Best cycling destinations in Africa
Best cycling destinations in Africa
Challenging routes and bike tours across Africa
Cycling in Africa is not the most obvious choice, but for those willing to engage with it seriously, the continent offers a riding experience that is genuinely unlike anywhere else. The landscapes are vast, the roads are often quiet, and the sense of space and remoteness that comes with cycling through open terrain here is difficult to replicate elsewhere in the world.
The experience varies enormously by region. Some parts of the continent have well-established cycling routes with growing support infrastructure, while others require careful preparation, local knowledge, and a degree of self-sufficiency that adds to the challenge and the reward. Road conditions, water availability, and heat management are all factors that need more attention here than on more developed cycling circuits.
Timing is critical across most of the continent, where extreme heat, rainy seasons, and regional variations in climate can make the difference between a manageable route and an unsafe one. The destinations on this list have been chosen because they offer a combination of remarkable scenery, cultural richness, and riding conditions that justify the additional planning a cycling trip in Africa requires.
Lists by region
Country
Kenya
Safari paradise meets coastal charm
Hell's Gate National Park lets cyclists ride freely among zebras, giraffes and warthogs without a guide. Towering cliffs and volcanic gorges frame the dirt trails through the park. The route passes close enough to wildlife for riders to feel the scale of the landscape. Fischer's Tower, a dramatic volcanic plug, marks a popular turnaround point.
Country
Tanzania
Wild safaris meet tropical beaches
Cyclists can ride through coffee farms and forest at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest peak. Zanzibar's flat coastal roads offer an easier ride past spice plantations and fishing villages. The Usambara Mountains further north add steep climbs through cloud forest. Village markets along the way give riders a close look at daily life.
City in South Africa
Stellenbosch
Wine, Heritage and Mountain Views
Vineyard roads wind through Stellenbosch's wine country, framed by the jagged peaks of the Jonkershoek Mountains. Cyclists can stop at family-run estates for tastings between climbs. Oak-lined streets in the historic town centre offer a gentler ride than the surrounding hills. Franschhoek Pass, a nearby climb, rewards riders with sweeping valley views from the top.
Region in Morocco
Atlas Mountains
Majestic peaks echo ancient desert horizons
The Tizi n'Tichka Pass carries cyclists over the High Atlas Mountains at more than 2,200 metres above sea level. Switchbacks wind past Berber villages built into ochre-coloured cliffs. The descent towards Ait Ben Haddou crosses the red-rock Ounila Valley on gravel and rocky trails. Mint tea stops in mountain villages break up the long climbs.
City in South Africa
Cape Town
Mountains, Beaches and a Vibrant Culture
The Cape Town Cycle Tour draws around 30,000 riders each March for a 109-kilometre loop around the Cape Peninsula. The route passes Chapman's Peak, Hout Bay and Camps Bay along scenic coastal roads. Riders climb the steep Suikerbossie hill before descending towards the finish at Green Point. Proceeds from the race support local cycling charities.
Nature Reserve in South Africa
Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park
Barrier of spears touching sky
Sani Pass climbs 1,332 metres over roughly nine kilometres of steep, rocky switchbacks into Lesotho. Mountain bikers tackle the route each December during a transfrontier mountain bike race. The pass peaks near 2,900 metres, earning its nickname as the Roof of Africa. Sani Mountain Lodge, at the top, claims to be the continent's highest pub.
Country
Rwanda
Land of a thousand hills
Rwanda's nickname, the Land of a Thousand Hills, comes from the endless climbs that define cycling here. The Tour du Rwanda draws professional riders from across Africa. Terraced farmland covers slopes that rise and fall along nearly every route. Kigali's hilly streets offer a taste of the climbing before riders head into the countryside.
National Park in Namibia
Namib-Naukluft National Park
Endless Dunes and Desert Drama
Gravel roads cut through the Namib-Naukluft's towering red dunes, some of the tallest in the world. Cyclists ride past Sossusvlei's clay pan, ringed by dunes over 300 metres high. The desert stays nearly silent apart from wind moving over the sand. Distances between water stops can stretch for many kilometres, so riders plan carefully.
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