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South Africa & Botswana Multisport
South Africa & Botswana Multisport

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.

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 - one of our all-time favorite rides - 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, where ancient Bushman rock art and Red Hartebeest embellish the scenery In the mood to taste local vintages, indulge at the spa or go canoeing? It's up to you.

Day 5 Private charter flights smoothly connect diverse African landscapes  Learn to track classic African animals, such as giraffes, on a guided walk 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 viewing Hike the dramatic but rarely visited Great Escarpment, offering wild views of the bush  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.


Trip Highlights
  • Bike among elephants in Botswana, zebras in the Cederbergs, and penguins on the Cape
  • Chances to spot the Big Five
  • Hike the dramatic and rarely visited Great Escarpment
  • Private charter flights smoothly connect diverse African landscapes
  • Relax and rejuvenate at some of Africa's top lodges
big map


Premiere Inns

The Cellars-Hohenort (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 (2 nights): This Condé Nast Traveler Gold List wilderness retreat, set in the Cederberg Mountains on an 18,000-acre reserve with ancient rock art sites and a gorgeous landscape, is home to a wide variety of antelope and birds. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa)

Mashatu Main Camp (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 (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 (2 nights): An elegant, Travel + Leisure World's Best Award-winning 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. (pool)


Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10

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
Level 1 2-3 hours 10-20 mile 2-5 miles
Level 2 2-4 hours 21-30 miles 5-7 miles
Level 3 3-5 hours 31-40 miles 7-9 miles
Level 4 4-6 hours 41-55 miles 9-11 miles
Level 5 5-7+ hours 56-75+ miles 11-13+ miles


2012 Dates & Pricing*

CLASSIC TRIPS

*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.


Guest Trip Reviews

Our expectations were very high for the South Africa Multisport. We had travelled to South Africa before. Not only were our super-high expectations for this trip surpassed, but our return visit still felt completely new. Backroads is truly the best. Biking as giraffes stared at us, walking as we listened to lions roar, elephant poop...the people we met, the places we saw, the wine we drank(!) -- this is why we work. If there had been a Backroads brochure in the seat pocket on our last flight to Johannesburg, I think I would have already booked the next trip.
Nikki Magaziner Mills - Washington, DC

This trip to South Africa and Botswana 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.
Shannon Grosko - Roswell, GA

Simply the best. We could not have seen or done so much had we tried to book this independently. Backroads has done it again! Didn't think we could top our first Backroads experience...we were so wrong! South Africa multisport took us places we would never have found on our own. Truly the trip of a lifetime. Can't wait for another chance for Backroads to wow us once more.
Lynda Ritz - Calgary, AB

This is a very special trip. Just about perfect - the itinerary, transportation arrangements, quality of food and accommodations, activity, and spectacular scenery, culture and game viewing.
Arnold Ziegel - Stowe, VT

I am still in awe of the experiences we had on this trip. I was expecting a lot but had no idea it would be such an exceptional adventure. I have taken numerous trips with Backroads (and other companies for that matter) and this African trip will stand out in my mind and stay with me for a long, long time.
Catherine Colby - Powell, GA

We had high expectations for this trip and we weren't disappointed. South Africa with Backroads was magical...premiere lodgings with their amazing staff, awesome game drives, delicious meals, dinner out in The Bush, meeting Lionel Davis, watching our leaders perform their interpretation of the courtship of ostrich and, at the end, the lowly dung beetle, and seeing "old" Africa through the dance and song of the high school students. Thanks, Backroads.
Anne Rackerby - Glenbook, NV

This was the best Backroads trip we have taken. It was very well planned in terms of places we visited, amount of time at each, variety of activities and quality of our experiences. Everything ran very smoothly. We especially liked the occasional surprise such as a singing group or visit to a community. While active, the trip was also relaxing because we just had to show up. We never had to make a decision.
Marty Brandt - Menlo Park, CA