mountain bike safari
CAPE TOWN & BOTSWANA SAFARI
DEtails:
DATES: Private Trips Only.
Duration: 9 Nights, 10 Days
Joining In: Cape Town, South Africa (departing Johannesburg)
Land Cost: $5975 USD/person | Currency Conversion
Single room supplement: $1150 USD
Activity Level: 2/6 Intermediate | more info »
We designed this bucket-list mountain bike safari to fulfill the statement "if I was to go to Southern Africa once in my life, what would i do?” Touch down in Cape Town, South Africa and head to Stellenbosch, a leafy college town surrounded by world-class wine estates and a web of fun & flowy trails a pedal stroke away from our hotel. Next stop is the beautiful city of Cape Town with its clash of cultures, art & landscapes. We’ll ride the city’s headline act with sweeping views of city, Table Mountain, the seas and historic Robben Island. After a quick flight to Johannesburg we transfer to Bostwana for part two of this amazing adventure where you’ll ride across the African savannah and see spectacular wildlife from our bikes including elephant, kudus, wildebeest, impalas, ostrich, giraffe, zebra and much more. We’ll also enjoy two game drives with professional trackers to seek out the predators including lions, cheetahs, leopards and hyenas and more. In Botswana we’ll spend one night at Tree Camp, one night in an open-air traditional African enclosure where the sounds of nature echo all around you, and two nights in a wilderness camp and you’ll end this amazing adventure with one night at a spectacular luxurious safari camp. If you're looking for a safari adventure that you'll never forget, this is it!
* Four riders required to confirm this departure.
Looking for another trip in this region? Check out our Morocco mountain bike trip.
Photo: Ben Haggar
Trip Highlights:
- Gazing out from Table Mountain with views of the sea, the vibrant city of Cape Town, and Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.
- Riding Stellenbosch’s super-buffed trails and berms like a hero; perfect rides to get over jetlag and get used to riding in Africa.
- Laying eyes your first lion or cheetah or leopard, just meters away, from the comfort of an open-air safari Land Rover.
- Riding in Botswana knowing that there’s no fence between you and all of wildlife that you’ve only ever seen on National Geographic channel.
- Going to sleep at night in your comfortable tent and hearing active wildlife all around you including hyena, leopards, lions and more.
- Truly enjoying the comforts of the Lux Tented camp after spending two nights in wilderness. A cold beer by the swimming pool anyone?
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
- Expert local leadership.
- Airport transfers on scheduled days in Cape Town (arrival/departure) & Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport (arrival/departure).
- All trip transportation in private vehicles.
- Six & a half days of guided riding.
- Mountain bike rental for the trip duration.
- Four nights guesthouse in Cape Town & Stellenbosch, one night Tree Camp, one night Tent Camp, one night Boma camp, two nights Lux Tuli Safari Lodge.
- Domestic flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg.
- Meals included, starting with dinner on Day 1 ending with breakfast on Day 10 (eight breakfasts, three lunches & four dinners).
- Three professionally guided game-drives at Tuli Safari Lodge (Botswana).
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?
- Some meals as noted & extras like coffees, alcohol, snacks and energy supplements (gels, powders & bars).
- International airfare; airport taxes and excess baggage charges (if any).
- Personal travel and medical insurance.
- Optional tipping to leaders and local staff.
- Related equipment needed to ride including helmet, hydration pack, etc.
Bike and equipment
We typically recommend that riders bring their own bikes from home due to familiarity, fit, comfort and safety. However on this trip due to the great distance travelled and the relative easy level of riding we have included the cost of rental bikes for all riders. A smaller 16L backpack will suffice.
Suggested Bike
Trek Fuel
Suggested pack
EVOC Trail Pro 16
ACTIVITY LEVEL
The minimum technical ability required for South Africa & Botswana is Intermediate. This trip is suitable if you have been riding consistently for one to two years or more and are keen to improve your riding skills. You can climb and descend in control in mildly steep singletrack with some loose rocks. On most days you can choose to ride longer if you wish. The accumulation of multiple days of riding will add up, as it is on all of our trips the fitter you are, the more fun you’ll have.
THE RIDING
Trails in Stellenbosch & Cape Town are a pedal from our guesthouse on nearly treeless buffed purpose-built mtb singletrack with berms and rolls and climbs that can last 20-25 mins and descents up to 10 mins. In Botswana rides are easy and nearly flat on ancient elephant paths that can be loose and sandy and If it rains (rare) the mud can be slippery. Rides in Botswana are single-file with a guide in the front & back for safety. Adjusting to the mid-day heat can be a factor on this trip for some riders.
LODGING AND FOOD
Four nights spent in Stellenbosch & Cape Town are in comfortable three-star guest houses. In Botswana, we spend one night at Tree Camp, nestled in the bough of a giant Mashatu tree with a deck built four meters off the ground. Then, one night at the Kgotla, an open-air traditional African enclosure made up of Leadwood logs and two nights in a wilderness camp. Finally, one night at Tuli Safari Lodge, an intimate, luxurious and relaxing retreat that boasts spectacular wildlife, breathtaking landscapes.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Comprehensive Travel & Medical Insurance is mandatory on all Big Mountain Bike Adventures’ trips. Please visit our recommended insurance provider World Nomads to learn more.
CLIMATE
Depending on the time of the year you visit Southern Africa, conditions are vastly different. April is the end of summer in Cape Town so daytime temperatures are in the low/mid-20’s c (70-80 farenheit), perfect for riding. This is the tailend of the rainy season in Botswana so the dry landscape is as green as it can be. Daytime temperatures can reach the low 30’c & hotter (85-90 farenheit).
YOUR SAFETY
Our trips take place in remote regions with limited evacuation options available. Our guides have basic first aid training and if a serious injury is suspected they will call helicopter search and rescue at the cost of the participant. Personal medical travel insurance is mandatory for all riders. If you choose to participate in our trips it is up to you to ride well within your limits, to ride conservatively, to walk sections if needed and to be safe as mountain biking is a dangerous sport. There are always risks and hazards on all trails that we ride. You must inspect your bikes (or rental bike) daily and keep it in excellent condition. Alcohol and drugs are not permitted while riding on our trips.
THE NEXT STEPS
Email us to make sure that the trip is confirmed and there’s space on your desired departure. You can also call us +1-604-902-1807. We’ll then send you a short Rider Questionnaire to learn about your riding experience.
A Travel Protection Plan protects your travel investment, your belongings, and most importantly, you. We strongly advise travelers to enroll in a Travel Protection Plan in case an unexpected event causes you to cancel or leave your trip. Please review Big Mountain Bike Adventures’ Cancellation Policy:
A Travel Protection Plan should be purchased once a deposit or any payment is made for a trip. Insurance must provide coverage for personal accident, death, emergency remote evacuation including helicopter evacuation, medical expenses and emergency repatriation. We advise travellers to confirm that it covers trip cancellation, curtailment, personal liability and loss of luggage and personal effects. You will be asked for proof of insurance in lead up to your trip; you will not be able to join the trip without it. If you choose to travel without adequate insurance coverage, Big Mountain will not be liable for any losses howsoever arising, in respect to insurance coverage that would have otherwise have been available.
“What a pleasure it’s been to ride with you – and with all of “team Big Mountain”! This has changed the way I will vacation from this point forward – to see as much of this wonderful country as we have, and to have such a well run, professional, and caring group of guides has been the best. I hope to ride with you both again, and regardless of the venue it will be ‘epic’ without a doubt! Cheers on getting everything – and I mean EVERYTHING – perfect!”
