The town of Prince Albert at the southern edge of the Great Karoo. Prince Albert is undoubtedly South Africa's most attractive Karoo Town and lies at the foot of the iconic gravel Swartberg Pass, built by Thomas Bain in 1888, it has remained in it's original form for over 140 years.
The rider experience
- It's a 3 day, social ride of 55 to 65km per day with fully stocked water-stops halfway.
- No pressure to ride full distance, support vehicles assist you along the way.
- e-Bikes are welcome and recommended for the occasional cyclist.
- Sweep Rider and bus brings up the rear.
- Medic and Ambulance service on duty for duration of the tour.
- 3 nights in a luxury B&B
- Dinner at a different restaurant each night, a fantastic selection of wines included.
- Afternoons are free for activities of choice in the town.
- Arrive the evening of the first night, briefing before dinner
For the duration of the tour you are based in Prince Albert at a luxury bed and breakfast. The picturesque town of Prince Albert is known as the "Jewel of the Great Karoo" and lies at the foot of the iconic Swartberg Pass. There's lots to do and see in the town after you've stretched your legs on the bike in the morning. The daily routine is typically as follows:
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Mornings start with a great coffee and quick breakfast at The Lazy Lizard while we load your bikes or prep you to ride out on a big loop.
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We then whisk out to the middle of nowhere, give you a quick lecture on how to use a GPS navigation device, (if the route requires it) strap it to your bike and bid you farewell on your ride for the day. You can just relax and enjoy the adventure and the camaraderie.
The routes vary from day to day with differing terrain. You will traverse the iconic Swartberg Pass, ride across the plains of the Great Karoo and experience the farmlands on the southern and northern foothills of the Swartberg Range. It's a real Karoo experience incorporating both the Klein and Groot Karoo.
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Water stops are always fully stocked and provided at the halfway mark
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The scenery is always spectacular whether you are climbing 12% inclines in the mountains or hammering the flats out in the desert.
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The days ride ends either for lunch at a carefully chosen restaurant or at the Gin Bar with lunch later on, after a shower.
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Afternoons can be spent exploring the town and its attractions like Gay's working dairy or the Art collection at the Seven Arches Gallery, Wine Farms, Olive farms and virgin oil presses or just relax at the numerous antique and coffee shops. A nice afternoon nap is another option.
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Evenings are spent socialising and enjoying local cuisine at African Relish, Simply Saffron and other restaurants in the town.
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Late night entertainment isn't a big thing in a Karoo town, but there is the wonderfully renovated "Showroom" an art deco theatre which hosts musicians and shows, with the occasional movie as well. You can also venture out of town on a moonless night and do a bit of stargazing. Watching the sunset over the town before dinner from the nearest koppie is always a pleasant outing.
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The Prince Albert routes
We have a route for each of the 3 days that is the most spectacular riding in the area.
To maximise the experience we transport you out on some mornings so that you can experience a greater diversity of nature and terrain within the 65km cycling limit we have set for each day. Total distance: 182 Km with 2659 m of ascent over 3 days.
To maximise the experience we transport you out on some mornings so that you can experience a greater diversity of nature and terrain within the 65km cycling limit we have set for each day. Total distance: 182 Km with 2659 m of ascent over 3 days.
KGG Day One
Two Parts totalling 63.3 km and 1340 m of ascent
We load you and your bike in the early morning and bus you down to De Rust. The route then starts beyond the town of De Rust on the gravel Oudemuragie road. This road is remote and meanders through spectacular farmlands and the southern foothills of the great Swartberg mountain range.
Your "tea-time" waterpoint after the first 31.5km is at the junction to the Cango Caves road, where we load your bike again and whisk you off to the base of Swartberg Pass on the southern side.
We load you and your bike in the early morning and bus you down to De Rust. The route then starts beyond the town of De Rust on the gravel Oudemuragie road. This road is remote and meanders through spectacular farmlands and the southern foothills of the great Swartberg mountain range.
Your "tea-time" waterpoint after the first 31.5km is at the junction to the Cango Caves road, where we load your bike again and whisk you off to the base of Swartberg Pass on the southern side.
Day One Part One - Oudemuragie
31.5 km - 595 m of ascent
The Swartberg Pass is a spectacular climb and is fairly tough, but achievable for the average rider.
It's basically 9.8km up and then 22 km down to Prince Albert, an unforgettable experience and well worth any discomfort you experience on the climb.
It's basically 9.8km up and then 22 km down to Prince Albert, an unforgettable experience and well worth any discomfort you experience on the climb.
Day One Part Two - Swartberg Pass
31.8 km 745 m of ascent
KGG Day Two
Up early, good coffee and rusks, then a scenic 36km along the northern foothills to Weltevrede Fig Farm where breakfast awaits you. It's a passage back in time, no cell reception, no electricity, gravity fed water to irrigate the farms, an isolated beautiful place, removed from the bustle of the world beyond.
64 km 775m of Ascent
You can spend more time on the farm and go back in the bus, or twiddle the 27 km back on your bike, making it a 63km day.
KGG Day Three
A downhill desert run of around 55 km, almost no uphills whatsover, desolate Karoo plateau's with the Swartberg range as the backdrop. A minor descent down Tierberg pass, if you lucky you will see, horses, sheep, cattle, eland, giraffe, sable antelope, klipspringers, kudu and springbok. You will definitely see windmills, game fences and thorn trees.
55 km - 239 m of ascent , 544 m of descent
The non-rider companion experience
Your routine for the three days is similar to the riders, but instead of riding, you have a glorious time discovering the hidden secrets and delicacies in the town and surrounding countryside. After breakfast, your adventure begins with the morning's activities and entertainment.
If you're not interested in the specific tour of the day, you can do your own thing or opt to take your own transport out on the course and cheer them on etc. We will give you the GPS track to follow and direct you to the best vantage points.
If you're not interested in the specific tour of the day, you can do your own thing or opt to take your own transport out on the course and cheer them on etc. We will give you the GPS track to follow and direct you to the best vantage points.
Whatever you decide, there is plenty to do in and around Prince Albert.
We do change the activities from time to time, but a typical weekend itinerary would have the following options each day:
Day One:
African Relish Options:
Day One:
African Relish Options:
Cooking class at African Relish
with the idea of enjoying your dishes at lunchtime ( africanrelish.com/cooking-school/ )
Recommended choices -
OR
The African Relish Foodie Town Tour
Join a small group for a friendly and exclusive guided tour of our food producers in the town of Prince Albert.
African Relish recreational cooking school sources some of the area’s best local and seasonal produce for our classes and we are happy to introduce you to these producers and creators.
Whether it is tasty artisan breads and pastries, gingerbeer, vetkoek and roosterkoek, pickled olives and oil, figs, cheeses, wines and witblits, biltong, sausage and charcuterie you are in for a charming tour of the towns’ food and culture.
Take the option of a stroll, a drive in the African Relish Tak Tak or a leisurely cycle option; we will accompany you on this fun and tasty tour.
Produce also on sale at various food suppliers at good prices. Please bring cash along.
Tours only available in the morning from 9am to 1:00pm and can include some of the following tastings and experiences:
The tour starts at the African Relish verandah/courtyard and ends with a light lunch and glass of wine or homemade cordial.
What to bring:
Sunhat, water bottle, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, basket or shopping bag for goods, cash.
Day Two:
Generally we go to Weltevrede Fig Farm for morning tea and meet the cyclists, but other activities are available as follows:
Day Three:
You can enjoy a guided nature walk with breathtaking views of the town and farms along the Koppie behind Prince Albert with Sue Dean from Renu-Karoo Veld Restoration www.renu-karoo.co.za. Ending at the Lazy Lizard for a delicious refreshment and homemade cake selection.
Sue Dean is a Karoo Specialist and focuses on ecological consulting, veld rehabilitation, game introduction and impact assessment
with the idea of enjoying your dishes at lunchtime ( africanrelish.com/cooking-school/ )
Recommended choices -
- Karoo on a plate
- Baking sweet and savoury
- Flavours of the East
- Karoo Tapas
- Herbs, Spices and Flavourings
OR
The African Relish Foodie Town Tour
Join a small group for a friendly and exclusive guided tour of our food producers in the town of Prince Albert.
African Relish recreational cooking school sources some of the area’s best local and seasonal produce for our classes and we are happy to introduce you to these producers and creators.
Whether it is tasty artisan breads and pastries, gingerbeer, vetkoek and roosterkoek, pickled olives and oil, figs, cheeses, wines and witblits, biltong, sausage and charcuterie you are in for a charming tour of the towns’ food and culture.
Take the option of a stroll, a drive in the African Relish Tak Tak or a leisurely cycle option; we will accompany you on this fun and tasty tour.
Produce also on sale at various food suppliers at good prices. Please bring cash along.
Tours only available in the morning from 9am to 1:00pm and can include some of the following tastings and experiences:
- African Relish samoosa pastry making and folding
- Charcuterie tasting
- Biltong and Droëwors tasting
- Cheese tasting at Gay's Dairy
- Witblits tasting and Museum tour
- Local vegetable growers
- Olive oil talk and tasting
- Olive pickling SEASONAL
- Knife making demo
- A visit to a local caterer enjoying their speciality
The tour starts at the African Relish verandah/courtyard and ends with a light lunch and glass of wine or homemade cordial.
What to bring:
Sunhat, water bottle, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, basket or shopping bag for goods, cash.
Day Two:
Generally we go to Weltevrede Fig Farm for morning tea and meet the cyclists, but other activities are available as follows:
- If you're energetic join the Prince Albert Park run early Saturday before the market (5 km scenic run or walk)
- Saturday market (08.00-12.00) selling locally grown and homemade products
- Our local Fransie Pienaar Museum
- Prince Albert Gallery ( variety of paintings and sculptures by local south african artists).
- Karoo Looms ( hand spun and handwoven rugs and homeware) ,
- Photo Jaggy (exhibition of local and African landscapes and portraits bringing the beauty of the continent to you)
- Fine Art PhotoGallery-Louis Botha ( beautiful panoramic landscapes of the Karoo www.louisbothaphotography.co.za )
- Gays Dairy where you can taste and buy her wide range of locally produced cheeses from her Guernsey herd. http://www.gaysguernseydairy.com/
Day Three:
You can enjoy a guided nature walk with breathtaking views of the town and farms along the Koppie behind Prince Albert with Sue Dean from Renu-Karoo Veld Restoration www.renu-karoo.co.za. Ending at the Lazy Lizard for a delicious refreshment and homemade cake selection.
Sue Dean is a Karoo Specialist and focuses on ecological consulting, veld rehabilitation, game introduction and impact assessment
Directions, Bike Transport and Airport Transfers to Prince Albert, Western Cape
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You can either drive to Prince Albert or fly in to George Airport and transport will be arranged.
Nearest Airports with regular flights: George Airport - 170 km Cape Town International - 390 km Port Elizabeth - 420 km We provide an airport transfer service from George Airport and return with baggage. (Bike included.) We prefer you to book flights that land at George Airport no later than 14:00, given that you need time for the transfer, check in and settling in before dinner on the opening evening. Return flights should be booked no earlier than a 17:00 departure on the last day. Professional bike transport can be provided by BCycle Transport from Gauteng, Bloemfontein, Klerksdorp/Potch, Rustenburg, Polokwane, Middelburg and Witbank. Contact Wynand (- for Bike Transport) e-Mail : wynand@cycletransport.co.za Cell: 082 334 4274 |
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