Africa Traveling

Cape Cross South Africa

From rugged mountain passes and dense forests to vast savannahs and rolling vineyards – the Cape Cross Gravel Tour takes you through the most diverse landscapes South Africa has to offer.

Best time to travel

The Cape Cross Gravel Tour takes place in the ideal cycling months: April and November. South Africa has various climate zones, which means that temperatures vary per region. The weather is stable during these months.

Climate

From subtropical to Mediterranean and desert-like: the climate in South Africa is different in every region. The summers (from December to February, opposite to our seasons) are pleasantly warm, while the winters are cool, but mostly sunny.

Highlight

The Cape Cross Gravel Tour is a fusion of South Africa’s most iconic landscapes. You’ll traverse dense forests, rugged mountain passes and endless gravel roads, culminating in the ascent of the Franschhoek Pass.

known for

South Africa represents the best of all worlds in one country: from vast savannahs full of wildlife to hilly vineyards, rugged mountain ranges and fine beaches. There is also a lot to discover in terms of culture, history and gastronomy.

Cape Cross: The Ultimate Gravel Adventure Through South Africa

Experience South Africa in the most adventurous way with the Cape Cross Gravel Tour. For eight days you will cycle over endless gravel roads, rugged mountain passes and through dense forests, while enjoying spectacular views and the pure beauty of the country. Spend the night in atmospheric, small-scale lodges and taste the local cuisine, from a traditional braai to fine dining in Franschhoek. Thanks to our perfect organization, all you have to do is pedal and enjoy – a unique and unforgettable experience awaits you!

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Why South Africa?

Cycle over iconic mountain passes

Climb the spectacular Franschhoek Pass and enjoy panoramic views over vineyards and rugged mountain ranges. An unforgettable highlight of the trip.

Wildlife along the route

Meet giraffes, zebras and ostriches while driving on endless gravel roads. South Africa’s nature shows itself from its most beautiful side.

Culinary enjoyment

From atmospheric dinners in Franschhoek to lunch stops in the middle of nature. Taste local specialties and recharge yourself for a new adventure in the saddle.

Cape Cross offers an unforgettable gravel adventure in South Africa, where beautiful nature, challenging climbs and breathtaking views alternate. Perfectly organized overnight stays, delicious food and space for culture complete this cycling holiday. An absolute must for those looking for a unique and well-organized cycling experience!

- Janine

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Cape Cross in figures

The Cape Cross covers an impressive 850 kilometres, with over 10,000 metres of elevation gain spread over 8 stages in 12 days. The longest stage is 109 kilometres, while the steepest climb takes us over the Montagu Pass, with an ascent of 750 metres. The route crosses diverse landscapes, from lush forests and rugged mountain passes to endless gravel roads and rolling vineyards. In addition to the physical challenge, the journey offers culinary highlights, including local specialities and a dinner at the renowned La Petite Colombe.

Our accommodations

During the Cape Cross Graveltocht we stay in atmospheric and small-scale accommodations, from guesthouses to nature lodges. All locations are carefully selected for comfort, sustainability and an authentic experience. After a long ride we enjoy hospitality, a good meal and relaxation in a beautiful environment.

Safari

During our trip we will make a special sunset safari in Wildehondekloof. In this private reserve we drive through the rugged landscape, looking for giraffes, antelopes and other wild animals. As the sun sets behind the mountains, we experience the magic of the African wilderness in peace.

Culinair

During the Cape Cross Gravel Tour we discover South Africa not only by bike, but also in culinary terms. From a traditional braai under the stars to refined dinners at top restaurants such as La Petite Colombe. Along the way we enjoy local specialties, fresh products and South African wines.

Cape Cross Agenda

Zuid-Afrika

April 2025

apr

12

  • 12 april 2025
  • 24 april 2025
  • Cape Town, South Africa
  • 12 days

4 places still available

from €2,950,- p.p.

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Zuid-Afrika

November 2025

nov

01

  • 01 november 2025
  • 13 november 2025
  • Cape Town, South Africa
  • 12 days

No spots available

from €3,240,- p.p.

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Zuid-Afrika

November 2025

nov

15

  • 15 november 2025
  • 27 november 2025
  • Cape Town, South Africa
  • 12 days
MORE INFO

Zuid-Afrika

april 2026

apr

11

  • 11 april 2026
  • 23 april 2026
  • Cape Town, South Africa
  • 12 days

8 places still available

from price follows

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Zuid-Afrika

oktober 2026

okt

31

  • 31 oktober 2026
  • 12 november 2026
  • Cape Town, South Africa
  • 12 days

10 places still available

from price follows

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Day 1 & 2

Arrival & Preparation

Our journey starts with a cup of coffee at the airport, where we gather as a group of enthusiastic gravel riders, ready for an unforgettable adventure through South Africa. In about eleven hours we fly to Cape Town, where we arrive around midnight. After picking up the bikes, a short transfer follows to Franschhoek, where we spend the night in an idyllic cottage, hidden between vineyards and surrounded by mountain peaks – a perfect place to recover.

After a good night’s sleep and a breakfast of granola and yoghurt, it is time to assemble the bikes. Then we drive to Plettenberg Bay, the starting point of our gravel adventure. Halfway we stop at a traditional padstal, where the freshly roasted coffee and roosterkoek with cheese, bacon and jam taste delicious.

Day 3 & 4

Gravel, forests & mountain passes

The first stage starts with a tough climb and a beautiful view over the bay of Plettenberg. Soon we exchange asphalt for gravel and drive into the mystical Diepwalle Forest, full of immense trees, lianas and waterfalls. A freshly prepared lunch in the middle of nature – with curious monkeys in the background – gives us energy for the last kilometers to Knysna, an oasis of peace to recover.

The next day the ride over the famous Seven Passes Road awaits, where unpaved mountain passes follow each other in rapid succession. Behind every bend the views change: from valleys and mountain ranges to lush greenery. The highlight is the climb of the Montagu Pass, with hairpin bends through a rugged landscape and a descent over gravel strips that feel as smooth as in the Strade Bianche. We end the day in an atmospheric guesthouse, located in an old post office.

Day 5 & 6

Western vibes & the Klein Karoo

After a refreshing night in the fresh mountain air, we get on our bikes for the first ‘centenarian’ of the trip. Fortunately, most of the kilometres are slightly downhill, so we can cycle freely and have time to chat along the way.

The next day, we feel like we’re in a western film. Meter-high cacti cast long shadows over the dusty paths, while birds of prey circle above us and buffalo skulls on poles emphasise the rugged character of the Klein Karoo. The vastness of the landscape is reminiscent of a film set, a world where nature and adventure merge. We climb the impressive Rooiberg Pass to a height of 800 metres. Along the way, we spot giraffes and zebras in the distance. The route takes you past ostrich farms, where the ostriches sometimes run along with us in a stately manner.

Day 7 & 8

Views & South African coziness

Today we enjoy endless gravel roads, sleepy villages and mountain tops in the clouds. The landscape is breathtaking and the constant up and down cycling provides beautiful views. The last part of the ride takes us on the iconic Route 62, where we stop in charming Barrydale. Between vintage gas pumps and rusty oldtimers, ‘the best milkshake in town’ tastes extra good.

The next day we hit the gravel paths again and pass nature reserves such as the Kronkelkloof and the Botterboom National Reserve. Children along the route greet us enthusiastically with high-fives. The day ends in Montagu, where we immediately take a seat at a microbrewery opposite our lodge. Together we look back on the adventures of the past few days, while relaxing and sharing the experiences that make this trip so special.

Day 9 & 10

Botanical splendor & culinary highlights

On day 9 we leave Montagu for Ashton, with the first few kilometers of gentle downhill to warm up our legs. We cycle through Cogmans Kloof, a canyon carved out by the Kingna River, and are soon enchanted by a landscape full of fruit trees, roses and vineyards. In the charming village of Riviersonderend we enjoy lunch in a peaceful terrace garden, while fresh riverbeds and small streams provide cooling.

On the last day of cycling we return to Franschhoek. Before we move back into our cozy cottage, we brave the climb up the Franschhoek Pass, which rewards us with panoramic views of vineyards and the village in the valley. We end the day with a dinner at La Petite Colombe, where a 9-course dinner with matching wines is the icing on the cake.

Day 11 & 12

The ultimate relaxation

On our last day in Franschhoek, an inspiring Bikes & Wine tour is on the program. We visit three special wine farmers in the region, where we enjoy tastings and matching dishes that show the authentic flavors of the region. This tour combines our passion for cycling with the rich wine culture of Franschhoek, a perfect ending after previous encounters with the local wine tradition along the way.

In the afternoon there is plenty of time to relax. We enjoy the cozy private pool, located between our cottages – a moment for a book, some music and stretched legs on the comfortable sunbeds. After a delicious dinner we leave for Cape Town for the return flight, with memories for life as the icing on the cake.

Gravel Africa & Songo: Cycling with Impact

At Gravel Africa, we believe in the power of sports to change lives. That’s why we partner with Songo, an inspiring youth development program in South Africa. Songo offers underprivileged children in Stellenbosch the opportunity to build a better future through education and mountain biking. With every Gravel Africa trip, we donate a fixed amount to this project and visit Songo, where we experience the children and their passion for cycling up close. In this way, your adventure contributes to a lasting, positive impact.

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OUR GUIDES

René de Bruijn 🇳🇱

Product Manager & Gids

René is a guide during the Gravel Africa cycling trips and lets you discover the real Africa. “The nature, the landscapes and the animals are beautiful, but what I like most is the connections that are made on the bike. Pedaling together leads to special conversations – not just about cycling, but about life itself. With Gravel Africa you forget the world around you and enjoy yourself to the fullest.”

Youri Poelemeijer 🇳🇱

Medical Doctor & Gids

Youri is a guide during the Gravel Africa cycling trips and plays an indispensable role behind the scenes. “The nature, the animals and the landscapes are impressive, but the best part is the conversations on the bike. Cycling together connects, pushes boundaries and lets you fully immerse yourself in the moment. With Gravel Africa, it’s all about enjoyment.”

Marinus Wijnbeek 🇿🇦

South African Wine Guide

Marinus is from Stellenbosch and believes that South Africa’s wine culture is as diverse as the country itself. His wine tours introduce visitors to emerging, sustainable winemakers and undiscovered regions. “I love the soil, how microclimates shape the terroir. You can taste the soul of the land in every glass.”

Matt Lachenicht 🇿🇦

South African Guide

Matt is Gravel Africa’s local guide and knows the cycling routes of South Africa like the back of his hand. “My passion is sharing the beauty of Southern Africa and my love for cycling. Every second in the saddle, together with like-minded people, is a moment to enjoy.”

Jared Cavé 🇿🇦

South African Guide

Jared has years of cycling experience and feels completely at home in the African nature. “With his humor, relaxed character and knowledge of people, he makes every ride not only adventurous, but also unforgettable.”

FAQ's

Who are Gravel Africa tours for?

Our gravel trips are made for gravel lovers who want to make a unique bike ride through one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The overwhelming flora and fauna make it a ‘Once in a Lifetime’ adventure. We cycle between 80 and 100 kilometers per day. Although we also get the necessary altitude meters for the wheels, it is perfectly doable for an experienced cyclist. We want to emphasize that Gravel Africa is not a competition. With us it is all about enjoying, in the saddle, but just as much when we rinse the dust from our lungs with a cold drink upon arrival at our lodge. Because we go on the road with a relatively small group (maximum 10 participants per trip), you really experience the trip together and that makes the experience even more beautiful.

Gravel Africa is part of Jouw Afrika Reis, a Dutch travel agency affiliated with the VVKR and VZR-Garant. In addition, we guarantee you a unique gravel experience. Our guides know the area like the back of their hand and ensure beautiful routes through varied landscapes day in, day out. Lush primeval forests, juicy vineyards, ‘western-like’ desert areas and deserted coastal roads; we encounter it all. We promise you an experience you will never forget. Everything has been thought of; personal guidance, varied routes, technical support, a follow-up car, two guides (including a Dutch-speaking one), delicious meals, comfortable, unique and small-scale accommodations. The only thing you will have to do yourself is cycle…

Don’t worry. We are supported by a support vehicle with technical support throughout the trip. Our guides are experienced mechanics and can usually fix a defect on the spot. A flat tire is plugged or replaced, a rattling derailleur is adjusted and a broken chain is expertly fixed. If it doesn’t work out, our support vehicle has bike racks. We are also supplied from the car, so no worries about running out of water. And if for whatever reason you are unable to continue cycling, you can always get into the support vehicle. That’s such a nice feeling.

We know the area we cycle through well. All accommodations where we stay are known and visited by ourselves. Sometimes it is a luxury lodge, then again a cozy guesthouse or cozy homestay. They have one thing in common: they are all accommodations where it is wonderful to recover after a day in the saddle; a nice shower, a wonderful bed and the next morning a generous breakfast. Take a look at the gallery for an impression of places where we spend the night.

If a tailor-made trip is put together, the accommodations can of course be completely adapted to your own wishes and budget.

Yes, you can. You can bring your own bike on the trip. However, you will need a special bike case or bike bag. Checking in for the outward and return journey is easy via KLM. The advantage is that you ride a bike that you are used to. Of course, it is also possible to rent a gravel bike on the spot. We have good contacts and can arrange that for you. Our technically skilled guides can also adjust the rental bike to your size. In both cases, we will of course arrange the transport of the bike from the airport to the first accommodation and we will ensure that your bike case/bag is stored safely.

That is possible. We will put you in touch with the rental company we work with. They are gravel bikes from the brand specialized and there are a number of types available including the Diverge and the Crux, assembly also depends on availability. Bikes are well maintained and are regularly renewed. Bikes are rented directly by yourself, delivery and collection from the locations is further arranged in consultation with us.

Yes, this is possible if the availability of the accommodations allows it. Gravel Africa works with small-scale accommodations, such as lodges, guesthouses and homestays, and in some cases the availability of extra rooms may be limited.

Yes. Gravel Africa is part of Your Africa Journey. We are affiliated with the VVKR (association for travel specialists) and the VZR Garant guarantee scheme. So you can book with peace of mind. More information about our conditions can be found here.

Gravel Africa organizes the Cross Cape gravel trip twice a year at fixed times (April and November). The duration, program and maximum group size are fixed. In addition, we offer the possibility of tailor-made trips. Here you travel with a group of your choice (family, relatives, group of friends, cycling group, colleagues) and we put together a trip especially for you/you, tailored to your own wishes and needs. Because we have been organizing trips to South Africa for years, we can organize the perfect trip for every group.

Every day after breakfast we get on our bikes. On average we spend about six hours a day on our bikes. We stop regularly for a drink, a nice lunch or just to take pictures of the beautiful landscapes we cycle through. We usually arrive at our accommodation halfway through the afternoon. We usually still have enough time to take a nice shower, lie by the pool, have a drink on a terrace or explore the area. Sometimes we can decide to do something fun as a group. A few days a shorter cycling day is on the program. Then we are of course a bit more flexible.

Bikepacking is perhaps the ultimate gravel experience. For the time being, a bikepacking trip is not part of our standard travel offer. Such a trip is possible on a custom basis. Thanks to our good contacts, knowledge of the country and experienced guides, we can put together a bikepacking trip on request. If there is a lot of interest, we might include a standard trip in our offer. Feel free to inquire about the possibilities.

Yes. Before each trip we organize a get-together with the group. An information meeting at bicycle shop De Mechanieker in Zwolle is included in the trip. On this evening you will get to know your fellow travelers, you will receive more information about the Cross Cape trip and there is an opportunity to ask questions. Questions about, for example, the best preparation, suitable material or technical support can be answered immediately. Mechanic Henk Zuidema has a lot of knowledge and experience with gravel bikes and can advise us perfectly. In addition, we organize a Social Ride several times a year with De Mechanieker as the start and end point. That is also a good moment to get to know each other a little before we go on a trip together.

Our collaboration with Henk Zuidema from bike shop De Mechanieker also ensures that we can provide you with all conceivable advice in the field of gravel bikes. Henk can subject your bike to an inspection and provide advice if desired. Whether it concerns the gearing of your cassette, the width of the tires, the best knob profile or making it tubeless: all the knowledge is available to get you and your bike perfectly prepared for departure.

A gravel bike is ideal for the roads we will be riding on. You then combine the advantages of a racing bike (weight and comfort) and a mountain bike (tire width and control). The route can also be ridden with a mountain bike (hardtail), but we do not prefer that because of the weight and the greater rolling resistance of tires that are too wide. The roads we will be riding on are mainly gravel roads. A tire width of 40/45 millimeters and a tubeless set-up is perfect. We do not recommend a full-suspension mountain bike. We do have to conquer quite a few meters of altitude and with a bike weighing twelve kilos that is quite tough 😉

If you decide to take your own bike with you on your trip (which is preferred), a bike case is essential. You can buy one yourself (we have had good experiences with the Evoc brand), but they can also be rented from various providers. The bike sometimes has to be partially dismantled for transport. We can provide you with tips and advice. A ‘ticket’ for your bike can easily be booked (online or by phone). Upon arrival at our destination, we will of course arrange transport to the first accommodation. Together we will then neatly assemble our bikes. We will of course be happy to help you get the bike ready to ride. Our guides are technically skilled, so don’t worry!

On our Cross Cape gravel journey we will definitely encounter animals along the way. In the Diepwalle Forest we will most likely encounter monkeys (baboons). In the Kleine Karoo we will spot ostriches (ostriches) when we cycle between the vast ostrich farms. With a bit of luck we will even spot giraffes and zebras in private parks that we pass through. In addition, in the province of Western Cape you can spot beautiful birds, including the national bird of the country: Stanley’s Crane. It is good to know that it is very safe. We can enjoy all the wildlife to the fullest.

Yes, the areas where we cycle (in the province of Western Cape) are safe to cycle. We cycle mostly through nature reserves and small villages. The locals are very hospitable and friendly. Nothing to worry about. We also travel with two guides, including a local guide. He knows the area like the back of his hand.

The price of the flight tickets does not include the travel sum. You can find this information on this page. However, we can arrange the flight tickets from Schiphol to Cape Town and back for you. Just as easy and also very practical. This way we travel together and arrive at our destination together. The transfers to the first accommodation are included in the travel sum.
To participate with E-bike, please contact Gravel Africa to discuss the options.

The area we cycle in is the Western Cape province, roughly between Cape Town and Plettenberg Bay. DTP vaccination and Hepatitis A are recommended. It is best to contact the local GGD before your trip. They can provide you with the current advice. For example, you could consider Rabies, Yellow Fever and Hepatitis B, although this is certainly not necessary.

Yes, that is certainly possible and happens regularly! If you are in South Africa, it is very nice to extend your trip with a few days in Cape Town or a safari in a wildlife park. We are happy to explain the possibilities to you!

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