.
Accommodation: Sweet Orange House (or similar), Cape Town
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6: The Cape Peninsula
Today you see the Cape Peninsula, one of the finest areas around Cape Town.
The day starts with a drive along Chapman’s Peak Drive. This coastal road runs high along the mountainside with views over the Atlantic and the rugged coastline. Not long afterwards you visit Boulders Beach near Simon’s Town, home to a colony of endangered African penguins. From the boardwalks you can watch these birds at close range.
The route then continues to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, where steep cliffs and the Atlantic set the landscape. Here you get on the bike for the ride to Scarborough, following the coast through varied country on quiet roads. Lunch is provided along the way. In the afternoon you ride back towards Cape Town. On your return there is time to relax before the evening, which is yours to fill. For dinner there is plenty of choice among the many restaurants in Cape Town.
Accommodation: Sweet Orange House (or similar), Cape Town
Meals: breakfast and lunch
Day 7: Cape Town to Ladismith (the Klein Karoo)
You travel by road from Cape Town to Ladismith, where you stay for the next four nights. The landscape changes gradually along the way. The N1 takes you through the vineyards of the Paarl valley, after which the route runs through the Huguenot Tunnel and the Cape Fold Mountains. There is a coffee stop in Robertson, and lunch is provided along the way.
After Robertson you follow part of Route 62. The green valleys slowly give way to the open landscape of the Klein Karoo, with wide plains, jagged mountain ranges and characteristic rock formations. Late in the afternoon you reach the historic town of Ladismith at the foot of the Klein Swartberg and the distinctive Towerkop.
After checking in you can get on the bike for a relaxed look around Ladismith.
Accommodation: Karoocible, Ladismith
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 8: Bosluyskloof and Seweweekspoort
74 km | 1,290 m of ascent
The first riding day in the Klein Karoo sets the tone straight away. After a short transfer the climb to the Bosluyskloof Pass begins. Over just 7.6 kilometres the road winds upwards through 60 hairpin bends. At the top you are rewarded with a wide view over the Klein Karoo. A long descent then follows to Seweweekspoort, where you ride between high sandstone walls and cross a shallow river several times.
Through the quiet Hoeko valley you continue back to Ladismith, riding through small villages and past farmland with the scale of the Karoo felt all around. The day ends with dinner at a local family restaurant.
Accommodation: Karoocible, Ladismith
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 9: The Rooiberg Pass to Calitzdorp
85 km | 1,455 m of ascent
Today is another gravel ride through the Klein Karoo. From Ladismith you follow quiet roads towards the remote village of Van Wyksdorp. Here the climb to the Rooiberg Pass begins, one of the finest passes in the region. The road has 69 bends and takes you steadily upwards, with the views reaching further as you climb.
After the top there is a long descent to Calitzdorp, a village known for its port and red wines. There is time to finish the riding day with a wine tasting before returning by road to Ladismith.
Accommodation: Karoocible, Ladismith
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 10: The foothills of the Swartberg and the Groenfontein valley
70 km | 1,150 m of ascent
After a short transfer to Oudtshoorn you get on the bike for a gravel ride along the foothills of the Swartberg range. The route follows quiet roads through a landscape of orchards, ostrich farms and green valleys. The contrast with the dry plains of the previous days makes this stage feel entirely different.
Through the Groenfontein valley you ride towards Calitzdorp, where the stage ends among the vineyards. Afterwards you return by road to Ladismith. The day ends with dinner together at an Italian restaurant.
Accommodation: Karoocible, Ladismith
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 11: The Buffelsdrift Conservancy loop
56 km | 500 m of ascent
The last ride starts straight from Karoocible. This relaxed loop takes you on quiet gravel roads through the open landscape of the Buffelsdrift Conservancy. Rolling roads, river crossings and long views follow one another, with the Towerkop coming back into view again and again.
After the ride you have lunch at a local olive farm, a fitting close to the riding days in the Klein Karoo. You then travel by road back to Cape Town, where you spend one more night before flying home the next day.
Accommodation: Sweet Orange House
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 12: Free day in Cape Town
After eleven days of riding, safaris and changing landscapes, the last day has come. Depending on your flight time you have some free time to see more of Cape Town, have a coffee somewhere or walk through the V&A Waterfront one more time.
At the agreed time you are taken to the airport for the flight home. With a head full of memories of the South African landscape, the people and the routes, the trip comes to an end.
Meals: breakfast

Pricing informaton

What does this South Africa cycling trip cost?

We think it is important that you know in advance where you stand. Below you can see which parts are included in the trip price.

What should you allow for yourself?

The trip price has been put together to be as complete as possible. Only a number of personal and optional costs are not included, such as the international flight and, if you do not bring your own bike, the hire of a mountain bike, gravel bike, e-mountain bike or e-gravel bike.

Included

All accommodation in twin rooms. As a solo traveller you will in principle share a room with a participant of the same sex, where possible. If that is not possible and only a room shared with a participant of the opposite sex is available, we will contact you in advance. If you would rather not, we will book a single room. A single supplement of EUR 50 per night applies.
Meals as stated in the day-by-day itinerary
Meet and greet on arrival and all road transfers as set out in the itinerary
Pungwe Safari Camp: two daily game drives in an open safari vehicle with ranger and tracker
Activities in Cape Town as described in the programme
In Ladismith: a selection of wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks and mineral water
Luggage service in Cape Town and Ladismith (airports and hotels)
Mineral water available daily in the vehicle for refilling bottles
All entrance fees for attractions, nature reserves and national parks
Private air-conditioned coach transport throughout the trip
One trip leader during the Cape Town and Ladismith sections and on all rides
Daily briefing of the cycling route
Support vehicle, driver and bike trailer on all rides
Food and hydration stops on all rides
Domestic flights from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit and from Hoedspruit to Cape Town

Excluded

International flights, visas and airport taxes
Bike hire (available on request): Scott Addict (carbon) gravel bike EUR 425.00; Scott Speedster (aluminium) gravel bike EUR 325.00; E-Solace gravel bike (carbon) EUR 475.00; Scott MTB full suspension (carbon) EUR 425.00; Scott e-MTB (carbon and aluminium) EUR 515.00
If you travel with your own bike, it can be stored safely at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg during the safari part of the trip. On arrival you are met by a meet-and-greet member of staff who takes you to the secure bike storage in the terminal. The bike is stored with A-Tech Storage, a reliable storage facility at the airport. After the safari, when you travel on through OR Tambo to Cape Town, the bike can simply be collected again. Storage cost: around EUR 25.00 per bike, paid directly for the storage.
In Cape Town: all drinks and tips during lunches and dinners that are not included
At Pungwe: tips for rangers and hotel staff
In Pungwe: all drinks
At Pungwe: telephone costs, shop purchases, spa treatments and laundry service
Tips for trip leaders, support staff and coach drivers
Tips for housekeeping in Johannesburg, at Pungwe, in Cape Town and in Ladismith
Luggage service at Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport, Hoedspruit Airport and Pungwe
Other personal expenses
All services not expressly listed above
Single supplement €50,00 p.p.p.n.

Accommodation

Where you stay on this South Africa trip

On this trip you stay in several different places, each suited to its surroundings and to the character of the trip: a comfortable hotel on arrival, a small safari camp surrounded by bush, and a place with character in the Klein Karoo. The accommodation is well situated and gives you a good place to unwind after each day of travelling or riding.

City Lodge Hotel OR Tambo Airport

After a long flight there is nothing better than an easy start. City Lodge Hotel OR Tambo Airport is right at Johannesburg’s international airport, so you can check in and settle quickly after arriving. The comfortable rooms have air conditioning and a private bathroom. Take a swim in the pool, sit in the garden or have a drink on the terrace before the trip properly begins the next day.

Pungwe Safari Camp

Pungwe Safari Camp lies in the Manyeleti Game Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger area. The small camp has just four comfortable Meru tents with private bathrooms. Here you stay surrounded by bush, well away from the crowds. The camp has no wifi, which keeps the attention on the surroundings. During the day you go on safari; in the evening there are the sounds of the African bush and a full night sky.

Manyeleti is connected without fences to the Kruger National Park and the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, so wildlife moves freely through the area and there is a good chance of coming face to face with the Big Five during your stay.

Sweet Orange

Sweet Orange is a restored Victorian house in Sea Point, a short walk from the Atlantic. The historic detailing, wooden floors and high ceilings give the house a great deal of character, while the quiet garden with its small pool is a good place to return to after a day in Cape Town. A full continental breakfast is served in the morning. In good weather you eat outside on the terrace; in the cooler months at the large kitchen table by the fire. Shops, cafés and restaurants are within walking distance, and the V&A Waterfront is easily reached.

Karoocible

Karoocible is a recently renovated Victorian house in the heart of Ladismith. This small five-bedroom guesthouse combines the character of a period building with present-day comfort. From here you get straight on the bike and onto the quiet gravel roads of the Klein Karoo. After a day in the saddle it is a good place to come back to.

Practical information

The level of this trip is mixed

Our cycling trip through South Africa has a mixed level and is suitable for both gravel bikes and mountain bikes, with or without electric support. You ride both around Cape Town and in the Klein Karoo. The routes alternate between easier stages and days with longer climbs.

The longest and most demanding riding days are in the Klein Karoo. Here the stages range from 56 to 85 kilometres, with 500 to 1,455 metres of ascent. A support vehicle with driver and bike trailer travels with the group on every stage. If you would like extra support on the longer climbs, you can choose an e-mountain bike or e-gravel bike.

South Africa group trip from four participants

This cycling trip goes ahead from four and up to a maximum of eight participants. If you have a group of your own but would like to travel on a different date, that is not a problem. Just get in touch with us.

The best time for this cycling trip through South Africa

This trip takes you through three very different regions, each with its own climate. The departure dates have therefore been chosen with care, so that the safari, the riding in the Klein Karoo and Cape Town all come under good conditions. Bear in mind that South Africa lies in the southern hemisphere, so the seasons are the opposite of those in the Netherlands or Belgium.

Safari in the Greater Kruger

For wildlife the dry winter season, roughly from May to September, is the best period. The vegetation is thinner then and animals gather more often around waterholes, so they are easier to see. Daytime temperatures are pleasant, but early in the morning and after sunset it can be surprisingly cool.

From November to March the landscape is green and lush. Showers fall regularly, often late in the afternoon. Birdwatchers get a great deal out of this period, although larger animals are harder to see in the denser vegetation.

Cape Town and the South African coast

For Cape Town the opposite applies. The warmest and driest period runs from November to March, during the South African summer. Those are ideal months to see the city, Table Mountain and the coastal routes by bike. In winter, from June to August, it is cooler and wetter and there can be more wind. Spring (September to November) and autumn (April and May) often bring pleasant temperatures and are quieter as well.

Gravel riding in the Klein Karoo

The Klein Karoo is a semi-desert with large differences in temperature between the seasons. In summer, from December to February, it can become very hot, which makes the riding days harder. Winter, from June to August, brings dry, sunny days with comfortable riding temperatures, although the mornings are fresh. The most comfortable conditions are in spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May), when the temperatures are ideal for long days on the bike.

Big Five in Greater Kruger
Rugged mountains and gravel roads
Cape Town – Coast and Table Mountain

Level of difficulty:

Suitable for:

(E-)Gravel / (E-)MTB

12 days for € 4.495,00 p.p

Book this trip

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