South Africa & Botswana Multisport
Biking, Walking & Big Game Viewing on a Unique Active Safari
There is no other Africa trip like this. And you know it when you first hear the nearby screech of a baboon and get close enough to look a giraffe in the eye - on foot, from the seat of a bicycle, as well as from open-topped 4x4s. This southern Africa adventure promises more than you can imagine and everything you expect: the premiere lodges, untamed landscapes and once-in-a-lifetime cycling and hiking through wild game reserves with the continent's best rangers - all connected by our private charter flights that seamlessly link dramatically distinct regions.
- Bike among elephants in Botswana, zebras in the Cederbergs, and penguins on the Cape
- Spot the Big Five
- Hike the dramatic and rarely visited Great Escarpment
- Enjoy private charter flights that smoothly connect diverse African landscapes
- Relax and rejuvenate at some of Africa's top lodges
- Get exclusive inside looks into traditional and contemporary culture via the local friends who visit us on this trip
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2 Exclusive insight into traditional and contemporary culture from our local friends, including one who served on Robben Island with Nelson Mandela 
Hike along Table Mountain's base to world-renowned Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Bike from Cape Point to Chapman's Peak, possibly spotting ostrich, baboons, rare Cape Mountain zebras and elands.
Days 3-4 Relax and rejuvenate at some of Africa's top lodges Mountain bike and walk through Bushmans Kloof game reserve, a Travel + Leisure World's Best hotel, where ancient Bushman rock art and eland embellish the scenery Relax at the spa, taste local vintages or go canoeing.
Day 5 Private charter flights smoothly connect diverse African landscapes Learn to track classic African animals, such as giraffes, on a guided mountain bike ride in remote Mashatu, teeming with wildlife - including the big cats.
Days 6-8 Bike in Botswana among elephants on their ancient paths Open-topped Land Rovers make for great game watching Hike the dramatic but rarely visited Great Escarpment, offering wild views of the bush Haven't found the right souvenir? Browse the crafts in a special Afrikaner pioneer town that's home to a thriving artist community.
Days 9-11 Spot the Big Five and other fascinating creatures like dung beetles and lilac-breasted rollers at Londolozi during exhilarating bush excursions on foot and in "Landies" Join our friend Lotus in his traditional Shangaan village.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
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Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
This trip to South Africa and Bostwana was so much more than we expected...we cannot emphasize that enough. We have told all of our friends and family that if they really want to have the adventure of a lifetime they need to schedule themselves with Backroads. There was nothing we would change about our experience - our thanks to the Backroads leaders for their enthusiasm and attention to every detail.- Roswell, GA More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 32 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. To see all our multisport tours click here. For our selection of award-winning biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning walking and hiking tours click here.
South Africa & Botswana Multisport
Premiere Inns
The Cellars-Hohenort
Constantia (2 nights) A historic manor house in the Cape Winelands with stunning views of Table Mountain. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa, tennis)
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Retreat
Cederberg Mountains (2 nights) The world's #1 hotel according to the readers of Travel + Leisure, a wilderness retreat set on an 18,000-acre reserve with ancient rock art sites and a gorgeous landscape home to a wide variety of antelope and birdlife. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa)
Mashatu Main Camp
Mashatu Game Reserve (2 nights) A spectacularly remote luxury camp built around a waterhole where one of southern Africa's largest elephant herds congregate. (pool)
Cybele Forest Lodge & Health Spa
Drakensburg Mountains (2 nights) A secluded and luxurious farmhouse set amid 300 lush acres of forest, banana plantations, meadows and gardens. (pool, spa)
Londolozi Private Game Reserve
Sabi Sand Game Reserve (2 nights) An elegant game lodge on the Sand River offering luxurious chalets with private dipping pools and balconies for observing elephants and hippos in the wild bush. A Relais & Châteaux member.
South Africa & Botswana Multisport
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 2
3 Route Options Available
- Hiking 1, 3, 6.4 miles
- 0 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 4 4 Route Options Available
- Walking 45 minutes
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
- Biking 17, 38, 46 miles
- 500 - 2500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 2 1 Route Option Available
- Mountain Biking 2 hours
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
- Afternoon Game Drive
Day 4
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- Walking 3 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
- Hiking 4.3 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
- Afternoon Game Drive
Day 5
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Morning Game Drive
- Walking 1 hour
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
- Evening Game Drive
Day 6
- Levels 1 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- Mountain Biking with Optional Game Drive 3.5 hours
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
- Walking 1 hour
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
- Evening Game Drive
Day 7
- Level 3 1 Route Option Available
- Mountain Biking with Optional Game Drive 3.5 hours
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
- Optional Hike/Run 1 hour
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 8
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- Optional Hike/Run 1 hour
- 0 - 1000 feet elevation gain
- Walking 4.3 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 9
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Optional Hike/Run 1 hour
- Afternoon and Evening Game Drives
Day 10
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Walking 1.5 hours
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
- Morning and Evening Game Drives
Day 11
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Walking 1.5 hours
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
- Morning Game Drive