Two cheetahs relaxing
Child biking on Backroads' trip
Closeup of passionfruit cut in half
Scenic water view from Chapman's Peak
South Africa & Botswana Safari
Cycling - South Africa & Botswana Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Zebra - South Africa & Botswana Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Cliffside view of Chapman's Peak Drive
South Africa & Botswana Family Safari Multi-Adventure Tour – Teens & Kids
Luxury Lodges - South Africa & Botswana Safari
Rocks - South Africa & Botswana Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Dining, Backroads South Africa & Botswana Family Safari Multi-Adventure Tour – Teens & Kids
Zebras, South Africa & Botswana Family Safari Multi-Adventure Tour – Teens & Kids
Laughing - South Africa & Botswana Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Bird - South Africa & Botswana Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Coffee - South Africa & Botswana Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Dancing - South Africa & Botswana Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Biking - South Africa & Botswana Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Baby elephant - South Africa & Botswana Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Hiking - South Africa & Botswana Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Lions - South Africa & Botswana Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Multi-Adventure
See all photos

E-bikes are not available in this region. Please click here to view bike options for this trip.

South Africa & Botswana Active Safari - For Families with Teens & Kids

Biking, the Big Five & Luxury Game Lodges

Best for ages 9+ (Ages 4+ ok) | Min. age to ride own bike: 12+

Family — Teens & Kids

11 days 10 nights

Activity Level: 1-3

Premiere Hotels

From: $10,299 - $12,449 pp dbl occ

Plus $4,400 internal air

($1,650 - $3,750 for sgl occ)

There's no other Africa trip like this. And you and your family will know it when you're eye to eye with a giraffe—from your bike, on foot or in an open-top 4x4. This active safari journey is more than you can imagine and everything you expect: premiere lodges, untamed landscapes and once-in-a-lifetime cycling and hiking—all seamlessly connected by our private charter flights.

Walk/Hike
Safari
Bike
South Africa & Botswana Africa Family Multi-Adventure Tour
South Africa & Botswana Africa Family Multi-Adventure Tour

South Africa & Botswana

Start Cape Town / End Johannesburg

Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

Highlights

  • Discover the wonders of singularly beautiful Cape Town, a captivating place to start your adventure vacation
  • Bike with your family among elephants in Botswana, antelope in the Cederbergs and penguins on the Cape
  • Safari in open-topped Land Rovers with our expert local guides and spot the legendary Big Five
  • Enjoy the views on private charter flights that smoothly connect diverse African landscapes and top-notch lodges

This is a Special Departure. See Terms & Conditions.

Itinerary

Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
11 Days Premiere Hotels
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Days 1-2
Description

Gain insight into traditional and contemporary South African culture from our local friends | Hike along Table Mountain's slopes to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden | Bike from Cape Point to Chapman's Peak, possibly spotting ostriches, baboons, zebras and elands | Kids learn a local township craft.

Accommodations
Cellars-Hohenort Vineyard
Cellars-Hohenort
Constantia
| Premiere Hotel

A historic manor house in the Cape winelands with stunning views of Table Mountain. (pool, spa)

Days 3-4
Description

Mountain bike and walk with family through Bushmans Kloof game reserve | Ancient Bushman rock art and red hartebeest embellish the scenery | Relax and play at one of Africa's top lodges.

Accommodations
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Retreat
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Retreat
Cederberg Mountains
| Premiere Hotel

This wilderness retreat features a gorgeous landscape and is home to a wide variety of antelope and birds. (pool, spa)

Days 5-6
Description

Board a private flight to remote Mashatu | Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, learn to track classic African animals on a mountain bike route teeming with wildlife, including giraffes and the big cats | Bike in Botswana among elephants on their ancient paths.

Accommodations
Mashatu Main Camp, Botswana, Africa
Mashatu Main Camp
Mashatu Game Reserve
| Premiere Hotel

A spectacularly remote luxury camp built around a water hole where one of southern Africa's largest elephant herds congregates. (pool)

Days 7-8
Description

Watch for hippos and vervet monkeys from our resort on the river | Venture to the bottom of a deep canyon in a glass elevator to explore the lush and rare Afromontane forest | Hike the dramatic Great Escarpment, offering wild vistas of the bush | Browse the handicrafts in a vibrant artisan community.

Accommodations
Interior view of Summerfields Retreat Tent Room
Summerfields Rose Retreat & Spa
Hazyview
| Premiere Hotel

These luxurious tented lodge suites are nestled in a secluded valley along the Sabie River, where hippos sometimes bathe at dusk. (pool, spa)

Days 9-11
Description

In Londolozi, spot the Big Five and other fascinating creatures, like dung beetles and lilac-breasted rollers, during exhilarating bush excursions on foot and in Landies | In a traditional Shangaan community, join our friends from the Africa Foundation to learn about local projects | Raise a toast to a once-in-a-lifetime family adventure.

Accommodations
Londolozi Private Game Reserve
Londolozi Private Game Reserve
Sabi Sands Game Reserve
| Premiere Hotel

An elegant game lodge on the Sand River offering chalets with balconies for observing elephants and hippos in the wild. Travel + Leisure World's Best. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool)

The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.

Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.

Looks like you’re traveling with a smaller group

Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.

Please Select a Group Size

Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.

Activity Level: 1-3

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.

Route notes

The walking terrain includes rugged bush trails, with the focus on game viewing. The biking routes on this trip follow narrow rocky paths and dirt and paved roads. All the walks and bike rides in game reserves are optional with game drives as an alternative activity.

Daily Route Options

* Includes shuttle.
Day 1
Walking & Hiking
Level 1 | 2 miles* | 600 ft. gain
Level 1 | 3 miles | 700 ft. gain
Level 2 | 6 miles | 900 ft. gain
Level 3 | 8 miles | 1500 ft. gain
Just For Kids
Traditional Wire Arts Class (1 hour)
Day 2
Biking
Level 2 | 17 miles* | 700 ft. gain
Level 3 | 25 miles* | 700 ft. gain
Level 4 | 38 miles | 700 ft. gain
Other
Cape of Good Hope Walk (1 hour)
Day 3
Biking
Level 1 | 9 miles | 0 ft. gain
Day 4
Walking & Hiking
Level 1 | 3 miles | 100 ft. gain
Level 2 | 4 miles | 500 ft. gain
Level 3 | 7 miles | 600 ft. gain
Just For Kids
Afternoon Canoeing, Archery, Nature Walk
Active Safari
Evening Game Drive (2 hours)
Day 5
Active Safari
Game Drive to Mashatu Camp (1 hour)
Mashatu Game Walk (45 minutes)
Evening Game Drive (2 hours)
Day 6
Active Safari
Morning Biking & Game Drive (3.5 hours)
Evening Game Drive (2 hours)
Day 7
Walking & Hiking
Level 1 | 4 miles | 400 ft. gain
Evening Game Drive (2 hours)
Active Safari
Morning Biking & Game Drive (3.5 hours)
Day 8
Walking & Hiking
Level 1 | 4 miles | 400 ft. gain
Level 2 | 5 miles | 500 miles
Day 9
Other
Summerfields Rose & Orchard Walking Tour (1 hour)
Shangaan Community Tour (1.5 hours)
Active Safari
Evening Game Drive (2 hours)
Day 10
Active Safari
Morning Game Drive (2 hours)
Evening Game Drive (2 hours)
Walking & Hiking
Game Walk (1.5 hours)
Just For Kids
Ranger School (1 hour)
Day 11
Active Safari
Morning Walk & Game Drive (1–2 hours)

What's Included

Available Bike Options

The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.

Click the arrow to see all bike options.

Local Bike Generic Image
Local Bike Generic Image
Local Bike

Included in your trip price

On this trip where Backroads custom titanium bikes are not available, local bikes of comparable quality, and well suited for the terrain, are offered.

Child's Bike
Child's Bike
Kids' Bikes

Included in your trip price

Backroads is the only travel company to manufacture its own line of kid's bikes. While the wheels might be small, the performance is big—it's the perfect choice for kids. On our Family Trips, you'll find 20" and 24" bikes.

Burley Kazoo Trailer Bike
Burley Kazoo Trailer Bike
Trailer Bike

Included in your trip price

The Burley Kazoo trailer bike, for children up to 85 pounds, attaches to an adult bike with your child providing some of the pedal power for a real team effort! It's ideal for kids who aren't yet ready for bike touring. 

Also Included

  • All breakfasts, 10 lunches, 10 dinners
  • Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
  • Snacks and beverages between meals
  • Additional guides and experts from the region on many 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 as noted in the Travel Planner
  • All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
  • Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
  • On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
  • Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
  • Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
  • Park and other entry fees
  • Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
  • Select coach transfers
  • Baggage transfers and porterage

Straight talk

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Flights

On this trip we travel by private 8- to 20-passenger turboprop planes to reach the exclusive hotels and activities this destination has to offer while minimizing total travel time.

Ask a trip expert

Have a question and need expert advice? Our team of Trip Consultants is here to help! You can also visit our Help Center.

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