Itinerary

1st Day (Sunday): Arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport

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 at Bandelierkop, near Polokwane, the capital of Limpopo Province. The transfer will depart at 11 am from the Airport. Travel time from the Airport to the overnight accommodation is aprx. 4 hours. The first 3 nights will be spent at a Private Game Lodge. After settling in, we will end our first day in South Africa with a game drive and a cozy dinner in an African boma.

Day 2: Safari cycling – 25 miles / 40 km

After breakfast, 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. An optional afternoon activity includes a bushwalk or alternatively enjoy a relaxed afternoon next to the swimming pool. Dinner will be a unique South African experience served in the boma.

Day 3: Mapungubwe National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site – hiking

The day has an early morning start, but is well worth the effort. It consists of a visit to Mapungubwe National Park and is without a doubt one of the highlights of the tour. The ancient land of Baobabs is one of the most significant historical landmarks in Southern Africa. What was once known as the centre of the largest kingdom in the subcontinent, where a highly sophisticated people traded gold and ivory with China, India and Egypt, rests a magical place open for discovery. Partake in a walk up the Mapungubwe Hill and learn more about the fascinating history of the ancient kingdom of Mapungubwe. Apart from the incredible history, Mapungubwe is also home to some of the iconic wildlife of Southern Africa and it is a member of SANParks, like the Kruger National Park. A special moment in this tour is taking in the breathtaking view of the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers, separating South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Day 4: Wolkberg Mountains – 19 miles / 30 km

After breakfast, we will depart to our next location which is the majestic Wolkberg Mountain range of Limpopo. 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 Letsitele valley, our next location. A relaxing afternoon awaits our guests at the Coach House Hotel. The Hotel has a Spa that offers optional massage and Spa treatments. Drinks can be enjoyed in the historical bar and lounge and guests can enjoy the breathtaking views of the Wolkberg Mountains from the comfort of their balconies or next to the pool.

Day 5: Letsitele and Kaross Workshop – 12.5 miles / 20 km

Our next location is the Letsitele Valley and the small subtropical farming town of Letsitele. Letsitele is well-known for the vast amounts of citrus fruits produced and exported. The morning’s ride will take us through orange tree groves with a stop along the way to visit a citrus packhouse to learn about the workings of a citrus farm, from the planting and farming phase, ending with the packing and export of the fruit. From the packhouse we continue along the canal to the Kaross embroidery. Kaross was started by Irma van Rooyen to create opportunities for rural women to make a living through their embroidery skills. Indulge yourself in the beauty of the embroidery followed by a typical South African lunch. The evening will be spent in the African bushveld.

Day 6: Blyde Dam and the Kruger National Park – 17 miles / 27 km

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. Lunch will take place on the banks of the Blyde River after which we will depart for the Kruger National Park. In the late afternoon, we explore Kruger on a drive. Enjoy your first evening in Kruger with a “braai”.

Day 7: 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.

Day 8: Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve – 25 miles / 40 km

Welcome to the Blyde River Canyon, the third largest and greenest canyon in the world. Our bike ride starts at the Pinnacle Rock where we will get ready 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. Our next stop for the day are the Lisbon Falls which is the highest waterfall in Mpumalanga. Extend your bike ride by cycling to our lunch spot or hop into the bus for a relaxed drive to lunch, after which we will visit 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: Echo Caves – 17 miles / 27 km

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 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.

Day 10: Departure

Your final day starts with a bushwalk accompanied by an experienced game ranger through Big 5 territory. Experience the bush as never before with the chance of a cheetah encounter on foot. 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.
Advice on your return journey or an extended stay is available on request.

Prices & departure dates 2019