Cycling South Africa: Cape Town & the Garden Route

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.

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 R250 (USD $18) for 1 person plus an additional R50 per extra person, and will take about 30 minutes to cover 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 about 30 minutes) to your 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

After breakfast, shuttle to the Table Mountain Cableway where you’ll visit the top of iconic Table Mountain and savor the magnificent views of the Cape Peninsula. Once back down the cableway, continue to Tafelberg Road, perched high above the city of Cape Town. After a safety briefing, orientation, and bike-fitting session with your Trip Leaders, you’ll embark on a warm-up ride under Cape Town’s flat-topped Table Mountain. The ride offers some rolling terrain. As you pedal, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of Table Bay and the Cape Town “City Bowl.”

This afternoon, you’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.

You’ll also visit the townships this afternoon for a cycling/walking tour in Langa, one of Cape Town’s oldest townships. Here you will learn, from a local guide, about some of the challenges that many South Africans face in post-apartheid South Africa, plus much more about the Xhosa culture. This fascinating window into life in the townships is quite eye-opening. As you’ll see, the vibrant streets are full of life and color.

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

Hotel: More Quarters
Meals: B, L, D
Daily Options: 11 miles (17.5 km)

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

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

In the afternoon, cycle further to enjoy the wild Atlantic coastline of Scarborough and Misty Cliffs. This stunning section of coast features azure oceans, big waves, surfers, and kite boarders. Head back to our hotel in the late afternoon to relax (a 45-minute transfer).

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

Hotel: More Quarters
Meals: B, L
Daily Options: 17 or 22 miles (27 or 35 km)

After breakfast, you’ll 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. You’ll discover why as you cycle through the wine valley, admiring the town’s arresting French flair and lush, fertile landscapes. After exploring the village en route, ride into lunch at a private wine estate for wine tastings and a tasty lunch before returning via shuttle to Cape Town in the late afternoon. If you like, there is the option to cycle a bit farther in the valley.

Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant.

Hotel: More Quarters
Meals: B, L, D
Daily Options: 15 or 21 miles (24 or 34 km), some on dirt roads

After breakfast, you’ll board your bus and journey inland to Oudtshoorn (approximately 6-8 hours). You’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, you’ll stop and enjoy lunch. Late this afternoon, you’ll arrive at your accommodations near Oudtshoorn—a charming, Victorian-flavored town nestled in the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains—and check into your lodge. Once you’re settled, set off on a short leg-stretching ride exploring this beautiful area.

Dinner is at your lodge this evening.

Hotel: La Plume
Meals: B, L, D
Daily Options: 8 or 12 miles (13 or 19 km)

This morning cycling through the picturesque Meiringspoort. A shuttle of about 45 minutes takes you to the village of De Rust, where you will start and end your ride. 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.

You’ll have a hearty lunch back in De Rust. Then after lunch, head back towards Oudtshoorn to tour an ostrich farm, learning all about these fascinating animals.

For dinner tonight, you’ll enjoy at traditional South African braai, or barbeque, at your lodge.

Hotel: La Plume
Meals: B, L, D
Daily Options: 14 or 28 miles (22.5 or 45 km)

This morning, you’ll transfer to the scenic coastal town of Knysna, a drive that bridges the divide between the semi-arid landscape of the Little Karoo and the lush, costal Garden Route. You’ll 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 you drive through the towns of Wilderness, Sedgefield, and Knysna, you’ll encounter a diverse landscape ranging from densely forested hills to craggy cliffs and secluded coves. Your ride today also explores the town of Knysna. You’ll begin on the outskirts and follow a bike path along the Knysna Lagoon, into and through town, and onto Thesen Island, finishing at the mouth of the lagoon, at Knysna’s East Head.

Dinner tonight is at your lodge.

Hotel: Belvidere Manor
Meals: B, L, D
Daily Options: 14 or 24 miles (22.5 or 39 km)

After breakfast, you’ll shuttle (about 30 minutes) to Rheenendal, just outside of Knysna. Begin your ride here, cycling through rolling farmland, through some indigenous rainforest, 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 a seaside picnic lunch at Buffels Bay, and maybe a dip in the Indian Ocean, you’ll shuttle (about 30 minutes) back to y lodge in Knysna for a relaxing afternoon overlooking the lagoon from the awesome gardens of our hotel.

If you wish to do more cycling, you may ride back from Buffels Bay to the railway station that you passed on your way in.

Dinner is on your own tonight.

Hotel: Belvidere Manor
Alternate Hotel: The Robberg
Meals: B, L
Daily Options: 17 or 22 miles (27 or 35 km)

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 (the “Bird of Eden”) 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.

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

Celebrate your South African sojourn tonight during a festive farewell dinner at your lodge.

Hotel: Belvidere Manor
Alternate Hotel: The Robberg
Meals: B, L, D
Daily Options: 26 or 32 miles (42 or 51 km)

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 2:00 pm or later; if your flight leaves earlier than 2:00 pm, 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 about 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 assist with 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 picked up for the airport tomorrow.

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

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