Bike & Safari South Africa’s Garden Route to Cape Town

Day 1:  Arrival in Port Elizabeth – Transfer to Dungbeetle River Lodge
Day 2:  Safari in ADDO Elephant National Park
Day 3: Tsitsikamma Mountains, 36 mi (58 km)
Day 4: Storms River - Nature’s Valley, 37 mi. (60 km)
Day 5:  Robberg Peninsula (hike). Knysna - Sedgefield (bike), 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 6: George - Oudtshoorn, 38 mi. (60 km)
Day 7: Swartberg Mountains, 19 mi. (30 km)
Day 8: Montagu - Robertson, 38 mi. (61 km)
Day 9: Kleinmond -  Gordon’s Bay, 32 mi. (51 km)
Day 10: Cape of Good Hope National Park, 33 mi. (52 km).
Day 11: Hike Table Mountain, 4 hours
Day 12: Departure from Cape Town

Day 1:  Arrival in Port Elizabeth – Transfer to Dungbeetle River Lodge
Upon your arrival in Port Elizabeth, you will be met by your tour guide and transferred (3/4 hours) to your lodge. Accommodation for two nights will be in the beautifully located 4-star Dungbeetle Lodge. You can relax by the pool, recover from your long flight, or join the guide for a short bike ride near the lodge.

Bus transfer: 40 km
Sample accommodation: Dungbeetle River Lodge

Day 2:  Safari in ADDO National Park
Today, you are in for a treat and one of the major highlights of the tour.  After breakfast, you will embark on a half-day game drive in an open-top safari vehicle. You will see elephants, zebras, antelopes, and if luck is on your side, buffalos, rhinos, and lions. Just as impressive is the vivid and rich birdlife, including the ostrich. During the game drive, you will stop at different viewpoints and may also do a short guided walk in the bush. In the afternoon, you can head out on another bike tour or join an afternoon boat cruise from the lodge towards the large sand dunes along the coast.  (B, L)

Sample accommodation: Dungbeetle River Lodge

Day 3: Tsitsikamma Mountains, 36 mi (58 km)
You will travel via Port Elizabeth, and drive to the Tsitsikamma mountain range from where you will start cycling on the quiet Old Cape Road towards Storms River. You drop into the valley on a remote gravel road through the verdant forest, where baboons may cross your path. As you continue cycling, up on the other side, you arrive at the comfortable 3-star Tsitsikamma Village Inn for your overnight stay. (B)

Altitude: 470 m
Bus transfer: 175 km
Sample accommodation: Tsitsikamma Village Inn

Day 4: Tsitsikamma -  Nature’s Valley, 37 mi. (60 km)
In the morning, you descend into the Tsitsikamma National Park where you will enjoy a 1 hr. walk to the wild and rugged Storms River mouth. A climb back to the plateau will lead into the deep Bloukrans River Valley with its lush indigenous forest and continue to Nature’s Valley, where one of South Africa’s most beautiful beaches entices one to go for a swim. (B, L)

Altitude: 715 m
Bus transfer: 50 km
Sample accommodation: Cornerway Guest House

Day 5: Robberg Peninsula (hike). Knysna - Sedgefield (bike), 22 mi. (35 km)
After breakfast, you will enjoy a unique hike around the Robberg Peninsula (2 hours) and soak in the beautiful vistas of the Tsitsikamma Forest and the Indian Ocean. Later on, you cycle along a section of the historic Old Cape Road through fertile farmland and the beautiful Homtini Valley filled with indigenous forests until we reach Sedgefield. Enjoy the stunning views of the 1600 m high Outeniqua Mountains. By a late afternoon transfer, you will arrive at the comfortable 4-star Acorn Guest House in George.  (B) 

Altitude: 387 m
Bus transfer: 30 km
Sample accommodation: Acorn Guest House

Day 6: George - Oudtshoorn, 38 mi. (60 km)
A short transfer will take you over the historic Montagu Pass (745 m). En route, you are rewarded with stunning coastal views and the surrounding Outeniqua Mountains. The changing landscape could not be more impressive as you cycle from lush green pastures to and through semi-arid shrub and bushveld. Lunch will be at an ostrich farm where you can learn all about this giant bird. Oudtshoorn is regarded as being the center of the ostrich industry. Accommodation will be in the Oue Werf Country House and Manor. The owner will offer a traditional South African barbeque which, of course, also includes tender ostrich meat! (B, D) 

Altitude: 340 m
Bus transfer: 30 km
Sample accommodation: Adley House

Day 7: Swartberg Mountains, 19 mi. (30 km)
First, a short bus transfer will transport you to the impressive Kango stalactite caves. After the visit, you will cycle past fertile fruit, ostrich, and tobacco farms, first on asphalt and later on the dirt road. After lunch in Oudtshoorn, you drive through the vastness of the Klein Karoo to Montagu, a small town with charming colonial-style houses. Today's 4* hotel is built in the style of the 1950s, and if you like, you can explore the town and the surrounding area on a trip in an original Cadillac. Accommodation will be in the historic 4-star Montagu Country Hotel. (B) 

Altitude: 180 m
Bus transfer: 270 km
Sample accommodation: Montagu Country Hotel

Day 8: Montagu - Robertson, 38 mi. (61 km)
After a hearty breakfast, cycle through the narrow Kogmannskloof gorge into the beautiful Breede River Valley Wine Lands region. Enjoy a wine tasting and a picnic basket while doing a boat cruise on the Breede River. Another 15 km leads to the charming accommodation in Robertson.  (B, L) 

Altitude: 405 m
Sample accommodation: Gubas De Hoek Guest House

Day 9: Kleinmond -  Gordon’s Bay, 32 mi. (51 km)
Continue towards Kleinmond at the coast. Here, the bikes will be unloaded. Cycle along the unique coastal route to Gordon’s Bay, all the while keeping the Cape Peninsula in one’s view. Whales and seals are seen frequently en route. In Betty´s Bay, you will visit one of the two land-based colonies of the African Penguin. The final destination is the seaside village of Gordon´s Bay where you will spend the night close to the beach in the Manor on the Bay Lodge. (B)

Altitude: 560 m
Bus transfer: 150 km
Sample accommodation: Manor on the Bay Guest House

Day 10: Cape of Good Hope National Park, 33 mi. (52 km)
During a township tour in the morning, you will have the unique opportunity to visit a Kindergarten in the township of Khayelitsha which is supported by our local representative.  You can become acquainted with Cape Town’s largest township and its people. Carry on to the Cape of Good Hope National Park. The great views of the Cape of Good Hope and the rugged coastline form the perfect place for a picnic. Then the spectacular coastal road, known as Chapman’s Peak, leads into the fishing village of Hout Bay. Stay for two nights in the 4-star Bantry Bay Suites Hotel in the quiet suburb of Sea Point close to the Atlantic Ocean. (B, L)

Altitude: 600 m
Bus transfer: 90 km
Sample accommodation: Bantry Bay Suites Hotel

Day 11: Hike Table Mountain, 4 hrs. 
You will visit the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in the morning and, via a shady ravine, hike up to the top of Table Mountain, Cape Town’s most famous landmark. (4 hours, weather permitting). Enjoy stunning views of the mother city as well as the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The descent will be by cable car. If somebody finds the hike up the mountain too strenuous, he/she can also get up by cable car. Undertake a short walking tour of the city, stopping at the Castle, the City Hall, Greenmarket Square, the Company’s Gardens, and the Malay Quarter. (B)

Altitude: 1000 m
Bus transfer: 30 km
Sample accommodation: Bantry Bay Suites Hotel

Day 12: Departure from Cape Town
The morning remains at leisure. There are many shops and markets to visit. In addition, the Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront or a trip to Robben Island are worthwhile. Depending on your flight departure details, you will transfer to Cape Town International Airport where this beautiful journey will end. (B)

Bus transfer: 20 km

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You will be accommodated in mostly 4-star accommodations. On the detailed day-to-day, you will find the hotels that are generally used for each overnight stay. The final hotel list will be based on availability.

Bicycles

MTB, Trek Hardtail

• Gears: 3x10 drivetrain
• Tires: Wide for stability and traction

Electric MTB, Trek Powerfly 7

• Frame- Alpha Platinum Aluminum, E2 tapered head tube, internal derailleur routing, Balanced Geometry
• Fork- RockShox Reba RL, Solo Air, Motion Control damper, 100mm travel
• Wheels- Bontrager sealed cartridge bearing hubs, XR850 28mm wide double-walled rims
• Tires- Bontrager XR3 Expert, Tubeless Ready, 29x2.30"
• Shifters- Shimano Deore XT, 11-speed
• Rear Derailleur- Shimano Deore XT, Shadow Plus
• Brakes- Shimano M615 hydraulic disc, 203mm front/180mm rear rotors
• Saddle- Bontrager Evoke 2, chromoly rails
• Motor- Bosch Performance CX, 250 watt, 75Nm
• Battery- Bosch Powerpack Performance 500 downtube