Tour Itinerary:
Day 1, Thursday: Arrive at or Tambo International, road transfer to Mt Anderson.
Meet your guide at or Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, or preferred hotel and drive 4hrs (we'll lunch in Dullstroom) to Mt Anderson Reserve. We’ll have an opportunity to settle into our stunning location, prep our bikes, and enjoy a sundowner on the terrace. The Golden cottage is a luxurious ranch style homestead, catering for a max of 6 guests in 3 double en-suite rooms. Trust us, you'll love it!
Day 2, Friday: Alpine Heights.
We're on holiday, so no wake up calls here. After a light breakfast we climb to above 2000m. We emerge on highland plains and cruise down winding trails, herding eland, wildebeest and zebra as we go, eventually dropping into the Spekboom river valley. We break for a swim and lunch and head back to the cottage for well deserved siesta.
We ride mostly testing single track, in pristine highland wilderness (up to 2000m), at a relaxed pace with plenty of stops to soak up the views. We may encounter wildlife including zebra, black wildebeest, baboons, reedbuck, jackal and eland.
Day 3, Saturday: Bushman's trail.
After breakfast we ride the Bushman's trail - short steep climbs, winding single track along an escarpment with dramatic views of the valley below, through late 1800s gold prospecting scars, flowing descents with some technical and steep sections, past San rock art and over stream bridges. We'll lunch on the trail and be back at the cottage in the afternoon for down time.
Day 4, Sunday: Pilgrims Rest.
We wake to a hearty breakfast and set for perhaps the biggest day’s ride of the trip. Over Olifant’s Nek, we descend the course of the upper Blyde River mostly on forestry dirt roads, through unparalleled vistas, as it tumbles down to the 1800’s Gold mining town of Pilgrims Rest. We lunch in a local tavern and have the afternoon to explore the historical village. We spend the night in the Pilgrims Rest Royal Hotel.
Day 5, Monday: Botswana Wilderness.
We depart early for the 5hr drive to the border post where we meet the Botswana team. After sandwiches and packing the land cruisers we ride to our 1st wilderness camp.
The wilderness camps are set up prior to our arrival and contain basic amenities to offer comfort without distracting from the wilderness experience. Meals prepared on open fires, hot water bucket showers, camp cots and cold beers all add up to a comfortable and exhilarating night out.
Days 6 & 8, Tuesday and Wednesday: Botswana Wilderness.
We awake at sunrise to a breakfast of yogurt, cereals, toast and fruit. We ride a variation of paths and trails to reach the next camp by lunch time. We relax during the midday hours and then enjoy a sundowner from a vantage point in the afternoon.
The riding is very relaxed, we ride for approximately 4 to 5 hrs a day, with many stops en-route. We often encounter wildlife, including elephants, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, impala, kudu and eland, among others. Occasionally we see lions and leopards.... The group is guided by 2 armed guides and we ride according to certain safety protocols. A back-up vehicle is in radio contact with the group at all times.
Day 8, Thursday: Mashatu, Kgotla.
After a breakfast and home brewed coffee, we ride (our last of the trip) out to the sandstone ridges of the Limpopo Valley, through stellar moonscapes and gardens of Eden. We’ll arrive at our Kgotla camp where we’ll enjoy an afternoon of relaxation and a final epic sunset.
Day 9, Friday: Depart.
We will wake at leisure and enjoy breakfast on the deck. Today we head back to Johannesburg and a farewell to new discovered friends.
5 August
2 September
7 October
4 November
4 February 2010
4 March
1 April
6 May
3 June
1 July
5 August
2 September
7 October
4 November
* Essential Information.
Rating
The riding can be rated from 2/5 in Botswana to 4/5 at Mt Anderson for difficulty and fitness. Participants should be fit and have good technical riding abilities.
Bikes
The ideal bike is a light-weight, long-travel, full suspension. Thorn proofing is essential in the form of either tubeless tyres with sealant, or thick tubes with sealant and tyre liners. We stock extra thick tubes with sealant available for purchase. Due to the remote locations we will not have bike service facilities or shops. It is therefore required that participants bring with them spares specific to their bikes. Bikes MUST be well maintained and in good working order.
Bike hire
No bike? No problem. We offer robust full-suspension Giant Reigns for hire for R1500/trip.
Helmets
Helmets are compulsory.
Flights and Pick-up.
Our guides will meet participants at OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg or your Johannesburg hotel by no later than 9:30 on day of arrival unless otherwise arranged. We will return to OR Tambo International by 6pm on day of departure. Please ensure that your return flights are not earlier than 8pm on your day of departure.
Please note that luggage space is limited on the Botswana leg. It is preferable to have 2 smaller bags, one of which can be left in storage for this part of the trip.
Gear List:
- Passport
- 4 spare tubes WITH puncture sealant
- Hydration pack
- Spares specific to your bike e.g. brake pads, chain, derailleur etc. (Not necessary if you are hiring our bikes)
- Pedals if you are hiring a bike
- Cycling clothing for 8 days riding. There are laundry facilities at the Golden cottage and Pafuri Camp only.
- Dry gear and warm cycling jackets especially during the winter months.
- Walking and casual shoes/sandals
- Clothing depending on season. Warm clothes especially during the winter months (April – September).
- Sunglasses
- Sun protection
- Lip balm
- Sleeping bag ( for Mashatu only)
- Flashlight (headlamps are best)
- Towel and eco-friendly soap for the wilderness camps (for Mashatu only)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- All meals (except 3 road transfer lunches),
- Local drinks, wines and spirits apart from Pafuri,
- Road transfers, park entry fees.
Price Excludes:
- Laundry services,
- Massage,
- Items of a personal nature,
- Bike hire, bike spares and guide gratuities.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Botswana
Nature & Wildlife
Wildlife Viewing
Bicycle Touring
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