Bike tours in Africa offer an extraordinary way to experience a continent of vast landscapes, vibrant cultures and remarkable wildlife. From coastal rides and desert adventures to highland trails and epic cross-continental journeys, cycling in Africa gives you perspectives you simply cannot find elsewhere.
This is also a historic moment for the sport on the continent. In September 2025, the UCI Road World Championships were held in Rwanda for the first time (source) – a landmark that underlines the growing potential for cycling in Africa.
I’ve spent extensive time travelling in Africa, including three months in Ghana and three months in South Africa and Namibia. Since then, the team at Epic Road Rides and I have interviewed many local experts and tour operators to understand what makes a supported tour worthwhile. It’s not just the seamless logistics and safety, it’s the chance to connect deeply with landscapes and people, guided by those who know them best.
In this guide, we’ve chosen four different styles of Africa bike tour: a coastal road classic, a desert safari by bike, an expedition that crosses an entire continent, and a community-led ride through Ethiopia’s Rift Valley. Together, they show the breadth and richness of cycling through Africa.
Clare Dewey is a cyclist with a passion for travel. She set up epicroadrides.com in 2018 to help make it easy for cyclists to explore the world by bike. Today her mission is still inspiring cyclists to discover new places on two wheels - and doing what she can to make sure they have the best possible time while they're there. Clare has visited 50+ destinations around the world, many of them by bike.
Want to connect with Clare? Find her over on LinkedIn.
We’ve worked with all of the bike tour operators featured in this article over the years (there are links to our interviews with them in the relevant section). We have chosen to include them in this article because the African cycling experiences they offer are ones we’d suggest to a friend, or book ourselves, if we were heading to Africa.
Always check current travel information and advice. For visitors from the UK, the UK government travel information pages are here.
1. The Garden Route with African Bikers
Riding on the Garden Route (photo credit: African Bikers)
The riding
The Garden Route is one of the most iconic African bike tour experiences. Stretching from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town, it combines ocean views, evergreen forests, and mountain passes with the cultural highlights of South Africa’s Western Cape.
On this 12-day road cycling journey with African Bikers, you’ll ride through dramatic contrasts: the lush coastal forests of the Garden Route, the arid beauty of the Karoo, the vineyards of the Cape Winelands, and finally the vibrant city of Cape Town. Climbs in the Swartberg Mountains test the legs, while sweeping descents and scenic roads reward your efforts.
What we like
African Bikers have been running tours across Southern Africa since 1993, bringing more than 35 years of expertise to every trip. Their groups are deliberately kept small, with a maximum of 15 participants, which makes the tours feel personal and friendly.
We like how they make bike tours in Africa feel both adventurous and accessible. Support vehicles, knowledgeable guides, and carefully chosen guesthouses and lodges mean you can focus on the riding while still enjoying local hospitality at the end of each day.
What else they offer
In addition to the Garden Route, African Bikers run cycling safaris in the east of South Africa, where wildlife encounters add an extra thrill to the experience. They also offer a variety of road and mountain bike tours across Southern Africa, with options to suit different riding styles and fitness levels.
More information
- Guide to cycling in South Africa for an in-depth interview with African Bikers.
- African Biker’s website to find out more.
2. Namibia with NatureFriend Safaris
Sunset in Damaraland (photo credit: NatureFriend Safaris)
The riding
Namibia is unlike anywhere else in the world. This is cycling through Africa at its rawest: endless horizons, deserts that glow red at sunrise, and wildlife encounters that feel like stepping back in time. From the soaring dunes of Sossusvlei to the eerie Skeleton Coast and the game-rich plains of Etosha, every day brings another striking backdrop.
NatureFriend Safaris have been running African bike tour adventures here for more than twenty years, and their itineraries range from fat bike rides over desert sands to multi-day safaris that weave through remote wilderness. Expect a mix of gravel, hard-packed trails and asphalt roads, with the reward of star-filled skies and campfires at the end of the day.
What we like
NatureFriend Safaris specialise in tailor-made trips. Whether you want a fully guided expedition with mobile camps or a self-drive journey supported by GPS and route notes, they’ll build an itinerary around your group, fitness level and interests.
We like their deep local knowledge and the flexibility that allows you to design your own version of an African cycling tour. They also offer the rare chance to combine daily riding with cultural encounters, such as visiting Himba communities in Damaraland, and with world-class wildlife watching in Etosha National Park.
What else they offer
While their focus is on Namibia, NatureFriend Safaris also operate in neighbouring Botswana, giving travellers the chance to extend a cycling holiday with classic safari experiences. Beyond bikes, they arrange a full range of guided and self-drive safaris, from birdwatching trips to luxury lodge-based wildlife tours.
More information
- Guide to Namibia bike tours, for an in-depth interview with NatureFriend Safaris.
- NatureFriend’s Safari’s website to find out more.
3. Trans Africa with Rat Race
A cyclist coming close up to a giraffe whilst cycling in Namibia (photo credit: Rat Race)
The riding
Trans Africa is not just a trip – it is a life-defining expedition. Over 21 days and more than 3,000 kilometres, you’ll pedal coast to coast across four countries. Starting at Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, the route heads through the Namib Desert before rolling into Botswana’s Okavango Delta, crossing South African game reserves, and finishing at the Indian Ocean after a passage through Eswatini.
This bike tour in Africa combines every environment the continent is famous for: desert, savannah, mountains, and even wildlife-rich game parks where spotting elephants, rhinos, or giraffes from the saddle is part of the adventure. It’s cycling across Africa on a scale few can imagine, but with the reassurance of full support throughout.
What we like
Rat Race is not about who finishes first, it’s about getting to the start line and having the confidence to start – and complete – the journey. Their events are designed to be tough but achievable, opening the door for regular cyclists rather than just elite athletes. The focus is on completion, camaraderie, and soaking in the destination as much as the challenge itself.
We like how the team brings energy and authenticity: they’re adventurers themselves, often lining up alongside participants and sharing the journey. With more than 500 events delivered worldwide, they know how to combine audacity with reliability – and this African bike tour is the perfect example.
What else they offer
Rat Race goes where (most) others don’t. Alongside their bike tours in Africa, they run global adventures on bike, foot and water. Cycling highlights include The Crossing across northern England, the Journey to the End of the World gravel ride in Tierra del Fuego, and the Transandean coast-to-coast in Chile. Their calendar also features multiday running ultras and endurance challenges in some of the world’s most remote locations.
More information
- Best bucket list bike rides, for an in-depth interview with Rat Race.
- Rat Race’s website to find out more.
4. Ride the Ethiopian Rift Valley with Ride the Rift
The Great Rift Valley
The riding
This is one of the most adventurous Africa bike tours you can take, exploring the lush, green landscapes of Ethiopia’s southwest Rift Valley. Over seven days, the route follows the western ridge of the Rift Valley, with ridge rides along extinct volcanoes, demanding climbs, and thrilling downhills. You’ll camp in wild, beautiful spots, stay in local hotels, and soak up unforgettable views – such as the flooded Omo canyon at sunset.
It’s cycling in Africa at its most authentic: remote trails, cultural immersion with Gurage, Wolaita, Kambata, Tembaro and Sidama communities, and the chance to enjoy local food, drink, and even dancing. With a cook team at camp and the Ride the Rift crew handling logistics, you can focus on the adventure and the landscapes.
What we like
Ride the Rift was born from a collaboration between three well-established Ethiopian operators – Tesfa Tours, Simien Eco Tours, and Dynasty Ethiopia Tours – who came together during Covid to create new opportunities for local communities and travellers. That spirit of partnership continues today, with trips designed to support local guides, cooks and hosts along the way.
We like how their tours feel grassroots and genuine. They’re not polished luxury trips, but journeys where the rewards come from adventure, hospitality, and cultural connection. It’s the kind of Africa cycling tour where every day feels like a discovery.
What else they offer
Ride the Rift offers other small-group mountain biking adventures across Ethiopia, including a trip to the Tigrayan Highlands at Easter, and a Gurage Highlands tour with rafting and river crossings by bike. They also create tailor-made adventures for groups of friends, keeping the focus on immersive experiences in off-the-beaten-track locations.
More information
- Cycling in Ethiopia, for an in-depth guide to the area
- Ride the Rift’s website to find out more.
What’s next?
- Best cycling safaris, if the idea of combining wildlife encounters with time on the bike excites you.
- Best long-distance cycling routes, for more epic adventures across continents.
- Best cycling holidays in Europe, if you are looking for top cycling holidays in Europe.
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Looking for an organised cycling trip?
If you want someone to help you plan and book your cycling holiday, fill out this form. We aren’t a tour operator/agent but we work with lots of people who are and will do our best to put you in touch with someone that can help (within 24 hours where possible)!Clare Dewey is a cyclist with a passion for travel. She set up epicroadrides.com in 2018 to help make it easy for cyclists to explore the world by bike. Today her mission is still inspiring cyclists to discover new places on two wheels - and doing what she can to make sure they have the best possible time while they're there. Clare has visited 50+ destinations around the world, many of them by bike.
Want to connect with Clare? Find her over on LinkedIn.
First Published: 11 March 2026
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