Average rating Garden Route Tour by Bike

Spend 10 days on a Garden Route Tour, cycling from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. Take in the winelands, ostrich farms and the stunning coastline, and then take to a game reserve for some Big 5 spotting.

The Garden Route is so named for the short vegetation that grows along it. It's located in the eastern part of the Western Cape, which is almost literally the bottom of the continent. In such a relatively small stretch of land you'll see: mountains, beaches, rainforests and lush valleys. With a mild climate to boot, it has become a pretty popular destination, though most people opt for a Garden Route tour by car, rather than on two wheels. The area has inspired writers, photographers and adventurers for years and you'll be sure to add your name to that list by the end of the trip.

This tour packs in so many sights and different experiences, it's a perfect way to familiarise yourself with the country in a short amount of time. You'll get to know the people (past and present) by cycling through small frontier towns of the coast full of Dutch Cape architecture (striking white buildings with thatched roofs) and also by touring a township where South Africans are striving to make better lives for themselves. You'll meet the animals when you visit an African Penguin colony, a nature reserve and seek out the "Big Five" on a day safari. You'll traverse the land, exploring the stalactites and stalagmites of caves, sandstone rock formations - sculpted by the wind over millions of years - white sand beaches and even a rainforest.

Though the riding is not too strenuous as the point of the tour is to take in the surroundings, you will have to be comfortable doing some physical activity. For those who are more fit, there are a few optional rides that are more intense if you feel the need for more of a workout. You will stay in nice accommodation but it won't be massively luxurious so if you want to get pampered this might not be the tour for you. Bear in mind that this is a group tour so you'll have to be comfortable with other people. But as long as you are up for some cycling and doing other day trips like hikes and exploring caves you'll have a blast.

Getting there

You can easily find a flight to Cape Town, most major airlines fly there. The tour meeting point is the Winchester Mansions Hotel in Cape Town.

Price includes

Accommodation, food except three dinners, bicycle, helmet, fee for two guides, van support throughout route, all side activities (entrance fees, etc)

Price details

A single supplement of15,000 ZAR applies.

Available

Jan—Dec

Typical Duration

10 days

Comfort level

Reasonably comfortable (Inns, B&Bs, luxury camping etc.)

Experience required

A reasonable level of fitness and interest is all that is needed