South Africa

Road Cycling Tour from $3,810 NZD

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12 Days
  • 2012
  • 2013
  • Best time to travel: February - March
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  • 01 Mar to 12 Mar $3,810NZD
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  • Availability Guide:
  • Current date selected
  • Plenty
  • Limited
  • Closed or too close to departure (Call Us for options)

Two oceans, evergreen forest, savannahs, deserts, mountains, cities, wilderness and wildlife: South Africa offers a world of wonderful road cycling.

Experience the rush of descents from mountain passes. Smell the sea breeze, and feel the dry inland heat.

Among the tour highlights: visiting an national park holding elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, antelopes and many other animals.

Gear up for a road cycling challenge!

Port Elizabeth to Cape Town

Port Elizabeth
  • Road cycling
  • Grade
  • USD335 single room surcharge
  • USD360 road bike hire
  • This tour is invoiced USD
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south-africa

South Africa Fitness and Preparation

This is an ideal tour for both touring cyclists and racing cyclists wanting to keep fit in winter. The riding is challenging to hard, with a vehicle accompanying cyclists at all times. Non-cycling partners are welcome.

You'll sleep in guest houses, lodges and hotels selected for their personal touches and homely atmosphere.

MARCH TOUR ONLY: Join 35,000 international cyclists on the world famous Argus Cycle Tour around the Cape Peninsula on March 11, 2012. This is a premium highlight at our tour's end.

Moderate Tours

Moderate tours are designed for people with an interest in the cycling activities, and who regularly participate in them. . Routes chosen require a reasonable level of fitness and experience on different terrains. Moderate tours are suitable for increasing your fitness and pushing yourself to new limits.

Fitness required

An average level of fitness is required, you will need to be doing some form of exercise three-four times a week leading up to this tour.

Full Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrival Day: Port Elizabeth to Addo Elephant National Park

No cycling

Welcome to South Africa, and the Eastern Cape province. Your tour guide/driver will meet you in the city of Port Elizabeth, and drive you to your lodge in Addo. Acclimatise with a relaxing evening by the pool, and checking your bike to be ready to start cycling tomorrow.

Meals: None

DAY 2

Addo Elephant National Park to Tsitsikamma

Cycling: 77 km

In the morning we'll take a game drive through the park in an open jeep. As well as elephants, there are also zebras, lions, buffaloes, ostriches, tortoises, warthogs and bontebok antelopes here, to name a few. After this amazing experience, we'll drive to the tree-filled town of Humansdorp on the famous coastal road, the Garden Route. Then, our first afternoon ride takes us along the boundary of the Tsitsikamma Mountain Range. Your accommodation tonight is a lovely guest house.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 3

Tsitsikamma National Park to Knysna

Cycling: 104 km

Our second ride takes us into the Tsitsikamma National Park. Visit the beautiful Storms River bridge. Once on the coastal plateau again, we head down the deeply cut river valley of the Bloukrans. Later we'll arrive at the small holiday town of Nature's Valley, set in lush vegetation. Enjoy a well-deserved break on one of South Africa's most beautiful beaches. Then it's back to the plateau to the seaside resort of Plettenberg Bay, and a drive to the town of Knysna. Knysna is famous for its 2 headlands, steep, towering cliffs, which mark the entrance to Knysna Lagoon.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4

Knysna to Oudtshoorn

Cycling: 122 km

This morning we'll drive to the city of George, and then cycle over the Outenique Pass (732 m) enjoying coastal views. Soon you'll see the landscape morph from evergreens to the dry expanse of the semi-arid region of Little Karoo. From the ostrich town of Oudtshoorn, we'll cycle through Schoemanns Gorge to the famed Cango Caves with their 'drip stone' caverns. We'll also visit an ostrich farm. Back in Oudtshoorn we'll enjoy a Braai — a traditional South African barbeque, featuring, of course, ostrich steak! It'll be prepared by the host at our quiet guest house.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5

Oudtshoorn to Ladismith

Cycling: 98 km

Today we'll ride on flat terrain to the town of Calitzdorp, well known for its port. Following this, we cycle up to the Huis River Pass (600 m), a modern pass with beautiful views. We bike along the Swartberg (black mountains) to the agricultural town of Ladismith, with distinctive split peak of Towerkop (2189 m) towering over it. We will stay in a good guest house.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6

Ladismith to Montagu

Cycling: 130 km

Today we cycle through the grand expanse of Little Karoo to pretty Barrydale, known for its arts and crafts. Later we reach wonderful Montagu, a scenic wine town in the Cape Mountains. The hot springs, for which Montagu is famous, are very close to our comfortable hotel, where we'll stay 2 nights. Excellent news for our tired leg muscles!

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7

Montagu (Rest Day)

No cycling

Montagu is a great spot for a rest day. There are many opportunities for trips in the area: hiking in the Bloupont mountain region, for example, or driving with a tractor and trailer on the Papageikop (980 m). You could play golf in Robertson, known as the valley of wine and roses (you will be visiting the town of Robertson tomorrow). You could visit the most southern point of Africa: Cape Agulhas. Alternatively, you could visit the Montagu museum, go to the hot springs, or simply relax by the pool.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8

Montagu to Robertson

Cycling: 125 km

Today we continue cycling through the charming Kogmanns Gorge. Then the landscape opens up to expansive views. We ride through the Breede River Valley with vineyards either side of us, to Bonnivale and McGregor, known for its old world charm. We will stay in a beautiful guesthouse in the winemaking town of Robertson. Along the way we can visit a winery and taste the excellent Cape wines.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 9

Robertson to Ceres

Cycling: 115 km

This morning we'll continue cycling through the Breede River Valley, with the impressive backdrop of the Hex River Mountains (most peaks are more than 2000 m). We then head to the large town of Worcester. The so-called KWV wine-making co-operative is in the area, and is well known for its brandy. We pass wine estates and head over over the moderate Mitchell's Pass (448 m) before reaching our guest house in the lush mountain town of Ceres.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10

Ceres to Cape Town

Cycling: 54 km

We cycle through the idyllic Bainskloof Gorge up to Bainskloof Pass (550 m). On the way, perhaps swim in one of the natural river pools. After a long downhill with great views over the Cape Vineyards, we reach the wine-making town of Wellington. Then, it's a short drive to Cape Town. We'll explore the city including the Grand Parade, the Castle of Good Hope, popular Greenmarket Square with its local art, and the colourful Malay Quarter. While you're in Cape Town, try its famous lobster: delicious and affordable. We'll stay in a hotel close to the waterfront.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 11

Cape Town to Cape of Good Hope

107 km

After a short drive, we cycle alongside the Indian Ocean to the boulder penguin colony and the Cape of Good Hope. Then, up the other side of the Cape Peninsula along the Atlantic Ocean back to Cape Town. The breathtaking coastal road over Chapman's Peak and Hout Bay is the site of the annual Cape Argus Cycle Race, attracting about 35,000 cyclists each year. For those travelling in March who want to take part in the race (107 km), you can cycle in the morning from your hotel to the race start, (1–5 km) and once finished, back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12

Departure Day: Cape Town

No cycling

Today it's time to say goodbye to breathtaking South Africa, after some breathtaking cycling! Depending on your flight departure time, you could go up Table Mountain and enjoy the amazing views over the town. Perhaps visit the prison cell on Robin Island where Nelson Mandela was held captive for the majority of his prison sentence. At the end, we'll transfer you to Cape Town Airport.

Meals: Breakfast

Talk to me about planning your South Africa Road Cycling Tour!

Nathalie_236x184

+64 3 982 9933

Email: reservations@globaladventureguide.com

Tour Inclusions and Exclusions:

Tour Includes:

  • 11 nights in 3-star hotels, guest houses and lodges (based on twin share)
  • Meals as indicated on the day to day itinerary
  • Backup vehicle & luggage trailer
  • Airport transfers on arrival and departure days
  • English speaking driver/guide
  • Entrance fees to Addo Elephant Park, Tsitsikamma National Park, Chapmans Peak (when open) and Cape Point

Tour Excludes:

  • Drinks & snack bars
  • Travel insurance
  • Laundry
  • Passport or travel visa requirements
  • Entry fee for Cape Argus Bike Race (only for March departures)