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 R400 (USD $38) 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 and direct you to the adjacent domestic terminal where you will need to check in with your luggage for your connecting flight to Cape Town. Please utilize the carts for transporting your luggage. Upon arrival in Cape Town, a VBT representative will meet you outside the luggage claim area for your transfer by minibus (approximately 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 breakfast before your transfer to the airport. Upon arrival in Cape Town, a VBT representative will meet you and assist with the transfer to the 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 a short 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. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the grounds.

You’ll also visit the townships this afternoon for a 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 eat local food and experience true African vibes.

Hotel: More Quarters
Meals: B, L, D
Daily Options: 7 miles (11 km)

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

Afterward, 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 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. Transfer back to our hotel in the late afternoon to relax (approximately 45 minutes).

Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant.

Hotel: More Quarters
Meals: B, L, D
Daily Options: 28 miles (36 km)

Nestled between towering mountains in the beautiful Cape winelands lies today’s destination, the magnificent Franschhoek Valley. After breakfast, 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. Your ride takes you to a private estate for a wine tasting and lunch.

After lunch there is the option to cycle farther in the valley or enjoy the facilities at your home for the evening, Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa.

This evening you are free to explore the pristine natural and architectural beauty of Franschhoek. It has some of the top restaurants in the country within its borders, with many describing it as the “food and wine capital” of South Africa.

Hotel: Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa
Meals: B, L
Daily Options: 12.5 or 19 miles (20 or 31 km)

After breakfast, board the bus and journey inland to Oudtshoorn (approximately 5-6 hours). En route, stop to browse some village shops in Barrydale and enjoy a hearty lunch in Ladismith. 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.

Later this afternoon, arrive at your accommodations near Oudtshoorn, a charming, Victorian-flavored town nestled in the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains. Once you’re settled, set off on a short leg-stretching ride exploring this beautiful area and its ostrich farms.

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 cycle through picturesque Meiringspoort. Shuttle (approximately 45 minutes) to the village of De Rust, where you will start and end your ride. This is a stunning 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 to our lodge and join Bartel, the owner, on a tour of his ostrich farm, learning all about these fascinating animals.

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

Hotel: La Plume
Meals: B, L, D
Daily Options: 14 or 28 miles (23 or 46 km)

This morning, you’ll transfer to the scenic coastal town of Knysna, (approximately 2 hours). The drive 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, and along the celebrated Garden Route, a truly spectacular stretch of coastline bordering the Indian Ocean. As you pass 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 starts at a viewpoint overlooking the bay and explores the town of Knysna. We begin on the outskirts and follow a bike path along the Knysna Lagoon into and through town, onto Thesen Island, and finish at the mouth of the lagoon, Knysna’s East Head. Here we enjoy lunch.

After lunch you can either shuttle to the hotel or ride back along the lagoon. Check-in and settle into your new surroundings.

Dinner is on your own tonight. You may want to try the local pub or shuttle into Knysna and explore its waterfront.

Hotel: Belvidere Manor
Meals: B, L
Daily Options: 15 or 25 miles (24 or 40 km)

After breakfast, you’ll shuttle (approximately 30 minutes) to Rheenendal, just outside of Knysna. Begin your ride here, cycling through rolling farmland and 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 (approximately 30 minutes) back to the lodge in Knysna for a relaxing afternoon overlooking the lagoon from the awesome gardens of your hotel.

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

This evening 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: Belvidere Manor
Meals: B, L
Daily Options: 17 or 22 miles (27 or 35 km)

After breakfast, shuttle (approximately 60 minutes) to Crags to start your ride. 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”). Celebrate your final ride with 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.

Shuttle back to your accommodation (approximately 1 hour 40 minutes), with some late afternoon free time for a swim or 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
Meals: B, L, D
Daily Options: 26 or 32 miles (42 or 51 km)

VBT No-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: 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: Premier Hotel O.R. Tambo International Airport (for Post-trip Extension guests only)
Meals: B

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