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Best cycling destinations in Africa

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Cape Town
Mountains, Beaches and a Vibrant Culture
7.6
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.
Highlights:
  • 🍽️ Explore the V&A Waterfront and dine by the sea
  • 🚡 Ride the cable car for breathtaking city views
  • 🥾 Hike to the top of Table Mountain
Atlas Mountains
Majestic peaks echo ancient desert horizons
8.5
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.
Highlights:
  • 🐫 Ride a camel across the Atlas desert plateau
  • ✨ Stargaze from Toubkal Base Camp overnight
  • 🏔️ Hike Oukaimeden's alpine trails at sunrise
Stellenbosch
Wine, Heritage and Mountain Views
7.5
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.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Hike Jonkershoek Nature Reserve trails for stunning views
  • 🏛️ Explore historic Dorp Street's Cape Dutch architecture
  • 🍷 Tour the famous Spier Wine Farm and taste award-winning wines
Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park
Barrier of spears touching sky
7.7
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.
Highlights:
  • 🦅 Spot eland and bearded vultures soaring above valleys
  • 🖼️ Explore ancient San rock art at Giants Castle Reserve
  • 🥾 Hike the Giants Cup Trail through breathtaking mountain scenery
Kenya
Safari paradise meets coastal charm
6.6
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.
Highlights:
  • 🦁 Go on a Big Five safari in Amboseli National Park
  • 🏔️ Climb Mount Kenya and enjoy panoramic alpine views
  • 🦓 Witness the Great Migration across the Maasai Mara plains
Rwanda
Land of a thousand hills
7.7
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.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax on the beaches of scenic Lake Kivu
  • 🌳 Explore Nyungwe Forest and walk the canopy trail
  • 🦍 Trek mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park
Tanzania
Wild safaris meet tropical beaches
7.7
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.
Highlights:
  • 🐘 Explore wildlife in Ngorongoro Conservation Area
  • 🦁 Go on a safari in Serengeti National Park
  • 🗻 Climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak
Namib-Naukluft National Park
Endless Dunes and Desert Drama
8.2
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.
Highlights:
  • 🧗 Hike Sesriem Canyon’s narrow rock walls and riverbed
  • 🌵 Explore the eerie Dead Vlei clay pan and ancient trees
  • 🌅 Climb Big Daddy dune for sunrise and desert views
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