Cycling the Drakensberg & Kruger

The tour is 12 days long with 8 days of cycling.

There are 8 days of cycling with an averaging distance of 55km a day with full vehicle support.

The cycling is all on good condition paved roads, apart from two short stretches of hard-packed gravel road on days 5 & 7. Most of the cycling is over undulating terrain with some challenging climbs that are followed by long flowing descents. Your cycling guide leads the group and a support vehicle follows at all times with snack stops set up every 15km where you can re-fill water bottles and help yourself to sweets and snacks. Helmets must be worn by all cyclists in South Africa.

Legal Note: all group members joining this tour will be asked to sign an indemnity form at the start of the holiday. This indemnity form is a requirement of the South African Tourism Service Association which our local supplier is a member of.

Although the greater part of South Africa lies north of the tropic of Capricorn, the temperature is moderated by the altitude. The average midday temperature is likely to be about 22C on the coast and 24C inland. This trip covers various different weather regions.

Generally inland areas will be dry between the months of April and October (although storms can occur), whereas in the Drakensberg Mountains rain is more common at this time. In August the nights can be very cold, especially in the Drakensberg where temperatures can drop below freezing. However, the days are warm and crisp with generally cloud-free skies.

During the months of November through February rain can sometimes be expected and the temperature will be higher. However, as anyone who has travelled to these parts will say, rain is often a blessing, it manifests the local colours, drops the sometimes sweltering temperatures and never generally lasts too long. It also means the night times are incredibly clear.

11 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners are included on this tour.

For breakfast, you can expect a good selection of cereals, toast, jams, fruit and yoghurt as well as coffee and rusks. Occasionally you will have a cooked breakfast or buffet in some locations. Meals which are included in the trip are cooked and prepared by your guide and drivers.

On two days you will have a cooked lunch, but most days you will have a large selection of sandwich ingredients including cold meats, bread, salad, cheese and crisps. Vegetarian and other dietary requirements are well catered for but please inform us at least two weeks before you travel. The tour leaders do all the shopping and meal planning for each group. Each tour has a cool box for cold drinks and you will be made aware of nights when alcohol is not available so you can purchase some beforehand. 

The tour operator supplies the following drinks on all tours: fruit juice and squash served with breakfast & lunch, tea and coffee served with breakfast and dinner. All other beverages will be at your own expense.

No vaccinations are obligatory but some vaccinations are recommended. These include typhoid, yellow fever, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and influenza.

Yes, a Giant Escape hybrid bike is included in the tour. E-bikes can be hired but is subject to availability and price changes.

Alternatively, you can bring your own bike (BYO) but this is on a request basis and additional charges may apply to cover the transportation of your bike during the tour.

Conditions

1. The equipment remains the property of the supplier and you may not sell, hire out or part possession with the equipment.

2. You must not misuse the equipment and must return it in the same condition as when received (ordinary wear and tear excepted). The supplier is entitled to charge for any damage caused to the equipment during the period of hire.

3. You must ensure that the equipment is adequately secured when not in use. In the event of the equipment being lost or stolen, you may be liable for the replacement value of the equipment

4. You must not use the equipment whilst under the influence of drink or drugs and should immediately notify the Supplier in the event of breakdown or loss.

Extra Bike Bits

You may like to bring your own pedals and saddle (excluding the seat post) or gel saddle cover to fit to the hire bikes. The tour operator encourages this, if it is your preference. However, please note that you are responsible for your own equipment, and removing your saddle/pedals at the end of the trip. They cannot guarantee the return of any bike parts left behind.

A single supplement is applicable if you are travelling alone or wish to have your own room. The price varies depending on the dates chosen with minimum price starting at AU$736.00.

If you would like to book a single room please contact us.