Get on your bike
ACTION The weather around most of South Africa is just about perfect so ‘get down and dirty’ with fun, budget outdoor activities: hike, bike, go canoeing up a river, pitch a tent in Kruger or out-of-the-way places (see Getaway November 2018 for coastal camping gems).
An exciting new MTB project is the Cross Cape Cycle Route, a long-distance trail that will ultimately run from Cape Town to Plett, but many sections are open already (mtbroutes.co.za). Magoebaskloof, Sabie, the Cederberg and Lesotho all offer challenging bike trails, or get a copy of Free Wheeling by Fiona McIntosh for other multi-day routes around SA.
Hikers can do the whole nine sections (or just one or two) of the ultra-distance Rim of Africa route. It’s a 600kilometre guided traverse of the Cape mountains over 56 days, from the Cederberg to Outeniqua near Swellendam. (Get a taste of it in the June 2019 issue of Getaway.) rimofafrica.co.za
ROAD TRIPPING Tour through Namibia, arriving in Windhoek for traditional Oktoberfest beer-related partying, complete with Schuhplattler folk dancing and an oompah band fresh from the Munich celebrations (get updates on Facebook). Swakopmund also has good Oktoberfest celebrations. Then, find a pub, order a pint and watch Namibia and the Springboks’ progress in Japan.
NATURE Gardens are looking great – stroll around and smell the roses (plus enjoy teas, picnics and more) at the Bedford Garden Festival, the Hogsback Spring Celebration, Franschhoek Open Gardens, Elgin Open Gardens and Barrydale in Bloom.
DON’T MISS
20 Durban’s big cycle race, the Amashova Classic, follows the same route as the Comrades, but on wheels. shova.co.za
tbc Buy, watch or fly a kite for a good cause at the Cape Town International Kite Festival. capementalhealth.co.za
(Or ogle toys for very rich boys and girls at the Cape Town International Boat Show on 18–20th. boatshow.co.za)
tbc Ride single-track on routes not normally open to the public at The Hills MTB Challenge in Montagu. thehillschallenge.co.za
tbc Indulge in a multisensory experience of music, camping and more at Rocking the Daisies near Darling. rockingthedaisies.com
tbc Need an excuse to get to the Karoo? This is when Richmond hosts Book Bedonnerd, its annual gathering of interesting literary folk. richmondnc.co.za