South Africa Cycle Tour

In March 2012, avid cyclist and CEO of African Wildlife Safaris Steve Cameron will be escorting a group to South Africa to take part in South Africa’s famous 110 km Cape Argus Cycle Tour. The annual event is the largest race in the world, with around 30,000 participants.

Following the race the group will continue on a 1,000km ride over 8 days, taking in South Africa’s famous winelands area and the spectacular Garden Route to East London. This exciting bike tour will suit serious cyclists of all ages. At the conclusion of the ride it will be an ideal opportunity for non-cycling partners to arrive in Africa and continue on a gameviewing safari.

South Africa Cycle Tour
Incorporating the Cape Argus Cycle Tour
16 Days / 15 Nights
Departing Australia Friday 07 Mar 2012

ITINERARY OVERVIEW

Day 1 Wed 07 March Inflight to Cape Town
Qantas connecting flight to Perth. Then depart Australia at 2015 on South African Airways from Perth to Johannesburg.

Day 2 Thu 08 March Cape Town
Arrive Johannesburg at approximately 0500, and connect to Cape Town arriving at 0910. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the Drifters Cape Town Lodge. The remainder of the day is free to relax. Evening welcome dinner. D

Day 3 Fri 09 March Cape Town 50km
After breakfast we assemble the bikes and then head off to the Lifecycle Expo to collect our race numbers. Afterwards we recce the Argus route, before enjoying a late lunch in picturesque Simon’s Town. After lunch we visit scenic Cape Point, before riding the most interesting part of the race route back into Cape Town. B

Day 4 Sat 10 March Cape Town 50km
After breakfast we head out for a sharp 50km ride to hone the legs. Lunch today will be a picnic on the lawns at Groot Constantia. The afternoon is free to relax. An early night is suggested! B

Day 5 Sun 11 March Cape Town 110km
After an early breakfast we’ll ride 8km to the start of the largest timed cycling event in the world. 30,000 cyclists set off in seeded batches of 300, the first departing at 0630 and the last at around 1000. Drifters set up a viewing point opposite our hotel, and after completing the race cyclists can enjoy the festive atmosphere and watch the ongoing race whilst enjoying a few beers and traditional boerewors rolls. Evening braai at the Drifters Lodge. B D

Day 6 Mon 12 March Cape Town
After breakfast this morning we set off on a hike up Table Mountain, taking a spectacular route up the Camps Bay side. This afternoon the group has the option of visiting Robben Island by ferry - additional cost. B

Day 7 Tue 13 March Cape Town 130km
After an early breakfast we drive out to the Winelands area. Starting our ride in the town of Strand we will cover approximately 130km through some incredibly scenic areas, and includes Sir Lowry’s, Franschoek and Hellshoogte passes. Afterwards we will spend time in the wine estates. B

Day 8 Wed 14 March Stanford 140km
Leave Cape Town and drive to Strand where we set off on one of the worlds most scenic coastal rides - around False Bay and on to Walker Bay. We will stop for lunch in Hermanus and hopefully catch a glimpse of the whales that come into the bay to calve. After lunch we will cycle some 40km to our comfortable farm-stay overnight stop near Stanford. B D

Day 9 Thu 15 March Knysna 140km
We make our way to historic Swellendam. Distance cycled today is 140km, mostly undulating. After freshening up and enjoying a meal we will drive 3 ½ hours to Knysna on the coast, where we stay at the Drifters Knysna Lodge located on Knysna Lagoon. Traditional meal at the Lodge. B D

Day 10 Fri 16 March Knysna 190km
Drive to George from where we will cycle up the Outeniqua Pass crossing into the dry interior and Oudtshoorn. From Oudtshoorn we will cycle the challenging Robinson Pass before descending to the coast and making our way back to George and Knysna. Today is a big ride of some 190km. B D

Day 11 Sat 17 March Knysna 70km
A more relaxing day, we cycle 30km to Plettenberg Bay before cycling another 40km to the Tsitsikamma National Park for a refreshing swim in the ocean. After lunch we take a scenic drive back to Knysna. B

Day 12 Sun 18 March Port Elizabeth Rest Day or 160km
Today we have a transit day of some 300km. Depending on the state of the legs, we do have the option of a very scenic cycle of 160km from Kareedouw to Port Elizabeth. We could do all or part of this ride as required by the cyclists, but we expect that even the fittest of cyclists will require a rest day by this stage! Tonight we will overnight at The Paxton Hotel, a comfortable 4 star hotel situated on Port Elizabeth’s beachfront. B L

Day 13 Mon 19 March Port Elizabeth 60km
Early morning we enjoy a sharp 60km ride along the beachfront before returning for breakfast. The remainder of the day will be spent visiting the renowned Addo Elephant Park, gameviewing for elephant, rhino and the many other animals that inhabit the park. B L

Day 14 Tue 20 March East London 190km
Setting off early, we will travel by truck to Kenton-on-Sea where we will begin our last epic cycle. Cycling along the coast we will do 190km through numerous coastal villages towards East London. On arrival in East London we will celebrate our journey with a dinner and a night of comfort in the 4 star Quarry Lake Inn guest house. B L

Day 15 Wed 21 March Inflight to Perth
The day is free to relax before our late afternoon flight from East London to Johannesburg. On arrival in Johannesburg you will be intransit until your SAA flight departs at 2155 bound for Perth.

Day 16 Thu 22 March Return Australia
Arrive Perth approximately 1325. Qantas connecting flight to your destination.

PRICES

Tour cost ex Australia:* (AUD)	ex Mel	ex Syd	ex Bne	ex Adl	ex Per
Pre-paid Twin Share	$8,599	$8,599	$8,608	$8,619	$8,446
Cape Argus Entry^	$75	$75	$75	$75	$75
Twin Share Cost	$8,674	$8,674	$8,683	$8,694	$8,521
Single Supplement	$387	$387	$387	$387	$387
Single Price	$9,061	$9,061	$9,070	$9,081	$8,908
Business Class Upgrade #	$4,514	$4,514	$4,514	$4,514	$4,170

*Terms and Conditions apply. Please visit African Wildlife Safaris website for more details.

African Wildlife Safaris also can also organise optional gameviewing extensions at the completion of the tour.

For more information and to download the full itinerary please visit African Wildlife Safaris website http://www.africanwildlifesafaris.com.au/cycle.