BIg Game Cycle Safari (MTB Mountain Bike) Botswana

BIg Game Cycle Safari (MTB Mountain Bike) Botswana

Awesome elephant country, stunning accommodation and real bush experiences.
On a scale of 1-5 it would be graded a 2 or 3. There are no big climbs, (we mainly follow elephant tracks and they take their babies around hills instead of over but!) but there are some technical areas such as sandy river crossings and rocky areas. The riding can be adjusted for the group. Those wanting technical or longer rides can easily be catered for, as can those who just want to use the ride as a great way to enjoy the game viewing and this pristine reserve. We mainly follow elephant and game tracks; this is something all MTB enthusiasts should do at least once.

Itinerary

Day 1: Airport pickup and transfer to Botswana for 4 nights (6.5 hours by car, 1.5 hours flight)

Stop At: Mashatu Game Reserve, Mashatu Game Reserve, Central District
Day One: Guests are met at OR Tambo International Airport in
Johannesburg and transferred to Pont Drift Border Post Botswana
(approx. 6 hours by car, 1.5 hours by plane), arriving in time for lunch.
That afternoon you will be fitted to your bike before heading off on your first ride and first opportunity to see elephants. Mashatu is home to the largest free roaming population of wild elephants on private land in Africa and you are almost assured of seeing these incredible creatures. Arrive at our Two Mashatu Camp in time for sun-downers and a chance to freshen up before supper.
Distance approx. 20km
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Excellent accommodation in the bush

Day 2: Morning ride 20 - 50km

Stop At: Mashatu Game Reserve, Mashatu Game Reserve, Central District
Day Two: Sunrise and the dawn chorus, with tea or coffee which is
brought to your tent, sounds the start of your first day. Following a
light breakfast, it’s time to mount and depart from the dense woodland that hugs the Limpopo River and head towards the rocky hills that delineate the edges of the great river valley. As the ride traverses the heartland of Mashatu, you will encounter plentiful game: plains game, many giraffe and herd of elephants. Having meandered across the hills with vast views back towards South Africa, the ride arrives at Tree Camp in time for lunch. This is a very unique camp; any childhood dream of sleeping up in the arms of a tree, will be completely fulfilled here. Nestled in the bough of a giant Mashatu tree and two ancient Leadwood trees, this Seligna deck, 4 metres off the ground, will be your retreat for the night. Overlooking the Majale river, it is possible to watch the wildlife from above, coming down to drink at the river. That afternoon enjoy your first Mashatu game drive exploring the area along the West of the Matabole River, returning
to Tree Camp for sundowners on the deck. Dinner is served in the
on the deck under the branches, overlooking the Majale river.

Distance approx. 20-45 km
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Excellent accommodation in the bush

Day 3: Morning ride 20 - 50km

Stop At: Mashatu Game Reserve, Mashatu Game Reserve, Central District
Day Three: An early rise and hearty breakfast is a good start before
you set off to explore. Winding your way through the mopane and thornveld savannah, with the chance of spotting elephants, you will spend the day in excellent cycling country with some challenging riverbanks and rocky routes to add a bit of fun to the day. Return to Tree camp for lunch before enjoying another game
drive along the Matabole river..

Distance approx. 20-45 km
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Excellent accommodation in South Africa

Day 4: Early morning ride 20 - 50km

Stop At: Mashatu Game Reserve, Mashatu Game Reserve, Central District
Day Four: The safari passes through the centre of Mashatu to the ancient rock formations synonymous with the Limpopo Valley. Giant Baobab trees continue to scatter the landscape as they have for centuries. Whilst cycling alongside the banks of the Motloutse River, discover the old Leadwood ‘Kgotla’ (or enclosure used for the traditional law court of a Botswanan village). This open-air enclosure forms the perfect, secure camp for the night. In the afternoon, we search for the area’s resident lion on a game drive and draw the day’s adventures to a close with sundowners at the ancient “Amphitheatre” rocks. Back at the Kgotla, dinner is enjoyed around a large log fire. The night is spent with a ceiling of stars and Africa’s nighttime melody to sing you to sleep; a veraciously rare experience which is just about as far away from city life and the modern world as anyone can imagine.
Distance 20-45 km depending on
group
Duration: 4 days

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: luxury accommodation Mashatu

Day 5: Early Morning ride, brunch then depart for airport in SA (6 hours drive)

Stop At: Mashatu Game Reserve, Mashatu Game Reserve, Central District
Your last cycle in the Limpopo valley is a great opportunity to snap one last picture of elephants and enjoy a long and winding ride through the scattered mustard bush with your guides. You will arrive back at the reception area with plenty time to enjoy a hot shower and a tasty brunch, before saying farewell to Mashatu.

Distance Approx 20km
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.