Cycle Mashatu Wilderness Trail

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. Join us for this unforgettable wildlife biking experience in Mashatu, the “Land of the Giants”!

Duration: 4 days/3 nights
Start/End: Pont Drift Border Post, South Africa
Departures: Tuesdays and Fridays, March to November

Itinerary:

Day 1: Meet at Border, ride to wilderness camp
Meet the Cycle Mashatu guides on the South African side at Pont Drift Border Post at 13h00. Once done with border formalities, we prepare our bikes and load the support vehicle with luggage. After a light lunch we ride to our 1st wilderness camp. We arrive to chilled drinks, a hot bucket shower and a wholesome dinner. Our temporary, low-impact, fully equipped wilderness camps provide for an unforgettable nights rest after a hard days ride. Meals are prepared on open fires while the starlit skies and night sounds awaken your senses. Two qualified trails guides accompany each tour and ensure the safety and enjoyment of the group.

Day 2: Explore
Awake early to fresh brewed coffee and breakfast. Today we head off to uncharted terrain and discover new skills as rocky outcrops, sandy riverbeds and open plains test biking abilities. We’ll break for a tea/drinks stop along route and arrive back at camp in time for lunch. A welcome afternoon siesta follows. As the day draws to a close, we head off to a nearby sundowner point to enjoy a spectacular African sunset.

Day 3: Ride to Kgotla
Today brings a new dawn and we ride out towards the Kgotla, our open-aired wilderness camp. Testing terrain and changing landscapes make for a great ride. A delicious lunch and hot showers welcome weary legs and an opportunity to sit back, relax and savour that sense of achievement. After an afternoon of leisure, we head off to a nearby rocky outcrop for a final epic sundowner. Return to camp where the staff have prepared the evening meal on an open fire. This is followed by a restful nights sleep under the stars.

Day 4: Departure
Today we make our way back to Pont Drift, either by bike or vehicle, the choice is yours. This brings the safari to a close, and we say our farewells and let the nostalgia kick in.

This itinerary is a guideline and may, where possible, be adapted to suit specific requirements.

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 March through to end November. The dry, cooler months (May through Sept) provide the best weather conditions for a visit.

Accommodation:
Beautiful bush camps. Sleep in tents or under the stars. The choice is yours!

Group Size:
Groups of 8-10 people are recommended. We can however accommodate up to 16 riders in which case we split the ride group for safety reasons.
If you are unable to get your own group together we can try join you up with an existing group or make a provisional booking with the hope that others will join you. Private bookings min 8 people.

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!

Bike requirements:
Mountain bikes with off-road tubeless tyres. Bike hire is available on request. Helmets are compulsory.

No bike, no problem! We have robust, all terrain, mountain bikes for hire at R250/day.

Food and Beverages:
All meals are included in the package price. Please bring your own riding snacks. A fully stocked cash bar is also available.

Age Limit:
No children under the age of 12 are permitted. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

If you want to join a Cycle Mashatu Wilderness trail but don’t want to ride bicycles:
Bush walks, horse riding and games drives are available, on request, for those not so keen to be on two wheels. Bookings are subject to the number of guests and availability.