South Africa: Cape Town & the Garden Route

9 days
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Group Tour
On this cycling tour of South Africa’s famous Garden Route, VBT stands alone. Our thoughtfully designed itinerary takes you through South Africa’s gorgeous southern coastline from the Cape of Good Hope to Tsitsikamma National Park. Along the way, VBT’s expert local trip leaders will introduce you to the country’s culture and history from different perspective...
From$4,495
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Extreme
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Float to the top of Table Mountain by cable car, and marvel at the dazzling views.
    • Join a guided tour of a local township, for an up-close view of post-apartheid South Africa.
    • Sample South African wine and learn about local wine culture during a private tasting.
    • Encounter local wildlife, including a visit to an African penguin colony and a tour of an ostrich farm.
    • Contrast the many facets of South Africa’s landscape, from the wild coastline and lush vineyards to semi-arid plains and the world-famous Garden Route.

What's this trip about?

    On this cycling tour of South Africa’s famous Garden Route, VBT stands alone. Our thoughtfully designed itinerary takes you through South Africa’s gorgeous southern coastline from the Cape of Good Hope to Tsitsikamma National Park. Along the way, VBT’s expert local trip leaders will introduce you to the country’s culture and history from different perspectives—including a tour of Langa township, dinner with a local family in the deep forests of Knysna, and a two-night stay at a delightful family-run vineyard that’s also a working ostrich farm. You’ll cycle the rugged coastlines of two oceans, spin through indigenous rainforests, discover an African penguin colony, and pedal past the wildflower fields of Little Karoo. Relaxing on the veranda with a superlative South African wine, you’ll wonder why you didn’t come here sooner.

Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range13 to 80 years
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityCape Town
End CityGeorge

Travel Themes

  • Culinary & Wine
  • Cultural
  • Cycling & Biking
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • Cycling
  • History
  • Mountain Biking
  • Nature
  • Photography
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Wine Tasting
  • Guided Group

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 10

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 20

Trip includes

    • Custom VBT Bike and Helmet
    • Two Local, Bilingual Trip Leaders
    • Support Vehicle
    • Luggage Transportation
    • Ride with GPS and Daily Route Notes
    • Welcome Reception
    • Facilitated Cultural Experiences
    • Your Choice of VBT Branded Gear for Your Adventure

Itinerary

Travel Map
DAY 1: VBT Bicycling Vacation begins / Warm-up ride

Your day begins at 8:00 a.m. at our Cape Town hotel. Your trip leaders will meet you in the lobby wearing VBT staff garments. Shuttle to the Table Mountain Cableway, where you’ll be lifted to the top of Table Mountain—Cape Town’s iconic, flat-topped mountain—and admir...

DAY 2: Cape Peninsula Tour / Cycle in Cape Point Nature Reserve

This morning, you’ll shuttle (approximately one hour and 15 minutes) via the stunning scenery of Chapman’s Peak Drive 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...

DAY 3: Cycle Franschhoek Winelands / Wine tasting at a local vineyard

Nestled between towering mountains in the beautiful Cape Winelands lies today’s destination, the magnificent Franschhoek Valley. After breakfast, travel (approximately one hour) to Stellenbosch, for a stroll around this historic town. Then cycle to Franschhoek, long k...

DAY 4: Cycle in Oudtshoorn / Ostrich tour

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, ...

DAY 5: Ride through Meiringspoort

This morning, shuttle (approximately 45 minutes) to the village of De Rust, where you will start and end your ride through picturesque Meiringspoort. This is a stunning ride, set in a riverbed flanked by the twisting sandstone formations of the Cape Fold Mountains. It...

DAY 6: Ride Knysna Lagoon

This morning, you’ll travel to the scenic coastal town of Knysna (approximately two hours). The drive bridges the divide between the semi-arid landscape of the Little Karoo and the lush, coastal Garden Route. You’ll leave Oudtshoorn and travel down the Outeniqua Pass,...

DAY 7: Ride from Rheenendal to Buffels Bay

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 undulati...

DAY 8: Nature’s Valley & Bloukrans Pass Cycle

After breakfast, shuttle (approximately 60 minutes) to Crags to start your ride. Pedal along quiet roads this morning, riding the old road down into Nature’s Valley Pass, then up the Groot River Pass and onto Bloukrans Pass, amid lush indigenous Afro-Montane Forest. E...

DAY 9: VBT Bicycling Vacation ends / Travel to George / Departure

After an included breakfast, travel by minibus (approximately one hour) to the airport in George for your departing flight. Your flights may arrive at your final destination in North America the following day.

Included Meals: Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,495
Price per day$499
Last Updated: 4/19/2024
Departure Date
End Date
Shared Room
Single Supplement
Availability
19 Dec 2024
27 Dec 2024
$4,995
+$595
Available

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with VBT Bicycling Vacations.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

VBT Bicycling Vacations Reviews & Ratings

4.9/5  Excellent
Excellent
579
Great
42
Average
11
Disappointing
4
Terrible
3
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Tour Operator

VBT Bicycling Vacations

premier
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Since 1971, VBT has crafted immersive and authentic biking vacations for active travelers. When you travel with VBT, you’re not just another tourist—you’re a traveler. With us, you’ll experience your destination with the help of a local, bilingual trip leader with a passion for sharing their home with you. You’ll eat in local restaurants, stay in accommodations that have been family-owned for generations and cycle through vineyards, olive groves, and medieval villages. 


With VBT, you won’t just visit a place—you’ll immerse yourself in it. You might follow a centuries-old pasta recipe while taking a cooking class in Rome—or learn a folk dance in Croatia, followed by sharing a bottle of locally-produced Grk wine with your new friends. Exploring the world on two wheels lets you experience your surroundings on a deeper level.

 

VBT offers exceptional value without compromising on quality. Simply put, no other US-based active travel company offers an experience this rich for such a reasonable price. On our tours, you can see more sights, have more local experiences, and enjoy more delicious, authentic meals—all while staying in high-quality, boutique hotels and charming, family-run inns.

 

All you have to do is show up at the airport—we’ll handle the rest! From tour consultants who help you find the perfect vacation to expert local trip leaders who show you the best place for gelato, we take care of all the little details that make your trip memorable. We book your flights, arrange all your transportation and accommodations, and move your luggage between hotels. Our support vans are available to give you a lift up a hill or quickly fix a flat tire. VBT takes care of your travel details and creates unique itineraries so you can relax and enjoy your small-group vacation from start to finish.

 

Friendly camaraderie, cultural immersion, and casual comforts are the hallmarks of our vacations. Discover delightful people, beautiful hotels, foreign cultures, and fascinating lifestyles that will enrich your life and provide memories for years to come.

What they’re known for
VBT Cycling are renowned for offering exceptional guided and self-guided bicycle tours worldwide.

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Logistics

Accommodation

8 nights in 4-star hotels and guesthouses

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

22 meals: 8 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 6 dinners

Age Requirements
13 to 80 years
Additional Information

This tour offers a combination of easy terrain mixed with moderate hills. The VBT support vehicle is always available for those who would like assistance, with the exception of a short section on days 1 and 9. This tour is ideal for beginning and experienced cyclists.

Daily Mileage: 7 - 31 miles| Biking: 1 - 3 hours| Group Size: 20

Trip ID
vbt-vbt-SoCa

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