Botswana mountain bike tours

This seven day mountain bike trip in Botswana is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go on a safari…on a mountain bike!

Ride through the Mashatu Game Reserve, along stunning river valleys, and traverse the Savannah. While singletracks might not be new to you, have you ever ridden elephant paths? This is your chance! Stay in beautiful luxury camps that have hot showers, delicious food, and frequent wildlife sightings including elephants, zebras, giraffes, and more.

Highly trained guides are always present to maintain a safe and enjoyable experience for the riders and animals in their natural habitat.

Get in Touch with Questions or Book Now

Botswana trip dates in 2024

• April 8-14, 2024
• May 27-June 2, 2024
• June 24-30, 2024
• July 22-28, 2024

Don’t see a date that works for you? Contact us for custom trip dates!

Skill and fitness level requirements

Fitness level: ● ● ● ○ ○
Skill level: ● ● ○ ○ ○

What do these ratings mean?

What to expect after you’ve booked your trip

• Once you’ve booked your trip, you will get a confirmation email through our booking system and a trip information sheet for your trip.
• Please hold off booking your flights until we confirm that the trip has enough participants to run. We will send out an email to let you know.
• Once the trip is confirmed, please go ahead and book your flight and upload your flight information into your WeTravel account (this is the account you will have booked your trip through).
• If you plan to extend your visit on either end of the trip, please let us know and we can help arrange for extra nights at the hotel if needed.
• Make sure to read through your trip information sheet, and always feel free to reach out with any questions to Julie!

Day 1

Your shuttle will be waiting at the airport in Johannesburg or will meet you at your local hotel. The group will then transfer to the Mahatsu Game Reserve, arriving in time for a light lunch and an introductory talk about what to expect for the week. After lunch, you will have your first opportunity to take in the beauty of the Mashatu Game Reserve and with a short ride to view wildlife. Mashatu is home to Africa’s largest herd of free-roaming elephants on private land, so your chances of seeing them is very high.

Accommodations: Tree Camp. This is a very unique camp that can fulfill childhood dreams of sleeping in a treehouse. Nestled in the bough of a giant Mashatu tree and two ancient Leadwood trees is where you’ll enjoy accommodations for the night. You will dine on the deck, overlooking the Majale River, able to view wildlife below as thirsty visitors arrive to drink at the watering hole.

Day 2

You will set off early on the day’s ride that ventures through the center of Mashatu to the ancient rock formations and centuries old giant baobab trees in the west of the reserve. In the afternoon, you can rest your legs on a game reserve drive with hopes of seeing the resident lion. A sunset happy hour at the ancient “Amphitheater” rocks will conclude the day’s adventures before heading to camp at The Kgotla to enjoy dinner around a large log fire. The night will be spent under a ceiling of stars and Africa’s night-time melodies singing you to sleep. This experience is just about as far away from city life and the modern world as anyone can imagine.

Accommodations: The Kgotla. An old Leadwood enclosure that was used in the past as a traditional law court of a Botswana village. This open-air enclosure forms the perfect, secure camp for the night.

Day 3

The day’s ride includes the unique sandstone formations in the area, including the famed Solomon’s Wall. Some of the oldest civilizations in southern Africa settled in this valley, as evidenced by archaeological finds including middle and late stone age tools, and rock art from the legendary Mapungubwe Dynasty. The ancient and timeless Mapungubwe area topography, combined with wildlife sightings, makes for an incredible riding experience. In the afternoon, enjoy the option of another game drive, which ends at one of the most visually stunning and ethereal sunset spots in the reserve – the Mmamagwa Hill. A short climb will allow you to enjoy happy hour beneath a beautiful baobab tree with breathtaking views of the area before returning to The Kgotla for another night under the stars.

Accommodations: The Kgotla

Day 4

The day will begin by winding your way through Elephant Valley along ancient trails stomped into the soil by centuries of migrating elephants. Then head north towards the upper reaches of the Majale River. This area is peppered with enormous baobab trees and is one of the most remote areas of the reserve. After an exhilarating ride through this timeless countryside, enjoy a relaxing lunch at Tree Camp. For the afternoon, choose from another ride, a bush walk, or game drive.

Accommodations: Tree Camp

Day 5

This day is spent exploring the center of the reserve. This area is notable because of its small hills, known as koppies. These hills make for some excellent uphill challenges on the bike and really fun downhills as a reward. A stop on the top of the koppies to enjoy the neverending views into both Zimbabwe and South Africa is not to be missed – the views will literally take your breath away. They also provide a great vantage point to see the herds of wildlife in the area. After the ride, return to Tree Camp, where you will again have options for an afternoon activity followed by a delicious dinner to celebrate the last night at magical Tree Camp.

Accommodations: Tree Camp

Day 6

This day of riding promises a wonderful downhill ride and some great wildlife viewing as you explore the Pitsane River Valley. Watering holes, dug by elephants along the course of the Pitsane River, attract thirsty herds of animals that you are sure to see when passing by. The ride returns to the Two Mashatu Camp in time for lunch and a cooling swim in the pool and a relaxing afternoon. There is also the option for one last ride, where we are likely to encounter plentiful wildlife including plains animals, giraffes, and herds of elephants. The ride meanders across the hills with vast views back towards South Africa, and arrives back at Two Mashatus in time for sunset happy hour. As evening falls, take a seat in the thatched boma and enjoy a last three-course dinner while reminiscing with your fellow adventurers.

Accommodations: Two Mashatu Camp

Day 7

Take in the sunrise and enjoy the beautiful sounds of the savannah at dawn with tea or coffee delivered to your tent. Following breakfast, we will return by shuttle to Johannesburg in time for evening flights.

Note: Itinerary subject to change.

Download our Botswana Information Guide for a more detailed trip overview

• Double occupancy accommodations in luxury camps
• Rental bikes
• All meals, tea, coffee, drinks and laundry
• Guided rides

Price – $4495

Book more than 90 days in advance and get a pair of World Ride Botswana socks and a hat! A $300 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your spot.

Deposits are non-refundable and can be put toward any other World Ride trip in the future.

The remainder of the cost of the trip is due 60 days prior to the start of the trip and can be made in payments. Trips require a minimum of four people in order to run. Please check with us to confirm the departure before you book your flight.

Fundraise for your trip

We can set up a personalized fundraising page for you. We offer $100 off your trip costs for every $1000 that you raise, up to the cost of the trip. Get in touch with us for more details about the fundraising process.

We are working on training new guides for our Botswana tour! The training for this trip is rigorous and takes time. While our future guides work through their training, we have partnered with amazing guides who are very experienced and committed to helping see our program a success in Botswana.

Safety is our number one priority on this trip. Due to the rigorous training of the guides, they are excellent at tracking wildlife and keep guests at a safe distance at all times. We have safety briefings at the beginning of the trip so that all guests know the safety signals and rules of being in the reserve. The lead guide will always carry a firearm as an added safety precaution. All of the camps are secured and a night watchman is on duty to monitor wildlife.

This trip begins and ends in Johannesburg, South Africa. Crime rates are relatively high in this city, so we do not recommend walking alone or after dark. Please be watchful of valuables when out in public and consult the hotel for guided tours and transportation.

Please see the US State Department website for any other travel safety information.

For any travel related vaccines and health questions, be sure to check the CDC website and consult your doctor.

Wondering what clothes to pack, how many pairs of underwear to bring (you do you!), or what charger you’ll need for Botswana? We’ve got you covered! Check out the lists below and take a look at the Botswana information guide for more details.

More insights into your Botswana mountain biking tour

• Why going on a World Ride mountain biking trip is the best way to support our mission

Other things to explore in Botswana

If you are planning to extend your trip, we recommend doing day tours from Johannesburg or flying to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe!