BLACK HARRIER DIRT RIDE
Only an hour out of Cape Town yet Darling truly feels a lifetime away from the bustle of the city. Darling is renowned for its flower season, and so much more. One of the ‘mores’ is the beauty of the
area throughout the year. The best way to discover this spectacular scenery is on a mountain bike, whether it be pedal power or an e-bike, you will be treated to views unique to the Darling Hills, which takes in Table Mountain, Dassen Island, Groot Winterhoek Mountains and Langebaan Lagoon
all in one panoramic view. The route will use !Khwa-ttu! San Park as its base and explore the lesser- known tracks and trails around Darling. The fauna and flora is rich, with pockets of rare Renosterveld, which are home to an array of birds and many smaller mammals, which are often seen
and heard on these adventure rides. The Black Harrier is endemic to the coastal areas of South Africa, and regularly spotted on these routes.
ITINERARY
The Black Harrier ride is 2 nights and three days, two of these are riding days. The ride will be hosted by Kevin Wood and the afternoons are for you to explore the many attractions that the area has to offer from San history, wine, beer and much more. The rides can be tailored to your fitness levels.
DAY 1:
Arrive at !Khwa-ttu Nature Reserve at 17h00 and settle into the safari tents
17h30 ride brief
18h00 Dinner, all drinks for your account
Accommodation shared safari tents – 2 pax
DAY 2:
Darling Hills Ride
45 km with 825 m elevation. Starting with a breakfast at Living Colour, this is a 10 minute ride in your own vehicle from Khwa-ttu. The ride will take you into the hills behind Darling , leaving you feeling like you are in a remote part of the country and yet so close to Cape Town. You will be treated to a 180 degree vista of Table Mountain, Dassen Island and Langebaan Lagoon and the possibility of seeing South Africa’s national bird, the Blue Crane.
7h30 breakfast at Living Colour (breakfast can be earlier depending on the time of year)
8h15 Ride starts
13h00-14h00 Lunch at Living Colour
Excludes all drinks
On site showers available at Living Colour
Depart back to Khwa-ttu at your own time
Afternoon at your leisure
Diemersdal Wine Tasting available at Living Colour:
Darling Olives | Darling Sweet | Darling Brew | Ormonde Wines | Yzer Brew | Rosemead Bakery
DAY 3:
Mina Se Klip Ride
30 km with 490 m elevation. The 30km ride starts on easy jeep track and a short section of single track through some of the last protected Renosterveld in the area. Jeep tracks will lead you to the legendary Mina Se Klip, a bare faced dolomite rock, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of Table Mountain, and the Atlantic Ocean. The ride finishes through beautiful coastal vegetation with a good chance of seeing herds of Springbok, Eland, Zebra and Black Wildebeest. The endemic Black Harrier is often seen in the area. There are some sandy stretches on the ride but nothing extreme.
8h00 breakfast at !Khwattu
8h45 ride starts
13h00 Light lunch at Khwa-ttu, drinks for guests own account
Depart at your leisure
WHAT TO EXPECT
• A mixture of sheep and jeep track, farm roads mostly on private land
• Great views
• Raptor country
• Cultural Khoi San guided experience at !Khwa-ttu
• !Khwattu’s new foraging focused menu
What the package includes:
• Shared safari tents (2 Pax)
• All meals specified
• Guided Khoisan tour
• Guided rides
What the weekend excludes:
• Transport to venue
• All Alcohol and other refreshments
• Refreshments along the ride
• Bicycles
Pricing is based on 2 people sharing accommodation.
Route difficulty 3/5