Depart from home for South Africa. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary.

Please note: Passports for travelers to South Africa should contain at least two completely blank (unstamped) visa pages each time entry is sought. These pages are in addition to the endorsement/amendment pages (as many as four) typically found at the back of U.S. passports. While South African statutes require only one completely blank visa page, this rule has been applied inconsistently by South African immigration officials. In addition, any trips to neighboring countries would necessitate another blank page upon return. Travelers lacking adequate blank pages in their passport may be refused entry into South Africa, fined, and returned to their point of origin at their own expense.

The remainder of the day is yours to explore Cape Town at leisure.

VBT No-Air Package Guests: Upon arrival in Cape Town, you will need to make your own arrangements for transportation from the airport to our hotel. A metered taxi will cost approximately R400 (USD 38) and will take about 30 minutes to cover the 13 miles. Please contact the hotel to advise the staff of any travel delays or changes, and they will pass your message to your VBT Trip Leaders. The remainder of the day is yours to explore Cape Town at leisure.

VBT Air Package guests: Upon arrival in South Africa at the Johannesburg airport, claim your luggage, then clear customs. A VBT representative will meet you outside the customs area in the international arrivals terminal (please utilize the carts for transporting your luggage) and direct you to the adjacent domestic terminal. Here, you will need to check in with your luggage for your connecting flight to Cape Town. Upon arrival in Cape Town, a VBT representative will meet you outside the luggage claim area for your transfer by minibus (a journey of approximately 30 minutes) to our hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to explore Cape Town at leisure.

VBT Pre-Trip Extension guests: This morning, you have an opportunity for one last game drive, followed by a boxed breakfast during your transfer to the airport. Or you may wish to skip the game drive and enjoy a relaxing breakfast at the lodge. If you choose to participate in the game drive, please ensure that your luggage is packed prior to the game drive so that it may be picked up, packed in the vehicle, and ready for your transfer upon your return. We will depart from the lodge and transfer overland to the airport, in time for our flight to Cape Town. Upon arrival in Cape Town, a VBT representative will meet you and assist with the transfer to our hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to explore Cape Town at leisure.

All guests arrive in Cape Town today. Your trip leaders, who will be wearing VBT staff garments, will be available in the hotel in the early evening for informal introductions.

Hotel: More Quarters or The Three, Cape Town

After breakfast, we shuttle (a journey of approximately 10 minutes) to Signal Hill, perched high above the city of Cape Town. After a safety briefing, orientation, and bike-fitting session with our Trip Leaders, we embark on a warm-up ride along the contours of Cape Town’s iconic, flat-topped Table Mountain. The ride offers some rolling terrain, but no significant climbs or descents. As we pedal, we’ll be treated to spectacular views of Table Bay and the Cape Town “City Bowl.” An included visit to the top of Table Mountain in the Aerial Cableway permits us to enjoy an hour of flat walking to Maclear’s Beacon, the highest point on the mountain. A cablecar takes us off the mountain top for our return to town.

This afternoon, we’ll enjoy a closer look at South Africa’s fascinating flora during an included visit to the world-famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Nestled in the foothills of Table Mountain, the garden showcases the staggering diversity of South Africa’s indigenous plants, many of which can be found nowhere else on earth. Marvel at the endless varieties of fynbos—a distinct floral kingdom of hardy flowering shrubs found almost exclusively in the Western Cape—on display, including the pointy-petaled King Protea, South Africa’s national flower.

Tonight, we gather for a welcome reception. There, we’ll learn more about what it’s like to live in South Africa when we join a local family in their home for a sure-to-be memorable home-cooked dinner.

Hotel: More Quarters or The Three, Cape Town
Meals: B, L, D
Daily Options: 11 miles (17 km) or 13 miles (21 km)

This morning, we shuttle (approximately 45 minutes) to Simonstown, where we’ll be treated to sweeping views of False Bay. Next we visit the African Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach, a unique conservation effort in an urban area.

Afterward, we shuttle to the Cape Point section of Table Mountain National Park, where we cycle along rolling roads blanketed by pristine fynbos. Depending on prevailing winds, we’ll ride south-to-north or vice versa. Then we’ll relax and refuel with a picnic lunch at either Cape Point Nature Reserve or Red Hill.

In the afternoon, participate in a township tour by bike. Be sure to keep any problems for the Sangoma (the traditional healer) to solve! We have an opportunity to hear about the Bicycling Empowerment Network (BEN). The main mission of BEN is to address poverty and mobility through the promotion of the bicycle in all its forms. BEN imports used bicycles from overseas and distributes them to low income areas, trains recipients of the bikes in safety and maintenance, establishes Bicycle Empowerment Centre's (BEC's) and encourages cities to implement bicycle planning and infrastructure.

This evening, perhaps you’ll choose from among the dozens of mouth-watering restaurants at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront for dinner on your own.

Hotel: More Quarters or The Three, Cape Town
Meals: B, L
Daily Options: 18 miles (30 km) or 26 miles (42 km)

After breakfast we transfer (approximately 1 hour) to Franschhoek, long known as the “French Corner”, with many of the settlers naming their new farms after the areas in France from which they emigrated. Founded in 1688 by French Huguenot refugees, the town’s farms soon became known for producing stellar wines, a reputation that continues to this day. We’ll discover why as we cycle through the wine valley, admiring the town’s arresting Cape Dutch-style architecture and lush, fertile landscapes. We’ll pause for an included tour and wine-tasting at a local vineyard or two. Afterward, we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch before returning via shuttle to Cape Town.

Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant.

Hotel: More Quarters or The Three, Cape Town
Meals: B, L, D
Daily Options: 17 miles (28 km)

After breakfast, we board a minibus and journey inland to Oudtshoorn (approximately 6 hours). We’ll be traveling along scenic Route 62 through the Little Karoo, a sprawling, semi-arid region known for its wildflower-filled valleys and majestic sandstone mountains.

En route, we’ll stop and enjoy lunch. Late this afternoon, we arrive in Oudtshoorn—a charming, Victorian-flavored town nestled in the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains—and check into our lodge. Once we’re settled, we’ll set off on an 11- or 16-mile ride exploring this beautiful area.

Please note: A morning ride in the apple region/Overberg may be offered instead today.

Dinner is at our lodge this evening.

Hotel: La Plume or De Zeekoe
Meals: B, L, D
Daily Options: 11 miles (18 km) or 16 miles (25 km)

We spend this morning cycling through the picturesque Meiringspoort. This is a stunning, flat ride, set in a riverbed flanked by the twisting sandstone formations of the Cape Fold Mountains. It is home to the Klipspringer, Black Eagle and Grey Rhebuck.

Back in Oudtshoorn, we take a donkey cart ride in true Karoo-style.

For dinner tonight, we enjoy at traditional South African braai, or barbeque, at our lodge.

Hotel: La Plume or De Zeekoe
Meals: B, L, D
Daily Options: 15 miles (24 km) or 30 miles (48 km)

This morning we transfer to the scenic coastal town of Knysna. The drive bridges the divide between the semi-arid landscape of the Little Karoo and the lush, costal Garden Route. We leave Oudtshoorn and transfer down the Outeniqua Pass, through George, along the celebrated Garden Route-a truly spectacular stretch of coastline bordering the Indian Ocean. As we drive through the towns of Wilderness, Sedefield and Knysna, we’ll encounter a diverse landscape ranging from densely forested hills to craggy cliffs and secluded coves. Our ride today explores the town of Knysna. We begin on the outskirts of town and follow a bike path along the Knysna Lagoon, into and through town, onto Thesen Island and Knysna Head.

Dinner tonight is at our lodge.

Hotel: Belvidere Manor or The Robberg
Meals: B, L, D
Daily Options: 16 miles (26 km) or 23 miles (36 km) – some on dirt roads

After breakfast, we shuttle (approximately 30 minutes) to Rheenendal, just outside of Knysna. We begin our ride here, cycling through rolling farmland scenery, through some indigenous rain forest, past the historic scene of an old goldmine, and finishing up with a very scenic downhill cruise into Buffels Bay, taking in the views of the Goukamma River estuary and the Indian Ocean.

After lunch, we shuttle (approximately 1 hour) to Plettenberg Bay, where you’ll have some time at leisure to explore the town and beaches on your own. Or, if you’d prefer, you can join an included hike around the rugged coastline of Robberg Peninsula, where you’ll be treated to spectacular views of soaring cliffs, white-sand beaches, and tranquil, rock-ringed lagoons. As you trek, you may also spy Cape fur seals, bottlenose dolphins, and even humpback or southern right whales (depending on the season) frolicking in the Indian Ocean-fed waters of Plettenberg Bay.

Dinner is on your own tonight.

Hotel: Belvidere Manor or The Robberg
Meals: B, L
Daily Options: 18 miles (30 km)

We pedal along quiet roads this morning, riding the old road through Nature’s Valley Pass and Bloukrans Pass, amidst lush indigenous Afro-Montane forest. Experience the peace and quiet of these stunning forest-lined passes and listen for the call of the Knysna Loerie (Turaco) en route. Take lunch in Tsitsikamma National Park overlooking the Indian Ocean. Enjoy time here inside the park at leisure to hike through the forest or relax on the beach, where the ocean is ideal for swimming.

We shuttle back to our accommodation, with some late afternoon free time for a swim or for digging into that book as you laze on your shaded patio.

Tonight, we celebrate our South African sojourn during a festive Farewell Dinner at our lodge.

Hotel: Belvidere Manor or The Robberg
Meals: B, L, D
Daily Options: 15 miles (24km) or 20 miles (32km)

VBT No-Air Package guests: After breakfast, transfer to the airport in George for your flight home.

Please note: VBT recommends scheduling your departing flight for noon or later; if your flight leaves earlier than noon, you must make your own arrangements (at your own expense) to transfer to the airport from the hotel.

VBT Air Package guests: After breakfast, transfer by minibus (a journey of approximately 1 hour) to the airport in George for your flight home.
Please note:  Your flight between George and Johannesburg may not be reflected in your air itinerary. Your Trip Leaders will have the details for this flight and will be responsible for checking you in.

VBT Post-Trip Extension guests: Fly from George to Johannesburg, where you will spend the night at our airport-area hotel. Upon your arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, a VBT representative meets you and helps you transfer to your nearby hotel. Check in and relax. The representative will advise you at what time you will be collected for the airport tomorrow.

Hotel: Garden Court O.R. Tambo International Airport
Meals: B

VBT Air Package guests: Your flights arrive home this morning.