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.

Anyone with a reasonable fitness level will have no trouble. Most of our trips also have the option to hire an e-bike for an additional cost (it won’t do all the work for you, but it’ll help!) and a support vehicle that follows the group in case you feel like a break.

While there are occasionally longer days, most days you'll ride between 30 and 60 kilometres at a leisurely pace. When possible, our leaders often let the faster riders set their own pace, but generally, the group rides together. You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the scenery or have a snack break.

Check the physical rating in the Essential Trip Information to ensure the trip suits your fitness level.

All our trips have a cycling leader, a mechanic and a support vehicle. The support vehicle is there in case anyone gets injured or needs a rest, or road or weather conditions become unsafe.

We run risk assessments on all cycling trips to ensure they’re up to scratch – including road conditions, traffic and any potential blindspots. Our leaders have also ridden every inch of the itinerary in advance and are trained in cycling health and safety and basic first aid. 

Generally, your leader will ride at the front of the group, guiding the way and controlling the pace. In some destinations, our support vehicle acts as the back marker, ensuring constant support and making sure no one gets left behind. On some trips, a separate rider will also be at the back. 

Most of our trips depart during the milder months when the weather isn’t too hot or cold, so the ride should be as pleasant (and safe) as possible.

Helmets are compulsory on our cycling tours. We don’t provide or hire helmets directly, so we recommend bringing your own. Your leader may be able to suggest a local bike store when you arrive, but again, this isn’t always possible so it’s best to bring an approved and well-fitting helmet from home.

Our seats are unisex, but we know that saddle styles and types are personal preferences, so you’re welcome to bring your own. Some people also like to bring a gel seat cover to make the ride more comfortable.

Our bikes have flat pedals, so if you’re used to clip-in pedals, bring them along. But please ensure you bring ‘mountain bike’ rather than ‘road bike’ style shoes as we often do a fair bit of walking, especially in towns and cities.

If you bring your own saddle or pedals, our cycling leaders or mechanics will be more than happy to fit them on your bikes.

Check your Essential Trip Information for more packing information.

Bike hire is included in the trip price. The bikes we use are from trusted brands, very well maintained and chosen specifically for the terrain you'll be covering. They come in a full range of sizes from extra small to extra large and usually have front suspension, flat bars and 27 gears.

Please advise us of your height when booking so we can assign you a bike accordingly.

For added comfort, you could bring a saddle (seat) or gel overcover. If you want to use cleats, bring your pedals and shoes too.

If you're bringing your own bike, let us know when booking so we can ensure it's appropriate for the trip.

You can usually bring your own bike from home if you want to. Be sure to let us know when booking so we can ensure your bike is appropriate for a particular trip – some bikes aren’t suitable for certain terrain. 

If you bring your bike, you’ll need to box it up for transport on the plane. The easiest way to do this is to visit your local bike shop (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 may also apply, so check with your airline about costs before you book.

Don’t worry. Our cycling trips are designed to cater to cyclists of all skill levels – and sometimes non-cyclists, too! Our rides are broken up into manageable sections with plenty of rest and photo stops, and we avoid big climbs where possible. A support vehicle also follows the group for the whole trip in case you feel like taking a short (or long) break.

Many of our cycling trips also include the option to hire an e-bike for an extra fee. E-bikes have an electric motor that makes cycling up hills and along flats a lot easier.

Your accommodation is pre-booked and your luggage will be transferred from one point to the next, so all you need to carry is a lightweight backpack with your essentials – phone, snacks and a couple of layers to keep you dry and warm. Our bikes also have water bottle holders for easy access on the go.

Not as a rule. However, any injuries you might suffer while riding should be covered by a comprehensive travel insurance policy (we can recommend some good brands if you’re unsure).

It’s important to double-check the fine print before departing and be aware that, like all Intrepid trips, travel insurance is compulsory on our cycling trips.