Africa cycling tours

There aren't many places Intrepid hasn't been, so even if you've got a destination in mind that isn't on our list of Cycling tours in Africa, our Tailor-Made team is here to help. We'll use our 30 years of experience and regional specialists to help you create your perfect cycling adventure.

All you need to enjoy our cycling trips is the ability to ride a bicycle and a passion for seeing a destination on two wheels. That’s about it.

While there are occasionally longer days on some itineraries, the vast majority of our cycling days are between 30-60 kms and are done at a leisurely pace with plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the scenery or just take a break. Anyone with a reasonable level of fitness will get by with no trouble. Be sure to check the physical rating and description in the Essential Trip Information to make sure the trip suits your fitness level and skills.

Our cycling trips are done predominantly on sealed roads (with the odd unsealed section), but none of the trips require any specialist cycling skills. We’ve also researched extra riding routes in each of the destinations we visit, so if you want to stretch your legs a bit more, you can.

We run risk assessments on each and every one of our cycling trips to make sure they’re up to scratch and your cycling leaders have personally ridden every inch of the itinerary in advance. We’ve assessed the road conditions, the level of traffic and any potential blackspots.

Our leaders are trained in cycling health and safety, as well as basic first aid, and we usually have a vehicle following us if an evacuation ever becomes necessary. We’ve also made sure our cycling tours depart during the milder months when the weather isn’t too hot or too cold, so the ride should be as pleasant (and safe) as possible. 

Helmets are compulsory on our cycling tours, so you can either bring your own or (to save on luggage space) buy one at a local bike shop once you arrive in-country. We also recommend you bring your own water bottle/hydration pack and closed shoes. You may also wish to bring Cycling shorts and (if you ride regularly at home) your own saddle and pedals. Many of our clients who do not ride regularly find a gel seat cover helpful in making the ride more comfortable. For more info on packing, check out the What to Pack section of your Essential Trip Information.

To take the hassle out of preparing for your trip, we've included bike hire on all our dedicated cycling tours. Alternatively, you can bring your trusty bike from home. If you're bringing your own bike, make sure you let us know when booking so we can make sure your bike is appropriate for that particular tour. As always, check your Essential Trip Information. 

Bringing your own bike – If you are a dedicated cyclist or just want to take your bike on a holiday, you can usually bring it along for the ride. You’ll need to box it up for transport on the plane.

The easiest way to do this is to go to your local bike shop and ask if they will do it for you (a fee may apply). They often have boxes on hand from old stock and have the tools to remove the pedals and secure your handlebars.

Airline fees will also apply, so check with your airline about costs. It's worth remembering not all trips will be able to accommodate your own bike, so let us know what you're planning at the time of booking. 

Hiring a bike – The bikes we use are from proven brands, very well maintained, typically less than 3 years old (most are newer) and specifically chosen to suit the terrain you'll be cycling on the trip. They come in a full range of sizes from extra small to extra large and usually have front suspension, flat bars, and 27 gears.

The only thing you need to do is advise us of your height at the time of booking. We’ll handle the rest. If you'd like, you can always bring your own saddle (seat) or gel over-cover for comfort. If you want to use cleats, bring your pedals and shoes, too. 

All airlines will have their own rules and fees when transporting bikes. Make sure you contact the airline (preferably) before you pay for your flights to see what charges and requirements they have.

Before you depart, you must box your bike for transport. See our section ‘taking your own bike vs. hiring one’ for more information.

To make our trips more accessible for cyclists of varying fitness levels and skills, most of our trips will have a support vehicle that follows the group. You can jump into the support vehicle any time you feel like taking a short (or long) break from riding. Many of our cycling trips also include the option to use an e-bike, an electric motor-assisted bike that’ll get you up any hill or allow you to zip along the flats with minimum effort.

On all of our cycling tours your accommodation is pre-booked and your luggage is transferred from one point to the next. All you have to carry is water, any snacks or gadgets you may want and a few layers to keep you dry and warm. A small, lightweight backpack may come in handy.

Not as a rule. Any injuries you might suffer while riding should be covered by the more reputable comprehensive policies (we can recommend some good brands if you’re unsure of what to get). It’s always important to double-check the fine print before departing on your trip and be aware that, like all Intrepid trips, travel insurance is compulsory on our cycling itineraries.