Compare Cycling the Drakensberg & Kruger by Exodus Travels vs 9 Days South Africa Safari & Mozambique Beach by Adventure to Africa

Day 1 Start Johannesburg; transfer to Golden Gate Highlands National Park

Upon arrival in Johannesburg we drive directly to the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Maluti Mountains of the Northern Free State. This transfer takes roughly 5 hours but will be broken up with stops along the route for bathroom breaks and to stretch the legs. The Golden Gate national park gets its name from the golden hue on the parks sandstone cliffs as the sun hits them. With 11,600 hectares of highland habitat, the national park is home to a number of animals including springbok, mountain zebra and wildebeest as well as the rare bearded vulture and bald ibis. Depending on the time of the group flights, we will either set up the bikes this afternoon or tomorrow morning. We will have a chance to test them out around the grounds of the accommodation before we begin the cycling. Accommodation: Glen Reenen Rest Camp (or similar)

Day 2 Ride over a spectacular mountain pass with a chance of spotting wildlife; transfer to Northern Drakensberg and cycle to our lodge

Getting up early, we cycle 15mi (25km) on roads through the national park. We start with a short climb to a viewpoint where mountain zebras are often spotted before descending a long, winding mountain pass. Later in the ride, we take a few short, steep up-and-down sections to get our hearts pumping before it levels out. All along this road there are great opportunities to see wildlife from the saddle so make sure you have a camera to hand. At the park exit, we transfer towards the Northern Drakensberg (37mi/60km) stopping at the vulture restaurant for views over the Sterkfontein Dam and an early picnic lunch. We then get back on the bikes and cycle down the Oliviershoek pass all the way to the Sungubala lodge, our overnight stay. Here we have the whole night to take in the stunning view of the Amphitheatre, a spectacular 3mi (5km) long vertical cliff face, while enjoying a meal cooked by the guides. Accommodation: Sungubala Eco Camp (or similar)

Day 3 Cycle to the Northern Berg before hiking and a chance to swim at a waterfall

In the morning, we cycle towards the Drakensberg mountains while following a backroad route into the Royal Natal National Park in the Northern Berg. This ride is fairly undulating but the views of the Amphitheatre at the top of each rise are well worth the effort. After entering the park, we continue on our bikes for approximately 1.2mi (2km) to our picnic spot – before lunch we can change into our swimwear and walk the short distance to a waterfall for a well-deserved swim in the cool waters. After lunch, we have time to explore the park and hiking trails or relax before transferring back to our accommodation. Accommodation: Sungubala Eco Camp (or similar)

Day 4 Transfer to Dundee; afternoon ride to Rorke's Drift Museum

We leave the Drakensberg after breakfast with a transfer (130mi/210km; approximately three hours) by road to Dundee. Here we have time for a little shopping and to resupply before continuing onto Rorke's Drift. At Rorke’s Drift, we have a guided tour around the area where 150 British and Colonial troops defended a small garrison against a near-5,000-strong Zulu force. After a hearty lunch and a change into cycling kit, it’s back onto our bikes for a 28mi (45km) ride from Rorke’s Drift to our overnight accommodation. This is a great ride through the scenic cattle country; the first 10.5mi (17km) is on a good-quality compact-dirt road, where we often spot many types of vulture and eagle flying overhead. Once back on the paved road, we have a flat ride to our accommodation where we can relax in the pool. Accommodation: Amabutho Warrior Lodge (or similar)

Day 5 Transfer to Badplaas before getting on the bikes for a great ride to our lodge

We have an early morning transfer (186mi/300km; about four hours) towards the hot springs town of Badplaas in the Mpumalanga province. After lunch, we get on the bikes and start our ride with a fantastic 10.5mi (17km) descent before an undulating route to our accommodation just outside town with views of the Hlumu mountains. Accommodation: Badplaas Forever Resort (or similar)

Day 6 Transfer followed by a scenic ride on edge of the Songimvelo Game Reserve and onto our lodge

We start with a short transfer to Maanhaar, close to the border with Swaziland. From here, we climb on the bikes and ride along a gravel road winding between the Songimvelo Nature Reserve and the base of the Hlumu mountains. We pass an abandoned mine; it’s now home to vervet monkeys, so make sure you have your camera ready. As the road starts to climb, we hop in the bus and transfer to the top of a mountain range overlooking the Songimvelo Nature Reserve. We stop on this road for a quick photo at a viewpoint overlooking the valley below before getting back on the bikes to cycle into Barberton town and onto our accommodation. Accommodation: African Rest Lodge (or similar)

Day 7 Cycle to Kruger National Park through the Kaap River Valley

After breakfast, we get on the bikes and start our ride through the Kaap River Valley as it winds towards Kaapmuiden. After about 31mi (50km), we reach our stopping point and get in the van for a short transfer to a shopping centre where we can change out of our cycling kit and stock up on cold drinks and snacks for Kruger. From here, we have a very short transfer to the Malelane Gate where we enter Kruger National Park and start our safari. We have a two-hour game drive through the southern tip of the park to Skukuza Camp. Keep your eyes peeled and cameras ready: the southern part of Kruger is known for being home to an abundance of big cats. Accommodation: Kruger National Park Camp (or similar)

Day 8 Game drives in Kruger National Park

We have an early start to beat the heat of the day and maximise our chances of seeing a predator. Because of the early start, we only have a small breakfast at the camp, which consists of a South African rusk and coffee. After several hours watching animals, we pause in one of the designated lunch spots where our guides cook us a delicious brunch. From here, we continue our game drive back to camp and have the rest of the day to relax in the pool or at the bar, which overlooks the Sabi River. Tonight, we can go on a night safari in one of the official safari vehicles (this is an optional extra and should be paid for locally. Please see the optional activities section in the Trip Notes for prices and further information). Accommodation: Kruger National Park Camp (or similar)

Day 9 More game viewing, transfer to Hazyview

We aim to spend most of today in the national park searching for animals, and once again start with a morning game drive, but in the opposite direction to yesterday. We return to camp for brunch and to collect our bags before our final game drive in Kruger as we leave the park via the Numbi Gate. From here, we have a short transfer to our overnight accommodation in Hazyview, where we can stroll down to Hippo River or relax by the pool. Accommodation: Gecko Lodge (or similar)

Day 10 Cycle to Sabie and onto Graskop; visit Mac Mac Pools

After a few days of well-earned rest, we get back on the bikes for the most challenging ride of the trip. After a hearty breakfast in Hazyview, we cycle from our lodge up the escarpment and towards Sabie. This first part of the ride is stunning and very different from what we have seen earlier in the tour as our route takes us through avocado plantations and dense forests before arriving in Sabie where we can stop at a cafe for a coffee milkshake and muffin. From Sabie, we continue to climb until we arrive at Mac Mac Pools, where we stop for a swim in the natural pools while our guides make lunch. After food, our ride heads downhill for a visit to Mac Mac Falls and continues to Graskop and our accommodation overlooking the escarpment. Accommodation: Mogodi Lodge (or similar)

Day 11 Ride along the Panorama Route to God's Window via Bourke's Luck Potholes; afternoon ride to Blyde River Canyon

Our final day of cycling takes us through more beautiful scenery as we cycle along the Panorama Route. In the morning, we visit God’s Window to take in the breathtaking landscape before cycling past Wonder View and to Bourke’s Luck Potholes. We stop for lunch here and walk around the curious rock formations before getting back on the bikes for the last time and cycling to the spectacular viewpoint over the Blyde River Canyon and to our accommodation. For our last night in South Africa, we have a group meal in the hotel restaurant, which has an amazing view of the three Rondavels and the canyon. Accommodation: Blyde River Canyon Forever Resort (or similar)

Day 12 Drive to Johannesburg, end

After a leisurely breakfast and a short walk to the private viewpoint within the grounds of our accommodation, we get in the bus and transfer through the small towns of Ohrigstad, Lyndenburg and Dullstroom as we return to Johannesburg Airport. This transfer is roughly 260mi (420km) but we break it up with plenty of short stops and a longer lunch break. Please note, due to the often-high levels of traffic surrounding Johannesburg, we leave our accommodation with plenty of time to complete this transfer. This does mean that on some occasions when the roads are traffic free, we might arrive at the airport early.

Day 1: Fly to Sabi Sands Game Reserve

Take a morning flight of one hour duration from Johannesburg to Greater Kruger National Park where  you will be picked up and transferred to Lion Sands River Lodge. Join your first game drive in the late afternoon to marvel at the wild life in the African bush.

The Sabi Sand Reserve is the oldest of South Africa’s private reserves, and the origin of wildlife tourism in Southern Africa. It is home to a vast natural animal population including The Big Five and countless other species (some of which are critically endangered).

Flanking the Kruger National Park, animals pass unhindered between the unfenced reserves. Known for its extraordinary leopard viewing, safari enthusiasts could not find a better place for close-contact animal sightings that many would insist are the best in the world.

Day 2 – 4 : Safari Activities

Rise early for your morning game activity.  Relax in the lounge or on your front porch searching for animals until mid afternoon at which time the animals are more active again you head out for another game drive, walk with your armed ranger or activity. Activities included are Game drives; Bush walks; Hippo tour / Riverbank Walk; Astronomy; Wildlife lectures; Bush breakfasts, picnic lunches & bush dinners; If you wish, an optional “under the stars sleep out” is available at Chakley Tree House. This adventure is most certainly something you will never forget. Spend your night listening to the sounds of the bush, roaring lions, cackling hyenas with nothing but the stars as your blanket!

Day 5: Game Drive and Flight to Mozambique

After your early game drive transfer for your direct flight to Vilanculos, a Mozambiquen village overlooking the Bazaruto Archipelago and Indian Ocean.

Day 6-8: Mozambique Beach

Indulge yourself with nothing but strolling on the endless, white sand beaches or partake in one of the many optional activities on offer.

Day 9: Flight to Johannesburg

Take in a last gaze at the endless ocean before transferring to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg.