Cycle South Africa

Dates: 07 Mar - 17 Mar 2009
Min sponsorship: £3125
Registration fee: £399
Contact: ndcschallenges@ndcs.org.uk

Itinerary

Day 1

Depart

Flight from London Heathrow to Johannesburg

Day 2

Johannesburg – Tsitsikamma National Park

Early morning arrival in Johannesburg for a connecting flight to Port Elizabeth. Transfer to Tsitsikamma National Park for overnight stay in forest chalets on the coast of the stunning Indian Ocean. In the evening there will be time for a detailed briefing and a chance to check your bikes.

Day 3

Tsitsikamma – Plettenberg Bay

85km cycling

We begin our cycle to Plettenberg Bay through forest and beneath the Kougaberge Mountains. A thrilling descent is followed by a 4km climb, taking you to your first view of the bay – a stunning sight and a great place to spot dolphins and even whales! Overnight in Plettenberg in lodge accommodation.

Day 4

Plettenberg Bay - Knysna

65km cycling

You start the day climbing steadily over 32km into the indigenous forest for which Knysna and its elusive elephants are famous. This tough ascent is followed by a 30km downhill cruise into Knysna where you will overnight in Chalets on the lagoon.

Day 5

Knysna -Wilderness

78km cycling

A steep 4km climb starts today’s journey, followed by an undulating ride through this wild and beautiful area of the Garden Route to Wilderness where you will spend the night.

Day 6

Wilderness – Mossel Bay

65km cycling

A shorter ride today takes you to the small coastal town of Mossel Bay. You will ride across farmland including a couple of ostrich farms and through forest followed by a superb 6km descent to the coast with incredible views across the bay. The final section along the coast takes you to the chalet where you will spend the night.

Day 7

Mossel Bay – Bredasorp – Cape Agulhas

45km cycling

Today on your final day of cycling will be heading for the most southerly point in continental Africa! We start the day with a 4-hour transfer to Bredasorp passing by the impressive Langeberg Mountains en route. After lunch, you’ll cycle the final 45km to Cape Agulhas to the lighthouse that marks the southernmost point. You can stand here with the Atlantic Ocean on one side, Indian Ocean on the other and Antarctica straight ahead!

Day 8

Cape Agulhas – Cape of Good Hope – Cape Town

You will drive through beautiful scenery today seeing baboons and penguins, and if in season you may even witness the Southern Right Whales as they come almost ashore searching for shallow bays. After a final photo stop at the south-western tip of Africa you’ll travel to Cape Town for a celebration meal and a well earned rest.

Day 9

Free day in Cape Town

A free day to experience the delights of this beautiful city. Take the cable car up Table Mountain, visit Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned) or just relax and shop in the Waterside shopping complex.

Day 10

Cape Town

After a free morning you will be transferred to the airport for an early evening flight back the UK.

Day 11

Arrive back in the UK

Arrive back in UK

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