Secret Safari - Ride Itinerary:
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Where we stay and a (not cast in stone) activity program -
Please be aware that it may be hot - consequently we have arranged to be out of the saddle from around midday – other interesting activities have been arranged. |
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SlowRide Day 1
Thursday 16th June - Night 1 – Mvubu Lodge and Chalets
Situated high above the Great Fish River the Lodge and the Chalets overlook the Great Fish River
From 14.00h
SlowRiders please check in at Reception at the Double Drift Reserve Office - see map - and then proceed to Mvubu Camp where you will be met and taken to your room.
Secure parking has been arranged for your vehicle at Mvubu Camp for the duration of our Adventure.
We will be based at Mvubu, so other holiday luggage can be left in your room, while you enjoy our Secret Safari.
15.30
Get to know each other - meet for drinks and snacks in the Lounge of Mvubu Lodge.
Ride briefing and completion of necessary paperwork.
Check your bike and pack your overnight bag.
17.00 – 18.00ish
Hippo River Walk – you will be escorted by game rangers and taken down to walk alongside the River Pools – see birds, hippo, buck and possibly rhino.
18.30ish
Warthog spit braai in the lapa. There will also be a variety of vegetarian dishes on offer.
Situated high above the Great Fish River the Lodge and the Chalets overlook the Great Fish River
From 14.00h
SlowRiders please check in at Reception at the Double Drift Reserve Office - see map - and then proceed to Mvubu Camp where you will be met and taken to your room.
Secure parking has been arranged for your vehicle at Mvubu Camp for the duration of our Adventure.
We will be based at Mvubu, so other holiday luggage can be left in your room, while you enjoy our Secret Safari.
15.30
Get to know each other - meet for drinks and snacks in the Lounge of Mvubu Lodge.
Ride briefing and completion of necessary paperwork.
Check your bike and pack your overnight bag.
17.00 – 18.00ish
Hippo River Walk – you will be escorted by game rangers and taken down to walk alongside the River Pools – see birds, hippo, buck and possibly rhino.
18.30ish
Warthog spit braai in the lapa. There will also be a variety of vegetarian dishes on offer.
SlowRide Day 2
Friday 17th June - Night 2 - Grasslands Farmhouse at the Basil Kent Research Centre
Ride Distance – approximately 35km – rugged jeep trail with some challenging climbs, rocky bits, swales and a low causeway river bike portage.
7.00ish - Breakfast in the Mvubu Lodge Lounge.
8.00ish - Riders depart Mvubu Lodge. A 3km staged climb will get us up to the top of the ridge and from there it is an undulating ride through spectacular scenery on the highland plateau above the Great Fish River
9.30ish – Low level causeway crossing – Great Fish River. Depending on the height of the water – either SlowRiders will be able to portage their bikes or the support team vehicles will carry bikes and SlowRiders over the causeway and we make our way to a Refreshment Stop.
10.30ish – SlowRiders ride to the Double Drift Fort where a short talk will explain some of the history of the site.
From here riders will tackle the Jeep Trail – a rugged section that will challenge - for those who find it too much – no worries - the sag wagon will pick up your bike and your tired body, and take you further down the trail to a flatter and more gentle part of our ride trail.
12.30ish - We make our way to the Grasslands Farmhouse – where we will stop for drinks and lunch in the barn.
There will be time to have a shower and change into “civvies” – (comfortable clobber) ready for a Magical Evening Out with our hosts – Bucklands Private Game Reserve.
15.30ish
Visit this site for more information: http://bucklandsreserve.co.za/
Ride Distance – approximately 35km – rugged jeep trail with some challenging climbs, rocky bits, swales and a low causeway river bike portage.
7.00ish - Breakfast in the Mvubu Lodge Lounge.
8.00ish - Riders depart Mvubu Lodge. A 3km staged climb will get us up to the top of the ridge and from there it is an undulating ride through spectacular scenery on the highland plateau above the Great Fish River
9.30ish – Low level causeway crossing – Great Fish River. Depending on the height of the water – either SlowRiders will be able to portage their bikes or the support team vehicles will carry bikes and SlowRiders over the causeway and we make our way to a Refreshment Stop.
10.30ish – SlowRiders ride to the Double Drift Fort where a short talk will explain some of the history of the site.
From here riders will tackle the Jeep Trail – a rugged section that will challenge - for those who find it too much – no worries - the sag wagon will pick up your bike and your tired body, and take you further down the trail to a flatter and more gentle part of our ride trail.
12.30ish - We make our way to the Grasslands Farmhouse – where we will stop for drinks and lunch in the barn.
There will be time to have a shower and change into “civvies” – (comfortable clobber) ready for a Magical Evening Out with our hosts – Bucklands Private Game Reserve.
15.30ish
Visit this site for more information: http://bucklandsreserve.co.za/
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We will set out on the open game viewers to drive to “Teatime at the Hide” – we will enjoy afternoon tea, pastries and cake at the Bird Hide, where we will be able to watch the afternoon and sunset parade of birds and animals at the watering hole. Sundowners from a cash bar will be available.
We will then proceed to the Boma at the Bucklands Luxury Tented Camp to enjoy a 3 Course Plated Dinner - an “Out of Africa – Fine Food Under the Stars” –dining experience that will recall the days of the Great White Hunters of the African Plains.
After dinner we will enjoy a Night Game Drive through the Bucklands Reserve, which will end at our bedroom doors back at the Grasslands Farmhouse.
We will then proceed to the Boma at the Bucklands Luxury Tented Camp to enjoy a 3 Course Plated Dinner - an “Out of Africa – Fine Food Under the Stars” –dining experience that will recall the days of the Great White Hunters of the African Plains.
After dinner we will enjoy a Night Game Drive through the Bucklands Reserve, which will end at our bedroom doors back at the Grasslands Farmhouse.
SlowRide Day 3
Saturday 18th June 2016 - Night 3 – Back to Mvubu
Ride Distance – approximately 55km – rugged jeep trail mixed with faster undulating dirt track with some slow climbs and stops for amazing views.
7.00ish – On our bikes for a breakfast ride to the Old Farmhouse in the Bucklands Private Game Reserve.
8.30ish – From Bucklands we cross back to into the Inyathi Area of the Great Fish and ride on to the Kamadolo Gate, where we will load the bikes on to a transporter - and SlowRiders into our support vehicles. We will drive the tar up to the north west corner to the Sam Knott area of the Great Fish Nature Reserve.
From the Botha’s Post Gate we will tackle 35kms of undulating jeep track, a mix of rugged and smoother trail, crossing gullies and causeways, pedalling up and over ridges to look across the landscape of the Frontier Wars. There is a brooding sense of history here – this is the cauldron of our country – the land where our people met, fought, lived and died.
Ride Distance – approximately 55km – rugged jeep trail mixed with faster undulating dirt track with some slow climbs and stops for amazing views.
7.00ish – On our bikes for a breakfast ride to the Old Farmhouse in the Bucklands Private Game Reserve.
8.30ish – From Bucklands we cross back to into the Inyathi Area of the Great Fish and ride on to the Kamadolo Gate, where we will load the bikes on to a transporter - and SlowRiders into our support vehicles. We will drive the tar up to the north west corner to the Sam Knott area of the Great Fish Nature Reserve.
From the Botha’s Post Gate we will tackle 35kms of undulating jeep track, a mix of rugged and smoother trail, crossing gullies and causeways, pedalling up and over ridges to look across the landscape of the Frontier Wars. There is a brooding sense of history here – this is the cauldron of our country – the land where our people met, fought, lived and died.
12.30ish – Lunch at the Double Drift Office – relax under the trees.
14.30ish – The last loop – mostly downhill. We stop at the Adam Krantz viewpoint on the side of the cliffs to enjoy the spectacular view over the Great Fish River loop between the mountains. And then it’s back to Mvubu. Have a swim and rest before the start of the evening.
18.00 – Our Xhosa Dancers will drum us in to an evening of traditional marimba music, dancing, storytelling and food on the deck of the lodge above the Great Fish River. Share war stories, and memories, swop photos and contact details – you are now a qualified SlowRider, and there’s a whole new group of friends to join up with again – to ride your bike and to explore our wonderful countryside.
14.30ish – The last loop – mostly downhill. We stop at the Adam Krantz viewpoint on the side of the cliffs to enjoy the spectacular view over the Great Fish River loop between the mountains. And then it’s back to Mvubu. Have a swim and rest before the start of the evening.
18.00 – Our Xhosa Dancers will drum us in to an evening of traditional marimba music, dancing, storytelling and food on the deck of the lodge above the Great Fish River. Share war stories, and memories, swop photos and contact details – you are now a qualified SlowRider, and there’s a whole new group of friends to join up with again – to ride your bike and to explore our wonderful countryside.
Sunday 19th June 2016 – Depart at leisure.
8.30 – Breakfast and goodbye until the next SlowRide
8.30 – Breakfast and goodbye until the next SlowRide
Read our Ride Diary