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Hotel & Bike

Wildlife & Nature Reserves · South Africa

From 2690 €
Route
from Johannesburg / to Hoedspruit
Duration
10 days /
9 nights
Distance
approx.
230 km
Level 2
Level 1
Easy cycling tours suitable for islandhoppers who are confident on their bikes but prefer riding on flatter terrain (15-30km and 200 elevation meters per day).
Level 1 - 2
Easy to moderate cycling tours through hilly terrain suitable for islandhoppers who have a good basic level of fitness (20-35km and up to 200-400 elevation meters per day).
Level 2
Moderate cycling tours through hilly terrain suitable for islandhoppers who cycle regularly and feel comfortable with longer climbs (25-40km and 300-500 elevation meters per day).
Level 2 -3
Moderate to demanding cycling tours through hilly to mountainous terrain suitable for islandhoppers who like a challenge (30-50km and 400-700 elevation meters per day).
Level 3
Demanding cycling tours through hilly and mountainous terrain suitable for islandhoppers who can take on steeper climbs (30-60km and 400-800 elevation meter per day).

Cycle Safari through African wonderlands

What if you could combine a cycling tour with a safari experience? With our South Africa Cycling Safari, you can! The tour leads to the Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces in the North-Eastern part of South Africa. Visit the world-renowned Kruger National Park and discover the breath-taking Blyde River Canyon with the Three Rondavels and Bourke’s Luck Potholes. The tour is designed to offer you the opportunity to experience and get to know this diverse region, its culture, nature, activities, attractions, cuisine, and local people.

  TO NOTE: This trip is already updated for the 2025 season. Itinerary, prices and services may vary compared to 2024.

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Highlights

Culture: A visit to a traditional citrus farm and Kaross embroidery
Nature: The breath-taking Blyde River Canyon with the Lisbon Falls and the Three Rondavels
Activity: Game drives and bush walks in the Greater Kruger National Park
Culinary: A traditional South African BBQ
Souvenir: South Africa is known for its incredible handicrafts and wine

Itinerary

Graskop Tzaneen Bandelierkop Polokwane Orpen Bourke‘s Luck Potholes Blyde Dam Three Rondavels Echo Caves Berlin Falls Mooketsi Coach House Wolkberg Limpopo Mpumalanga Botswana Botswana North West Free State KwaZulu -Natal Lesotho Swazi- land Mpumalanga Limpopo Mo- sam- bik Airport Hoedspruit Eastgate Game Reserve Mosambik Simbabwe Kruger National Park Airport Cities & Villages Bus ride Visitation Selected daily stage Botswana Northern Cape North West Free State Eastern Cape Western Cape Lesotho Mpumalanga Limpopo INDIAN OCEAN Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport Polokwane International Airport O. R. Tambo International Airport Game Reserve Mozambique Mo- zam- bi- que KwaZulu -Natal Zimbabwe Kruger National Park airport cities & villages Visitation Eswatini bus ride airway Selected daily stage Northern Cape Eastern Cape O. R. Tambo Airport(Johannesburg) Haenertsburg Transfer from Johannesburg
1st Day Arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport
Welcome to South Africa! Upon arrival, it is impossible not to notice you have arrived in a country filled with smiles. A guide will meet you at O.R. Tambo International Airport and accompany you to your overnight accommodation in Johannesburg. The rest of the day is yours to do with as you please, whether that be relaxing at the hotel or exploring some of Sandton’s attractions. We have made a list of recommendations below:

• Nelson Mandela Square (right across from the hotel)
• Hop-on-hop-off Johannesburg sightseeing bus (www.citysightseeing.co.za/destinations/joburg)
• Sandton City Mall
• Soweto (depending on your arrival time, we can offer a 2- or 4-hour cycling tour through Soweto. The tours begin at 10 am or 1 pm and includes lunch and a transfer from your hotel to Soweto and back. Price: 85 euro per person).

Includes: Transfer to accommodation
2nd Day African Bush
The transfer departs at 10 am from the hotel. Travel time from Johannesburg to our overnight accommodation is about 5 hours. Along the way, we stop to visit an Open-Air Museum which shows the daily life of the Bakone people who inhabited the Polokwane area 250 years ago. The next 2 evenings are spent at a private lodge near Bandelierkop. After settling in, we end our day with a bushwalk to get acquainted with the African bush before enjoying a cosy dinner in an African boma.

Includes: Breakfast, transfer to Lodge from Johannesburg, visit to Museum, bushwalk.
3rd Day Safari cycling
(approx. 20 - 40 km, 150 – 300 hm)
Our first bike ride is an exploratory cycle through the bushveld. The aim of this safari cycle is to allow for first, personal encounters with African wildlife. The lodge has a wide variety of non-dangerous animals including giraffes, impalas, zebra, kudu, and many different bird species. Learn more about the lifestyle and habits of the different species as well as the tracking of animals. In the afternoon, you can join us for a sunset game drive or alternatively enjoy a relaxed afternoon next to the swimming pool. Dinner will be a unique South African experience served in the boma.

Includes: Bike tour, breakfast, lunch, dinner, game drive.
4th Day Tzaneen
(approx. 45 km, 850 m)
After breakfast we travel for 60 minutes to the start of our bike ride outside the town of Tzaneen. Tzaneen is a large tropical garden town in a high rainfall fertile region with tropical and subtropical agriculture taking place in a 20,000 square kilometers (7,700 sq mi) region. Our bike ride is an undulating ride with beautiful views of Tzaneen and its surrounding areas. We reach our lunch spot after 40 kilometers where you can put your feet up and relax. After lunch we have 5 more kilometers to our accommodation for the next two evenings.
5th Day Wolkberg Mountains
(approx. 15 - 45 km, 420 – 650 hm)
The Wolkberg Mountains separate the highveld from the lowveld of Limpopo. It also contains some of the most intensive and well-established Avocado and Macadamia Nut farms in South Africa. Our bike route for the day is a circular one that passes through Pine and Eucalyptus plantations with splendid views of the surrounding mountains and farms. Lunch will take place at a local restaurant with picturesque views of the area. A relaxing afternoon awaits our guests with breath-taking views of the Wolkberg Mountains.

Includes: Bike tour, breakfast, lunch, dinner.
6th Day Blyde Dam and the Kruger National Park
(approx. 37 km, 410 hm)
Our bike ride follows the Blyde River through the canyon to a spectacular viewpoint of the Blyde Dam. The Blyde River rises on the western slopes of the Drakensberg near Sabie in Mpumalanga and flows northwards past the town of Pilgrim's Rest for more than 62.5 mi./100 km, through a region of extraordinary beauty along the eastern escarpment and into the Blyde Dam which was completed in 1974. Along the way be on the lookout for kudus and baboons. Explore the Blyde Dam with a boat cruise and spot hippo’s and crocodiles as well as the amazing Three Rondavels from below. After lunch we will depart for the Kruger National Park. Enjoy your first evening in Kruger with a “braai”.

Includes: Bike tour, breakfast, lunch, dinner.
7th Day Kruger National Park (Full day)
Today is our big Kruger Safari day. Although Kruger is renowned for the Big 5 (African elephants, black rhinoceroses, cape buffalos, African lions, African leopards), it has so much more to offer. Get your cameras ready to capture the special moments in one of Africa’s largest national parks, which covers an area of 19,485 square kilometres. This wildlife sanctuary is like no other, its atmosphere is truly unique, capturing the authentic heartbeat of Africa. After our day in the Kruger National Park, we are treated with a delicious dinner. Take time to share stories and photos of your special day in the African bush.

Includes: Full day safari in open vehicle in KNP, breakfast, brunch, dinner.
8th Day Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
(approx. 40 km, 620 hm)
Welcome to the Blyde River Canyon, the third largest and greenest canyon in the world. Our bike ride starts at Pinnacle Rock where we will prepare the bikes, whilst you savour the magnificent view. The route follows the escarpment to Wonder View, which is said, on a clear day it is possible to see all the way to Mozambique. Visit a spectacular waterfall, before travelling to the Bourke’s Luck potholes. The potholes were formed over centuries of water flowing from the Treur and Blyde River. From here it is a short drive to the famous Three Rondavels lookout point and onto our overnight stay overlooking this escarpment.

Includes: Bike tour, entrance to Lisbon Falls and Bourke’s Luck Potholes, breakfast, lunch, dinner.
9th Day Echo Caves and Nature Reserve
(approx. 27 km, 330 hm)
Be sure to enjoy a last look at the striking panorama of the Three Rondavels before we hop onto our bicycles. Our route, which is mostly downhill, leads by numerous citrus farms. The Echo Caves marks the end of our tour. A local farmer stumbled upon this underground wonderland in 1923 whilst looking for his lost cow. We visit the cave before driving along the Abel Erasmus Pass and entering the Lowveld for our last evening. The adventure begins in the late afternoon with a game drive accompanied by an experienced guide. Dinner is served around a fireplace in an African boma where we can listen to the sounds of the African night.

Includes: Bike tour, entrance to Echo Caves, game drive, breakfast, lunch, dinner.
10th Day Departure
Your final day starts with a bush walk accompanied by an experienced game ranger through Big 5 territory. After the bush walk, enjoy a leisurely breakfast whilst saying farewell to your cycling companions. This will be the end of our time together. Return to your home country via the Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit or a Private Transfer to Johannesburg.

Included: Bush walk, breakfast

Accommodation

Lodges and Hotels

Our tour offers a variety of accommodations throughout the trip, all of which have been carefully chosen to ensure you have the uttermost comfort after each day of adventure. The 3- and 4 -star accommodations range from lodges and small hotels to chalets.…

Lodges and Hotels

Our tour offers a variety of accommodations throughout the trip, all of which have been carefully chosen to ensure you have the uttermost comfort after each day of adventure. The 3- and 4 -star accommodations range from lodges and small hotels to chalets.…

Lodges and Hotels

Our tour offers a variety of accommodations throughout the trip, all of which have been carefully chosen to ensure you have the uttermost comfort after each day of adventure. The 3- and 4 -star accommodations range from lodges and small hotels to chalets.…

Lodges and Hotels

Our tour offers a variety of accommodations throughout the trip, all of which have been carefully chosen to ensure you have the uttermost comfort after each day of adventure. The 3- and 4 -star accommodations range from lodges and small hotels to chalets.…

Tent accommodation exterior

Lodges and Hotels

Our tour offers a variety of accommodations throughout the trip, all of which have been carefully chosen to ensure you have the uttermost comfort after each day of adventure. The 3- and 4 -star accommodations range from lodges and small hotels to chalets.…

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Rental Bikes

Silverback Spectra Comp 2017 (29-inch)

The Silverback Spectra Comp 2017 is a light and efficient hardtail with an aluminium frame, Shimano-Altus drive, disc brakes, cable shifter, and 29” tires.

 

  • 27-speed hardtail

  • Available frame sizes: S, M, L

 

Bike rental is included in the tour price.…

Services, Dates & Prices

 

The below calendar lists the basic cruise price per person. The final cruise price depends on cabin type, cabin occupancy and any additional optional services. The prices for additional optional services are listed below the travel calendar. The green checkmark indicates that the trip is secured.

Time Period Tour Country Accommodation Route Availability Price from
The final price is dependent on the type of cabin, the number of guests staying in the cabin and any additional services booked.

March 2025

09.03.
Comfirmed departure
09.03. –
18.03.
Hotel & Bike
Wildlife & Nature Reserves
South Africa Hotel South Africa Johannesburg bis Hoedspruit available 2690,00 € To Booking

April 2025

06.04.
Comfirmed departure
06.04. –
15.04.
Hotel & Bike
Wildlife & Nature Reserves
South Africa Hotel South Africa Johannesburg bis Hoedspruit available 2690,00 € To Booking

May 2025

11.05.
Comfirmed departure
11.05. –
20.05.
Hotel & Bike
Wildlife & Nature Reserves
South Africa Hotel South Africa Johannesburg bis Hoedspruit available 2690,00 € To Booking

June 2025

08.06.
Comfirmed departure
08.06. –
17.06.
Hotel & Bike
Wildlife & Nature Reserves
South Africa Hotel South Africa Johannesburg bis Hoedspruit available 2690,00 € To Booking

August 2025

10.08.
Comfirmed departure
10.08. –
19.08.
Hotel & Bike
Wildlife & Nature Reserves
South Africa Hotel South Africa Johannesburg bis Hoedspruit available 2690,00 € To Booking

October 2025

05.10.
Comfirmed departure
05.10. –
14.10.
Hotel & Bike
Wildlife & Nature Reserves
South Africa Hotel South Africa Johannesburg bis Hoedspruit available 2690,00 € To Booking
Load more dates
Included services
  • 10- day/9-night tour
  • 9 overnight stays in 3-star accommodation
  • Meals: Full board (9 x Breakfast, 8 x Lunch, 8 x Dinner)
  • 6 days cycling with support vehicle (combination of paved and gravel roads)
  • Entrance to Kruger National Park
  • Activities as per itinerary
  • Transfer from O.R. Tambo International Airport Johannesburg (JNB) to first night's accommodation and transfer from last night's accommodation to Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport (HDS)
  • High quality rental bicycle
  • Drinking water during cycling tours
Not included in the basic tour price
  • Journey to O.R. Tambo International Airport Johannesburg (JNB)
  • Journey home/to next destination from Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit (HDS)
  • A collective shuttle service is available from Hoedspruit airport. Departure at 11 am from Hoedspruit Airport, arrival at O.R. Tambo International Johannesburg between 5 – 6 pm: 90 euro per person/way
  • Beverages and tips
  • SGR Insolvency protection (5€ per person)

 

⇒ SGR Insolvency protection (mandatory consumer contribution SGR insolvency protection guarantee scheme: € 5 per person - will be specified separately on the booking confirmation)

Prices for Additional Optional Services

E-Bike rental
(limited)

250 euro per tour

Single room surcharge

280 euro

Extension programs Johannesburg / Johannesburg & Soweto / Cape Town & Cape Peninsula / Big 5 in Hoedspruit

Prices see extension programs

Discounts

If this is your third or more Islandhopping tour booked directly with us, you will receive our SEA-YOU-AGAIN discount for your next tour in 2025.

 

As this tour is operated by a third party partner, not all regular Islandhopping discount offers apply.

Arrival - How to get there

Arrival

The tour starts at the O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg on Sunday.

 

Arrival is possible at any time on Sunday, and your transfer to the hotel will be organized accordingly. A guide will welcome you at the arrival terminal with a sign with your name on it.

Departure

The tour ends at 10 am on Tuesday. You will be transferred to the Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport (HDS) in time of your flight. The earliest flight a guest can book from HDS is 12:00.

 

If you would prefer to travel to Johannesburg by car, a shuttle transfer can be booked with us. Please note the transfer takes approx. 6 hours with a stop along the way.

  • Arrival
  • Departure

If you would like to extend your trip

Extension program in Cape Town & the Cape Peninsula

Would you like to discover more of what South Africa has to offer? Then extend your trip with our 5-day additional program in Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula. South Africa’s capital Cape Town with Table Mountain as its landmark is arguably the most beautiful city in South Africa and truly worth a visit. The Cape Peninsula impresses with its natural diversity, beautiful beaches, and colourful villages, and is best explored by bike.

Read More
Two people looking out over the sea and cliffs at sunset

Extension program in Johannesburg & Soweto

We would be happy to arrange a 2-day extension program in Johannesburg and Soweto before your Hotel & Bike safari in South Africa. This includes airport transfers, one overnight stay in Johannesburg, transfers to/from Soweto and a four-hour guided bike tour through Soweto including lunch. This extension program gives a great insider perspective of modern South African history and society.

Read More
Nelson Mandela street art in Johannesburg

Extension program in Hoedspruit

Would you like to experience even more of South Africa's wildlife after your Hotel & Bike tour? Our 3-day extension program in Hoedspruit is the perfect combination of planned activities and free time. For the overnight stays there is both a 3-star option (Buffelshoek or Ndzhaka Camp) and a 4-star option (Sausage Tree Camp) from which you may choose.

Read More
Jeep safari driving through the grass behind a large tree
  • Extension program Cape Town
  • Extension program Johannesburg
  • Extension program Hoedspruit

Important information

Language

Due to our international audience all Islandhopping tours are conducted bilingually, in English and German.

Changes to the itinerary

Changes to the order of the itinerary may occur due to the availability of accommodation. A bicycle tour may be affected by changing weather conditions and therefore the itinerary of any tour may change. But don’t worry, we always have a plan B and will find the best solutions to offer you an equally exciting tour, should the scheduled one not be possible.

Requirements

Level 2

We recommend our tours to anyone who has a basic level of fitness and stamina either through casual daily cycling (such as going to work by bike) or through cycling as a fitness or leisure activity. As we travel through many different areas during this tour, the bike rides vary from day to day. Our tours are always taken at a leisurely pace so there is no need to rush. Should a climb prove to be too challenging, you are of course welcome to push your bicycle up the hill. Remember, you are on holiday and should enjoy every moment of it and take the time to capture the memories: So, don’t feel pressured, relax, and take as many photos as you like!

The bicycle tours follow gravel and paved roads. The paved roads that we cycle on are quiet and safe for cycling. All tours are led by a guide and accompanied by a support vehicle.

Group riding pace

On our regular cycling tours, the riding pace is determined by the cyclists on regular bicycles. We ask guests who have reserved an e-bike to be mindful of this and to acknowledge that the regular cyclists need time to rest and longer to climb the hills. We thank you for your understanding.

Bringing private bikes

The tour which you have booked requires a bike with a fully functional set of gears. Islandhopping can offer you high quality, fully serviced rental bikes perfect for the terrain of this tour.

 

Should you however wish to bring your own bicycle with you, please make sure to check the condition of your breaks, gears, and tires and don’t forget to bring along a puncture repair kit and the essential spare parts for your bike (e.g. brake pads and spare tubes). Your bike should be in prefect mechanical working order.

 

We do not recommend bringing along private road bikes, as the thin tires are not suitable for some of the road surfaces encountered on the tours.

 

Liability disclaimer: Radurlaub Zeitreisen GmbH. Will not be held liable for any damages caused to private bikes during loading, unloading or other logisitical handling thereof.

Additional Activities

The following additional activities are included in the tour price: Visit to a citrus/avocado packhouse, bush walks, game drives, a visit to the Echo Caves, the Bourke’s Luck Potholes and Kaross.

Meals

This tour offers full board which consists of local dishes. If you are a vegetarian or vegan or if you have any special requests regarding your diet, for example a food intolerance, please let us know in advance so that we can best cater for you.

Bike rides / Safaris in South Africa

Our tours are accompanied by 2 guides - a cycling guide and a nature guide with a support vehicle.

 

No matter if exploring nature and wildlife on foot or by vehicle, the group is always accompanied by trained guides. This ensures that a safe distance for both people and animals is kept at all time to ensure that we can enjoy the breath-taking wildlife without disturbing them or endangering ourselves.

 

*Please note that we do NOT cycle in the Kruger National Park.

Best time to travel

South Africa is a large and diverse country, whose climate varies from region to region. The Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces experience summer rainfall with heavy thundershowers from December to February and a dry winter period from May to October. South Africa is a large and diverse country with a climate that varies from region to region:South Africa is a large and diverse country with a climate that varies from region to region: Cape Town and the Western Cape experiences winter rainfall (June to August) and a largely bone-dry hot summer while much of the rest of the country, including the Kruger Park area, have heavy summer thundershowers (December to March) and a dry winter period from May to October. The Garden Route and Eastern Cape on the other hand can experience rain at any time of yearThe best time to visit these areas depends on what you would like to see and which climate you prefer. In summer, the African bush is at its greenest and birdlife is abundant. In winter, wildlife is easier to spot because there is less vegetation and animals gather around rivers and waterholes.

 

Additional Information - Seasons in South Africa:

Spring - September and October
Summer - November to March
Autumn - April to May
Winter - June to August

 

January - The first month of the year is characterized by lush vegetation which has flourished after the early summer rains. Temperatures can soar into the high thirties (approx. 95 – 102˚F), but thundershowers often bring a welcome relief from the heat in the late afternoon.

 

February - Though usually one of the warmest months, thunderstorms are still possible from time to time. The bush remains green in colour and vegetation remains thick.

 

March - The weather is warm, and although there may still be some rainfall in the north, it begins to ease off. As this is the end of the season, vegetation is lush and rivers and full in the Kruger National Park.

 

April - April brings with it the change of season and is often the time of the year when the very short bushveld autumn can be experienced. Water begins to dry up and the temperatures are pleasant however they can vary between hot during the day and chilly during the evenings.

 

May - May is one of the best times of year to visit the country as it is not too hot but not too cold either. The bushveld is still green but due to the lack of rain, it is a good time to visit Kruger.

 

June – The north and east of the country experience dryer temperatures and this is a great time for game viewing as animals congregate around water holes. When setting out in the morning, it is best to wear multiple layers as the temperature will increase during the day.

 

July - In many respects July is similar to June, the only difference is that it is drier. Towards the end of the month, it starts to warm up slightly during the day. However, the evenings are still cold.

 

August - August is the driest month, the temperature rises during the day and although the nights are cool the days are very pleasant. The grass is now gold to brown in colour and tends to begin to thin out.

 

September - September is a month of great contrasts, the bush is still dry, but many of the trees begin to blossom. The animals are out in full force, with many giving birth.

 

October - Temperatures start to rise throughout the country but the rains are yet to come in the north. If thunderstorms occur, they do not usually bring much rain, but certainly enough to start the early growth of the bush and to allow for a flush a fresh green.

 

November – Temperatures continue to rise across the country and the rains start in the Kruger National Park. Late afternoon thunderstorms clear the air and can be spectacular.

 

December - The festive season is extremely busy in South Africa. In the northern parts of South Africa, rain is prevalent, yet temperatures are very high.

Malaria in South Africa

Malaria is present in the area of the Kruger National Park. We urge you to ask your family doctor for malaria prophylaxis before your trip. What you can do yourself to avoid infection (Please note that insects are especially active in the evening, at night, and early in the morning).

 

Below you will find a list of precautions you should take between dawn and dusk:

  • Apply insect repellent to uncovered skin.
  • Close your windows and doors at night if they do not have an insect screen.
  • Use insect repellent in your bedroom.
  • Wear long clothes and socks during the evening and night and in the morning hours when you go outside.
Limited Luggage

Please note, space is limited since we transport bicycles, luggage and passengers. We ask that each guest brings no more than 1 x 23 kg bag and 1 x hand luggage.

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