Mountain Bike Safari
If you’re seeking a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience that combines mountain biking with the thrill of African wildlife, this is the adventure you’ve been waiting for.
Joining In
Cape Town, South Africa. Departing: Johannesburg, South Africa.
Skill Level
Intermediate
Group Size
4 minimum - Private Trips Only
Duration
11 days / 10 nights
Single Supplement
$1150 USD / Supplement
Dates and Availability
USD $5795 per person
Region
Trip Details
We designed this once-in-a-lifetime mountain bike safari to answer the question: “If I were to visit Southern Africa just once, what would I do?” Your journey begins in Cape Town, South Africa, a vibrant city where cultures, art, and landscapes collide. Here we’ll ride local trails with sweeping views of Table Mountain, the Atlantic Ocean, and historic Robben Island. From there, we head to Stellenbosch, a leafy university town surrounded by world-class wine estates. Just beyond our hotel lies a network of fun, flowy cross-country trails—perfect for combining adventure with South Africa’s celebrated food and wine culture. After a short flight to Johannesburg, the adventure continues in Botswana. Here you’ll pedal across the African savannah, sharing the landscape with elephants, kudu, wildebeest, impala, ostrich, giraffe, zebra, and more. We’ll join expert trackers on two game drives in search of predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas. Nights in Botswana bring their own magic. We’ll overnight in a mix of luxury bush camps and permanent tented camps, blending comfort with the authenticity of the wild. At Two Mashatus Camp, you’ll stay in en-suite tents raised on timber decks beneath giant Nyala berry trees., and then sleep beneath a star-studded African sky in the open-air Kgotla Boma Camp. We close with the unforgettable Treehouse Camp, where tents circle a raised central deck, creating a perfect balance of community and immersion in the bush. This safari combines the thrill of mountain biking with the awe of African wildlife and landscapes. If you’re looking for an adventure you’ll never forget—this is it.
- Trip pricing is based on double occupancy. Please review the Single Supplement policy in our Terms and Conditions.
- Expert local leadership over nine days of riding.
- Domestic flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg.
- Airport transfers: Cape Town International Airport (domestic departure) & Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport (domestic arrival & international departure).
- All trip transportation in private vehicles.
- Bike rental for the trip duration (eMTB in South Africa, hard-tail mountain bike in Botswana)
- One night hotel Cape Town, three nights guesthouse in Stellenbosch, six nights in Botswana in rustic wilderness camps
- Luggage transfers while on safari in Botswana
- Meals included, starting with dinner on Day 1 and ending with breakfast on Day 11 (nine breakfasts, six lunches, seven dinners).
- Two professionally guided game-drives in open-air Jeeps with wildlife trackers.
- 24 hour trip support
- Detailed pre-departure information
- International airfare
- Airport taxes and excess baggage charges (if any)
- Mandatory personal travel and medical insurance
- Airport transfer upon arrival to Cape Town International Airport
- All meals in Cape Town
- Some meals as per itinerary
- Any alcoholic beverages
- Optional tipping to leaders and local staff
- Conservation levy: $60 USD donation to the Northern Tuli Game Reserve conservation initiatives, payable to Mashatu upon arrival
- Related equipment needed to ride: helmet, shoes, hydration pack, etc.
- Personal items like snacks and supplements (energy bars, gels, etc.)
Intermediate
You have been mountain biking regularly for at least two years, and can brake, use gears and corner with confidence. You are competent at riding trails with moderate climbs and descents on both double and singletrack and can handle some loose rocks and rooty sections. You ride one or more times per week in biking season and are comfortable at a moderate sustained pace for a couple of hours. Your overall fitness level is moderate, and you do other activities besides biking throughout the year.
Pontsho
Hailing from nearby Motlhabaneng village, Pontsho has spent eleven years guiding in the bush of Botswana and knows the web of trails like the back of his hand and will keep you safe at every turn. With a child-like gleam in his eyes when on his bike, he is a celebrated rider with over 25 years in the saddle.
Jamie
Like a ball of friendly, smiling and positive energy, Jaimie will go above and beyond to make sure that you have a top-notch riding experience. His ability to read riders within a group is impressive, as is his timing for a perfectly chilled post-ride beverage. Be prepared for a good time!
Rodney
Like a riding encyclopedia, he is passionate about nature and very knowledgeable of all creatures in his country, from the smallest beetle to the largest male lion. A teacher, avid reader and professional guide, to spend time in Botswana with Rodney is an absolute pleasure.
Do you dream of riding world-class singletrack and spotting elephants, giraffes, and lions all in one trip? Have you been mountain biking consistently for two or more years, confidently climbing and descending on moderately steep singletrack with loose rocks or roots? If so, this South Africa and Botswana mountain bike safari is for you. The minimum technical ability for this trip is Intermediate. From Stellenbosch’s bermy and flowy wine country trails to Cape Town’s iconic coastal and mountain terrain, you’ll enjoy purpose-built trails with moderate climbs and fun descents. Then, fly north to Botswana’s wild savannah, where you’ll ride among herds of zebras, wildebeest, and impalas. The trails here are old elephant paths that can be sandy or muddy, but are relatively flat. Adjusting to the mid-day heat can be a factor for some riders, but we try to time our rides to avoid the hottest part of the day. Accommodation ranges from rustic, open-air camps, to hotels and a luxury lodge, so having an adventurous spirit is required.
Our Trips, Your People
There’s nothing quite like gathering with close friends or family for an unforgettable adventure — whether it’s a milestone birthday adventure with your closest riding crew, a friend group escape to a fully-catered chartered boat, a couples’ anniversary trip to Italy complete with all the wine tasting, or even an eMTB trip in Mexico combined with yoga classes and beach time.
The possibilities are endless. With a private trip, everything is tailored to your group — your pace, your style, your crew. Choose from one of our existing itineraries and fill out the form below to start planning.
Pricing & Booking Details
Private group pricing follows the posted rates for your chosen itinerary, provided your group meets the minimum number of riders required for that destination.
Your group can choose any available scheduled departure that doesn’t already have riders booked, or — subject to availability of guides, accommodations, and logistics — we can work with you to select custom dates that best suit your group’s schedule. Once dates are confirmed, we require a 25% deposit per person to secure your private departure.
Please note that prices may be subject to change if booking more than a year in advance, or if any factors affect trip costs (such as group size adjustments, accommodation upgrades, or adding extra nights before or after your main itinerary).
Want to customize the itinerary for your group? No problem. Any updates, additions, or changes to existing itineraries are subject to a $1000 USD one-time booking fee.
Our team will maintain close communication with you throughout the process to ensure full transparency — no surprises. Once your trip details and pricing are confirmed, we’ll take care of everything so you can focus on what matters most — an incredible riding experience with your favourite people.
Trip Itinerary
We designed this bucket-list mountain bike safari to answer the question: “If I were to visit South Africa only once, what would I do?”
Trip Highlights
Trail
Buffed and bermed trails in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve.
Amenities
Luxurious safari tent camp with swimming pool.
Views
Wildlife such as elephants, zebras, lions, giraffes and more.
Cuisine
South African wine, bbq, curries, and stews.
Geographic Marvels
Table Mountain and the African Savannah.
Cultural Experiences
Guided Game Drives.
Getting Ready
- Gore-Tex/water-proof riding jacket
- Thin down jacket
- Toque/warm hat
- Polypro/Merino layers
- Bathing suit
- Bike shorts/pants & riding jerseys, etc.
- Socks (extras are good)
- Casual shorts/light pants
- Comfortable clothing for evenings
- Walking/running shoes & flip flops
- Long fingered bike gloves (two pairs)
- Warmer riding gloves (light version)
- Water shoes (for rocky beaches like Croatia)
Mandatory Parts & Tools (MTBs):
- Brake pads (one set)
- Derailleur hanger (for those that have a replaceable one)
- Chain link specific to your bike
Mandatory Parts & Tools (eMTBs & MTBs):
- Two tubes & tire irons & pump
- Chain lube & rag
- Allen keys & multi tool
- Pedals, hemet, riding gear (gloves, knee/elbow pads, eye protection, riding pack)
- Saddle (optional)
Additional Suggested Parts & Tools (MTBs only):
- Brake rotor
- Used derailleur
- Extra spokes
- Small bolt assortment
Suggested Miscellaneous:
- Headlamp
- Personal toiletries & hand sanitizer
- Camera (batteries)
- Sunglasses & sunscreen
- Clear & sun lensed eye protection
- Earplugs (for the light sleepers!)
- Eye mask (for sleeping)
- Energy bars & electrolytes
- Packable snacks or preferred foods
- Air Tags / tracking devices for your luggage
NOTE: Some items on the parts list can be split up among the group and is only a recommendation for convenience. We recommend labeling your belongings & parts in case things get mixed up.
Bike and Rental
Rental MTBs are included with this departure. We know that quality MTBs and components are paramount. We take the time to ensure that our rental bikes are inspected, well-maintained and have appropriate tires, brakes, extra parts and more. We will communicate all aspects of the bikes to riders before the trip.
A full-suspension eMTB is included for the South Africa portion, whereas a hardtail mountain bike (front suspension only) is included for Botswana. A 16L backpack will suffice.
12km-41km, 3-6 hours per day.
No – your gear will be transported to your accommodation. A 16L daypack is recommended.
Always ride well within your limits and ride conservatively.
In South Africa, we stay in 3-star hotels and guesthouses. In Botswana, two nights are spent in “Treehouse camps”, semi-permanent camps where we sleep in 10’X10’ canvas tents on a raised wooden platform, shaded by canopy trees. Outdoor showers are shared, but private, and heated by solar. We’ll spend three nights at the Kgotla Boma Camp, where we sleep out under the stars — but enclosed by the Boma (wood fence). One night is spent in a wilderness camp, complete with A-Frame walk-in tents on wooden platforms, en-suite bathrooms and hot showers.
9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
South African cuisine is a rich fusion of cultures, with influences from Indigenous African, Dutch, Indian, and Malay traditions. You’ll find everything from hearty braais (barbecues) and biltong (dried meat) to spicy curries and stews like bobotie. Botswana’s food is simpler but equally satisfying, centered around meat, maize, and sorghum. A staple dish is seswaa—slow-cooked, shredded beef or goat—typically served with pap (maize porridge).
Hotels in South Africa will have laundry service available for a fee. In Botswana, since we are staying in camps, there is no formal service, and it is recommended to bring laundry soap and wash clothes by hand.
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, with slippery mud on rare occasions of rain. 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.
As South Africa and Botswana are in the Southern Hemisphere, the best times to go mountain biking are April – May and September – October when the weather is slightly cooler than the hot summer. Daytime temperatures are in the low/mid-20’s C, perfect for riding. Botswana is closer to the equator, and as such it will get very hot by mid-afternoon. Daytime temperatures can reach the low 30s C & hotter.
The currency in South Africa is the South African Rand, and in Botswana it’s the Pula. We recommend purchasing some Rand before you leave home, or you can get some from an ATM at the Cape Town Airport upon arrival. It is not necessary to have Pula as you will not need to spend any money while in Botswana.
Tipping is accepted for good service throughout South Africa and Botswana and Rand or USD is accepted in both countries.
