botswana safari by bike

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Botswana Guided Cycling Safari

This is a safari where action and adventure meet. The first cycling safari of its kind in the Okavango Delta, you’ll get to explore the ancient elephant paths that have shaped the Botswana landscape for centuries, by bike.

With two professional cycling safari guides, one at the front and one at the back on each ride and logistical support, you’ll be in the best hands while cycling along side acacia woodlands, wandering river banks, mopane forests and beautiful savannah grasslands brimming with wildlife, and endless African horizons.

Your safari guides will not only show you the secrets that pave the elephant highways of the Okavango Delta by bike, but also the incredible wildlife that walk these paths along the way. So hang on to your handlebars, this really is going to be an extraordinary cycling experience.

Your guides, having cycled and explored these wildlife areas for years, will take you to places few tyres have dared to tread! You’ll be covering between 25-45 miles per day, exploring this magical Botswana landscape in a unique and spectacular way. So saddle up and get ready for a cycling safari like no other.

Day 1 & 2: Mobile Safari Camp

Day 1: On arrival in Maun by air or road, you will be greeted by your safari guide who will help load your bike and luggage onto the bike trailers. You will then travel together by safari vehicle to our mobile safari camp, just south of the Moremi Game Reserve wildlife area (approx 1.5hrs from Maun).

Once settled in camp, with a refreshment and something to nibble, you’ll have time to do any necessary bike assembly before grabbing a warm shower and enjoying a delicious dinner around a crackling fire.

Day 2: At sunrise you will receive a wake-up call followed by a piping hot cup of coffee. After a light breakfast grab your cycling gear and start following a route from camp through woodlands and plains, created by elephants who are natural trail builders, weaving through mopane forests, and packed with lots of fun.

Your ride will take 5-6 hours, including stops for wildlife spotting and snacks along the way.

You’ll arrive back in camp in time for a warm lunch, followed by a siesta. After a late afternoon wildlife-drive and sundowner, dinner will be served, and you’ll be ready to go to sleep after an adventurous first day in the saddle.

Day 3 & 4: Mobile Safari Camp

Day 3: Today, you will pack your bags before heading off, leaving camp and cycling to a new campsite. Following elephant trails and jeep tracks through woodland and grasslands along the Khwai River. What an adventure!

You’ll spend 5-6 hours on your bike and stop for lunch along the way, with the option to get in the safari vehicle with your bike for a drive into camp. Tonight you will camp next to the Khwai River, enjoying a drink as the sunsets before a hearty dinner and an evening spent around the crackling fire, surrounded by calls of the bush, under a canopy of a stars.

Day 4: Waking as the sun rises, today is possibly the highlight of your trip! You’ll be riding along ancient elephant paths, through wide open plains and mopane forest. You will be tracking the footsteps of giants; with possible sightings of elephant, buffalo, giraffe and even lion.

This is a 6-7 hour ride, depending on the animals spotting taking place along the way. You’ll return to camp after this incredible cycle, to enjoy a lazy lunch and a relaxing afternoon amongst the mopane trees.

Day 5-6: Little Sable Camp

Day 5-6: Today we pack our bags and our bikes after a breakfast and drive to Little Sable , enjoying a picnic lunch along the way.

The next two nights will be spent at this stylish and relaxed safari camp, where you can enjoy all the Delta experiences on offer including day and night wildlife drives, mokoro trips and boat safaris.

Little Sable is located in Khwai Private Reserve, 200,000-hectares of pristine wilderness in the northern reaches of the famous Okavango Delta, and one of the most beautifully iconic landscapes in Botswana. Mopane clusters jostle for space with riverine forest, pretty waterholes dot the floodplains, and waterways wind their way across the landscape from the Khwai River. Bursting with all the signature wildlife, Khwai has an excellent reputation for hiding the rarer species of the animal kingdom, including wild dogs, serval cats, honey badgers and the elusive pangolin.

This intimate and private little camp offers eight traditional style tents, on raised wooden platforms, each with a private viewing deck, en-suite bathroom and outside shower. Little Sable offers understated simplicity and style. In camp you will feel a sense of freedom, where the wide open views offer you the opportunity to connect and immerse yourself with your surroundings on so many levels.

Day 6: Optional Night At Skybeds

Day 6: Add extra excitement to your itinerary and sleep under the stars at our magical skybeds. Swapping one of your nights at Little Sable for this unique sleep out experience. You will fly by helicopter to Hyena Pan, then take a short drive to Skybeds enjoying a stop over at our underground hide along the way, followed by sundowner drinks on arrival and a traditional dining experience before getting into bed.

There are not many places in the world that you can sleep atop a five-metre high, wooden platform with only a mozzie net between you and the stars. The two platforms overlook a waterhole (the only permanent water source for 2,000 hectares), frequented by 400 bull elephants, along with lion, leopard, eland, zebra, and more, making for some pretty outstanding wildlife viewing, straight from your platform. Each platform comes complete with a flush toilet, shower and basin under each sleeping area – no comfort is sacrificed here.

Day 7: Farewell

Day 7: After a delicious breakfast in camp, and a morning walk, you will return to Maun before we bid our farewell in preparation for your onward journey.

What next? We would be delighted to help you plan a cycling safari to Botswana. Our team of experts has travelled widely throughout Africa and can offer expert advice on the best time of year to travel, flight routes and much more. We can plan the cycling trip alone or suggest other places to travel before or after your safari.

Price: Based on six friends travelling together, a private cycle safari costs from £5,450 per person.

This includes: accommodation, all meals and drinks, road transfers between camps and airstrip, laundry, daily cycling and safari activities, expert guiding (cycling and safari), reserve and conservancy fees, light aircraft flight from camp to Maun.

It excludes: international flights to Maun, travel insurance, tips.

Aardvark Safaris help plan every type of safari from family and beach holidays to riding and primate safaris. Do get in touch – chatting to people by  phone or email  is what we do best. We listen, we explain, we answer all sorts of questions even those you didn’t know to ask, and finally we make suggestions. If this is your first time to Africa or your twenty first, we have a team standing by to help make the planning easy and the journey the best ever. Please get in touch whatever stage you’re at.

4 responses to “Botswana Guided Cycling Safari”

Does anyone offer a guided mountain bike ride on trails around Maun. We will have some time between game drives when we return to our lodge in Maun. I’m thinking about a 2 hr ride. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Good morning Bruce, thanks for your message. One of our Travel Experts will be in touch soon regarding your request. All the best, Katy

The Botswana cycling sounds great. We have been in the Okawango delta already 2 times, selfdriving from Moremi up to Chobe. Would be interested to experience this type of drive by bike. Can you send us a proposal for an itinerary, possible for october/november 2024.

Greetings Klaus

Hi Klaus, many thanks for getting in touch. This is such a wonderful way to experience the bush, especially for those who have already been on safari. I have passed your details on to the team, who will be in touch very soon. All the best, Katy

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Botswana mountain bike tours

Table of contents.

• Trip Overview
• Trip Itinerary
• What's Included?
• Meet Your Local Guide
• Travel Safety & Security
• Things to Know

Botswana mountain bike tour overview

This seven day mountain bike trip in Botswana is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go on a safari…on a mountain bike!

Ride through the Mashatu Game Reserve , along stunning river valleys, and traverse the Savannah. While singletracks might not be new to you, have you ever ridden elephant paths? This is your chance! Stay in beautiful luxury camps that have hot showers, delicious food, and frequent wildlife sightings including elephants, zebras, giraffes, and more.

Highly trained guides are always present to maintain a safe and enjoyable experience for the riders and animals in their natural habitat.

Botswana trip dates in 2024

• April 8-14, 2024
• May 27-June 2, 2024
• June 24-30, 2024
• July 22-28, 2024

Don’t see a date that works for you? Contact us for custom trip dates!

Skill and fitness level requirements

Fitness level: ● ● ● ○ ○ Skill level: ● ● ○ ○ ○

What do these ratings mean?

What to expect after you’ve booked your trip

• Once you’ve booked your trip, you will get a confirmation email through our booking system and a trip information sheet for your trip.
• Please hold off booking your flights until we confirm that the trip has enough participants to run. We will send out an email to let you know.
• Once the trip is confirmed, please go ahead and book your flight and upload your flight information into your WeTravel account (this is the account you will have booked your trip through).
• If you plan to extend your visit on either end of the trip, please let us know and we can help arrange for extra nights at the hotel if needed.
• Make sure to read through your trip information sheet , and always feel free to reach out with any questions to Julie !

This trip was the most unique experience- a safari by mountain bike! Highly recommend to all bike enthusiasts if you are after something a little different and fabulous.

Botswana Trip Participant

Your Botswana mountain biking trip itinerary

Your shuttle will be waiting at the airport in Johannesburg or will meet you at your local hotel. The group will then transfer to the Mahatsu Game Reserve, arriving in time for a light lunch and an introductory talk about what to expect for the week. After lunch, you will have your first opportunity to take in the beauty of the Mashatu Game Reserve and with a short ride to view wildlife. Mashatu is home to Africa’s largest herd of free-roaming elephants on private land, so your chances of seeing them is very high.

Accommodations: Tree Camp. This is a very unique camp that can fulfill childhood dreams of sleeping in a treehouse. Nestled in the bough of a giant Mashatu tree and two ancient Leadwood trees is where you’ll enjoy accommodations for the night. You will dine on the deck, overlooking the Majale River, able to view wildlife below as thirsty visitors arrive to drink at the watering hole.

You will set off early on the day’s ride that ventures through the center of Mashatu to the ancient rock formations and centuries old giant baobab trees in the west of the reserve. In the afternoon, you can rest your legs on a game reserve drive with hopes of seeing the resident lion. A sunset happy hour at the ancient “Amphitheater” rocks will conclude the day’s adventures before heading to camp at The Kgotla to enjoy dinner around a large log fire. The night will be spent under a ceiling of stars and Africa’s night-time melodies singing you to sleep. This experience is just about as far away from city life and the modern world as anyone can imagine.

Accommodations: The Kgotla. An old Leadwood enclosure that was used in the past as a traditional law court of a Botswana village. This open-air enclosure forms the perfect, secure camp for the night.

The day’s ride includes the unique sandstone formations in the area, including the famed Solomon’s Wall. Some of the oldest civilizations in southern Africa settled in this valley, as evidenced by archaeological finds including middle and late stone age tools, and rock art from the legendary Mapungubwe Dynasty. The ancient and timeless Mapungubwe area topography, combined with wildlife sightings, makes for an incredible riding experience. In the afternoon, enjoy the option of another game drive, which ends at one of the most visually stunning and ethereal sunset spots in the reserve – the Mmamagwa Hill. A short climb will allow you to enjoy happy hour beneath a beautiful baobab tree with breathtaking views of the area before returning to The Kgotla for another night under the stars.

Accommodations : The Kgotla

The day will begin by winding your way through Elephant Valley along ancient trails stomped into the soil by centuries of migrating elephants. Then head north towards the upper reaches of the Majale River. This area is peppered with enormous baobab trees and is one of the most remote areas of the reserve. After an exhilarating ride through this timeless countryside, enjoy a relaxing lunch at Tree Camp. For the afternoon, choose from another ride, a bush walk, or game drive.

Accommodations: Tree Camp

This day is spent exploring the center of the reserve. This area is notable because of its small hills, known as koppies. These hills make for some excellent uphill challenges on the bike and really fun downhills as a reward. A stop on the top of the koppies to enjoy the neverending views into both Zimbabwe and South Africa is not to be missed – the views will literally take your breath away. They also provide a great vantage point to see the herds of wildlife in the area. After the ride, return to Tree Camp, where you will again have options for an afternoon activity followed by a delicious dinner to celebrate the last night at magical Tree Camp.

This day of riding promises a wonderful downhill ride and some great wildlife viewing as you explore the Pitsane River Valley. Watering holes, dug by elephants along the course of the Pitsane River, attract thirsty herds of animals that you are sure to see when passing by. The ride returns to the Two Mashatu Camp in time for lunch and a cooling swim in the pool and a relaxing afternoon. There is also the option for one last ride, where we are likely to encounter plentiful wildlife including plains animals, giraffes, and herds of elephants. The ride meanders across the hills with vast views back towards South Africa, and arrives back at Two Mashatus in time for sunset happy hour. As evening falls, take a seat in the thatched boma and enjoy a last three-course dinner while reminiscing with your fellow adventurers.

Accommodations: Two Mashatu Camp

Take in the sunrise and enjoy the beautiful sounds of the savannah at dawn with tea or coffee delivered to your tent. Following breakfast, we will return by shuttle to Johannesburg in time for evening flights.

Note : Itinerary subject to change.

Download our Botswana Information Guide for a more detailed trip overview

What’s included in your Botswana trip?

• Double occupancy accommodations in luxury camps
• Rental bikes
• All meals, tea, coffee, drinks and laundry
• Guided rides

Pricing for your Botswana trip

Price – $4495.

Book more than 90 days in advance and get a pair of World Ride Botswana socks and a hat! A $300 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your spot.

Deposits are non-refundable and can be put toward any other World Ride trip in the future.

The remainder of the cost of the trip is due 60 days prior to the start of the trip and can be made in payments. Trips require a minimum of four people in order to run. Please check with us to confirm the departure before you book your flight.

Ready to book your mountain biking adventure in Botswana?

Fundraise for your trip.

We can set up a personalized fundraising page for you. We offer $100 off your trip costs for every $1000 that you raise, up to the cost of the trip. Get in touch with us for more details about the fundraising process.

Meet your local guide

We are working on training new guides for our Botswana tour! The training for this trip is rigorous and takes time. While our future guides work through their training, we have partnered with amazing guides who are very experienced and committed to helping see our program a success in Botswana.

Travel safety and security

Safety is our number one priority on this trip. Due to the rigorous training of the guides, they are excellent at tracking wildlife and keep guests at a safe distance at all times. We have safety briefings at the beginning of the trip so that all guests know the safety signals and rules of being in the reserve. The lead guide will always carry a firearm as an added safety precaution. All of the camps are secured and a night watchman is on duty to monitor wildlife.

This trip begins and ends in Johannesburg, South Africa. Crime rates are relatively high in this city, so we do not recommend walking alone or after dark. Please be watchful of valuables when out in public and consult the hotel for guided tours and transportation.

Please see the US State Department website for any other travel safety information.

For any travel related vaccines and health questions, be sure to check the CDC website and consult your doctor.

Things to know before you go!

Wondering what clothes to pack, how many pairs of underwear to bring (you do you!), or what charger you’ll need for Botswana? We’ve got you covered! Check out the lists below and take a look at the Botswana information guide for more details.

Packing list

Anything you need for your own bike.

• Derailleur hanger
• Extra brake pads
• Any special bike tools (multitool, mini pump, spare tube)
• Pack (at least 15 L in size to carry layers and capacity of 3 L of water)
• 3–4 pairs of bikes shorts or more depending on preference.
• 3–4 jerseys
• Long sleeve base layer
• Waterproof rain jacket
• Warm jacket (nights can be chilly)
• Either a bike light or a headlamp
• Other clothing for after ride
• Comfortable shoes to hike and walk around in
• Clothes to sleep in
• Any medication you might need
• Toothbrush and other necessities

Personal items

• COVID-19 Vaccination card
• Proof of travel insurance if you purchased it
• Credit and debit cards
• A small amount of cash to travel with (USD)
• Camera (or just your cell phone)
• Cell phone (plenty of wifi along the way)
• USB Battery pack (optional- there are outlets in all of the hotels)
• Electronics cords and chargers
• Power adapter (Botswana uses 220v and outlet type M)

Miscellaneous

• Any extra mountain bike gear you might be able to bring or collect and donate for the ladies over there 🙂

More insights into your Botswana mountain biking tour

• Why going on a World Ride mountain biking trip is the best way to support our mission

Other things to explore in Botswana

If you are planning to extend your trip, we recommend doing day tours from Johannesburg or flying to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe!

FAQs for your Botswana mountain bike trip

Are the trips coed.

Yes, our mountain biking tours are coed unless otherwise noted. Learn more about why coed trips are important to us .

Are private trips to Botswana available?

Yes, your Botswana trip can be private for an additional $100-250/per person, depending on the size of the group. Get in touch to book a private tour!

What is not included in the cost?

The cost of your Botswana trip does not include airfare, souvenirs, alcoholic beverages, travel insurance, or guide gratuity.

Should I tip my guide?

If you are able, tips are always appreciated! Our guides (and drivers!) work hard to share both their local and mountain biking knowledge.

Should I bring my own bike?

If you prefer your own bike over a rental, then you certainly can bring your own bike! We have a lot of experience traveling with bikes, so please let us know what questions you have. This trip is on technically challenging trails at high elevations and we highly recommend a full suspension bike.

Can I extend the length of my trip?

We know you might want to arrive early or stay longer in Botswana. We can connect you with our trusted partners to help book any additional tours or hotel stays- just get in touch!

I have been on 3 World Ride trips now and every single one has been the trip of a lifetime! I am gaining skills, making friends, and biking all over the world thanks to these trips. If you are just starting out mountain biking or have been biking for years, I highly recommend you sign up for a trip!

World Ride Repeat Rider!

The Botswana trip combination of mountain biking and abundant wildlife was incredible. The Mashatu camps offered comfortable outdoor living with hot showers and tasty food. Our guides were attentive and knowledgeable, making this trip a perfect combination of riding, camaraderie, and relaxation in one of the most magical places on earth.

Why choose a World Ride mountain biking tour in Botswana?

Ride along elephant paths, traverse diverse landscapes, and see wildlife up close—our safari in Botswana is truly a bucket list experience.

Support local women and the economy

Your trip is led by a local guide, and money raised goes into providing access to bikes and training for local women! Your trip contributes to the local economy by supporting businesses like accommodations, restaurants, and attractions.

A unique and unforgettable mountain bike safari

A typical safari is a thrilling adventure—a mountain biking safari? Words can’t describe. You are in the open air, riding alongside animals that until now you may have only seen in documentaries and zoos. There is nothing between you and Botswana’s epic natural landscape.

Experience authentic Botswana

With your local guide, you’ll visit historic sites, stay in luxury accommodation and eat the traditional cuisine. Get to know the real Botswana.

Join the World Ride community

Sign-up for our newsletter and be the first to hear about upcoming events, new trip dates, movie nights, donation sweepstakes, and more!

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Botswana by Bike

A unique and adventurous exploration

Take a two-wheeled safari ride along the wildlife-filled plains of beautiful Botswana for your most unforgettable getaway yet!

You don’t have to be an expert biker to set out on this type of safari adventure, although it does help if you have a passion for the saddle and a love of the trail.

Find yourself completely ‘in the zone’ in the silence of the ride, with the wind in your hair, the great plains stretching out before you, and close encounters with wildlife sharing the off-the-beaten-track terrain…

Beautiful Botswana  

Take a ride on the wild side and start your journey by exploring the Okavango Delta . The unique region attracts a large variety of wildlife to its reed-lined waterways. Cycle along ancient elephant paths and see the elusive, often missed, small wildlife as they take confidence in the engine-free silence and leap from bush to bush right before your eyes…

Experienced rangers will accompany you along the 40 – 70 km cycle, and help you spot the more elusive animals and fleeting moments. They will also take you to places that few tyres have dared to tread! 

Along the Khwai River, you will move through woodland and grasslands, and find rest right next to the river, with everything you need for beautiful sundowners and a hearty meal next to a crackling fire, without any barriers to the bush or the stars above. 

Wondrous Wildlife 

During this leg of the cycle safari, you will have a great opportunity to spot elephant, buffalo, giraffe and lion. On the next section, towards Little Sable, your chances of discovering rarer species such as wild dog, honey badger, pangolin and other types of wild cat will increase. 

In the morning, a scrumptious and sustaining breakfast will await you at the mobile camp, as well as the promise of a picnic lunch on the trail. 

Past mopane clusters, savannah grasslands and lively water holes you will cycle, until you reach the private and intimate camp of Little Sable, which will act as your wilderness home for the next night. With wide open views, comfort and simplicity of style, Little Sable offers a sense of freedom and an opportunity to be fully immersed in your surroundings. 

You can also swap sleeping in your room for an opportunity to sleep in one of the magical skybeds. For an even more spectacular experience, take to the helipad and fly across to the Hyena Pan, then take a short drive to the skybeds, where you will sleep atop a five-metre high wooden platform, with only a mosquito net between you and the stars, the busy waterhole. and the lion, leopard, eland and zebra that call this area home.

Botswana by Bike Basics 

The best time to set out on this adventure is between April and August, as the days are generally cooler but also more dry, sunny and clear. 

You will just need a bicycle and basic biking equipment. It is best that this gear, as well as your clothing, is of neutral tones so as not to alarm the animals and allow you to camouflage in the bush. 

Don’t forget a small tool set for your bike, a hydration backpack, small binoculars and dried foods for your long rides. 

Everything else will be catered for, including sundowners at the end of an adventurous day; warm showers and quenching refreshments at mobile camps; and delicious and filling lunch and dinner to fuel you for the next leg of the safari.

Hang onto Your Handlebars

There are many other destinations in africa that are great for cycling safaris for a small group of adrenalin junkies and wildlife enthusiasts…, victoria falls, zimbabwe.

Witness the majesty of Victoria Falls from your saddle by following the route along the Zambezi River , which calls wildlife from far reaches to its shores for a revitalising drink. 

Cycle across the Victoria Falls Bridge and feel the spray on your face as you rest at this relic of history which links Zimbabwe and Zambia. See rainbows stretch across the transcendental beauty of the falls and stop at Batoka Gorge, below the Falls, to take in another perspective. 

Continue down this route and find yourself in town, with its colourful local markets ready to be explored. 

South Peninsula, South Africa

Start a journey along the South Peninsula of South Africa from the shadow of the fifth natural wonder of the world, Table Mountain , and follow the Atlantic coast to Cape Point Nature Reserve . Here you will see many small creatures, such as penguins and dassies, as well as the beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. 

Hop back onto your bike to adventure further to Hermanus . Along this leg of the trip, you will cycle through the most incredible indigenous plant life and potentially spot southern right whales giving birth in the bay after their migration from Antarctica. 

After this, continue along the coast until you reach the Cape of Good Hope , where the Atlantic and Indian Ocean meet. There you can see baboon, zebra and ostrich, along with beautiful beaches, mountains and natural vistas.

Western Uganda  

Discover all the beautiful nooks and crannies of Uganda by hopping on your beloved bike and cycling through national parks, local communities and culture-filled towns. 

Start your route in Kampala , the capital city of Uganda, and make the 4-hour journey to one of the area’s most unique parks, Lake Mburo National Park . Take to one of their many cycling tracks and come up close and personal with wildlife. Each trail offers a new perspective and opportunity to spot fantastic wildlife such as zebra, buffalo, antelope, and giraffe, to name just a few. 

Head further south west, stopping at the little villages along the way to touch base with the locals, until you reach Kibale National Park , a lush tropical rainforest and region of the crater.

The Kibale crater lakes were formed millions of years ago and are of two different formations, one filled with ash and lava, and the other filled with water, becoming a crater lake. With a number of different craters and crater lakes varying in size and character, cycling through the area and spotting not only the diverse range of birds and wildlife (such as black and white colobus monkeys, bush babies, elephants and warthogs, among others), but also the different craters is a truly unique experience. 

Congo Nile Trail, Rwanda

Follow the Congo Nile Trail from Rwanda, along the lakes through Uganda and to the border of Congo. Along the primitive dirt roads and single trails which wind through jungle, forest and farmland, adventurers will find villages brimming with kind people and abundant culture. 

Unlike cycling through Botswana, which focuses on wildlife spotting, this route is more about meeting people, finding uninhabited spaces of natural beauty and witnessing the diverse biodiversity that makes up this hilly (more mountain bike appropriate) land. 

The route will take you up terraced hillsides, along the coastline of Lake Kivu, around enchanting tea plantations and past the divide that separates the Nile and the Congo rivers. You are likely to come across tropical birds, chameleons and at least one primate species.

Ready to hop on the saddle and experience Africa like never before?

Test your fitness, ride alongside wondrous wildlife and sleep under the stars in comfort and without barriers to the great wilderness of Africa! 

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Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

In the Okavango Delta bush, many things can kill the unwitting visitor. Not just the leopards and hyenas that flit through your mind when something rustles outside your tent at night. Apparently benign species will happily bump you off given the right circumstances.

A warthog’s tusks can disembowel. A giraffe can pulp a skull with one kick. Gentle-eyed impalas won’t hesitate to impale you if threatened. Step barefoot on the barb of a camelthorn tree and, if you’re lucky, you’ll receive a nasty wound. If you’re unlucky, it’ll go septic.

It’s not that the wilderness hates you. It’s just once you climb out of a safari truck all your wealth and good taste count for nothing. You’re just another creature in the bush.

That’s quite a thought when you come across a lion while cycling.

Ahead, 31-year-old guide Kyle McIntyre squats over the trail on which we’ve been riding through a forest of mopane trees. Fresh tracks the width of a hand are imprinted in its sand. An adult lion, he whispers. Probably a male. And he’s going our way.

The chances are the lion has already heard our peloton approach; that even now he’s camouflaged among dry grasses ahead, watching, waiting. But who knows? This far from civilisation, he may be dozing on the trail around the corner.

That happened to Kyle once. He got away with a mock charge and a roar that shook his soul. In a Top Trumps of cycle hazards, lions beat potholes.

Kyle stands up. Let’s continue slowly, he says, now barely audible. “And remember: never run.”

That’s the first rule they teach you on this safari cycle. Whatever happens never turn your back and sprint, whether on foot or on the bike. Sudden movement scares wildlife and a scared animal is an unpredictable one.

The traditional safari experience is one of luxury: of sumptuous decor, infinity pools overlooking watering holes and Champagne breakfasts served by chefs in whites. Cycling seemed an opportunity to experience the Okavango on more equal terms, so I had joined what was billed as the area’s first multi-day cycle safari, launched earlier this year.

We would cycle between two camps and make two 30-60km rides out from each (bike geeks: we cycle hard-tail Scott Scale 720s with three-inch tyres). The trip is available during the June-to-October dry season. From November each year, rain in the Angolan highlands floods south into one of the world’s few inland deltas, filling dry floodplains and rivers to produce up to 15,000 sq km of wetland. Without it the Okavango would be as arid as the Kalahari Desert.

So existential is the seasonal deluge to Botswana its currency is the pula — literally “rain”. Presidents say “pula” to end each cabinet session (the traditional response is “let it be so”). And because of the rain, the Okavango Delta supports one of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in Africa — which is why the safari-tourists come.

We ride not for speed but stealth: no banter, no noise except the twang of a twig in spokes

“Your senses sharpen on a bike,” Kyle tells me en route to the first camp, two hours’ drive north of Maun. “It’s our instinct but people have forgotten. In a truck you’re pretty much in a café waiting for something to happen.”

Owned by the local Sankuyo community, Kaziikini Camp is a grassland clearing whose sole facility is a standpipe. Our tents are standard small domes rather than the elaborate canvas rooms of most safari operations. The showers are tin buckets hoisted on pulleys; all heat comes from fire. When I take a wash after my long journey from Johannesberg, the water smells faintly of woodsmoke.

As we sit on canvas chairs around the campfire that night, a thorn tree silhouetted against the Milky Way, there’s a thump from the enveloping darkness — a herd of elephants 15 metres away. They shuffle in our torchlight as if caught eavesdropping. Later I wake to the unearthly whoop of hyenas and a lion’s guttural bark. Both sound close.

They probably were — we’re within the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, nearly 520,000 sq km incorporating national parks, game reserves and community land across Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Angola, an area larger than Germany and Austria combined. In Botswana it is largely unfenced, so wildlife makes no distinction between official game reserves and community land.

The plan for the next four days is to ride each morning through the wilderness of lagoons, shallow flooded pans, grass plains and mopane forest alongside the boundary of the Moremi Game Reserve, a protected area created in 1963 by the Batawana people, now administered by the government (and inside which cycling isn’t allowed). At dusk there’ll be more conventional game-drives in a jeep (complete with G&Ts). Then for the last two nights we’ll shift to a more luxurious lodge in the adjacent 2,000 sq km Khwai Private Reserve.

A rose-gold dawn expands above the tree line as our little group pedals out the next morning: Kyle ahead with a GPS route-plotter and a rifle beneath his crossbar (a safety measure of last resort) then a fellow Botswanan guide, Wamumdoo Frank Mashebe. We four Britons and Americans in our 30s and 50s follow, with a third guide, South African Guy Symons, pulling up the rear. Each of us has an emergency whistle with strict instructions to keep it handy in case we get lost. I’m in two minds about whether this is reassuring.

We duck under branches and grind in low gear when wheels bog and slither in deep sand. For the most part, however, we’re on hard elephant trails. Elephants were Africa’s first road-makers. For hundreds of years, herds have plodded these routes between waterholes, casually littering them with dung the size of footballs and branches stripped of nutritious bark.

Out of a safari jeep for my first time, every branch’s crack, every mad cackle of hornbills seems portentous. We ride not for speed but stealth: no banter, no noise except the occasional twang of a twig in spokes. Communication is by hand signal: when to stop (a raised fist), an elephant nearby (a pinched hand twirled like a trunk), a waterhole ahead (a circling flat palm).

On a bike waterholes hold potential jeopardy. It’s not just whatever has arrived to drink you need to worry about. It’s what may be hunting unseen.

The great drama of safari — hunt or flee — assumes a bell-clanging clarity on two wheels. You assess risk, you evade, you hide

There’s a deep rumble as we edge to a pool, startling a pair of warthogs. A breeding herd of elephant some 16-strong surrounds its far edge: weeks-old youngsters beneath their mothers’ legs; teenagers larking in shallows; the matriarch standing guard at one side.

Elephant are Botswana’s success story. Poaching is low due to brittle ivory (a result of nutrient-poor diets) and conservation support from the army. The elephant population is estimated at 130,000, more than any other country.

No one visits this waterhole, Guy whispers: it’s too far for walkers, too inaccessible for safari jeeps. Most safari-goers are in reserves, so the irony of cycling in community land is you have the place to yourself. When the herd finally drifts, a dawdling teenager realises it has been left behind and crashes through the bush trumpeting wildly.

On the second day we’re in open forest on flowing single-track trails, long grass swishing against the bikes, sunlight splintering through the canopy. Twice we backtrack when six-tonne bull elephants lumber out from thick bush.

At one point it sounds like someone is following us squeezing a dog’s chew-toy — a honeyguide. The birds lead humans to bees’ nests in return for a share of honey. Renege on the bargain and next time you’ll be escorted to a snake. Or so Wamumdoo’s folk-tale goes.

A soft-spoken giant, Wamumdoo narrates astonishing stories like everyday occurrences. There was his grandfather who harvested honey oblivious to bee stings. There were the crocodiles that snatched his cows as they drank. There was his grandfather’s trick of soaking his T-shirt in elephant dung to pass through elephant herds without danger. Wamumdoo’s father wanted him to be a lawyer “but I didn’t want to sit inside walls”. The bush is home, he says.

I wonder if anything scares him. “The sea,” he says. Landlocked all his life, he swam in the ocean once. “The current took me out — there was nothing I could do. The lifeguards rescued me.”

After each ride we return to camp covered in a film of dust to find warm water in washstands and beers that have been chilled in the jeep’s portable fridge. After cycling about 50km to our second camp, a beautiful riverside site called Tshaa, near the village of Mababe, I lie beneath an acacia as four elephants wallow. Impala graze the banks. Baboons squat in the dust nibbling seeds. At night, hippos chuckle in the river and elephants pad delicately into camp to shake the thorn trees for seeds.

The last day’s cycling is on grass plains where, after days in the forest, there is a sense of infinite space. Herds of zebra and wildebeest rumble away beneath a vibrating sky. Giraffes canter in a slow-motion ballet. A jackal slinks through grasses. I find myself scanning the trail for tracks as we ride.

We round bushes to see a bull buffalo just ahead, chin raised, its nostrils flaring like a drunk on a Saturday night. It is 800kg of muscle and bad temper — time to retreat. Later we play cat and mouse to dodge elephants through mopane scrub.

I’m not suggesting we ever experienced genuine danger; that lion on the trail never materialised, the emergency whistles remained silent. But the great drama of safari — hunt or flee — assumes a bell-clanging clarity on two wheels. You assess risk, you evade, you hide. If you come to understand wildlife better it’s because you adopt similar behaviour.

Too soon we check into the lodge at Khwai. Hippos wallow beyond plush sofas. On game drives I watch a lion stalk impala and track wild dogs streaking through the bush to snatch a lechwe antelope from a leopard. It’s gripping but I’m on the sidelines. And I wonder if that’s what Kyle meant about cycling being the ultimate safari: embracing the bush, feeling each moment, senses alive.

James Stewart was a guest of Aardvark Safaris ( aardvarksafaris.com ). Its six-night cycling safari (with four nights in simple camps while riding, then two at Khwai Private Reserve) costs from £5,450 per person including all activities, accommodation, meals and transfers from Maun

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The Amazing Cycling Safari Bicyclists Will Love — Here’s What It Costs

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For those looking for a little more adventure on their vacation, cycling safaris give you some physical activity with a unique tour of the area. The newest adventure from safari company Natural Selection takes you to parts of the Earth that have rarely been explored.

Botswana Guided Cycling Safari

The Botswana Guided Cycling Safari is the first cycling safari of its kind in the Okavango Delta. You’ll pedal through the ancient elephant paths that have shaped the Botswana landscape for centuries. Two professional cycling safari guides, one at the front and one at the back, will take you alongside acacia woodlands, wandering river banks, mopane forests, and beautiful savannah grasslands. You’ll experience the incredible wildlife that walk these paths every day, stopping for exciting game-viewing opportunities.

What’s Included On Your Tour

This six-night tour covers 40–70 kilometers (25–43 miles) per day. All accommodations, road transfers, daily activities, meals, snacks, water, local drinks, and laundry service are included. 

Professional cycling guides, support crews, and a backup vehicle are also included for mechanical support throughout your journey.

Safari Tour Itinerary

Day one gives you time to meet your safari guide and get your bike and luggage together. You’ll begin in Maun, where you’ll then all travel together by safari vehicle for about an hour and a half to the mobile safari camp, just south of the Moremi Game Reserve wildlife area. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll have time to do any necessary bike assembly, have dinner, and get a good night’s sleep.

At sunrise, you’ll grab breakfast and begin your second day’s 5- to 6-hour bike ride. From camp, you’ll pedal through woodlands and plains created by the elephants, who are natural trail builders. You’ll stop along the way for wildlife spotting, snacks, and water. You’ll end the day back at camp around lunchtime for some relaxation and your choice of a game drive and sundowner.

On day three, you’ll pack your bags to leave camp and bike to the Mababe campsite. Your trail will take you along the Khwai River. The ride will again be about 5–6 hours, including a stop for lunch. You’ll camp next to the Khwai River and enjoy a sundowner, or spend the evening under the stars.

Day four’s 6- to 7-hour trip could be the highlight, with a ride through wide-open plains and mopane forest. Possible sightings include elephant, buffalo, giraffe, and lion. You’ll then return to camp by lunchtime to relax and enjoy the campsite.

You’ll pack up your bags again on day five to drive to Little Sable, a stylish, yet relaxed safari camp where you’ll spend day six as well. You’ll get to enjoy the iconic delta experiences from game drives to mokoro trips and boat safaris. Little Sable is located next to Khwai Private Reserve, a 200,000-hectare (494,000 acres) of wilderness in the famous Okavango Delta. Khwai is one of the most beautifully-iconic landscapes in Botswana. Here, you can see some of the rare species in the animal kingdom, including wild dogs, serval cats, honey badgers, and the elusive pangolin. 

The camp offers eight traditional-style tents with a private viewing deck, en-suite bathroom, and outside shower.

Price To Tour

Prices for this once-in-a-lifetime experience vary and are available by reservation. Departure dates are on demand. Packages are based on a minimum of two people traveling, or a maximum of six.

For the shoulder season, November 1–December 19, packages start at $8,575 per person for two, and $5,160 per person for six.

In high season, September 1–October 31 and December 20–31, packages start at $8,975 per person for two, and $5,560 per person for six. 

A charter flight to Maun is included in the package rate.

Customize Your Experience

The Botswana Cycling Safari is customizable. Your itinerary can include an afternoon game drive with sundowners before spending the evening around a fire. Stays include mobile safari camps, or sleeping and camping along the Khwai River. Or stay at Little Sable, the stylish and intimate hideout in the heart of Khwai Private Reserve. These experiences are not included and will cost extra.

Optional Night Skybeds

You can also spend an evening sleeping atop a 5-meter-high (16.4 feet) wooden platform open to the stars. You can swap one of your nights at Little Sable for this outdoor sleep adventure. You will helicopter to Hyena Pan then take a short drive to Skybeds where you’ll experience a sundowner on arrival and have a traditional dining experience before getting into bed.

The two platforms overlook a waterhole, which is often used by 400 bull elephants, lions, leopards, elands, zebras, and more, making for incredible game-viewing from above. Each platform comes with a flush toilet, shower, and basin under each sleeping area. This is not included in the package and would cost an additional fee.

Important Things To Know About This Safari

This is truly an adventure of a lifetime, so there are some important things to keep in mind. Natural Selection says the best time to book is between April and August. The winter months have cooler temperatures with dry, sunny days. There’s no rain and temperatures drop sharply at night.

You will need to bring your own bicycle and equipment. This includes bringing your own spare derailleur hanger, cycling gear (neutral colors, helmet, shirt/pants, shoes/cleats, gloves, glasses, etc.) a tool set, small binoculars, a hydration backpack, and preferred cycle foods. There will be basic spares kept on the backup vehicle and in camp at all times.

By law, you will need comprehensive travel insurance including cover for medical evacuation and repatriation.

About Natural Selection

Natural Selection is a collection of owner-operated safari camps and mobile safaris. The goal is to provide guests with unique and exceptional safari experiences and be a part of the conservation solution for Africa’s wildlife. For 30 years, the founders have pioneered unique safari experiences across Botswana, Angola, Namibia, and South Africa’s untouched places.

To read more about African adventures, check out:

• 10 Best Safari Parks To Visit In Africa
• 8 Amazing Historical Sites To Experience In Africa
• 5 More Once-In-A-Lifetime Animal Experiences In Africa

Allison spent almost 20 years of her career as a TV news anchor. She’s covered everything from political conventions to Super Bowl LV to hurricanes and, most recently, the pandemic. She is a two-time Emmy award-winning journalist. She's been recognized for her work nationally and regionally by organizations including the Associated Press, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists.

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Safaris in Botswana

A safari in Botswana is amongst the most thrilling in the world. Renowned for its pristine landscapes and home to some of Africa’s most unique and diverse game reserves and national parks, Botswana offers an unparalleled safari experience for the whole family .

From the regal elephants of Chobe National Park to the elusive predators of Moremi Game Reserve, every moment on safari brings the chance to encounter Africa's iconic creatures in their natural habitat. Explore the Okavango Delta by traditional mokoro canoe, drive across the infinity of Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and experience stunning African night skies in wilderness tented lodges, all whilst surrounded by the world’s most beautiful and exotic animals.

Featured Holidays in Botswana

Cape Town to Victoria Falls Camping Safari

Botswana , Namibia

The classic overland safari holiday from Cape Town, through Namibia, the Kalahari and Okavango Delta in Botswana, ending at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe

22 days from

US$3,370 without flights

Okavango and Botswana Family Safari

Zambia , Botswana

Classic Botswana Safari including Moremi, Savuti and Chobe National Park, finishing at Vic Falls

13 days from

US$2,860 without flights

Trans Kalahari Camping Safari

A wild overland journey across some of Botswana’s most incredible landscapes including the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and the Okavango Delta.

14 days from

US$2,540 without flights

The Great Southern African Lodge Safari

Classic Southern Africa overlanding safari circuit from Victoria Falls to Namibia, Botswana, Okavango and Chobe

21 days from

US$4,290 without flights

Botswana Wildside Lodge Safari

Botswana , South Africa

Overland safari across the Okavango Delta in Botswana, Chobe NP and Vic Falls

15 days from

US$4,210 without flights

Botswana Wildside Camping Safari

Overland safari journey across the Okavango Delta in Botswana, Chobe NP and Vic Falls

US$2,995 without flights

Victoria Falls to Cape Town

An epic mountain bike holiday in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa

US$3,805 without flights

Game Trails of Zimbabwe & Botswana Camping Safari

Overland camping safari holiday through South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana with Victoria Falls

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Game Trails of Zimbabwe & Botswana Lodge Safari

Overland adventure safari holiday through South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana

US$3,915 without flights

Highlights of Botswana

The animals occupying the vast lands on Botswana truly are some of the most magical creatures that the world has to offer. Travellers should keep their eyes peeled in the hope of spotting the big five: lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and African buffalo. Botswana’s safaris are also home to speedy cheetahs, elegant zebras, graceful giraffes and many more.

What to do in Botswana

Family adventures.

Whether you're a seasoned safari enthusiast or a first timer, Botswana is a brilliant adventure holiday destination for you and your family - encompassing some of the most unique and diverse game reserves and national parks Africa has to offer. Children and adults will gasp as they first lay eyes on the majestic animals of Botswana’s safaris and will recall stories of wild camping in stunning locations for years to come!

Cycling Holidays in Botswana

One of the best way to see Botswana is on a captivating biking adventure traversing the diverse landscapes of this southern African country. Well-kept paths and forgiving tarmac roads allow for peaceful cycling trips with the freedom to take in Botswana’s beautiful landscape. Discover remote villages and beautiful viewpoints on an eco-friendly African adventure.

More Information About Botswana

While Botswana is not as well-known for the Great Migration as East African countries, it does witness seasonal migrations in certain areas, especially around Chobe National Park and the Linyanti region.

Botswana has a rich cultural heritage with various ethnic groups. Common etiquette includes greeting with a handshake, showing respect to elders, and refraining from public displays of affection. Additionally, it's customary to ask permission before taking photos of people.

The best time to visit Botswana is during the dry season, which typically runs from May to October. This is when wildlife congregates around water sources, making it an excellent time for safaris.

Botswana is home to a wide range of wildlife, including the Big Five (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, and buffalo), cheetahs, wild dogs, hippos, crocodiles, and various antelope species.

Essential items include lightweight, neutral-colored clothing, comfortable walking shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars, a camera with extra batteries and memory cards, and any required medications.

Five of our Favourite Safari Holidays in Botswana

Best of botswana, lodge safari.

Enjoy a thrilling journey through the heart of Southern Africa, encompassing Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Discover the Okavango Delta's enchanting beauty as you glide through its waterways on traditional mokoro canoes and enjoy leisurely boat cruises in Chobe, where you'll witness a plethora of wildlife against the backdrop of stunning landscapes. Thrilling game drives in the sublime Moremi Game Reserve offer the opportunity to encounter some of Africa's most magnificent creatures, including lions, buffalo and majestic elephants. Your journey also takes you across the seemingly endless Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and offers a chance to witness rhinos in their natural habitat at the Khama Sanctuary.

Cape Town to Victoria Falls - The Classic Safari

Experience the ultimate safari adventure on the Cape Town to Victoria Falls - The Classic Safari adventure. This extraordinary journey traverses the stunning landscapes and wildlife-rich regions of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, offering a diverse and immersive safari experience. From the awe-inspiring Etosha National Park in Namibia to the pristine wilderness of the Okavango Delta in Botswana and the remarkable Chobe National Park, you'll have the chance to witness Africa's finest wildlife in their natural habitats. Get ready for close encounters with elephants, lions and a myriad of other species that call these pristine wilderness areas home.

Game Trails of Zimbabwe and Botswana – Camping

This exhilarating camping safari holiday takes you on an immersive journey through the heart of southern Africa.  You'll have the unique opportunity to explore the pristine Okavango Delta, both on foot and in traditional mokoro canoes, providing an up-close encounter with the Delta's diverse ecosystem. At the Khama Sanctuary, rhino sightings await, adding to the safari's incredible wildlife experiences. Your nights will be spent under the starlit African sky at various picturesque campsites, some equipped with refreshing pools and bars, ensuring a comfortable and relaxed camping experience.

This is an unforgettable family adventure with the Okavango and Botswana Family Safari, a journey that takes you through the pristine wilderness of Botswana and Zambia, showcasing the best of African wildlife and natural wonders. This classic Botswana safari itinerary includes explorations of Moremi, Savuti, and Chobe National Park, culminating in the breathtaking Victoria Falls. Immerse yourself in the heart of the Okavango Delta as you traverse its waterways on foot and by traditional dugout canoe, and spend nights under the starry African sky at wild camping sites, each more stunning than the last.

Best of Botswana, Camping Safari

Embark on an epic safari journey that spans three incredible Southern African countries: Botswana, Zambia and South Africa. This adventure will take you through some of the most renowned and wildlife-rich regions, offering an immersive experience that's nothing short of extraordinary. In Botswana, you'll have the unique opportunity to explore the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, by traditional mokoro canoe and enchanting boat cruises along the Chobe River. These peaceful waterborne excursions offer a close encounter with the diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes that make this region so remarkable.

Worldwide Adventure Holidays

We offer over 360 active adventures in 100 countries worldwide. Best known for our pioneering itineraries and challenging trips with an 'edge', we also offer a range of easier guided and self-guided walking, cycling, family and wildlife journeys throughout the world. Based in Keswick in the Lake District, we are passionate about creating unique travel experiences for our customers.

40 years of operating; fully bonded and your money 100% protected.

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Tuli Horse Safari & Cycle Trail in Botswana

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RELATED SAFARIS

Horse riding or cycling adventure in the land of the giants.

A unique trail ride and cycle safari, specifically designed for partners, friends of family who cannot resist the call of adventure.

Whether you prefer being on horseback or on a bike, enjoy riding through Tuli’s truly wild landscapes, largely untouched by man. The varied terrain makes excellent going for the horses as well as challenging fun for the cyclists. This is a progressive trail with riders and cyclists sharing meals and accommodations in incredible settings. Enjoy comfortable glamping plus a dreamy treehouse sleepout; true African wilderness at its best.

Tuli is often known as “The Land of Giants” for its baobab studded plains and large herds of elephant. View these incredible “Trees of Life” and a variety of wildlife species from the saddle. This area is home to lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, a multitude of plains game like zebra, wildebeest and giraffe, as well as over 350 species of birds.

Combining both bush camping and permanent tented camps, this 7 night mobile horse and bike safari allows you to soak up the wonderful luxuries of ‘glamping’ while experiencing the true African wilderness. Weather permitting, take the exciting opportunity to sleep outside under the star studded African sky in the Kgotla Boma, an unforgettable experience.

This epic journey, with its brilliant game viewing opportunities, varied and exciting scenery, wonderful accommodation, fabulous sunrises and sunsets, and of course exceptional riding and cycling, covers approximately 120 miles over the course of the week and can be scheduled any time of the year.

CURRENCY CONVERTER

At the current exchange rate. Please note final quote might vary slightly

DATES AND RATES

Open all year round, departing every Saturday and most Mondays throughout the year. Please enquire about the exact dates and availability.

HORSE RIDER RATES:

Low Season: January & December 2024

Mid-season: February & March 2024

High Season: April, May, June, July, August, September, October & November 2024

CYCLIST RATES:

Low Season: January & 03 - 31 December 2025

Mid-season: February & 01 - 28 March 2025

High Season: 29 - 31 March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October & November, 01 - 03 December 2025

EXTRAS – SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Return Light Air Charter Flights between Johannesburg & Limpopo Valley Airstrip

2024: USD $ GBP £720 EUR € ZAR R AUD $ per person

2025: USD $ GBP £800 EUR € ZAR R AUD $ per person

CONSERVATION LEVY (Subject to change)

INCLUDES & EXCLUDES

• All accommodation
• All meals and drinks
• Personal and expert guides
• 1 game drive and bush walks
• All horse riding activities on well-trained and responsive horses
• All cycling activities on well-maintained mountain bikes
• International flights
• Comprehensive Travel & Medical insurance
• Transfer by air from Johannesburg to Limpopo
• USD $70 GBP £ EUR € ZAR R AUD $ Conservation Levy paid upon arrival which goes towards anti-poaching and protecting the reserve
• Gratuities and items of a personal nature
• Additional game drives and activities not mentioned

QUICK FACTS

SUITABLE RIDING LEVELS

• Intermediate
• Intermediate Plus

CURRENCY SWITCHER

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Experience luxury Africa as well as true bush experiences, including sleeping out under the stars
• Enjoy the unparalleled thrill of riding and cycling alongside game and becoming part of the herd Indulge in the true joy of riding, feeling the freedom of riding through vast open country without boundaries
• Feel a sense of achievement as you complete each ride, with at least 3 different base camps
• Perfect trail for non-riding partners of family members who want to experience the trill of a safari from the saddle

TOUR REVIEWS

” It has been always a dream to come to Africa, and when we have figured out that we can do an active vacation with riding and biking, we immediately knew that this is something we would love to do, as this gives such a unique perspective and an extra spice to the trip. Marcus was really great with his bike, and the guides were really professional and experienced. I have to admit physically the cycle part was much more challenging than riding in my opinion, so I felt a bit bad as the trip has been my idea. We loved the Tree Camp. That is such a unique experience I have never seen before. But the other two camps, The Kgotla, and The Two Mashatus has been really great as well! It has been really fascinating to experience how organized everything have been. The team around us did such a great job to look after us! Kriszti and Marcus Tuli Safari Cycle and Ride, Botswana

SAMPLE ITINERARY

** This itinerary is subject to change – it is an example and not an exact timetable. The route may vary from the below example, as if there has been heavy rains recently or unusually hot days, the Kgotla boma will be swapped out for another camp. ** Cyclists and riders follow different trails on the same routes. They’ll meet up for snacks, lunches and sundowners during the day, and all guests share the same accommodation throughout the journey.

DAY 1: TWO MASHATU CAMP

Arrive in Johannesburg in the early morning. You’ll meet the transfer company at the information desk and be escorted to check-in for your light air charter flight to an airstrip in the Tuli Block. Then the adventure begins with a short game drive to the reception area overlooking the Limpopo river, in time for a light lunch. Enjoy an introductory ride to check you are suited to your horse or get to know your bike. This will be your first opportunity to experience the beauty of the Mashatu Game Reserve and view the wildlife from the saddle. Mashatu Game Reserve is home to the largest herd of wild free-roaming elephants on private land in Africa, and, although not a guarantee, it is almost assured that there will be great viewing of these incredible creatures. As evening falls at Two Mashatu Camp, relax in the cool of the thatched rondavel lounge before enjoying your first dinner around the camp fire.

DAY 2: TREE CAMP

Sunrise, the dawn chorus and tea or coffee which is brought to your tent, sounds the start of your first day. After breakfast, it’s time to mount up and depart from the dense woodland that hugs the Limpopo River, and head towards the rocky hills that delineate the edges of the great river valley. As the trails traverse the heartland of Mashatu, you will encounter plentiful game: plains game, many giraffe and herds of elephants. Having meandered across the hills with vast views back towards South Africa, the ride arrives at Tree Camp in time for lunch. Overlooking the Majale river, it is possible to watch the wildlife from above, coming down to drink at the river. That afternoon it’s your choice whether you want to ride/cycle or enjoy your first bush walk exploring the area along the West of the Matabole River returning to Tree Camp for sundowners and dinner.

DAY 3: KGOTLA

The safari passes through the centre of Mashatu to the ancient rock formations synonymous with the Limpopo Valley. Giant Baobab trees continue to scatter the landscape as they have for centuries and ancient elephant trails make for wonderful tracks for long canters or faster cycles through open bush veld. Discover the old Leadwood ‘Kgotla’ (or enclosure used for the traditional law court of a Botswana village). This open-air enclosure forms the perfect, secure camp for the night.

In the afternoon, we search for the area’s resident lions on a game drive and draw the day’s adventures to a close with sundowners at the ancient “Amphitheatre” rocks. Back at the Kgotla, dinner is enjoyed around a large log fire. The night is spent with a ceiling of stars and Africa’s nighttime melody to sing you to sleep; a veraciously rare experience which is just about as far away from city life and the modern world as anyone can imagine.

DAY 4: MORNING RIDE & BAOBAB SUNDOWNERS

The sandstone formations, including the famed Solomon’s Wall, one of the numerous dolorite dykes in the area, are explored on horseback. Some of the oldest civilizations in southern Africa settled in this valley. Archaeological evidence in the area includes middle and late stone age tools, rock art and the legendary Mapungubwe Dynasty. Mapungubwe means “Place of the Jackal” in the Venda language and this dynasty existed around 1220 AD. The Mapungubwe topography itself is ancient and timeless and combined with marvellous wildlife sightings, it makes for an incredible riding experience.

This afternoon, enjoy a short drive to the Mmamagwa Hills. For the most visually stunning and ethereal sundowner, we visit the Mmamagwa Hills. A short climb up the sandstone ridge brings us to the site of the Mmamagwa Ruins. To date, these ruins have not been excavated and have been left alone. It is conceivable that similar treasures to those found at Mapungubwe (for example the golden rhino) could be buried here. After a short climb, enjoy sundowners beneath a beautiful baobab tree with a breath-taking view of the area – you may even see as far as South Africa or Zimbabwe!

DAY 5: TREE CAMP

Wind up Elephant Valley along ancient trails stamped into the soil by centuries of migrating elephants, before heading north towards the upper reaches of the Majale River. This area is peppered with enormous baobab trees and is one of the more remote areas of the reserve. After an exhilarating ride through this timeless countryside, enjoy a relaxing lunch at Tree Camp. An afternoon ride, cycle or, subject to availability, a game drive with Mashatu Main Camp vehicles may be possible to enjoy the central area of the reserve (additional cost $75pp). This is a great chance to photograph big cats and hyena up close! Fall asleep in the heart of the tree house.

DAY 6: TWO MASHATU CAMP

With an early departure from Tree Camp, this ride offers sweeping views to the east and south. Today’s riding promises great game viewing from horseback as we explore the Pitsane River Valley. Drinking holes, dug by elephants along the course of the Pitsane, attract thirsty herds of game. An area, where history has it, there was a skirmish during the Boer war which destroyed Bryce’s Store, an old British supply post.

There was a stagecoach line, called Zeederberg’s, that ran from the towns of the Transvaal in South Africa to the newly forged settlements of Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. Those coaches crossed the broad Limpopo and followed the Pitsane River into Zimbabwe.

The final part of the ride is first across open plains with some fast canters, and then through cool riverine vegetation along the approaches to Two Mashatus Camp.   This is the original Tuli Trail camp and is beautifully situated nestled amongst giant mashatu and apple leaf trees close to the banks of the Limpopo River.  This area typically boasts the highest density of elephants in the reserve, who sometimes roam through the camp in a gentle yet determined way.  It is also excellent for lion and leopard as well as baboon, bushbuck and waterbuck.

After four to five hours in the saddle, this is the perfect place to relax.  On hot days the swimming pool is always welcoming.

DAY 7: TWO MASHATU CAMP

The trail meanders its way through the beautiful plains between the Majale and Pitsane rivers, with abundant game and spectacular views into the Limpopo River Valley. En route, explore the remains of an old Boer War fort on a rocky outcrop, followed by a ride down into the cooler wetland area where plentiful game enjoy the lush grasses. In the summer months, rain and water-dependent, it can be possible to enjoy cantering through the shallows of the Limpopo River. There is time to relax in camp, before either an afternoon ride or bush walk for your last African sundowner.

DAY 8: DAY OF DEPARTURE

The last ride and cycle in the Limpopo Valley is a great opportunity to take one last picture of elephants and enjoy a long and winding canter through the scattered Mustard bush with your guides. Arriving back at the stables and reception mid-morning, there is plenty of time for a hot shower and a tasty brunch, before saying farewell to safari companions, newfound friends and Horizon Horseback Mashatu. You will have a flight back to Lanseria and then be transported to OR Tambo International Airport for your flight home or onward journey.

THE ACCOMMODATION

Two mashatus camp.

This beautiful camp is built in the shade of a centurion Mashatu tree. The camp is made up of two traditionally built Lala palm rondavels, which make up the dining and lounge areas. You are accommodated in a series of A-frame walk-in tents. These large and spacious tents are situated on teak platforms, with en-suite loos and hot water showers. Each tent comes with a small deck area on which to relax during the peaceful afternoons.

The Kgotla is an old tribal court from a nearby community that was relocated to the banks of the Motloutse River on the western periphery of Mashatu. The boma is an open-air traditional African enclosure made up of leadwood logs. Guests sleep on beds around a large log fire which blazes at the centre. Fall asleep with a canopy of stars above you.

TREE HOUSE CAMP

The camp is located on a raised wooden platform, and all of the tents are in a semi-circle on the decking with the dining area in the centre. They are shaded by a beautiful canopy of the neighbouring woodland. This camp has shared (but wonderfully private and secluded) outdoor shower and separate toilet facilities.

THE CYCLING

The bikes are Silverback Stride 29SX 29-inch generic aluminium 12-speed mountain bikes with front shocks. They have a 12-speed SRAM SX Eagle drive train and feature POP geometry, which improves balance, climbing and traction. Small, medium, large and extra-large frames are available. Pedals are flat on one side and have a SPD cleat on the other. All cyclists are fully guided by local professional guides armed with rifles.

DIFFICULTY: MODERATE. DISTANCES: BETWEEN 20 AND 50 KM A DAY

A relaxed group will cover about 25km to 30km on a morning ride, with an elevation gain of 100 metres. More advanced riders might cover up to 50km with an elevation gain of up to 150 meters. The aim is to ride 3-5 hours per day at an easy-going pace with regular game sightings, and a mid-morning picnic stop, the guides will pace the ride to suit the abilities of the riders. Time: Maximum 5 hours in the saddle per day. Altitude: Between 500 -650 metres.

THE DESTINATION

The Tuli Block, or ‘Land of Giants’, is located on Botswana’s eastern border, between Zimbabwe and South Africa. The area is a very protected nature reserve known as the Northern Tuli Game Reserve.

Famous for its dramatic geographical and geological features, here you’ll find Solomon’s Wall by the Motloutse River, and the enchanting rock paintings left by the San Bushmen in the Tswapong and Lepokole Hills. Tuli is also known for its rich wildlife including numerous big cats, large herds of elephant, a multitude of plains game like zebra, wildebeest and giraffe, as well as over 350 species of birds.

TOUR GALLERY

HOW WE CARE FOR OUR HORSES

Our horseback adventures are hand-picked for their quality and care of their horses. Here’s how the horses at Horizon Horseback are kept in tip-top shape for your safaris. Our horses are on top of the hierarchy and receive very special care:

• The string of horses are as well looked after as our guests. Each horse is recognized and appreciated for his unique ability and personality and every effort is made to match him with the most suitable rider
• When not ridden, the horses are free-roaming in large paddocks during the day. They come in twice a day for grooming, checks and feeding, and spend the night in a large secure paddock or stable
• Tack is checked regularly and cleaned daily
• The horses get varied training, including jumping, polo-crosse, dressage and western games to keep them fit and responsive
• Horses have dedicated rest days and are on holiday for a few months each year

Please let us know if you have any more questions about this.

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Expeditions

A kubu island adventure.

Angola Expedition

Angola, Namibia & Botswana Expedition

Kalahari Desert Woman’s Safari & Expedition

Zakouma Expedition

• North Island Okavango
• Duke’s East
• Duke’s Camp
• Thamo Telele
• Little Sable
• Sable Alley
• Okavango Spirit
• Jack’s Camp
• Jack’s Private Camp
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• Kwessi Dunes
• Hoanib Valley Camp
• Shipwreck Lodge
• Safari House
• Etosha Mountain Lodge
• South Africa
• GweGwe Beach Lodge
• Lekkerwater Beach Lodge

PRICE FROM:

US$14,390 and up

5 nights/ 6 days

01 June to 30 September

GROUP SIZE:

Enquire with reservations

Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pans is one of the most intriguing places on earth.

Why you’ll love it:.

• Experience all corners of the Kalahari, the desert with the greatest species diversity in the world, on game drives, night drives and walks with the Zu/’hoasi Bushmen.
• Spend time at Jack’s Camp, one of the most iconic camps on the continent. This is where unreal style, meets real adventure!
• Set out on a quad bike and lose contact with time, space and direction as you traverse the enigmatic Makgadikgadi salt pans.
• Sleep under the stars, explorer-style, in a five-gazillion-star bedroom on the Lost Island of the Baobabs.
• Explore the magnificent Kubu Island, a granite profusion that’s one of the most beautiful spots in Botswana, and full of intriguing detail.

This itinerary is fully customizable. To change this itinerary, please enquire with us .

What’s Included:

• Accommodation, guest laundry, all meals & local beverages
• All light aircraft and road transfers to and from Maun
• All light aircraft and road transfers between camps
• Daily activities, expert guiding, park entrance fees & VAT

Exclusions: Premium brand drinks, gratuities and fully comprehensive travel insurance.

SAND & STARS

Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pans is one of the most intriguing places on earth. Once a super-lake, it’s crusty flats are filled with salt, sand, sun and stones. People often call these bright white salt-scapes otherworldly or moon-like, but there is nowhere more African than the Makgadikgadi. But perhaps the most extraordinary place of all is Kubu Island, a dry granite rock island located here – and this is exactly where you’re headed on this five-night expedition by quad bike. Standing sentinel across the sand and filled with baobabs larger than buses and older than Christ, the island is a holy secret of the Bushmen and a place of ancient power and ritual, and to visit is something truly special.

You will spend your first two nights at the iconic Jack’s Camp and soak up the magic of the Kalahari Desert on game drives, night drives and bushmen walks. Then, it’s time to hop aboard your quad bike and barrel across the expanse of scorched, white earth of the Makgadikgadi Pans. Travelling in convoy, Indian-fashion, ensures a low-impact trespass and you’ll leave no trace of your existence behind as you zoom towards Kubu Island and the open-air fly camp. So, what are you waiting for? Open throttle, close your eyes and travel; there’s absolutely nothing to crash into…

Day 1: Arrive at Jack’s Camp, Makgadikgadi Pans

From Maun, you’ll fly to the Makgadikgadi Pans and settle into Jack’s Camp, a 1940s-style oasis in the heart of the shimmering salt pans.

Day 2: Jack’s Camp, Makgadikgadi Pans

Spend today exploring the pans, meeting the cheeky meerkats and game driving amongst the desert wildlife.

Your expedition will start in the Makgadikgadi, home of the cheekiest creatures of them all – the meerkat. Due to the ongoing habituation programme it’s possible to get up close and personal with the captivating animals and on chilly mornings, you might well find a meerkat snuggling up against you for warmth! On game drives, expect to see springbok, gemsbok, red hartebeest and the elusive brown hyena, consummate desert specialists that can survive in arid areas where food and water are scarce.

Days 3 & 4: Lost Island of the Baobabs

Rev your engine and traverse the endless pans on quad bike to the Lost Island of the Baobabs, watching the mirages swim and eddy and losing all sense of time and direction. Day four is reserved for Kubu Island; crowned with an array of ancient, gnarled baobabs and surrounded on three sides by a vast grey emptiness, Kubu has a unique atmosphere and is one of the most graphically beautiful spots in Botswana.

Accommodations

On your expedition to Kubu Island, a fly camp will be set up on the magical Lost Island of the Baobabs. You’ll sleep under the stars, surrounded by towering boulders and squat baobabs in the comfiest of bedrolls with the fluffiest of duvets. Water for showers bubbles over the fire and you’ll find a hot water bottle tucked beneath the sheets when sleep finally overcomes. The food prepared at The Lost Island of Baobabs and at Kubu is impeccable; fresh and original dishes are laid out on white tablecloths and served with bone-handled cutlery – and the drinks cabinet is always open. This isn’t a five-star camp; this is a five-gazillion-star camp – and you don’t have to share it with another soul…

Please note that there is no phone signal or internet connection at the Lost Island of the Baobabs and with no electricity either, it’s advisable to bring a fully-charged set of spare camera batteries with you.

Kubu is close to what is probably the biggest Greater flamingo breeding site in the world. When the water level is high, almost 30,000 birds fledge towards the site and although the nests are abandoned during the dry season, the acres of strangely shaped mud mounds are an eerie and compelling sight.

And it’s not just the animals that make this trip so special. How about visits to the mouth of the Zambezi in search of semi-precious stones? Maybe you’d like to explore the dramatic, 400-foot escarpment that signals then end of the staggering Great Rift Valley? Or perhaps clamber to the top of ancient granite boulders for mile upon never-ending mile of jaw-dropping views?

Day 5: Jack’s Camp, Makgadikgadi Pans

Quad bike back to the comfort of Jack’s (and the swimming pool!) for one last night.

Day 6: Fly back to Maun for your onward flight

If you’re not departing too early in the morning, spend a little time with the Zu/’hoasi people and share in their fascinating practices and traditions in a gentle introduction to the Bushmen way of life.

Extension Idea: Explore the Okavango Delta

For a completely contrasting experience, spend a few nights in the green and juicy Khwai Private Reserve in the Okavango Delta region of Botswana.

Ready to book this safari?

This itinerary starts at US$14,390 and up /person * and is fully customizable based on the number of people and travel dates.

Price: US$14,390 and up

This itinerary is fully customisable. To change this itinerary, please enquire with us.

*Pricing is based on a minimum of 2 people travelling. Single supplements apply for groups of 3 or more. Please contact reservations for single traveller pricing, as rates will vary. Please note that the price is dependent on actual travel dates. Prices are valid until 31 December 2019.

Additional Information

When to go & what to pack:.

The Kubu Island expedition can be done during the winter dry season, from the 1st of June to the 30th of September. Even in this relatively predictable dry season (although the weather in the pans is never entirely predictable…), each Kubu Expedition is unique and the route you’ll take across the lunar-like earth is never quite the same. In fact, an expedition can cover anything from 400 – 600 kilometers!

Your bag should most definitely include a sturdy pair of boots – we highly recommend RM Williams ‘Gardner Boots’, Clarks ‘Desert Boots’ or some trusty Timberlands – and a kikoy or light sarong to wrap around your head whilst zooming around on a quad bike. Moisturiser and lip balm will ward off the drying desert heat, and good fleece or jacket is a must for the chilly mornings and evenings. Other than that, your usual safari wardrobe and gear will suffice.

Policies & Access:

Child Policy: All ages welcome at parental discretion! Please enquire for more information on our child rates and policies.

Disabled Access: Please enquire with reservations.

Wifi: Wifi is not available for the duration of this trip.

Excluded: Premium brand drinks, gratuities and fully comprehensive travel insurance.

Click on the images to see larger photos.

Other Trips You May Be Interested In

FROM: Priced from US$ 12,929 Per Person /person *

Cubango Reserve, Nkasa Rupara National Park, Okavango Delta, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

FROM: US$29,000 Per Person /person *

Source Lakes, Cubango Game Reserve, Cuito Cuanavale

FROM: US$ 22,000 Per Person /person *

9 days/8 nights

Zakouma National Park

FROM: US$ 16,700 Per Person /person *

When you book A Kubu Island Adventure, you will be directly supporting the following Natural Selection conservation initiatives:

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Natural Selection In The News

North Island Okavango, Travel + Leisure, March 2024

Etosha Heights, Süd-Afrika Magazin, July 2023

Shipwreck Lodge, African Travel, 2023

Hoanib Valley Camp, GQ Germany 2022, Issue 5

Namibia Flying Safari, Luxury Hotels & Resorts, August 2022

Jack’s Camp & Tuludi, VIP International Traveller, December 2021

Tuludi & Jack’s Camp, Departures Magazine, December 2021

Lekkerwater Beach Lodge, Robb Report, Sept 2019

Hoanib Valley Camp, CNT, Oct 2019

Lekkerwater Beach Lodge, Robb Report, June 2019

Special Offers

Our special offers are designed to help you experience everything southern Africa has to offer whilst also saving some all-important pennies. Whether you’re about to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime solo trip, or are celebrating a special occasion, have a peek at our offers and see what could be in store for you.

Celebrate your honeymoon under African skies

One spouse stays for 50% off in participating camps… We’re feeling the love! Spend your honeymoon with us and one spouse receives 50% off the...

The Long Stay Rates

Enjoy incredible savings with our Long Stay Rates! BOTSWANA Jan – Apr & Sep – Dec:  Stay for 6 nights or more at any of...

Mokolwane Introductory Offer

Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to spend an extra two nights on us! Get 6 nights for the price of 4. Take advantage of our...

The Scratching Post

Nature Notes and News From Africa

Conservation Faces of Khwai Private Reserve

Pru Allison | April 16, 2024

In northern Botswana, amidst the ornate, watery carvings of the Okavango Delta, lies 200,000 hectares of pristine wilderness. This is Khwai Private Reserve, affectionately known as KPR. Any guest who’s...

Climate Change and Conservation

Pru Allison | March 27, 2024

“We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and the last generation that can do something about it.” – Barack Obama For many of us the...

World Wildlife Day: Technology In Conservation

Pru Allison | March 01, 2024

It’s a little over 10 years ago now that March 3rd was declared United Nations World Wildlife Day. It’s an auspicious day, having been the date the Convention of International...

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Set off on a Botswana bike safari

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We would be going to the middle of nowhere, no distractions, no internet, no 3G, no electricity, nothing but wild animals and the African bush Sven Martin

We were thoroughly briefed on what to expect and what to do in different situations and circumstances Sven Martin

We had a big adrenaline spike when we chanced upon a leopard that had just made a kill on an impala. It was a quick reminder of the power of nature Sven Martin

Want more of this?

mountain bike safari

Cape town & botswana safari.

DATES: Private Trips Only.

Duration: 9 Nights, 10 Days

Joining In: Cape Town, South Africa (departing Johannesburg)

Land Cost: $5975 USD/person | Currency Conversion

Single room supplement: $1150 USD

Activity Level: 2/6 Intermediate | more info »

We designed this bucket-list mountain bike safari to fulfill the statement " if I was to go to Southern Africa once in my life , what would i do? ” Touch down in Cape Town, South Africa and head to Stellenbosch, a leafy college town surrounded by world-class wine estates and a web of fun & flowy trails a pedal stroke away from our hotel. Next stop is the beautiful city of Cape Town with its clash of cultures, art & landscapes. We’ll ride the city’s headline act with sweeping views of city, Table Mountain, the seas and historic Robben Island. After a quick flight to Johannesburg we transfer to Bostwana for part two of this amazing adventure where you’ll ride across the African savannah and see spectacular wildlife from our bikes including elephant, kudus, wildebeest, impalas, ostrich, giraffe, zebra and much more. We’ll also enjoy two game drives with professional trackers to seek out the predators including lions, cheetahs, leopards and hyenas and more. In Botswana we’ll spend one night at Tree Camp, one night in an open-air traditional African enclosure where the sounds of nature echo all around you, and two nights in a wilderness camp and you’ll end this amazing adventure with one night at a spectacular luxurious safari camp. If you're looking for a safari adventure that you'll never forget, this is it!

* Four riders required to confirm this departure.

Looking for another trip in this region? Check out our Morocco mountain bike trip .

Photo: Ben Haggar

Trip Highlights:

• Gazing out from Table Mountain with views of the sea, the vibrant city of Cape Town, and Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.
• Riding Stellenbosch’s super-buffed trails and berms like a hero; perfect rides to get over jetlag and get used to riding in Africa.
• Laying eyes your first lion or cheetah or leopard, just meters away, from the comfort of an open-air safari Land Rover.
• Riding in Botswana knowing that there’s no fence between you and all of wildlife that you’ve only ever seen on National Geographic channel.
• Going to sleep at night in your comfortable tent and hearing active wildlife all around you including hyena, leopards, lions and more.
• Truly enjoying the comforts of the Lux Tented camp after spending two nights in wilderness. A cold beer by the swimming pool anyone?

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

• Expert local leadership.
• Airport transfers on scheduled days in Cape Town (arrival/departure) & Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport (arrival/departure).
• All trip transportation in private vehicles.
• Six & a half days of guided riding.
• Mountain bike rental for the trip duration.
• Four nights guesthouse in Cape Town & Stellenbosch, one night Tree Camp, one night Tent Camp, one night Boma camp, two nights Lux Tuli Safari Lodge.
• Domestic flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg.
• Meals included, starting with dinner on Day 1 ending with breakfast on Day 10 (eight breakfasts, three lunches & four dinners).
• Three professionally guided game-drives at Tuli Safari Lodge (Botswana).

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?

• Some meals as noted & extras like coffees, alcohol, snacks and energy supplements (gels, powders & bars).
• International airfare; airport taxes and excess baggage charges (if any).
• Personal travel and medical insurance.
• Optional tipping to leaders and local staff.
• Related equipment needed to ride including helmet, hydration pack, etc.

Bike and equipment

We typically recommend that riders bring their own bikes from home due to familiarity, fit, comfort and safety. However on this trip due to the great distance travelled and the relative easy level of riding we have included the cost of rental bikes for all riders. A smaller 16L backpack will suffice.

Suggested Bike

Suggested pack

Evoc trail pro 16.

ACTIVITY LEVEL

The minimum technical ability required for South Africa & Botswana is Intermediate. This trip is suitable if you have been riding consistently for one to two years or more and are keen to improve your riding skills. You can climb and descend in control in mildly steep singletrack with some loose rocks. On most days you can choose to ride longer if you wish. The accumulation of multiple days of riding will add up, as it is on all of our trips the fitter you are, the more fun you’ll have.

Trails in Stellenbosch & Cape Town are a pedal from our guesthouse on nearly treeless buffed purpose-built mtb singletrack with berms and rolls and climbs that can last 20-25 mins and descents up to 10 mins. In Botswana rides are easy and nearly flat on ancient elephant paths that can be loose and sandy and If it rains (rare) the mud can be slippery. Rides in Botswana are single-file with a guide in the front & back for safety. Adjusting to the mid-day heat can be a factor on this trip for some riders.

LODGING AND FOOD

Four nights spent in Stellenbosch & Cape Town are in comfortable three-star guest houses. In Botswana, we spend one night at Tree Camp, nestled in the bough of a giant Mashatu tree with a deck built four meters off the ground. Then, one night at the Kgotla, an open-air traditional African enclosure made up of Leadwood logs and two nights in a wilderness camp. Finally, one night at Tuli Safari Lodge, an intimate, luxurious and relaxing retreat that boasts spectacular wildlife, breathtaking landscapes.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Comprehensive Travel & Medical Insurance is mandatory on all Big Mountain Bike Adventures’ trips. Please visit our recommended insurance provider World Nomads to learn more.

Depending on the time of the year you visit Southern Africa, conditions are vastly different. April is the end of summer in Cape Town so daytime temperatures are in the low/mid-20’s c (70-80 farenheit), perfect for riding. This is the tailend of the rainy season in Botswana so the dry landscape is as green as it can be. Daytime temperatures can reach the low 30’c & hotter (85-90 farenheit).

YOUR SAFETY

Our trips take place in remote regions with limited evacuation options available. Our guides have basic first aid training and if a serious injury is suspected they will call helicopter search and rescue at the cost of the participant. Personal medical travel insurance is mandatory for all riders. If you choose to participate in our trips it is up to you to ride well within your limits, to ride conservatively, to walk sections if needed and to be safe as mountain biking is a dangerous sport. There are always risks and hazards on all trails that we ride. You must inspect your bikes (or rental bike) daily and keep it in excellent condition. Alcohol and drugs are not permitted while riding on our trips.

THE NEXT STEPS

Email us to make sure that the trip is confirmed and there’s space on your desired departure. You can also call us +1-604-902-1807. We’ll then send you a short Rider Questionnaire to learn about your riding experience.

A Travel Protection Plan protects your travel investment, your belongings, and most importantly, you. We strongly advise travelers to enroll in a Travel Protection Plan in case an unexpected event causes you to cancel or leave your trip. Please review Big Mountain Bike Adventures’ Cancellation Policy:

A Travel Protection Plan should be purchased once a deposit or any payment is made for a trip. Insurance must provide coverage for personal accident, death, emergency remote evacuation including helicopter evacuation, medical expenses and emergency repatriation. We advise travellers to confirm that it covers trip cancellation, curtailment, personal liability and loss of luggage and personal effects. You will be asked for proof of insurance in lead up to your trip; you will not be able to join the trip without it. If you choose to travel without adequate insurance coverage, Big Mountain will not be liable for any losses howsoever arising, in respect to insurance coverage that would have otherwise have been available.

“ What a pleasure it’s been to ride with you – and with all of “team Big Mountain”! This has changed the way I will vacation from this point forward – to see as much of this wonderful country as we have, and to have such a well run, professional, and caring group of guides has been the best. I hope to ride with you both again, and regardless of the venue it will be ‘epic’ without a doubt! Cheers on getting everything – and I mean EVERYTHING – perfect! ”

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• Quad Biking in Botswana

Africa's best authentic tailor-made safaris

By Antoinette Booyse

Safari Travel Planner

A Botswana quad-biking adventure should be on the bucket list of all daring adrenalin seekers for their Safari in Botswana. Revving through the isolated moon-like vistas of the Makgadikgadi gives travelers the luxury of disconnecting with time and space. On a multi-day Quad biking trip, quad bikers can sprawl out beneath the stars in the evening, blissfully cocooned in comfy bedrolls. These extended trips can include stopovers at Kubu Island (during the winter season) and Chapman’s baobab.

Many safari lodges in the area offer quad biking, including more budget-friendly places like the wonderfully quirky Planet Baobab.

How it Works

View our recommended safaris for inspiration and get ready to plan your dream safari

Contact us or fill out an enquiry form and one of our travel experts will help you tailor make your perfect safari

Enjoy an authentic African experience, with peace of mind

Travel with Confidence

With over 20 years of experience, our team will help you tailor your itinerary to your perfect adventure., 24/7 support, personalized, popular botswana safaris, these recommended tours for botswana can be tailor-made to match your budget..

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Stay for 3 - 18 days

Experience our Tailor-made Tours in Botswana

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From $ 3615 /USD

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From $ 8900 /USD

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Why travel with us?

Recent reviews from travellers who planned and booked their africa trips with discover africa safaris, an unforgettable experience..

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Ready to plan your tailor-made safari.

Matthys van Aswegen, Safari Travel Planner

Free safari planning advice from destination experts

• Why Botswana
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• Chief’s Island in Botswana
• Chobe National Park and Savuti Marsh in Botswana
• Kubu Island in Botswana
• Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana
• Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana
• Okavango Delta in Botswana
• Bird Watching in Botswana
• Boat Cruise in Chobe, Botswana
• Flight Over the Flamingos in Botswana
• Flight Over the Okavango Delta
• Horseback Riding in Botswana
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• Museum at Jack’s Camp in Botswana
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• The Historic Baobabs in Botswana
• Walk with Bushmen in Botswana
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• Active Adventure Holiday in Botswana
• Big Five Safari in Botswana
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• At Your Lodge in Botswana
• Botswana Food and Tipping Practices
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• Medical Emergencies in Botswana
• Packing List for Botswana
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• The Cultures of Botswana
• The Elephants of Botswana
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• The Marsh Lion Pride of Botswana
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• Travel Insurance for Botswana
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• Visa Requirements for Botswana
• Why Go to Botswana?
• Wildlife in Botswana
• Botswana Safari

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TRAVEL BLOGS

• Travel News Digest, 26 April: Namibia Adds Visa-on-Arrival in Walvis Bay, Uganda Deforestation Concerns
• The Best of Kenyan Cuisine: 10 Dishes to Savour on your next Safari
• Norse Atlantic Adds New Direct Flight to Cape Town
• Travel News Digest, 19 April: SA Airports Celebrated, Rhino Poaching Concerns, Cape Town ‘Big Six’ Appeal
• FastJet Adds Surcharge to Vic Falls Route

OUR LOCATION

2nd floor, Tygervalley Chambers One, 27 Willie van Schoor Avenue, Bellville, Cape Town , 7530

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South Africa & Botswana Family Active Safari

Small Group Adventures for:

Couples, Friends & Solos Adults 18+ Women's Adventures Women 18+ Families with Young Adults 20s & Beyond Best for ages 20+ (min. age 18) Families with Older Teens & 20s Best for ages 17-23 (min. age 14) Families with Teens & Kids Best for ages 9-17 (min. age 4)

From $10,999 - $11,799 /person

+$4,800   internal air

Activity Levels 1-3

We categorize our trips based on a range of activity levels from leisurely (1) to avid (5) with plenty of options in between.

Premiere Hotels

Premiere Hotels - From lavish luxury to on-trend boutique, offering experiences as unique as the regions we explore.

Casual Plus Hotels - A step above Casual but not quite Premiere.

Casual Hotels - Known for their character, charm and proximity to outdoor adventures and Backroads activities.

Small Luxury Ships - Unpack once and cover more distance on an intimate ship with spacious staterooms and superb amenities.

2024 : Jun-Jul 2025 : Jun-Jul

( +$4,800   internal air )

Biking, the Big Five & Luxury Game Lodges

There's no other Africa trip like this. And you'll know it when you're eye-to-eye with a giraffe—from the seat of your bike, on foot or in an open-top 4x4. This family adventure vacation is more than you can imagine and everything you expect: premiere lodges, untamed landscapes and once-in-a-lifetime cycling and hiking—all seamlessly connected by our private charter flights.

• Explore sophisticated and strikingly beautiful Cape Town, a captivating place to start your family's active safari
• Bike among magnificent wildlife, including elephants in Botswana, antelope in the Cederbergs and penguins on the Cape
• Hike along iconic Table Mountain to world-renowned Kirstenbosch garden, then discover Constantia's winelands
• Safari with family in open-topped Land Rovers with our expert local guides and spot the legendary Big Five

This is a Special Departure. See Terms & Conditions.

South Africa & Botswana

Start Cape Town

End Johannesburg

Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

​We recommend flying into Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and out of Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB).

Please note that trip start and end locations are subject to change and can vary by departure. A Travel Planner, complete with trip details specific to your chosen date, will be sent to you at time of booking or soon after and will be viewable in your Backroads account.

* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

Gain insight into South Africa's traditional and contemporary culture from our local friends • Hike along Table Mountain's base to extraordinary Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden • Bike from Cape Point to Chapman's Peak, looking for ostrich, baboons, rare Cape Mountain zebras and elands.  

A historic manor house in the Cape winelands with stunning views of Table Mountain. (pool, spa)

Vacation, walk and mountain bike at Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Retreat, where ancient Bushman rock art and red hartebeest embellish the scenery • Taste local vintages or grab a paddle and go canoeing.  

This wilderness retreat features a gorgeous landscape and is home to a wide variety of antelope and birds. (pool, spa)

In remote Mashatu, learn to track classic African animals on a guided safari mountain bike ride teeming with wildlife, including giraffes, the big cats and hundreds of bird species • Bike in Botswana among elephants on their ancient paths • Tonight, dinner is served under the African sky around a blazing fire—an unforgettable family meal!

A spectacularly remote luxury camp built around a water hole where one of southern Africa's largest elephant herds congregates. (pool)

Watch for hippos and vervet monkeys from our resort on the river • Venture to the bottom of a deep canyon in a glass elevator to explore the lush and rare Afromontane forest • Hike the seldom visited Great Escarpment, where wild vistas of the bush await.   

These luxurious tented suites are nestled on a rose and macadamia farm along the Sabie River, where hippos sometimes bathe. (pool, spa)

In Sabi Sands, spot the Big Five and other fascinating creatures, like dung beetles and lilac-breasted rollers, during exhilarating bush excursions on foot and in Landies • In a traditional Shangaan community, join our friends from the Africa Foundation to learn about local projects.  

Nights 9-10

An elegant game lodge on the Sand River offering chalets with balconies for observing elephants and hippos in the wild. Travel + Leisure World's Best. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool)

Our trips range in activity levels from leisurely (1) to avid (5) with plenty of options in between. Several routes are offered each day so you can choose your perfect amount of activity. Learn more

*Includes shuttle

• Activity Level

What's Included

• All breakfasts, 10 lunches, 10 dinners
• Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
• Snacks and beverages between meals
• Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
• Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
• Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
• Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
• All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
• Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
• On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
• Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
• Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
• Park and other entry fees
• Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
• Select coach transfers
• Baggage transfers and porterage

Not Included: Leader gratuities, transportation to and from your Backroads trip start & end locations, and on-your-own meals & activities.

Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

On this trip we travel by private 8- to 20-passenger turboprop planes to reach the exclusive hotels and activities this destination has to offer while minimizing total travel time.

Want to learn more about this trip?

Request a Detailed Itinerary! Complete with descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights and more, it’s the perfect tool to help you choose. You can easily share it with friends too!

World-Class Hotels

Our hand-selected Premiere hotels offer exceptional hospitality and experiences as special as the regions we explore.

Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Premiere Hotel

• From Backroads (19)
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Ready to Ride

On this trip where Backroads custom titanium bikes are not available, we offer local bikes that are well suited for the terrain on our routes.

Included in your trip price

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Dates & Prices

Select Guests & Rooms

At least one guest must be 17-23 years old. Younger siblings 14+ can also join. Please contact us for more information.

If you require more than 4 rooms or more than 2 beds per room please contact us.

If you require more than 4 rooms or more than 2 beds per room please contact us .

Your guest & room selections

You may only reserve one Stateroom Category at this time. Please call 800-462-2848 if you would like to make other arrangements.

Available Stateroom Categories

Each room must contain at least 1 guest.

Reservations must contain at least 1 adult (18+)

Please select your single room preference(s).

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Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, tips on pre- and post-trip travel arrangements, regional highlights and more. It's the perfect tool to help you choose!

Not sure of your travel date? Select any departure to view a sample itinerary. We'll also email it to you so you can access it at your leisure.

We're always seeking opportunities to enhance our itineraries; published trip details including routes and activities, as well as trips start and end locations, are subject to change and can vary by departure. Please do not use this itinerary to schedule your flights or any other travel. A Travel Planner, complete with the trip details specific to your chosen date, will be sent to you at the time of booking or soon after.

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