Operated from Olifants Camp in the Kruger National Park, this is the perfect African Safari to spot the Big Five – Buffalo, Elephant, Lions, Leopards and Rhinos, as well as a multitude of other African game.
Each trail party of six people is accompanied by two experienced game rangers, who will not only look after you should a lone bull elephant decide to investigate, but will also keep you entertained with bushveld lore and make sure you see a plethora of wildlife you would usually miss if you were in a car. It is the ultimate African Safari in South Africa.
Olifants Camp will supply the mountain bikes. Backpacks, water bottles, bicycle helmets and snacks will also be provided. Departure times for the African Safari on Mountain Bikes from Olifants Camp vary depending on the season. There are morning and afternoon African Safari on Mountain Bikes that are offered, with riding times ranging from 3 to 4 hours, depending on the route taken. For the more energetic, full day trails are also available. This is quite a demanding trail, so only the very fit and experienced cyclist should consider this trail. Only children older then 12 years of age are permitted on the African Safari on Mountain Bike Trails. For the half day trails there are 3 different routes that can be considered which are graded according to difficulty and technicality. The grading or difficulty of the Mountain Bike Trails vary from green to black (green denotes moderate length and terrain, black denotes very technical and strenuous). All of the bikes use Olifants Camp as a starting base. A fair level of skill and fitness is required for all the Mountain Bike Trails, especially the Border Trail which is a full day trail extended to the Gorge.
Anyone wanting to do the Mountain Bike trails should ensure they wear appropriate comfortable bush clothing, the correct footwear and insect repellent and carry with them binoculars, a camera, a sun hat, sun block lotion and any personal medication. The trail ranger guides carry a first aid kit and a hand held radio for communication with the base camp in cases of emergencies.
Mountain Bike Trail 1:
Hardekool Draai trail on the banks of the Olifant River has a green rating and is the recommended trail for beginners, but this is a long trail and a certain degree of fitness is necessary. The African Safari on Mountain Bike trail leads through Mopane veld, with the occasional view of the Olifants River. There are many wild “highways” crossing the road. These “highways” are game paths that are constantly used by Hippo and other African game who use it when walking to and from the river. After riding through the African Bush your game ranger will allow you to walk along one of the wild “highways” designed by wild creatures. This is an amazing way to get up close and personal with the African game on this unusual African Safari. It will have any wildlife enthusiast excited! Enjoy sumptuous snacks under a huge Sycamore Fig tree, overlooking grunting Hippo wallowing in the Olifants River below. There are plenty of Crocodile, Elephant, Buffalo and other African Wildlife in this area. The bird life along the river is also outstanding. The total cycle distance of this African Safari on Mountain Bike trail is 21.4km which makes a great day out!
Mountain Bike Trail 2:
The second African Safari on Mountain Bike trail is the Olifants / Letaba River Confluence Mountain Bike Trail. This bike ride starts on the Vutamolelo road, north-east of Olifants Camp, which is only accessible to participants on this unique African Safari called the Olifants / Letaba River Confluence Mountain Bike Trail. This bike trail possesses some of the best scenery in the Kruger National Park and you are able to cycle between the Letaba River on your left and the Olifants River on your right. Along this amazing African Safari route you can expect to see an abundance of Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Nyala, Water Buck, Giraffe, Zebra, Klipspringer and Impala to name a few species of mammals. The area is rich in bird life and will also excite any botanist enthusiastic with its large Baobab trees en route. You will be able to enjoy your breakfast pack on the banks of these two fast flowing rivers while watching some of the biggest Crocodiles in the world, with the sounds of the African Fish Eagle a melodic chorus in the background. Enjoy a guided walk with your ranger before heading back to Camp. It is advisable that you are an experienced rider if you want to enjoy this trail to its full potential as it has a black grading due to its loose rocks and branches that mean you have to concentrate on the riding condition and trail. The cycling distance of this African Safari on Mountain Bike Trail is 12,2km (7.5 miles).
Mountain Bike Trail 3:
The third African Safari on Mountain Bike Trail is the longest of the three Mountain Bike Trails from Olifants Camp. The Mozambican boundary is located on 22,2 km away from Olifants Camp and looking at a map it seems almost closer than that! This African Safari trail allows you to explore the Klipkoppies Mozambique Border Mountain Bike Trail. Cross the Letaba River at Sunrise and cycle through the fantastic unspoilt wilderness scenery of the Kruger National Park. Game encountered along the Mountain Bike Trail can include Buffalo, Water Buck, Zebra, Elephant, Kudu and Impala and many other wild African Game. At a fork in the road, the guides will lead you southeast to the border between South Africa and Mozambique. Enjoy snacks on a hill, overlooking the Olifants River in the distance with Mozambique to the east. Be daring and put your hand through the fence to touch foreign soil before you take the trail back to the vehicle. The cycling distance of this African Safari on Mountain Bike Trail is 24,8km (15.4 miles).
This is a fantastic and unusual way to explore the Kruger National Park on your African Safari! Have fun!
For more information on going on an African Safari, contact us!