10-day South Africa Safari Cycling
Price for one tour per person
tour features
| Length | 10 Days/ 9 Nights |
|---|---|
| Distance | Approximately 230 km, moderate tour |
Welcome to South Africa! Upon arrival you will notice that you are in a country filled with smiles. A guide will meet you at O.R. Tambo International Airport and accompany you to your overnight accommodation in Johannesburg. The rest of the day is your own free time where you can rest or explore some of Sandton’s attractions. Please take a look at our recommendations below:
- Nelson Mandela Square (right across your hotel)
- Hop-on-hop-off Johannesburg (www.citysightseeing.co.za/destinations/joburg)
- Sandton City Mall
- Soweto (depending on your arrival time, we can add a 4-hour cycling tour through Soweto. The tours start at 10 am or 1 pm and include lunch and a transfer from your hotel to Soweto and back; Price: 85 euro per person).
Includes: Transfer to accommodation
Day 2 (Mon) African Bush
Your transfer will depart at 8:00 am from your hotel. Travel time from Johannesburg to our overnight accommodation is approximately 5 hours. Along the way, we will stop to visit an Open-Air Museum which demonstrates the daily life of the Bakone people who inhabited the Polokwane area 250 years ago. The next 2 evenings will be spent at a Private Game Lodge near Bandelierkop. After settling in, we will end our day with a bushwalk to get acquainted with the African bush and a cozy dinner in an African boma.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Transfer to Lodge from Johannesburg, Visit to Museum, Bushwalk.
Day 3 (Tue) Safari cycling (approx. 15 mi./25 km, 590 ft./180 m of elevation)
Our first bike ride is an exploratory ride through the bushveld. Our aim with this safari cycle is to have personal encounters with some of the animals of the African Bush. The Lodge has a wide variety of non-dangerous animals including Giraffe, Impala, Zebra, Kudu and many bird species. Learn more about the lifestyle and habits of the different species as well as the tracking of animals. Join us for a Sunset game drive or alternatively enjoy a relaxed afternoon next to the swimming pool. Dinner will be a unique South African experience served in the boma.
Includes: Bike ride, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Game Drive
Day 4 (Wed) The subtropical town of Tzaneen and surrounds (approx. 19 mi./30 km, 1640 ft. /500 m of elevation)
After breakfast we travel for 60 minutes to the start of our bike ride outside the town of Tzaneen. Tzaneen is a large tropical garden town in a high rainfall fertile region with tropical and subtropical agriculture taking place in a 20,000 square kilometers (7,700 sq mi) region. Tzaneen’s name is derived from a Northern Sotho word ‘Tsaneng’, which means gathering place. Tzaneen is Limpopo’s paradise and it has been nicknamed ‘Land of Silver Mist’ because of the frequent mist that occur on the mountains above it. It is located in lush, tropical surroundings and is home to Limpopo’s highest mountain, the Iron Crown Mountain, lying more than 2,200 m (7,200 ft) above sea level. Our bike ride consists of a mix of easy flowing single tracks, gravel roads and jeep tracks through indigenous forest, circling dams with the possibility of a hippo sighting. On a special day you may have the opportunity to spot Samango Monkeys and the rare Bat Hawk. After lunch we have a short drive to our accommodation for the next two evenings.
Day 5 (Thu) Wolkberg Mountains (approx. 9.5 – 28 mi/15 – 45 km, 1,400 – 2,150 ft./420 – 650 m of elevation)
The Wolkberg Mountains separate the highveld from the lowveld of Limpopo. It also contains some of the most intensive and well-established Avocado and Macadamia Nut farms in South Africa. Our bike route for the day is a circular one that passes through Pine and Eucalyptus plantations with splendid views of the surrounding mountains and farms. Lunch will take place at a local restaurant with picturesque views of the area. A relaxing afternoon awaits our guests with breath-taking views of the Wolkberg Mountains.
Includes: Bike ride, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
*Depending on the time of year, we may visit an avocado/ macadamia nut packhouse.
Day 6 (Fri) Blyde Dam and the Kruger National Park (approx. 23 mi./ 37 km, 1,350 ft./410 m of elevation)
Our bike ride follows the Blyde River through the canyon to a spectacular viewpoint of the Blyde Dam. The Blyde River rises on the western slopes of the Drakensberg near Sabie in Mpumalanga and flows northwards past the town of Pilgrim’s Rest for more than 62.5 mi./100 km, through a region of extraordinary beauty along the eastern escarpment and into the Blyde Dam which was completed in 1974. Along the way be on the lookout for kudus and baboons. Explore the Blyde Dam with a boat cruise and spot hippo’s and crocodiles as well as the amazing Three Rondavels from below. After lunch we will depart for the Kruger National Park. Enjoy your first evening in Kruger with a “braai”.
Day 7 (Sat) Kruger National Park (Full day)
Today is your big Kruger Safari day. Although Kruger is renowned for the Big 5 (African elephant, Black rhinoceros, Cape buffalo, African lion, African leopard), it has so much more to offer. Get your cameras ready to capture the special moments in one of Africa’s largest national parks covering an area of 19,485 square kilometres. This wildlife sanctuary is like no other, its atmosphere so unique which will allow you to experience the true heartbeat of Africa. After our day in the Kruger National Park, we will be treated with a delicious dinner. Take time to share stories and photos of your special day in the African bush.
Includes: Full day safari in open vehicle in KNP, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8 (Sun) Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve (approx. 25 mi./40 km, 2,040 ft./620 m of elevation)
Welcome to the Blyde River Canyon, the third largest and greenest canyon in the world. Our bike ride starts at Pinnacle Rock where we will prepare the bikes, whilst you savour the magnificent view. The route follows the escarpment to Wonder View, which is said, on a clear day it is possible to see all the way to Mozambique. Visit a spectacular waterfall, before travelling to the Bourke’s Luck potholes. The potholes were formed over centuries of water flowing from the Treur and Blyde River. From here it is a short drive to the famous Three Rondavels lookout point and onto our overnight stay overlooking this escarpment.
Day 9 (Mon) Echo Caves and Big 5 Nature Reserve(approx. 17 mi./27 km, 1,090 ft./330 m of elevation)
Take in a last look at the striking panorama of the Three Rondavels before we get onto our bicycles. Our route, which is mostly downhill, is surrounded by citrus farms. The Echo Caves marks the end of our cycling. This underground wonderland was stumbled upon by a local farmer in 1923, whilst looking for his lost cow. We will visit the cave before driving along the Abel Erasmus Pass and entering the Lowveld for our last evening. The adventure begins with a late afternoon game drive in a big 5 area in an open game viewer with an experienced guide. Dinner will be served in a boma around a fire with sounds of the African night in the background.
Includes: Bike ride, Entrance to Echo Caves, Game Drive, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10 (Tue) Departure
Your final day starts with a bushwalk accompanied by an experienced game ranger through Big 5 territory. After the bushwalk, enjoy a leisurely breakfast whilst saying farewell to your cycling companions. This will be the end of our time together. Return to your home country via the Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit or a Private Transfer to Johannesburg.
Additional Information
Changes to the itinerary
Changes to the order of the itinerary can occur due to the availability of accommodation. A bicycle tour can be affected by changing weather conditions and therefore the itinerary of a tour may change. But don’t worry, we always have a B-plan and we will find the best solutions to offer you an equally exciting tour.
Cycling Fitness Requirements (Level: Moderate)
We recommend our tours to everyone who has an acquired basic stamina either through using their bike as an everyday vehicle or as a leisure activity. Since we travel through such a variety of areas during this tour, the bike rides vary from day to day. We pace our tours leisurely so that there is no rush even if you push your bicycle uphill. Remember, you are on holiday and should enjoy every moment of it as well as capture the memories. So don’t feel rushed and take as many photos as you like.
The bicycle tours take place on gravel and paved roads. The paved roads that we cycle on are less travelled and safe for cycling. Our tours are accompanied by a guide with a support vehicle.
Additional Activities
Extra activities are included in the tour price for example: a visit to citrus/avocado packhouse, bush walks, game drives, a visit to the Echo Caves and a visit to the Bourke’s Luck Potholes.
Meals
This tour offers full board and we make sure to provide local dishes. If you are a vegetarian or vegan or if you have any special requests regarding your diet, for example a food intolerance, let us know in advance so that we can best cater for you.
Accommodation
Our tour offers a variety of accommodation throughout the trip. The 3- and 4-star accommodation ranges from lodges, small hotels to chalets. All of which have been chosen to offer you the uttermost comfort after each bike ride.
Bike rides / Safaris in South Africa
Our tours are accompanied by 2 guides – a cycling guide and a nature guide with a support vehicle.
Whether by foot or game viewer, when we are exposed to wildlife we are accompanied by trained guides. We are always kept at the right distance from the wild animals in order to enable us to appreciate them but to avoid any danger.
*Please note we do NOT cycle within the Kruger National Park.
Arrival and Departure
Arrival: The tour starts at the O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg on Sunday. Arrival is possible at any time on Sunday and your transfer to the hotel will be organized accordingly. A guide will welcome you at the Arrivals Terminal with a sign with your name on it.
Departure: The tour ends at 10 am on Tuesday. Guests will be transferred to the Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport (HDS) in time for their flights. The earliest flight a guest can book from HDS is 12:00. In case a guest prefers travelling to Johannesburg by car, a shuttle transfer can be booked with us. Please note the transfer takes approx. 6 hours with a stop along the way.
Best travelling time
South Africa is a large and diverse country with climate that varies from region to region. The Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces experience a summer rainfall with heavy thundershowers from December to February and a dry winter period from May to October. The best time to visit these areas depends on what you would like to see and which climate you prefer. In summer, the African bush is at its greenest and birdlife is abundant. In winter, wildlife is easier to spot because there is less vegetation and animals gather around rivers and waterholes.
Spring – September and October
Summer – November to March
Autumn – April to May
Winter – June to August
January – The first month of the year is characterized by lush vegetation that has been generated by the early summer rains. Temperatures can soar into the high thirties, but thundershowers often bring a welcome relief from the heat in the late afternoon.
February – Considered to be one of the warmest months of the bushveld summer and thunderstorms are still possible. The general colour of the bush is still green and the vegetation remains thick.
March – The weather is warm, and although there may still be some rainfall in the north, it is easing off. On safari in Kruger the bush will be thick and rivers full as this is the end of the rainy season.
April – April brings with it the changes of the year and is often the time of the year when the very short bushveld autumn takes place. Water begins to dry up and the temperatures are pleasant, but can vary between hot during the day and chilly in the evenings.
May – It is one of the best times of year to visit the country as it is not too hot but not too cold either. The bushveld is still green but due to the lack of rain, it is a good time to visit Kruger.
June – Drier temperatures are in the north and east of the country and this is a great time for game viewing as animals congregate around water holes. When setting out in the morning it is better to “dress to strip” as the temperature will increase during the day.
July – In many respects July is similar to June, the only difference is that it is drier. Towards the end of the month, it slightly starts to warm up during the day, though the evenings are still cold.
August – August is the driest of the months, the temperature rises during the day and although the nights are cool the days are very pleasant. The grass is now a gold to brown colour and tends to thin out for a big part.
September – September is a month of great contrasts, the bush is still dry, but many of the trees begin to blossom. The animals are out in full force, with many giving birth this month in the bush.
October – Temperatures start to heat up throughout the country but the rains are yet to come in the north. If thunderstorms occur, they do not usually bring much rain, but certainly enough to start the early growth of the bush and flush a fresh green colour.
November – It heats up across the country and the rains start in the Kruger National Park. Late afternoon thunderstorms clear the air and can be spectacular.
December – The festive season is extremely busy in South Africa. In the northern parts of South Africa, rain is prevalent yet temperatures are very high.
Malaria in South Africa
Malaria is evident in the Kruger National Park and other areas we travel to during this tour. Please contact your doctor about taking Malaria Prophylactics.
There are certain precautions you can take between dawn and dusk:
• apply insect repellent to exposed skin
• close windows and doors at night unless they are screened
• wear long-sleeved clothing, trousers and socks if outdoors during this time
Luggage
Please note, space is limited since we transport bicycles, luggage and passengers. We ask that each guest brings no more than 1 x 23 kg bag and 1 x hand luggage.
Reviews
What better way to experience Africa and wildlife than on a bicycle. This nine day bicycle tour exceeded my expectations. Lizelle, the owner of Panorama Pedals, obviously truly enjoys sharing “her South Africa” with her clients. She made us feel like family and she made every effort to accommodate everyone’s needs on the tour. The cycling was fun, the scenery and the wildlife spectacular and the food and accommodations excellent.
Yesterday we did a mounatainbike trail around 28km. We wanted to see a lot of nature while doing something sporty and Lizelle made a plan for us. The experience was amazing!
We had a great day with Lizelle. We are a family with two kids (age 9-12) and we cycled all day around the organge and lemon plantations. Highlights of the day were: orange pack house, hippos on the dam, lunch at Karros Embroiderie.
Liselle was a fantastic guide and we loved how she interacted with our kids.
thumbs up for Panorama Pedals.
Matthias, Sofie, Bregje and Lars
My partner and I took a tour with Lizelle of Panorama Pedals on her South Africa tour in July 2017. We cannot stress enough how fantastic this was – I still talk about it and think about it and it was one of the best holidays I have ever had. Fantastic company with Lizelke and our knowable and loveable guide Pietre who took great photos of us all. Lizelle has an amazing route planned for us which showcased her amazing country. Everything including accommodation, bikes, food, hospitality, company, was brilliant AND to see all the animals right there with us was just incredible. I loved it and will always be a very happy memory for me. Thank you live michelle from Australia xx
This is by far the best cycling holiday I have experienced to date. An African Safari was always on my bucket list, but to have it combined with a 9 day cycling tour was the ultimate.
Lizelle & Wendell took care of our every need and organised each day so that we experienced something special and different day to day. Riding with giraffes crossing the road and hippos in the dams were highlights. Their home cooking was delicious, the bikes were perfect for the road conditions and the sights were amazing. There was enough riding mixed with non riding so that we felt energized, challenged and could still take in all that South Africa has to offer. We were given the freedom to ride our own ride with directions to the next best meeting point; so we could ride on our own, ride with the others or take the van and meet everyone if the going was tough. I have no hesitations in recommending Panorama Pedals and would suggested if you were contemplating this trip to just book it. You won’t be disappointed. A huge thank you to Lizelle and Wendell for their hospitality and allowing us to share this experience.
We would not hesitate to recommend Panorama Pedals to anyone considering a trip to South Africa. Our experience could not have been better. Lizelle was the perfect guide– friendly, attentive, and extremely competent and organized. The entire trip was well-paced, with such varied experiences. We saw many beautiful rural spots and out-of-the-way places. Early May was a wonderful time of year to be there. Food and accommodations along the way were fabulous. Personal touches really made this trip memorable. And the biking! What a beautiful country to see by bike. This was truly a five-star trip.
Panarama Pedals is a bike tour company we used as part of a visit to South Africa. We have since recommended them to friends, some of which recently toured. Without exception, we all had wonderful experiences. The bike routes, safaris, accommodations, food, equipment, and cultural experience were all fabulous. Lizélle is an excellent guide who attends to every detail of the itinerary. Her support guides, drivers, and local resources are all professional and fun! Absolutely a great value for the experience!
So glad Panorama Pedals finally made it to TripAdvisor!
I had the privilege to be on the very first tour in 2017. Lizelle and her team are the perfect hosts, with a very professional yet personal service and attention to every need of their guests. The tour is very well organized, the equipment such as bikes and transportation are fantastic and the group size perfect for a very personal South Africa expedition with your very own guide. It’s a great experience to see the landscape and animals (safely) from up close and while moving by bike, and the tour caters to all levels of fitness. Go at your own pace and have the car pick you up if you are too tired – it is always very close to the group for refreshments or support.
Great views, good food, companionable company, nice events such as BBQs and picknicks make for a variety of experiences.
I have already recommended this tour to my friends and now to you. It’s fantastic from beginning to end and I don’t give that rating easily ;)
This trip had everything, beautiful varied scenery, comfortable accomodation, culture discoveries, amazing home made food, fab cycling under African skies and wonderful, knowledgeable, super competent guides.
From first pick up to last drop off this was a well put together spectacular trip! Lizelle is a master in logistics and planning and smoothly adapted to changing circumstances and kept the tour alive, interesting and on track. Wendel, who met every situation with a engaging demeanour and smile is a walking encyclopaedia of South Africas flora and fauna, culture and history, and runs a mean Braai! Both Lizelle and Wendel meshed together superbly for a unforgettable experience for us. The scenery was magnificent, the biking was a good range of challenging and relaxing. We saw a lot of wildlife and had some magical up close experiences! The food was amazing- nutritious, tasty and plentiful and the accomodations captured the spirit of Safari. One of us had a mountain bike and the other a e-bike and we both were happy with our choices and the quality of the bikes.
I have done a number of European cycle tours. This was different. No other tour combines great cycling and sightseeing with seeing the Big 5 ( We saw 4- couldnt find that lepord) . Cycling was varied, tar, hard sand and some rough stuff. Accommodation was brilliant again varied Game Lodges and a 3 star hotel that should be 5 star.
I’m hopefully going back next year.
I took an E Bike and at 68 years of age it meant I enjoyed it.
Meeting Lizelle was such a pleasure and she was very helpful in suggesting my cycling routes through avocado farms and elsewhere.
Hospitality from her and her family was unbelievable. Would definitely recommend Panorama Pedals to anyone for a lengthy tour
The cycling was amazing as well as the food and accommodation. The guide was also amazing and very professional
How easy to relax and recharge on a bicycle on a game farm! Lizélle & team, thanks for a great experience, loads of fun and wonderful meals around the fire in the lapa! Already looking forward to another trip!
Thanks Lizelle for an unforgettable time!!
Quality family time, beautiful scenery and great memories!
Cycling with the well organised and considerate (chef even) Lizelle, and “South Africa’s very own living wikipedia” Wendel as a guide, exceeded our expectations. Our Family of two teens and two adults got to experience a broad gamut of South Africa’s more remote and rural ecology and culture on two wheels. A rare gem of a tour.
Panorama Pedals in South Africa was extremely well organized – Lizelle and.Wendel are fantastic trip leaders. They organized great accommodations (private bush camps to the Coach House to Kruger Park Bush camps), provided great meals and were a wealth of information on South African history,tribes and animals. I would highly recommend the South African bicycle tour it was excellent.
If your are looking for an adventure this is the trip for you. It is visually, mentally and physically stimulating. Probably the most organized tour I have been on, the day starts early and ends with a fire around the boma with nothing but smiles on everyone’s face. The guides are a wealth of knowledge on the history of South Africa and wildlife. The bike rides through the country side, amongst the wildlife and climbing the mountains are a once in a lifetime opportunity. The interface with the wild life is up close and personal. We saw all the big 5 and much much more. Food and accommodations are all top notch. can’t say enough good things about this tour.
