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Cycling on a Mountain Bike from the Wild Coast to Cape Town
offered by supplier M16394 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 12
day(s)
Group Size: 6
- 15
people
Destination(s):
South Africa
Specialty Categories:
Bicycle Touring
Cultural Journey
Season: March - November
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 2790 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 2790 US Dollar (USD)
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The Wild Coast, whose name best describes the superb wildness of this region, has fascinating landscapes combined with a cultural experience on mostly undiscovered single trails in South Africa. In addition we have employed local tour guides who are fluent in the tribal language of the Xhosa people living here, thereby enabling us to be in direct contact with the local community.
In the Addo Elephant National Park we search for elephants. We continue through the magnificent and wild Baviaanskloof, where we spend the night on an ostrich farm, before continuing into the desolation of the Swartberg Mountains. We visit the world-famous Cango Caves; traverse the highest pass of the Western Cape (1450m) with magnificent mountain fynbos and head through the steppes of the Big Karoo, finally ending at the Cape of Good Hope. We spend two nights in Cape Town and environs on our bikes and on foot.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Welcome to the gateway of the Sunshine Coast and the Wild Coast; East London. Situated between Durban and Port Elizabeth and at the mouth of the Buffalo River, East London has the only river port in South Africa. You are met by your guide and depart for the beautiful Wild Coast, the first leg of our tour. We cross the Kei River and go directly to our hotel next to the sea. Hotel 3*. Includes: (D).
Day 2: After a good breakfast, we cycle close to the coast, partly on firm sea sand and partly on the "sleigh roads" that have been used for hundreds of years and on which the Xhosa still use their wooden sleighs drawn by a team of oxen over the grasslands. We eventually reach a shipwreck called "Jacaranda". We cross numerous streams and will pass through many friendly Xhosa villages and the most southern mangrove swamps in Africa, before reaching our beach front hotel. Hotel 3* (25 km, 600 am, jeep tracks/single trails, beach). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Days 3-4: Today's stretch of our mountain bike tour takes us on firm beach sand and along single tracks to Mazeppa Bay, where we reach a small rocky island via an adventurous suspension bridge. We continue to the mouth of the Qora River. On the way, we are guests in a Xhosa village. The hospitality of these people and getting to know the Xhosa culture are a magical experience! We then go on an unforgettable boat trip up the Qora River until we reach an almost untouched jungle. We are accommodated for two nights in the spectacularly situated Kob Inn Hotel right on the cliff of this wildly romantic coast. Hotel 3* 2x (35 km, 800 am). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 5: Today we have to say goodbye to the rural Wild Coast. We transfer back via East London and Port Alfred to the Addo Elephant Park where we are accommodated in cozy chalets forming part of a typical Addo country hotel. Hotel 3*. Includes: (B).
Day 6: Everyone's taste is catered for today: In the morning we are biking along a circular route through the forest and open grassland with spectacular views of the Amatola Mountains. In the afternoon we take a hike through the beautiful primeval forest with ancient stink wood and yellow wood trees, before returning to out hotel (20-40 km/ ca. 350-800 am). Includes: (B), (L).
Day 7: Back on our bikes, we cycling through the ever-narrowing gorge. A steep climb and a rough downhill – partly through a wet river bed – take us into the heart of the Wilderness area. Buffalo, kudu and other antelope has been introduced. Chances to see a 1m long water monitor lizard are high. After lunch we climb again into the mountains before the road flattens out towards our ostrich guest farm. We are accommodated in chalets and enjoy the hearty farm cuisine. Chalets 2* (50 km, 1200 am, jeep track/gravel). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 8: We carry on cycling through the Baviaanskloof gorge until we reach the Nuwekloof Pass. We cross many streams and bike through arid valleys in this unique wilderness. At the end of the gorge we load our bikes and drive to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich city, where we will be accommodated in a cozy country-house hotel. Hotel 3* (60 km, 900 am, gravel). Includes: (B), (L).
Day 9: Today, we will go on an early morning visit to the world-famous Cango Caves. We start biking up the slopes of the marvelous Swartberg Pass (1450m) with its fantastic views of the Small and Great Karoo. The breathtaking downhill takes us into the narrow "Die Hel" gorge, meaning "the hell". We sleep over in lovingly restored cottages at the end of this acacia tree-covered, deserted valley. (55 km, 1000 am, gravel). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 10: A steep climb takes us back onto the Swartberg Mountain range. Past some impressive folded rock formations a long downhill on the historic Swartberg Pass road takes us to Prince Albert.
We load the bikes and drive via the Hex River Valley until we finally reach the Wine lands and Cape Town, regarded by many as the most beautiful situated city in the world. Here we will be accommodated for two nights in a comfortable hotel near the city. Since Cape Town is situated between two oceans, seafood is a must! As far as nightlife is concerned, the legendary Long Street, Sea Point and the waterfront are at your doorstep! (60 km, 900 am, gravel). Includes: (B), (L).
Day 11: In the morning, we ride up to the area of the Constantiaberg Mountain (915m) and downhill partly on gravel track or single trail. Afterwards we visit the African Penguin colony in Simonstown and the Famous Cape of Good Hope. We return in the late afternoon. (22 km, 850 am, gravel/jeep track/single trail). Includes: (B).
Day 12: In the morning, during a township tour you will have the unique opportunity to visit a kindergarten in the township of Khayelitsha, which is supported by our company. You can get to know Cape Town’s largest township and its people. Depending on your flight departure we transfer you to Cape Town International Airport where this beautiful trip on a mountain bike ends. Includes: (B).
Notes: We offer various extensions and other services such as car rental, hotel/guest house accommodation which will be tailored to your needs.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- All road transfers, including bike transport in air-conditioned mini bus.
- All accommodation as mentioned above in 2-3* hotels and chalets.
- All meals as mentioned above.
- Constant backup by the escort vehicle.
- Entrance fees for all the mentioned activities.
- Qualified English-speaking tour guide.
- Additional Xhosa-speaking tour guides along the Wild Coast.
Price Excludes:
- Flights to and from South Africa.
- Gratuity.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
South Africa
Bicycle Touring
Cultural Journey
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