African Bikers

The trail around Africa's tallest mountain and highest volcano is 180 miles. It takes us through solitary rainforests, fertile fields of crop and through wild, dry acacia rich savannah, which is the home of the Masai. The tracks around the cloud shrouded, snow-capped roof of Africa are mainly dusty, sometimes rocky, with a few asphalt roads. We spend a night in a Masai cultural village and go on a walking safari and get to know their customs, songs and dishes. On rest days we explore Amobseli and Arusha National Park and go on safari to see some of Africa's amazing wildlife. The backup vehicle is always around so distances can be shorten to individual needs.

Hike onto the mountain via the more remote Machame Route. In order to have a successful hike to the top we slowly acclimatise to the altitude in front of us. First the path lead through rain forest, later over meadows and further up across rock and snow fields. Because this route is less travelled we don't come across many other hikers and the camps are pretty quite. Porters carry our main luggage, during the day only a small back pack is carried by us. Besides the tents for sleeping a large dining tent is pitched at each camp - adding comfort especially in the evenings when it gets cold quickly.

The tour highlights: Addo Elephant Park, that means a 164000 hectare sanctuary with a multitude of game species and abundant birdlife and also the home of the 'Big 7' game, Tsitsikamma National Park has been created in the mists of times, the foaming breakers of the Indian ocean creates a magical world of inter-tidal life and reefs teeming with colour and surprises, Knysna is the idyllic town of sheer beauty and awesome scenery, Oudtshoorn is the ostrich-feather capital of the world nestled in the Klein Karoo, and Cape Town where the Atlantic and Indian Ocean meet lays this vibrant city. At the Penguin Colony at Boulders visit one of the two land based colonies of these amazing creatures.

From the Indian Ocean to the elephants in Addo National Park, through indigenous forests on the coast to ostrich farms in the dry Little Karoo, from the solitude of the Swartberg Mountains in the wine regions to Cape Town to the lively and multicultural metropolis on the Cape of Good Hope: On this tour we cycle through the western Cape Province, which is perfect for being explored by bike due to it's unique, compact, yet varied landscape.

There are two routes to choose from: Route A takes you in the cooler months on a long stretch through the desolation of the Little Karoo. Route B, in the warmer months, is, with exception to a short trip in the Little Karoo, closer to the cool coastline.

Highlights:

• Comfortable and stylish travel on the Shongololo train through South Africa and Eswatini
• Overnight stay in a stylish lodge near Johannesburg
• The capital Pretoria and the township Soweto
• The historic gold mining town of Pilgrims Rest
• Cycling along the Panorama Route to God’s Window, to Bourkes Luck Potholes and the Blyde River Canyon
• Big 5 Safari in open safari vehicles in Kruger National Park
• Safari on bike amongst zebras and antelopes in Mlilwane Nature Reserve
• Visit of the candle factory in Eswatini
• Safari in the iMfolozi/Hluhluwe Game Reserve
• Bike trip to the UNESCO World Natural Heritage iSimagaliso Greater Wetland Park
• Durban: Swimming in the Indian Ocean and cycling the lively promenade
• On the bike through the foothills of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage uKhahlhamba Drakensberg
• Visit of the Cango Caves and an ostrich farm
• On the bike over the historic Montagu Pass to the coast
• Cycling the historic Cape Road through indigenous forest to Wilderness beach
• Cycling through the Cape wine region in the Breede River valley
• The coastal town of Hermanus with the possibility of whale watching
• Visit of the penguin colony in Betty’s Bay
• Cycling along Clarens Drive to Gordon’s Bay
• City tour on foot through Cape Town
• Visit of the Kirstenbosch botanical garden
• Experience Township Life at the Noluthando Kindergarten in Khayelitsha
• Cycle tour and picnic at the Cape of Good Hope
• Cycle along the beautiful Chapmans Peak Drive

Highlights:

• Visit of Quiver Tree Forest and Giants Playground
• Cycle tour into Gondwana Park to the Fish River Canyon
• Hike along the edge of the world´s second largest canyon
• Bike tour between dolerite and gneiss rocks to Ai Ais
• Cycling tour from Tasrishoogte Pass down into the Namib Desert
• Cycle at sunrise amongst the red dunes in Sossusvlei
• Unique desert walk to Sossusvlei
• Ride down Bullsport valley in Namib Naukluft Mountain
• Visit the flamingo and pelican colonies on Walvis Bay lagoon
• Walk through historical Swakopmund
• Cycle in the moon landscape to the world largest Welwitschia plant
• Bike tour to Spitzkoppe Mountain and visit of ancient Khoi San paintings
• Cycling tour through the colorful granite mountains of Damara Land
• Visit of UNESCO world heritage site Twyfelfontein
• Stop at the petrified forest near Khorixas
• Bike tour amongst the Table Mountains of the Ugab valley
• Marvel at the Vingerklip rock column
• Game drives with open safari vehicles in Etosha National Park

This tour on the world's fourth largest island begins in its lush, green highlands and takes us over rarely cycled asphalt roads and secluded tracks through rural Madagascar. During different visits, we will intensively get to know the Creole language, songs, customs and food. Besides cycling we will hike through the Ranomafana, Antringita and I'salo National Parks. The unique flora and fauna is filled with lemurs and the adasonia, as well as chameleon and orchids. In the south east the route takes us through gorges and dry bush savannah until we reach the warm Indian Ocean at the end of the journey where we can swim.

It takes you through solitary rainforests, fertile fields of crop and through wild, dry acacia rich savannah, which is the home of the Masai. The tracks around the cloud shrouded, snow-capped roof of Africa are mainly dusty, sometimes rocky, with a few asphalt roads. You spend a night in a Masai cultural village to get to know their customs, songs and dishes. On a safari in Arusha National Park you see some of Africa´s amazing wildlife. Two packages are available: with a local mountain bike guide only, you carry your own luggage during the rides or, a comfort option where a backup vehicle is always around so distances can be shortened to individual needs.

Experience the versatile landscapes of the Western Cape by Mountain bike. Partly we make use of sections of now famous Cape Epic Mountain bike race- On single trails, sometimes on remote jeep tracks we ride in perfect weather conditions through a real treasure chest of plant life. That's why Table Mountain, the Jonkershoek and Bosmansbos Wilderness area are part of the UNESCO world heritage site Capensis. The average bike distance is about 25 miles and 3000 ft. with a few days being longer. The surface varies from coarse gravel to rocks and roots in the forests and in the Gouritz River we have to carry the bike through water. Special highlights are a bike ride on a 13 mile beach and a safari by bike in the Klein Karoo where you can spot giraffe and various antelope of the bike saddle. At the end of the trip see the Big 5 and more in Addo Elephant National Park. In Gordon's Bay, Mossel Bay and Plettenberg Bay are ample of swimming possibilities on protected beaches. We stay in carefully selected guesthouses, hotels and chalets.

Highlights:

• Game drive in open safari vehicle in Addo Elephant National Park
• Hike to Storms River Mouth in the Tsitsikamma National Park
• Cycling tour through the rain forest in Bloukrans valley
• Swimming in the Indian Ocean on the empty beach of Natures Valley
• Bike tour over Robinson Pass into the Klein Karoo Savannah
• Visit of an ostrich farm
• Ride through the Rooihoogte Mountains to Ladismith
• Experience absolute remoteness in the Kannaland area
• Cycle on a hilly road alongside the Langeberg mountain range
• Relax in the Avalone Hot Springs in Montagu
• Hike through the Kogmans Kloof gorge
• Cycling tour through the Breede River valley with wine tasting
• Cycling tour on Clarens Drive to Gordon´s Bay
• Visit of penguin colony in Simonstown
• Cycle to Cape of Good Hope
• Ride on famous Chapmans Peak Drive
• Sight-seeing tour on foot through Cape Town

The first 3 days can be enjoyed in the wine lands, 125 miles away from the Metropole Cape Town. On the safe, quiet roads we pass many beautiful and inviting wineries. The route ranges from flat to slightly hilly and is framed by the up to 5400 ft. high Langeberg Mountains. 2 days are set aside to ride 6 different mountain passes around the Stellenbosch region. Finally, we cycle along the most beautiful coastal roads in the country along False Bay and the Cape of Good Hope, where the well-known annual Cape Argus Bike Race takes place each March.