Gateway to the Karoo Gravel Trek — September 2026

🚴 Gateway to the Karoo Gravel Trek — 24–28 September 2026

Five days. Ten riders. One unforgettable adventure through the heart of the Gateway to the Karoo.

Sluit aan by My Afrika Safaris se eerste Gateway to the Karoo Gravel Trek — 'n meerdaagse fietsrit wat drie dinge saamvat:
Join My Afrika Safaris' first Gateway to the Karoo Gravel Trek — a multi-day cycling journey combining three things:

• 🚴 Die avontuur | The adventure — grond- en gruispaaie deur ongeskonde Gateway to the Karoo-landskap | gravel roads through unspoilt landscape
• 🍖 Kulinêre gasvryheid | Culinary hospitality — outentieke Gateway to the Karoo kos en produkte langs die pad | authentic food and products along the route
• 🏛️ Geskiedenis | History — roetes ryk aan Anglo-Boereoorlog geskiedenis, die Oranjerivier en stories wat vertel moet word | routes rich in Anglo-Boer War history, the Orange River and stories that need to be told

📋 Trek Besonderhede | Trek Details

• Datums | Dates: 24 – 28 September 2026
• Beginpunt | Start: Smithfield, Vrystaat | Free State
• Eindpunt | End: Smithfield, Vrystaat | Free State
• Roete | Route: Smithfield → Bethulie → Oviston → Gariepdam → Springfontein → Smithfield
• Totale afstand | Total distance: 375km oor 5 dae | 375km over 5 days
• Terrein | Terrain: Gravel/grond paaie — geskik vir gravel of MTB fietse | Gravel/dirt roads — suitable for gravel or MTB bikes
• Moeilikheidsgraad | Difficulty: Intermediêr tot Gevorderd | Intermediate to Advanced
• Groepgrootte | Group size: Maksimum 10 deelnemers | Maximum 10 participants
• Prys | Price: R9,900 per persoon | per person

✅ Wat is ingesluit | What's included

• Alle akkommodasie langs die roete | All accommodation along the route
• Alle ontbyte | All breakfasts
• Kospakkies elke dag | Packed lunches daily
• Aandetes | Dinners
• Eerste rondte drankies elke aand (koeldrank, SA bier, SA wyn) | First round of drinks each evening (cold drink, SA beer, SA wine)
• Ondersteuningsvoertuig | Support vehicle
• Gateway to the Karoo welkomgeskenk pak | Gateway to the Karoo welcome goodies pack

Fisiobehandeling is vir eie rekening — David & Bianca Senekal is beskikbaar voor vertrek en by die eindpunt.
Physiotherapy is for own account — David & Bianca Senekal are available before departure and at the finish.

🗓️ Trek Hoogtepunte per Dag | Daily Highlights

Dag 1 | Day 1 — Smithfield → Bethulie
Begin jou avontuur met ontbyt by Vriend van Smithfield. Die aand wag 'n outentieke aandbraai by Karoo Pandokie, Bethulie.
Start your adventure with breakfast at Vriend van Smithfield. The evening brings an authentic farm braai at Karoo Pandokie, Bethulie.

Dag 2 | Day 2 — Bethulie → Oviston
Ry verby die historiese Bethulie-spoorwegbrug — die langste in die Suidelike Halfrond. Die aand slaap jy oor by Siloam Village, Oviston.
Ride past the historic Bethulie railway bridge — the longest in the Southern Hemisphere. Overnight at Siloam Village, Oviston.

Dag 3 | Day 3 — Oviston → Gariep Dam
Begin die dag met vars roosterkoeke by Willem se Kampie Padstal. Die aand by Fish Eagle Lodge, Gariep Dam.
Start the day with fresh roosterkoek at Willem se Kampie Padstal. Overnight at Fish Eagle Lodge, Gariep Dam.

Dag 4 | Day 4 — Gariep Dam → Springfontein
Nog 'n dag se gravel avontuur. Die aand by die historiese Prior's Grange, Springfontein.
Another day of gravel adventure. Evening at the historic Prior's Grange, Springfontein.

Dag 5 | Day 5 — Springfontein → Smithfield
Karen Badenhorst verwelkom jou langs die pad met vars hoender wraps en sapsakkies — die laaste hap voor die eindstreep in Smithfield.
Karen Badenhorst welcomes you with fresh chicken wraps and juice pouches — the last bite before the finish in Smithfield.

🌿 Ontmoet die Produsente | Meet the Producers

• 🍯 Sweetfield Apiaries — David & Bianca Senekal | Natuurlike heuning | Natural honey
• 🥖 Heuningfontein — Jo-Marie Vosloo | Suurdeegbrood | Sourdough bread
• 🐐 Towerbos — Karen Badenhorst | Hoender, eiers | Chicken, eggs
• 🥩 Zastron Slaghuis — Biltong, droëwors, cabanossi
• 🌰 Bradfield — Pecanneute & pecan tarts
• 🍫 BLine — Chocolate honeycomb
• 🔥 Good Food — Helena | Dag 1 aandbraai & oornag | Day 1 evening braai & accommodation
• 🐑 Ditrio Boerdery — Karoo lamsvleis vir die braaipakke | Karoo lamb for the braai packs
• 🍺 Waterkloof Brewery — Karoo Ales | Plaaslike craft bier langs die pad | Local craft beer along the route
• 🥚 Bosrand — Vars plaaseiers | Fresh farm eggs

🚲 Fiets Vereistes | Bike Requirements

• Gravel fiets of MTB aanbeveel | Gravel bike or MTB recommended
• Fietse moet in goeie werkende toestand wees | Bikes must be in good working order
• Spaarwiele en basiese gereedskap aanbeveel | Spare tubes and basic tools recommended
• Fiets word nie voorsien nie | Bike not provided
• Minimum ouderdom: 15 jaar | Minimum age: 15 years

🏨 Akkommodasie | Accommodation

• Dag 1 | Day 1: Karoo Pandokie, Bethulie
• Dag 2 | Day 2: Siloam Village, Oviston
• Dag 3 | Day 3: Fish Eagle Lodge, Gariep Dam
• Dag 4 | Day 4: Prior's Grange, Springfontein

💳 Betaalopsies | Payment Options

• Volle betaling | Full payment: R9,900 — hierdie produk | this product
• Deposito (60%) | Deposit (60%): R5,940 nou, balans R3,960 voor 1 September 2026 — Deposito hier | Deposit here

❌ Kansellasiebeleid | Cancellation Policy

❓ Gereelde Vrae | FAQ

Hoe fiks moet ek wees? | How fit do I need to be?
Jy moet gemaklik wees om 375km oor 5 dae te ry oor grondpaaie. | You should be comfortable riding 375km over 5 days on gravel roads.

Wat gebeur as ek nie kan voltooi nie? | What if I can't complete a stage?
Ons ondersteuningsvoertuig is altyd beskikbaar om deelnemers op te laai indien nodig. | Our support vehicle is always available to pick up participants if needed.

Is maaltye ingesluit? | Are meals included?
Ja — ontbyte, kospakkies, aandetes en eerste rondte drankies (koeldrank, SA bier, SA wyn) elke aand is ingesluit. | Yes — breakfasts, packed lunches, dinners and first round of drinks (cold drink, SA beer, SA wine) each evening are included.

Kan ek my eie fiets bring? | Can I bring my own bike?
Ja — jy moet jou eie fiets bring. Fietse word nie voorsien nie. | Yes — you must bring your own bike. Bikes are not provided.

📋 Lees ons volledige Terme & Voorwaardes / Read our full Terms & Conditions

⚠️ Beperkte plekke — slegs 10 deelnemers word aanvaar | Limited spots — only 10 participants accepted.

📩 Vrae? Kontak ons by WhatsApp: 061 544 1436 | Questions? Contact us on WhatsApp: 061 544 1436