Lycaon Logistics : BIKE4BEASTS

BIKE4BEASTS

Limited availability - 12 riders maximum

When:	Departures for 2012 to be announced soon.
Where:	Mapungubwe National Park (MNP)
Cost pp:	R7895 all inclusive, (excl. bar, laundry and gratuities)

Donation to SANParks for the Community Development Project: R50 per person

BIKE4BEASTS ITENERAY

DATE AND ACTIVITY

DETAILS

WHERE

DAY 1

2PM ONWARDS

Arrive at accommodation with Sundowner Game Drive on Mapesu.

Riders can arrive from 2pm onwards and enjoy a leisurely welcome at their luxury accommodation. They will then be taken on a guided game drive on Mapesu Nature Reserve, with a chance to view some of the local and abundant game. There will be a welcome braai where the team and riders will be introduced.

Mopane Bush Lodge

DAY 2

7AM – 12AM

40km escorted MTB cycle adventure on Mapungubwe National Park (Eastern Side)

Riders will be escorted on a ride of a lifetime through a Big 4 area with a qualified guide (Groups of 12). Starting at the main gate, the route runs past the confluence picnic spot at the lookout over the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers and then runs along the Limpopo River. From there, we will cycle along the scenic Kanniedood Loop which provides some amazing views over the Limpopo valley, before returning back to the main gate.

Mapungubwe National Park (eastern side)

DAY 2

3PM – 6PM

Specialist birding excursion/ Carnivore Research Tracking Drive / Exclusive Rock Art viewing

Specialist Birding - Den Staat Wetlands.
With over 400 species to see, a guided tour to explore the birdlife of the area is a must for enthusiasts. This private farm has large modified wetland areas, which comprise of dammed up lakes and an array of ponds. At times this is one of the best wetland birding sites in the region.
Carnivore Tracking
Join one of our carnivore researchers who will introduce you to some of our study animals and instruct you in the methods of collecting data on some of our most charismatic carnivores (Subject to availability).
Specialist Rock Art Tour
Rock art sites are found in most of the regions across Limpopo but one of the most colourful and descriptive is found on Machete, a private farm adjacent to Mapungubwe. This is a Stone Age San site, whose culture exists today largely as spirits in the form of rock artwork, archaeological relics and storytelling.

Den Staat Wetlands / De Beers Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve / Machete

DAY 2 - Evening

Sumptuous 4-course dinner

Join the researchers and Lycaon Logistics team for a fantastic evening meal and relive your memorable experiences of the day.

Mopane Bush Lodge

DAY 3

7AM – 12PM

35km escorted cycle adventure on Mapungubwe National Park (Western side)

A unique opportunity to enjoy the western side of Mapungubwe National Park, before we transfer to Tshugulu Lodge in the National Park.

Mapungubwe National Park

DAY 3

4PM – 6PM
Game Drive on Little Muck / Machete

Enjoy an exclusive game drive on the western side of Mapungubwe National Park, where we are surrounded by magnificent sandstone koppies and solitary baobabs. Visit to Maloutsa Bird Hide, and then we will enjoy a sundowner together at a beautiful rock art site.

Tshugulu Lodge

DAY 3 Evening

Braai

Enjoy a sumptuous braai and share wonderful memories of the weekend together.

Tshugulu Lodge

DAY 4

10AM

30km cycle ride on Mapesu / Cultural Heritage Tour

Depart.

Your final morning will be spent exploring Mapesu Nature Reserve, cycling through some exquisite riverine sections as well as climbing some challenging koppies.

Alternatively, you may wish to visit the Mapungubwe National Park and see why it is a World Heritage Site and enjoy a Cultural Heritage Tour. Mapungubwe Hill, a far developed African civilisation prospered between 1200 and 1270 AD. The area was already inhabited by a growing Iron Age community from 900 AD and became rich through trade with faraway places like Egypt, India and China. This is the place where archeologists excavated the famous golden rhino and other evidence of a wealthy African kingdom.

Departure after brunch, at Mopane Bush Lodge at your leisure.

Mopane Bush Lodge / Mapungubwe National Park

The story of BIKE4BEASTS

BIKE4BEASTS is a mountain bike challenge, launched as a fundraising initiative to support the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT). The first event was held in 2007 on the De Beers Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve and Mapungubwe National Park. Since that success, another four challenges have been held on Venetia and Mapungubwe and two others on the Ezemvelo Nature Reserve in Gauteng. In keeping with the goal of supporting the work of the EWT, a different threatened species is chosen each year as the mascot for BIKE4BEASTS. The first mascot in 2007 was the Black Rhino, followed by the African Wild Dog in 2008, the Cheetah in 2009, the Lion in 2010, and the Saddle-billed Stork for 2011.

“The Bike4Beasts ride has certainly become part of our annual family holiday plans and it is something that we all really enjoy. This was my third ride and I continue to enjoy them just as much each time and find the course really challenging and exciting. It was great to be able to do the Mapungubwe ride on the Monday with my 9 year old son James - his first long ride/race and to experience the elephant sighting with him.” - August van Heerden, regular rider

“To participate in a very special event and to assist in developing and maintaining a feature which is fundamental to our country and continent – our natural heritage, fauna and flora in all its glory. The race organisation was perfect”. – Colin Donian

BIKE4BEASTS RIDERS

WHAT MUST YOU DO?

Contact Wendy on

wendy@lycaon.co.za

for a booking form. We will require a 20% deposit (non-refundable) 6 weeks prior to departure with payment in full, 3 weeks prior to event.

BIKE4BEASTS CYCLE VESTS

Each rider will receive a limited edition BIKE4BEASTS commemorative race pack which includes our specially designed cycle vest, incorporating the 2011 mascot, the Saddle-billed Stork.

Route Information

Our bike tours are suitable for families who wish to enjoy a truly African experience accompanied by expert guides, whose knowledge of the area combined with their research expertise, will make your trip a memorable one.

Mapungubwe National Park Eastern Side

Mapungubwe and the nearby K2 were both declared National Monuments in the 1980s and together with the Zhizo site on Schroda were proclaimed as the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site in 2003. The riders will start at the main gate and be escorted west along the main tourist track, down towards Treetops Hide, the Confluence and Poachers Corner, before turning right onto the Schroda Road, Kanniedood Loop and back to Main Gate. (45kms). Share unforgettable moments at the confluence of the legendary Limpopo and Shashe Rivers, watch the eagles soar over Botswana and Zimbabwe's skies, hear the echo of elephant trumpets, and absorb the surroundings.

Mapungubwe National Park Western Side

Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site is the ideal location for anyone interested in the park's wildlife and birds, to those in search of serenity, identity and the extraordinary history of this World Heritage Site. Sandstone formations, mopane woodlands and unique riverine forest and baobab trees form the astounding scenic backdrop for a rich variety of animal life. Elephant, giraffe, white rhino, eland, gemsbok and numerous other antelope species occur naturally in the area. Lucky visitors might spot predators like lions, leopards and hyenas. Birders can tick off 400 species, including Kori bustard, tropical boubou and Pel’s fishing owl. There are at least 24 Acacia species and other vegetation of the area is a typically short fairly dense growth of shrubby Mopane trees. The most striking trees in this community fever trees, Ana trees, Leadwoods and Fig trees. There are also some very large baobabs in the park, with one specimen having a circumference of 31m.