Cycle Mashatu - The ultimate cycling holiday

Based in the Northern Tuli Reserve of Botswana, the Cycle Mashatu Wilderness Trail provides a unique opportunity to ride at leisure along ancient elephant migration paths, cycle through vast herds of wildlife and to sleep under starlit African skies. This tour is similar to the Cycle Mashatu Wilderness trail but the accommodation gets progressively better each night. This trip is a combination of camping under the stars, tenting in style and living it up in luxury suites.

Duration: 4 days/3 nights
Start/End: Pont Drift Border Post, South Africa
Departures: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, throughout the year

Please consult our reservations department should you wish to add extra nights to your itinerary.

Itinerary

Cycle Mashatu Corporate Tours combine the rustic with the luxury to produce an unforgettable wildlife experience for your clients.

All packages are bespoke - we will structure the tour to suit your appetite for adventure and luxury.

Day 1: Arrival

Cycle Mashatu staff will be awaiting your arrival at the Pont Drift border or the Limpopo Valley Airfield in Botswana. Change into your cycle gear (facilities available) and then saddle up and ride to your first nights accommodation. Our guides will take care of transporting your luggage.

Today’s ride…in a Northerly direction on well-worn elephant trails with a gentle ascent out of the Limpopo Valley. We turn West and ride through the “Valley of the Elephants”, then continue towards the Motloutse River where sandstone ridges provide a beautiful backdrop. Distance approximately 25km.

1st night’s accommodation is Kgotla, an open-aired “boma” and traditional meeting place under majestic Mashatu trees. Enjoy a hot shower in the fresh open air...as well as a massage to get the legs ready for the next few days

While you spend the afternoon relaxing the Cycle Mashatu staff will prepare a hearty meal to be enjoyed around the campfire.

Day 2: Simply Luxurious

After a night sleeping under Africa’s starlit skies, wake at dawn to freshly brewed coffee and a light breakfast. Then it’s time to saddle up and tackle the ±40km ride in North Easterly direction away from the Motloutse River, heading towards the Majale river floodplain. From there we ride flowing single track along migration trails in a Northerly direction and finish off at the beautiful and secluded Mashatu Luxury Tented Camp, welcome drink in hand. A leisurely lunch will be served in this tranquil setting. Then it’s time to put your feet up and enjoy a relaxing massage. A game drive through the bushveld will finish off this day and prepare your appetite for a delectable meal.

Day 3: Pure Luxury

Awake at dawn, leave the quiet tranquility of the camp and head out into the majestic beauty of the Mashatu Game Reserve. Today we discover why Mashatu is called the “Land of the Giants”. The route is a mixture of rocky outcrops, sandy river beds and smooth flowing single track which have been carved through centuries of migrating elephants. After approximately 35km’s we will be welcomed with cold refreshments at
Mashatu Main Camp where you can enjoy freshening up in your luxurious suite.
We'll then have lunch overlooking an active bushveld waterhole and enjoy a well-deserved massage before an afternoon game drive to a tranquil sundowner setting.
And dinner awaits back at the lodge….

Day 4: Departure

Today we wake up at leisure to a hearty breakfast and then we depart by vehicle to the Pont Drift border or Limpopo Valley Airfield. We’ll arrive around 11h00, bringing this epic African adventure to an end.

FAQ’s

Location

Mashatu Game Reserve is situated within the Northern Tuli Game Reserve of Botswana. The adventure begins and ends at the Pont Drift Border Post, approximately 5 ½ hours drive from Johannesburg.

Travel dates

Departures are available Tuesdays and Fridays from January through to November. The dry, cooler months (May through Sept) provide the best weather conditions for a visit.

Accommodation

This trip is a combination of camping under the stars, tenting in style and living it up in luxury suites. All packages are tailored to your specific needs and accommodation can be selected to your preference. Additional nights are optional, please enquire with a reservations consultant.

Group Size

Groups of 8 people are recommended. Larger groups can be accommodated by special arrangement. Structured packages for corporate groups are available.

Technical Rating

The distance, pace and route is tailored to each group. The aim is to ride 4-5 hours per day, covering 30-40km’s. The pace is generally easy going with regular game sightings, and scenic picnic stops, but be prepared, the riding at Mashatu is deceptively challenging. Rated 2/5.

A backup vehicle is on hand at all times to rescue tired riders or tired bikes!