5 of the best bike tours in Africa

1. The Garden Route with African Bikers

Best for scenic road cycling, coastal views and mountain passes in South Africa.

Riding on the Garden Route (photo credit: African Bikers)

Key information

Route: A 12-day guided road cycling tour from Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) to Cape Town, taking in the Garden Route, Little Karoo, Cape Winelands and Cape Peninsula.

Terrain: Well-paved roads, with a mix of coastal riding, rolling hills, mountain passes and some long climbs.

Difficulty: Challenging, with daily rides of around 40 to 139 kilometres and some significant climbing. A good level of cycling fitness is needed.

Highlights: Tsitsikamma National Park, Nature’s Valley, Robinson Pass, the Little Karoo, Cape Winelands, Cape of Good Hope and Chapman’s Peak Drive.

Logistics: Fully guided road cycling tour with accommodation in hotels, guesthouses and lodges, luggage transfers and a support vehicle. Road bike hire is available at an additional cost.

Best time to visit: November to March, during South Africa’s summer. The March departure also offers the opportunity to take part in the Cape Town Cycle Tour.

For more information: African Bikers’ Garden Route road cycling tour

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

Best for tailor-made cycling adventures, desert landscapes and wildlife encounters.

Sunset in Damaraland (photo credit: NatureFriend Safaris)

Key information

Route: Tailor-made cycling tours across Namibia, with a seven-day sample itinerary taking in Uis, Swakopmund and Sossusvlei. Routes and trip lengths can be adapted to suit your interests.

Terrain: A mix of gravel roads, hard-packed tracks, sandy riverbeds and asphalt roads. Some routes also offer fat biking across desert sands.

Difficulty: Varies depending on the itinerary, with options for different fitness levels. Heat, wind, loose surfaces and remote conditions can make some rides more challenging.

Highlights: Sossusvlei’s sand dunes, Damaraland’s desert landscapes, the Atlantic coast around Swakopmund and wildlife watching in Etosha National Park.

Logistics: Tailor-made guided or self-drive cycling holidays, with accommodation in lodges or camps. Guided tours offer local support, while self-drive options include GPS navigation and route information.

Best time to visit: Cycling is possible year-round, although April to September generally brings cooler conditions. Summer rides may start early to avoid the midday heat.

For more information: NatureFriend Safaris’ Namibia cycling tours

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

Best for a challenging, long-distance cycling expedition across Southern Africa.

A cyclist coming close up to a giraffe whilst cycling in Namibia (photo credit: Rat Race)

Key information

Route: A 21-day fully supported cycling expedition from Namibia’s Skeleton Coast to the Indian Ocean in Mozambique, crossing Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and Eswatini on the way.

Terrain: A varied mix of paved roads, gravel roads and rougher remote sections, passing through desert, savannah, mountains and wildlife-rich landscapes.

Difficulty: Challenging, with more than 3,000 kilometres of riding over three weeks. This trip is designed for riders with a good level of fitness and an appetite for endurance adventure.

Highlights: The Skeleton Coast, the Namib Desert, the Okavango Delta region, game reserves in Southern Africa and the chance to ride coast to coast across four countries.

Logistics: Fully supported group expedition with Rat Race, including event logistics, support and accommodation arrangements along the route. This is an organised endurance adventure rather than a self-guided cycling holiday.

Best time to visit: Trip dates vary by year, so it is best to check the current event page for exact timings and conditions.

For more information: Trans Africa Coast to Coast

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

Best for adventurous mountain biking, remote trails and local cultural experiences.

The Great Rift Valley

Key information

Route: A seven-day guided mountain biking journey through Ethiopia’s southwest Rift Valley, starting in the Gurage Highlands and following the western ridge of the Rift Valley towards Hawassa.

Terrain: A mix of gravel roads, dirt tracks and narrow trails, with steep climbs, long descents and some rocky or muddy sections.

Difficulty: Challenging, covering approximately 400 kilometres with around 6,100 metres of climbing. A good level of fitness and confidence riding off-road are needed.

Highlights: The Gurage Highlands, extinct volcanic ridges, Ajora waterfalls, views over the flooded Omo canyon and visits to rural communities.

Logistics: Fully guided mountain biking tour with local guides, meals, transfers and accommodation in a mix of campsites and local hotels. Bike hire is available.

Best time to visit: The operator currently lists a departure from 27 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Check the latest dates before booking.

For more information: Rift Valley mountain biking tour 

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.

5. Egypt and the Nile with Boat Bike Tours

Best for guided e-bike rides, ancient Egyptian history and a Nile cruise.

Cycling Valley of the Kings (photo credit: Michael de Boer via Boat Bike Tours)

Key information

Route: A 13-day guided bike-and-boat tour from the Red Sea coast to Cairo, with seven days of cycling through the Nile Valley and visits to Egypt’s ancient sites.

Terrain: Mostly flat roads through villages, farmland and towns, with some uneven surfaces and busier sections of road.

Difficulty: Rated level three out of three by the operator, with daily rides of around 15 to 51 kilometres. E-bikes are included, but riders should be comfortable cycling in traffic and warm conditions.

Highlights: Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Philae Temple, Nubian villages, the Pyramids of Giza and a cruise along the Nile.

Logistics: Fully guided tour with seven nights aboard H/S Nebu and five nights in hotels. E-bikes, local guides, support vehicles, most meals and organised transfers are included.

Best time to visit: Late October to March, when temperatures are generally more suitable for cycling than during Egypt’s hot summer months.

For more information: Egypt and the Nile – A Journey to Ancient Wonders

The riding

This 13-day bike and boat tour with Boat Bike Tours combines guided e-bike rides with a Nile cruise and visits to some of Egypt’s most famous ancient sites. The journey begins on the Red Sea coast before heading inland to Luxor, where guests board their river ship for seven nights.

There are seven days of cycling, taking you through the Nile Valley, past sugarcane fields, villages and date palms. Along the way, you’ll visit famous sites including Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings and Philae Temple near Aswan. The riding is mostly flat, but you’ll need to be comfortable with traffic, uneven roads and warm temperatures. E-bikes and local guides are included, and the tour finishes with sightseeing in Cairo and at the Pyramids of Giza.

What we like

We like how Boat Bike Tours offers a different way to experience Egypt. Rather than travelling between historical sites by coach, you get to explore everyday life along the Nile by bike. There’s also time to relax aboard the river ship after a day of riding and sightseeing.

The tour was developed with local experts, including Egyptologists who share their knowledge of the country’s history. We also like the support provided, with guided group riding, support vehicles and local traffic arrangements helping guests explore an unfamiliar destination.

What else they offer

Boat Bike Tours specialises in cycling holidays that combine riding with travel by boat. Alongside Egypt, they offer tours in several European countries, including the Netherlands, France, Croatia and Greece.

Their trips range from relaxed rides through the Dutch countryside to island-hopping adventures in the Mediterranean. Depending on the destination, there are guided and self-guided options, with different boats and accommodation styles available.

More information

• Boat and bike tours in Egypt, for an in-depth interview with Boat Bike Tours.
• Boat Bike Tours’ Egypt and the Nile tour, for the full itinerary and booking details.

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.

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.