11 Days | Eco-Active Safari - cycle, hike and kayak

11 Days | Eco-Active Safari - cycle, hike and kayak

Schedule - Day 1

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We meet at the five-star Cape Grace Hotel in the historic Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, in the heart of Cape Town. After a briefing and introduction from your expert guides, we make our way to the historic town of Paarl in the charming Cape Winelands. Home to the mighty Paarl Rock, the second largest granite outcrop in the world and the Taal Monument, a tribute to the Afrikaans language, Paarl is resplendent with natural wonders and some simply superb wine estates. Grande Roche Estate is a national monument and the Cape Dutch styled hotel is a member of the exclusive Mantis Property group. After check-in, and admiring the beautiful grounds which are located in a lush vineyard, we enjoy a sumptuous lunch and guided cycle through the region, stopping off at a number of wine estates along the way. We return for dinner at the award-wining Bosman’s Restaurant.

NB: This is a malaria free safari in South Africa's premier game reserves so no need to worry about medication!

Schedule - Day 2

After breakfast, we head to Stellenbosch and savour an exhilarating cycle through the stunning Devon Valley. We visit a world-renowned wine estate and indulge in culinary offerings at the local restaurant. We are given a lesson in making a local "champagne", known as Method Cap de Classique. We take a guided walking tour of Stellenbosch, South Africa’s second oldest town, before returning to Grande Roche for another five-course feast!

Schedule - Day 3

We leave the Winelands behind and head into the dramatic semi-desert Karoo. Cycle the last 25km into the malaria free Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, home to the only free-roaming white lions in the world. Stay at the luxury tented lodge Dwyka and enjoy a well-deserved gourmet lunch. We take a spectacular game drive, traversing the reserve with a qualified ranger in open Landcruisers looking for the Big Five, plains game and abundant plant and birdlife. We stop for sundowners as the sky turns crimson over the Little Karoo and the stargazing in the evening is simply spectacular!

Schedule - Day 4

We meet in the early morning for a guided cycle through the southern section of the stunning Sanbona Reserve. The towering peaks and the semi-desert Klein Karoo make this one of Africa's most beautiful and dramatic natural landscapes. Here geology and climate have conspired to offer breathtaking views and a biodiversity only matched by its Bushman heritage and the magnificent presence of Africa's Big Five, including white lion.

After a 22km cycle, we return to the lodge for a well-deserved breakfast. The rest of the morning is at your leisure, before enjoying a walk to some of the Bushmen rock art sites after lunch. The San people roamed the area for thousands of years, living in harmony with nature through their nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle. And enjoy one last game drive in the evening and another culinary feast!

Schedule - Day 5

We shuttle via Perdepoort Pass to Oudtshoorn, jewel of the Little Karoo and ostrich capital of South Africa. Cycle along the panoramic Montagu Pass before we transfer to the luxurious Views Boutique Hotel and Spa, in the Garden Route town of Wilderness. Walk along the stunning beach, keeping an eye out for whales and schools of dolphins frolicking in the Indian Ocean. Spoil yourself with a treatment at the Health Spa and a decadent eight-course dinner at the Foam Restaurant.

Schedule - Day 6

Views Hotel is located in a wetlands area and is a great base from which to explore the natural beauty of the Garden Route. Here we kayak along the lakes, walk to a waterfall and cycle 30km along the backroads to explore the countryside around the untouched Ruigtevlei. And after a busy day, what better way to relax than with sundowners on the beach!

Schedule - Day 7

After breakfast we leave for Knysna and make our way up to The Heads with unsurpassed views into the ocean. We cycle down to the quaint Thesen Island and we enjoy a heritage walk through the town and historic Waterfront. We enjoy a light lunch and some superb sparkling wine at Bramon Vineyard, the only of its kind in the Eastern Cape. We arrive at the world-famous Shamwari Game Reserve, home to the Big Five, Safaris and the undisputed highlight of your holiday, in time for an evening game drive!

Schedule - Day 8

We join our ranger for a guided cycle through the Shamwari Reserve. This is entirely safe, and offers a plains game, rather than big game, experience as guests can savour the sights and sounds of the bush from the back of a bike. We return for breakfast and in the afternoon, we enjoy a guided game walk tracking wild animals through the pristine wilderness, before enjoying a bush dinner with breathtaking views over the reserve.

Schedule - Day 9

After another exciting game drive with our ranger, we visit the rehabilitation and wildlife centre at Shamwari as well as the Born Free Foundation, a sanctuary for abused animals. Visit the spa for a treatment or simply enjoy the vistas before we leave for Oceana Beach & Wildlife Reserve, just an hour’s drive away.

Schedule - Day 10

At Oceana, with its 7km private beach and unspoilt natural vegetation, you will have time to unwind, or to be as active as you choose. Join us on the Three Sisters beach walk, a bush trek or some horse-riding in the surf. Or sit outside your room and watch animals around the waterhole and whales in the ocean!

Schedule - Day 11

Your African adventure is almost over so take another leisurely stroll and dip your toes in the Indian Ocean one last time before we shuttle you to East London airport for your flight back to Cape Town (included) after the cycle safari of a lifetime!

NB: This is a malaria free safari in premier game reserves so no need to worry about any medication!

Optional Extras:
We are based in Cape Town and can organise your accommodation and activities while staying in the Mother City. Through our partnership with the Cape Grace, you can stay at this five-star hotel with our Lowest Price Guarantee!

And while you're at it why not join our Cape Town Evening by Bike trip which provides a cultural and heritage tour of the city, or our full day trip, Discover the Cape Cycle, which showcases the beauty of the peninsula and includes a walking tour of the historic Bo-Kaap. And if you are looking for something specific, we can tailormake a tour just for you!

11 Days | Eco-Active Safari - cycle, hike and kayak

Resting under a tree, Shamwari Game Reserve, Port Elizabeth

Kayaking the Serpentine, Wilderness, George, South Africa

A Bike & Saddle signature bush-dinner, Shamwari Game Reserve

Close encounters with Giraffe, Shamwari Game Reserve

Open plains of Sanbona Wildlife Refuge, outside Cape Town

French Toast, Oceana Wildlife & Beach Reserve, Port Alfred

Ocean bush walk

Private beach, Oceana

Sunset near Lake Pleasant, Knysna, South Africa

Longley Manor, Shamwari Game Reserve

Bike & Saddle's shuttle arriving at the Shamwari Gate

Lunch with Peter and Caroline Thorpe (owners) in the vinyards of Bramon Wine Estate, near Plettenberg Bay

Giraffes at Shamwari Game Reserve - early morning game drive

Bike & Saddle's custom designed, Zebra MTB

Grande Roche Hotel, Paarl Valley, South Africa

Swimming Pool, Grande Roche

11 Days | Eco-Active Safari - cycle, hike and kayak

Click here to view the latest exchange rates

2010/11 Season: R 86,800.00 **
(single supplement: R12,300.00 ZAR)

£ 6374.00 / € 7430.00 / US$ 10670.00

INCLUDES:
• Bikes and all equipment
• Ground transportation
• All meals, refreshments and alcoholic beverages
• Excellent and varied 5 Star accommodation
• Personal service from the best guides in the industry
• 'Special and Expert' excursions en-route
• Back-up vehicle and driver
• All admission fees to reserves, parks and attractions
• All domestic flights

** Note: Prices are quoted in South African Rand (ZAR) per person - denominations listed here other than ZAR are for reference purposes only and will differ according to the actual foreign currency exchange rates.

NB: This is a malaria free safari in South Africa's premier game reserves so no need to worry about medication!

DATES:
Please contact us for scheduled dates. Bookings now open. This journey can run anytime with a group of 5 (five) or more

Our journeys are carefully researched and custom-designed to ensure a perfect balance of adventure and luxury - with zero hassle for you. Do you appreciate the finer things in life, yet value those experiences that money can’t buy? Do you regard a traveling holiday as an extension of your active lifestyle - a journey of body, mind and soul - rather than just another ‘tour’? Then join us …

11 Days | Eco-Active Safari - cycle, hike and kayak

We provide a variety of route options so you can do as much or as little activity as you like each day. You'll pass through the area's finest scenery, each route carefully selected based on our rigorous quality standards. You'll enjoy the best of the region's cuisine, as well as Bike and Saddle’s trademark grand picnics. Our Trip Leaders have undergone hundreds of hours of training and are the best in the industry. We are local and know the locality better than anyone!

ROUTE RATING

We’ve rated this trip LEVEL 2

ACTIVITY RATING EXPLAINED

LEVEL 1
10-20 miles/day (biking)
2-5 miles/day (walking)
2-3 hours/day

LEVEL 2
21-30 miles/day (biking)
5-7 miles/day (walking)
2-4 hours/day

LEVEL 3
31-40 miles/day (biking)
7-9 miles/day (walking)
3-5 hours/day

Bike&Saddle's route rating system is the most comprehensive and accurate in the travel industry.

11 Days | Eco-Active Safari - cycle, hike and kayak

Bike and Saddle Tours are guaranteed to run once 5 or more guests book other than trips defined as Special Departures,* excepting only in cases of force majeure (including but not limited to natural disasters, war, or the failure of third parties—such as hotels or campgrounds—to honor their reservations) in which case all payments received to date will be refunded, which constitutes full settlement. Bike and Saddle is not responsible for expenses that are incurred in preparation for any canceled trips, such as airline tickets, or for costs that are incurred due to travel delays, flight cancellations or illness. *Special Departures are as follows: South Africa, Multi-day Trips as noted on our Web site.

Cancellation Policies

1. Rates are quoted per trip per person, in South Africa Rand, US Dollar, Euro and British Pound and are inclusive of Value Added Tax at 14%.
2. Bike and Saddle reserves the right to alter or amend rates and trip details at any time.
3. In the event of a cancellation see hereunder.
4. In the event of a “no-show” or cancellation see hereunder.
5. Please note that the cancellation must be made in writing.
6. The owners and management of Bike and Saddle cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to the property or for any possessions of the guest participating in a trip.
7. Reservations are subject to terms and conditions as set out in the detailed trip planner.
8. Please note that departure hours are not flexible; therefore kindly ensure you are familiar with the trip departure location and time as provided in your detailed trip planner.

If you must cancel your reservation, your cancellation fee will be determined according to the policy outlined below. Exceptions to our cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather, terrorism, civil unrest or personal emergencies. There is no refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early. Private room and internal air charges are consider part of the total trip code and are subject to cancellation fees. Percentage charges are calculated on total trip cost.

Transfers: You may transfer from one trip to another up to 95 days before trip departure without penalty - except on our Special Departures,* where you can transfer up to 125 days before trip departs - after which time our cancellation policy applies.

Release of Liability: Guests are required to provide a signed "Release of Liability, Assumption of All Risks, and Arbitration Agreement" form and a completed Personal Information Form prior to trip departure; you will receive these materials shortly after reserving your trip. We are unable to allow guests to participage in any aspect of a Bike and Saddle Tour without a signed release form.

*Special Departures are as follows: South Africa, Multi-day Trips and others noted by your Trip Consultant prior to reservation.

†Rather than forfeit the cancellation fees, you may choose to keep your trip deposit ($600) in a holding account to use on a future Bike and Saddle trip (no expiration date).

Travel Protection Insurance

Bike and Saddle offers a guest protection plan that covers trip cancellation for medical reasons, trip delay, medical expenses, accidental death, lost baggage, medical evacuation and airline cancellation charges. Please call and speak with one of our Trip Consultants if you have specific coverage questions. Because so many guests purchase this plan, we have made it convenient for you to obtain by automatically adding the cost to your invoice. It's effective on the day your designated travel protection plan payment or final trip payment is received by our office. Please note that deposits may not be applied toward your travel protection plan premium. Should you not be interested in our travel protection plan, simply deduct its cost from the invoice total at time of final payment. You must comply to certain criteria as set out by the insurer to be eligible. You will receive these materials shortly after reserving your trip.

Transfering to another trip after having already made a reservation

In most cases you may transfer from one trip to another up to 95 days before trip departure without penalty, after which time our cancellation policy applies. For special departures you may transfer up to 125 days before trip departure without penalty, after which time our cancellation policy applies. When transferring to a different date or trip, if the trip costs more than your original trip, you must pay the difference.

11 Days | Eco-Active Safari - cycle, hike and kayak

Q. How long has Bike & Saddle been in business and who owns the company?
A. Bike & Saddle was founded in 2007 by a group of leading southern Africa based active travel professionals, as a new and exciting international brand within the eco-active travel market. They bring to the business a combined professionalism, creativity and experience spanning 27 years. The business is proudly South African, and based in the fairest of cities, Cape Town.

Q. How can I reach Bike & Saddle?
A. You can e-mail us at trips@bikeandsaddle.com. You can also write, phone or fax us at:

PO Box 51196, Waterfront, Cape Town 8002 South Africa
tel: +27 21 813 6433
fax: +27 86 520 2216

Q. What do your trip prices include?
A.

• All accommodation
• All breakfasts, lunches and picnics and all dinners except for one, when you’ll have the opportunity to sample local fare on your own
• Personal and professional services of our experienced guides
• Snacks and beverages between meals
• Additional guides and experts from the region on all 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
• Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
• On biking and multisport trips, use of fully equipped Bike & Saddle composite bikes plus helmet and accessories
  
• Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing, horse riding and canoeing as described in the Travel Planner
  
• All park and other entry fees
• All fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
• Select coach transfers
• Baggage transfers and porterage
• Bike & Saddle T-Shirt and water bottle gift (only on multi-day trips)
  
  Not included: airfare, some alcoholic beverages (wines and sparkling wines are mostly included), gratuities for trip leaders and personal expenses
  

Q. What kind of shape do I need to be in to enjoy my trip?
A. Bike & Saddle vacations are designed for all levels of bicyclists, walkers and multisport enthusiasts. Some trips are more challenging than others and we suggest that you refer to the Activity Level Options page or talk to one of our Trip Consultants about your current activity level and the type of adventure you're looking for. They’ll help you pick the right trip for you. Call +27 21 813 6433 to speak to a Trip Consultant daily from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. (GMT+2 local time).

Q. How should I train for my trip?
A. You’ll get the most enjoyment out of your adventure if you are reasonably fit. Try running, hiking, swimming or other aerobic activity for at least 20 minutes, three times a week, to help you stay in shape. If you’re choosing a biking trip, the best training is to get out and ride—hills and flats—several hours at a time on consecutive days. The key is to just do it—and want to do it again the next day. Once you reserve a vacation with us, we'll send you specific training tips for your trip.

Q. How do you accommodate people of varying abilities?
A. On most days of your Bike & Saddle vacation, you’ll have a choice of three mileage options. One day you might go for the most challenging. The next day, you may take it easy by choosing the shortest route, leaving more time for relaxation, exploration or mingling with the locals. You and your fellow travelers may spread out over several miles* or you may choose to ride or walk together. For your peace of mind, one leader covers the route in a Bike and Saddle van, ready to offer assistance, refreshments or a lift to the hotel (or campsite).  *Special rules apply for our Safari Cycle Trips where spreading-out is not an option.

Our trips attract people of varying abilities so there’s typically someone else traveling at your speed. This is ideal for friends and couples with different paces; they can spend the day with similarly fit travelers and then reunite for the evenings.

Q. How long will we be active each day?
A. It’s up to you to decide how far you want to travel. Depending on the route options you choose and the pace you set, you’ll typically spend three to five hours each day, biking or walking or—on our multisport trips—engaging in a combination of biking and walking along with such activities as kayaking, rafting or snorkeling.

The number of activity hours you can expect for each level per day:

Level 1:             2-4

Level 2:             3-5

Level 3:             4-6

Level 4:             5-7+

See our Route Rating info provided for each trip for more details about time and distance involved in each level.

Q. How do your leaders support the biking and walking routes?
A. On biking trips, one leader drives the support van, sweeping the route several times during the day and providing lifts and assistance as needed. Another leader rides the route, roving between groups traveling at different speeds. On walking trips, one leader usually takes the lead while the other brings up the rear. The amount of van support depends on the location of the walking routes. On trips with kayaking and rafting excursions, leaders typically team up with an experienced local guide to give you support and instruction.

Q. Do I have to carry any of my own luggage or gear?
A. The leaders transport all luggage between hotels (or campgrounds) in Bike & Saddle’ special trailers. They’ll also gladly pick up and transport any purchases you make along the way. You need only carry snacks, clothing and personal items for the day’s activities.

Q. Who travels with Bike & Saddle?
A. About half of the people who travel with us are between the ages of 35 and 55. Older and younger travelers are also well represented. Depending on your trip, you may meet solo travelers, families and couples. They’ll exhibit a diversity of interests and occupations and share a love of active travel and the outdoors.

Q. How large will my group be?
A. The average group size on all Bike & Saddle trips is 10. Maximum group size is 15.

Q. Are children welcome on all Bike & Saddle trips?
A. Bike & Saddle offers trips exclusively for families with kid-sized routes and activities. These trips feature family-friendly pricing. If you’re not able to take a Family Trip, your family may be able to join a non-family trip. We recommend that you talk to a Trip Consultant (at Call +27 21 813 6433 to speak to a Trip Consultant daily from 7 a.m.-5 p.m., GMT+2 time) to select the best trip for your family.

Q. If I'm traveling alone, will you find me a roommate or can I have a private room?
A. Our prices are based on double occupancy (two people per room). If you would like a roommate, we often can pair you with one (same gender). If no roommate is available, there is no additional charge if you sign up more than 60 days in advance of trip departure. If you sign up within 60 days, and Bike & Saddle cannot pair you with roommate, a single occupancy supplement will apply. On some occasions, twin rooms consist of one bed and one rollaway or foldout sleeper. On a few trips, twin room availability is limited; a single occupancy supplement applies if a twin room is not available, regardless of the number of days before departure.

Q. Should I bring my own bike?
A. Included in your trip price are Bike & Saddle’ high-quality, custom-designed composite bicycles for use and enjoyment on all biking and multisport trips. In rare instances when Bike & Saddle bicycles are not available, models of comparable quality will be provided. If you choose to bring your own bike, your Trip Consultant can offer tips on the best ways to ship it to the trip start.

Q. Do you provide children's bikes?
A. We offer children's bikes on all Family Trips, as well as trailer carriers to tote children 60 pounds and under, and the Giant Halfwheeler for children ages 4-10 or up to 85 pounds.

Q. Can you provide me with guest references for your trips?
A. Absolutely. Your Trip Consultant will be happy to give you the names and telephone numbers of people who have participated in the trip you're considering.

Q. How far in advance do I need to reserve my vacation?
A. The farther in advance you book, the greater availability of dates you'll find. For holiday periods and popular summer destinations, such as Cape Town & The Kruger National Park, to name two, we recommend reserving at least four to six months before the trip you’re interested in departs.

Q. Can I reserve my Bike and Saddle vacation with my travel agent?
A. Yes, Bike & Saddle accepts reservations from professional travel agents. If you prefer to have your travel agent handle your Bike & Saddle booking, please have him or her contact us directly. Pricing is the same whether you book directly with Bike and Saddle or with your travel agent. If you need an agency referral please let us know.

Q. Does information found on this Web site differ from that found in your catalog?
A. Because this site is continually updated to ensure posting of the most current information, trip dates and other details may differ from those found in our printed materials.

Q. What is Bike & Saddle's privacy policy?
A. Please refer to Bike and Saddle Privacy Policy page.