You are Crazy about Cycling Archives - Tales from Africa Travel

Wildlife on the river trails Cycle Tour

Henko Wentholt — Sun, 23 Jan 2022 15:46:00 +0000

Wildlife on the river trails Cycle Tour

8-day MTB Cycling tour, Botswana

Wildlife on the river trails Cycle Tour: it sounds like the stuff dreams are made off. And rightfully so, because this is an unique opportunity to cyle in a Big Five game reserve. The tour is a combination of MTB cycling and a true Bushveld Experience in Botswana’s Mashutu Game Reserve. Mashatu, which is one of the largest privately owned game reserves in southern Africa, is not only a Big Five reserve but also provides a sanctuary to the largest herds of elephant on privately owned land on the continent.

The rugged terrain will test your cycling skills, but the views and wildlife viewing will be worth the hard paddling. Your cycling guide is an armed ranger who knows the bush and the animals extensively. Enjoy meals cooked on an open fire and spectacular night skies from the porch of your wooden hut. While you rest your weary bones around the campfire you can listen to the ranger’s stories.

Get woken up by the call of the wild as we prepare for another testing day of cycling through rocky outcrops, sandy riverbeds and open plains, searching for the perfect view. Tonight, as the sun sets, giving its last wink at the daylight, we settle once more around the fire listening to stories of folklore.

Depart Botswana, richer in knowledge, but sorer in our calves.

‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together’ – African proverb

Highlights of the Wildlife on the River Trails cycle tour

Fully guided small group tour
Also bookable as a bespoke cycle tour
cycle in a Big Five game reserve in Botswana
guided by an armed ranger
day-rides from your hutted camp
sleep surrounded by the bush
MTB bike included
suitable for beginner/intermediate level

Map of the tour

Bespoke private experiences

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The Flowering Desert Cycle Tour

Henko Wentholt — Sun, 12 Jul 2020 18:59:39 +0000

The Flowering Desert cycle tour

7-days cycling tour, South Africa

The Flowering Desert Cycle Tour takes you deep into one of nature’s most stunning sights, where riding your bike, surrounded by the most beautiful sea of yellow, orange, white and purple wildflowers in an area that most of the year is desert, is as close to a fairytale you will ever come. Welcome to the daisies of Namaqualand!

With names like Kammieskroon, Pella and Springbok, the Northern Cape brings with it an old-world charm that not many places in the world have. Ride to a cathedral surrounded by palm-trees in the desert. Lose yourself in the colors of spring in Namaqualand National Park. Conquer the granite koppies of Kamiesberg Mountain Pass and taste the wine of Bezalel. A cycling tour that takes you to the heart of the flowering desert!

Highlights of the Flowering Desert cycle tour

Fully guided and with backup vehicle
Small group size
BYO mountain bike or rent one
the mighty Augrabies waterfalls
Pella cathedral and palm trees
Goegap Nature reserve
Namaqualand National Park in flower season
Kamiesberg Mountain Pass
Kammieskroon
Bezalel wine farm and pepper brandy
Transfer from finish to starting point possible

‘For the beauty of the Rose, we need to water the thorns’ – African Proverb

The Flowering Desert cycle tour in detail

After arrival in Uppington, get on your cycle and make your way to the Augrabies Waterfalls. Cycle through the biggest date farm in South Africa in the morning and enjoy the majestic views of the mighty Orange River in the afternoon.

Pella and the “Sisters” are calling you, see how this oasis in the desert – with a Cathedral surrounded by Palm Trees – has survived through the years. You might be lucky enough to see how the locals still do traditional dancing. Cycle to Goegap Nature reserve where you might have an opportunity to spot the endangered Hartman’s Zebra or some Gemsbok grazing. Namaqualand National park during the flower season will have you mesmerized by the multitudes of colours; you can stand here for hours on end looking at the spectacular view this mosaic of flowers provides. These are the famous desert Daisies that flower after the spring rains. In dryer years you’ll see patches of yellow, orange and white, but in years with good rainfall, the desert literally explodes into a sea of colour.

Kamiesberg Mountain pass will provide us with the most strenuous day of cycling on the tour, where you will cycle between the massive granite koppies and through the beautiful valleys. Overnight will be in the quaint little village of Kammieskroon. Visit the Bezalel wine farm and find out how wine farms are surviving in this arid desert. Make certain you try their brandy – it is something not to miss out on since it is seasoned with hot peppers. An unforgettable experience during an unforgettable tour!

Map of the tour

Bespoke private experiences

This is experiential travel at its best. Nothing is set in stone, all can be combined, adjusted, changed to make your own bespoke holiday! Here are some more ideas to inspire you.

Want to know more? Read how it works. On everything we do for you, our Terms and Conditions and our Privacy Statement are fully applicable.

BOOK WITH US

The post The Flowering Desert Cycle Tour appeared first on Tales from Africa Travel.

Gourmet Cycle Tour in the Karoo

Henko Wentholt — Sun, 12 Jul 2020 17:21:46 +0000

Gourmet Cycle Tour in the Karoo

7-days cycling tour, South Africa

A Gourmet Cycle Tour in the Karoo – what better way to explore the Karoo and its culinary history than by bike? This unique cycling tour combines gourmet cuisine with stunning landscapes and MTB cycle tours.

Prince Albert, the little Karoo town with a royal name welcomes you, the town is a well-preserved gem, with water furrows and beautifully preserved Cape Dutch, Karoo and Victorian buildings. Hands-on cooking demonstrations of local cuisine are the order of the day, learn how the locals do it and take the secrets home with you.

Cycling through the Meiringspoort pass will give you a taste of the beautiful scenic views the Karoo has. Take a swim at the Waterfall that is surrounded by magnificent rock walls. Have some local Karoo wine tasting on your way back to Prince Albert.

Learn more about Gamkaskloof, better known as Die Hel (The Hell) during a cycle ride over the stunning Swartberg pass, for many the most beautiful pass in South Africa.

The next day, Weltevrede Fig Farm with is beautiful orchards provides you with part of your cycling and gourmet experience, a true country brunch awaits you after touring the orchard. Finish your tour off with a ghost walk through Prince Albert.

‘We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.’ – Jawaharial Nehru

Highlights of the Gourmet Cycle Tour

Fully guided and with backup vehicle
Small group size
BYO mountain bike or rent one
Day rides from your guesthouse
Combine gourmet cuisine with cycling
ghost walk in Prince Albert
Meiringspoort pass
conquer the heights of the Swartberg pass
Brunch at Weltevrede Fig Farm
Suitable for intermediate riders

Map of the tour

Bespoke private experiences

This is experiential travel at its best. Nothing is set in stone, all can be combined, adjusted, changed to make your own bespoke holiday! Here are some more ideas to inspire you.

Want to know more? Read how it works. On everything we do for you, our Terms and Conditions and our Privacy Statement are fully applicable.

BOOK WITH US

The post Gourmet Cycle Tour in the Karoo appeared first on Tales from Africa Travel.