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By LCBS Editor June 17, 2016

By LCBS Editor

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Cape Town is a biker’s heaven. It is considered one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world. From scenic mountain routes to wide open spaces surrounded by nature, there are amazing cycling routes that suit all skills and fitness levels. The city’s natural environment is abundant with single tracks, switchbacks, jeep tracks, and tarmac roads to suit everyone from the leisure cyclist to the technical rider. Some of these cycling routes are on the outskirts of the city, while others will take a bit of driving to get to. Here are some of the amazing cycling routes in Cape Town.

Table Mountain

The Table Mountain offers some of the best and most accessible cycling and mountain biking trails in the city. The terrain in Table Mountain is often steep and unforgiving. An extensive trail network stretches from the Western Seaboard, via Signal Hill and Table Mountain right to Newlands forest and Constantia Nek. There are several access points and dozens of loops that can keep you busy for hours on end. The trails vary from exposed single track and rock gardens to gentle jeep tracks that take you through the cool shade of indigenous forest Afromontane forests. You can pick up a Table Mountain MTB map from a local bike shop, Cape Town tourism office or the Table Mountain National Park visitor center.

Signal Hill

Signal Hill technically falls under Table Mountain National Park. This flat-topped hill situated next to Lion’s Head has a number of mountain biking trails. There are several single and jeep track trails leading to either side of Signal Hill. Most tracks except the Big Easy are Intermediate to Expert. The Big Easy is by far the best and easiest way to access Signal Hill. The tracks are signposted and fairly easy to recognize. A trail map is also available at the gate at the top of the roller-coaster next to the monument.

Sea Point Promenade Meander

The Sea Point Promenade is one of Cape Town’s favorite places to cycle, walk and play. This 7-kilometer scenic beach-front route is mostly paved and completely flat and is suitable for all levels of fitness. The Seapoint Promenade runs the length of Sea Point’s beachfront, from Bantry Bay to Mouille Point where it connects to Green Point Urban Park. This cycling route starts at the Up Cycles bicycle rental station and runs along the coastline, passing bustling play parks, fascinating public art, and other recreational activities. We suggest that you go slow when cycling in the early mornings and evenings as this area can be quiet busy.

Tokai Forest

Tokai Forest in the city’s southern suburbs is one of the most popular cycling destinations in Cape Town. There are several cycling trails through the dense forest and along exposed jeep tracks that offer something for all skill levels. Whether you are looking for a soft cycle or something more extreme, Tokai forest offers it all. All routes are mostly gravel roads, but you can choose single tracks from a number of different routes depending on your riding ability and confidence. Tokai Forest is not only popular for its amazing cycling trails, it is also popular for bird watching, hiking, and horse riding.

Chapman’s Peak Drive

Chapman’s Peak is renowned as one of the most scenic marine drives in the world. It stretches from Hout Bay to Noordhoek. This picturesque 9-kilometer mountain road is winding up and down along the Atlantic Coast with 114 curves. The route can be strenuous with its many twists but it is very scenic and can be enjoyed also by amateur riders. Chapman’s Peak Drive also has numerous vantage points and picnic spots where you can enjoy fantastic views over Hout Bay.

Kruger National Park, covering nearly 2 million hectares of protected areas, is the largest game reserve in South Africa. Known for its natural beauty and diverse and flourishing wildlife, the Kruger National Park offers the ultimate safari experience in South Africa.

To the west of the Kruger National Park is the Greater Kruger National Park which refers to the over twenty private reserves offering exclusive African safari experience within the 180,000-hectare area. The borders of Kruger National Park and Greater Kruger National Park are unfenced, allowing the animals to freely roam around the reserves.

There are a number of private game reserves in Greater Kruger National Park which offer private, stylish, and luxurious accommodations. These private game reserves range from old-colonial to ultra-modern style with sophisticated and high-standard services for a comfortable and memorable African safari experience. Here are the top private game reserves in the Greater Kruger National Park.

Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve

Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve is one of the parks that make up the Greater Kruger National Park. Located in the southwestern section of the Kruger National Park, this 66,000-hectare is known for being one of the most game-rich areas in the country with its unrivaled Big Five game viewing, coupled with the best safari lodges in South Africa. This private game reserve incorporates the Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, Mala Mala Reserve, Lion Sands Game Reserve, Djuma Game Reserve, Ulusaba Private Game Reserve, Londolozi Private Game Reserve and Singita Game Reserve. The Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge is an ideal destination if you are looking for an eco-friendly safari getaway. Another is the Ulusaba Safari Lodge which offers a magnificent tree-house style accommodation with a world-renowned wellness spa. And if you are looking for a child-friendly lodge, the Londolozi Founders Camp offers a luxurious modern-colonial style experience with activities specially designed around families and children. The Sabi Sands Game Reserve is open year-round to give you an authentic African safari experience.

Timbavati Private Game Reserve

Another private game reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park is the Timbavati Game Reserve which is a 65,000-hectare reserve alongside Kruger’s central section. The name ‘Timbavati’ means “the place where something sacred came down to Earth from the Heavens”, referring to the rare white lions which Timbavati is known for. Timbavati includes the Motswari Game Reserve, Ngala Game Reserve, Tanda Tula Game Reserve and Umlani Game Reserve. This private game reserve offers outstanding game viewing and superb safari lodges offered in colonial style game lodges, traditionally thatched bush lodges, and luxury tented safari camps. The Umlani Bushcamp is rustic safari camp consisting of traditional Shangaan reed and thatch huts that provide simplistic luxury for groups of friends or families. Timbavati Private Game Reserve has fewer camps and fewer people, and the rates are generally friendlier than those of Sabi Sands.

Thornybush Game Reserve

Bordered in the north and west by Timbavati Private Game Reserve, is 11,500-hectare open savannah woodland with patches of a tangled thicket and thorny scrub, the Thornybush Private Game Reserve. There are only six privately owned luxury lodges in the reserve which offer exclusivity and a superb safari experience. Like the Chapungu Luxury Tented Camp which offers colonial safari style in luxury tented accommodation. The Royal Malewane Luxury Safari Lodge is an exclusive getaway for those who value privacy, personalized service and some of the best game viewing in Africa. The Thornybush Game Lodge is a 5-star accommodation perfect for families with children.

Kapama Private Game Reserve

Kapama Private Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park comprises 13,000 hectares of sweeping wilderness. It offers the perfect sanctuary for a wide variety of wildlife as both the Kapama River and the Klaserie River flow through the reserve, creating an area of riverine forest amidst sweeping savannah. Kapama’s four luxurious camps offer an escape for nature lovers. River Lodge is festive year-round, Buffalo Camp delights with its old-world feel, Karula is elegantly breathtaking, and the Southern Camp offers warmth and hospitality.

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