South Africa Bike Tour

Our guides will pick you up from Cape Town International Airport and kick off the tour with a lesson in blending a custom bottle of wine at one of the Western Cape’s top wineries. Take your bottle to go, walk into the vineyards, and find a picnic lunch ready and waiting. After a bike fitting and safety talk, we set out for our first South African spin. It’s an easy ride to our hotel, a historic Cape Dutch farm dating back to 1692. Tonight’s beautiful dinner is the definition of farm-to-table; we’ll accompany the chef as he harvests ingredients from Babylonstoren’s wheat fields, vegetable gardens, and fruit orchards, all destined to reappear right on your plate.

Meals: Lunch / Dinner
Destination: Drakenstein
Accomplished: 9 miles / 14 km, elevation gain: 384 meters
Longer Option: 12 miles / 19 km, elevation gain: 701 meters
Accommodation: Babylonstoren

After a decadent breakfast, set off for a gradual climb into Paarl Nature Reserve with fields of prehistoric-looking protea at our side and the smooth granite formations of Paarl Mountain ahead. Descend through vineyards on a single track trail to Rhebokskloof where a glass of wine (or wyn, in Afrikaans) awaits. Enjoy lunch beneath the estate’s oak trees, then head back to Babylonstoren or opt for an extra ride on the winery’s well-groomed trails, suited to beginners and advanced riders alike. Tonight, leave the wine behind and visit an international award-winning boutique distillery, where we’re hosted for dinner and a tasting, plus a few surprise cocktails and artisanal beers to accompany our meal.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Drankenstein, Simonsberg Nature Reserve
Accomplished: 19 miles / 31 km, elevation gain: 688 meters
Longer Option: 35 miles / 56 km, elevation gain: 1,245 meters
Accommodation: Babylonstoren

Depart the countryside for Stellenbosch, discovered by Simon van der Stel when he first arrived in South Africa—the farm he built on the Western Cape was the beginning of the oak tree-peppered paradise the town has become. Spin on quiet little roads or take a single track towards one of our favorite wineries, an unpretentious spot owned by the Momberg family. Their reputation for receiving visitors in true South African style means a raging fire is ready to cook our lunch of traditional braai barbecue. Retire with a full belly to our boutique hotel situated right in downtown Stellenbosch, or walk it off with some shopping or a tour through Kayamandi township. For dinner, our chef friend opens the door to his kitchen and guides us through the hands-on makings of a fabulous meal.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Stellenbosch
Accomplished: 16 miles / 25 km, elevation gain: 418 meters
Longer Option: 34 miles / 55 km, elevation gain: 488 meters
Accommodation: Coopmanhuijs

Today’s landscape shifts from vineyards to ocean views as we swap our bikes for hiking boots and head south to Hout Bay. Set off from Silvermine and encounter the unspoiled fynbos unique to South Africa and Elephant’s Eye Cave before descending towards the spectacular Atlantic. At a kiosk in Hout Bay beloved by locals, lunch on just-caught fish grilled simply to show off its fresh flavors. Once we’ve watched the sunbathing seals at Hout Bay harbor, it’s time to retreat to our hotel. The rooms here are so luxurious you may not want to leave, so we leave it to you to decide between a romantic dinner right on the property or a short trip into Hout Bay to dine on your own.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Destinations: Silvermine Nature Reserve, Hout Bay
Accomplished: 5 miles / 8 km hiking
Accommodation: Tintswalo Atlantic

Enjoy a laid-back morning before hopping on the bike for a final day of cycling. The road to Chapman’s Peak is considered the country’s most beautiful byway, so our ride over the peninsula includes plenty of photo stops. Continue north towards Boulders Beach to glimpse its famous penguins waddling around the inlets undisturbed before we break in Kalkbay for lunch. Overlooking the harbor, we’ll dig into the catch of the day, then finish the ride to our hotel. For our final night, it’s sundowners and dinner on the deck as we toast to our wonderful week together.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Kalkbay
Accomplished: 15 miles / 24 km, elevation gain: 625 meters
Longer Option: 24 miles / 39 km, elevation gain: 1,138 meters
Accommodation: Tintswalo Atlantic

Spend your final morning in South Africa as you wish, whether you prefer to sleep in late or take a walk along the water in Kalkbay. Before our guides bid you farewell, transfer with them to Cape Town International Airport or right into the city for those adding additional days to their trip.

Meals: Breakfast
Destinations: Kalkbay