Four days, three nights and three rides on tracks the public never sees, deep inside Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. Guided by armed SANParks rangers. Glamping, meals and every drink included.
Every ride raises money for SANParks. A portion of every entry, plus a donation from M&G Investments, goes to conservation in Addo.
Compare the two venuesAll-inclusive: 3 nights glamping, meals, drinks, rangers and merchandise.
R1 million+ raised so far
Addo Elephant National Park, near Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), covers 1 640 km² of wilderness and is home to the Big 7. We ride it in a small group of no more than 30, between a lead and a sweep game drive vehicle, with armed rangers keeping everyone together.
E-bikes are welcome: we carry batteries on route and charge them in camp every night. And if your legs have had enough, there’s always a seat on the game drive vehicle. Anybody can do this.
Riders and rangers at the Addo Elephant National Park sign
Stopping to watch game from the track
Feet up in camp after the ride
Elephants beside the route
Your own tent, with a real bed
Supper on the braai
Buffalo in the bush
Evenings under the stretch tent
Sunset over the parkFive films from past rides, from Darlington Dam to the Nyati glamping village.
Choose a venue on the map to see how the two trips differ and how to get there. Both are all-inclusive, both are escorted by armed rangers, and both raise money for SANParks.
Between the venues about 168 km, 2 hr 40 min by road
From Gqeberha airport about 100 km (1 hr 45 min) to Nyati, about 180 km (3 hr) to Darlington Dam
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Drive times are approximate.
April 2027 · two trips
Trip 1: 22–25 April · Trip 2: 26–29 April
Trip 1: 2 spots left · Trip 2: 19 spots left
August 2027 · one trip
18–21 August
Entries just opened
Three nights in a glamping village inside the park. Leave your wallet in the car.
Nobody gets left behind. From the first pedal stroke to the last, there’s a vehicle, a ranger or a medic within reach.
FrontBack
Rangers ride at the front and back of the group and stay in camp with us, day and night.
Medical support travels with the convoy for the whole trip.
Eastern Cape Motors (ECM) in Port Elizabeth supplies Ford Rangers that drive behind the convoy. Too tired to ride? They load your bike and carry you to the next stop.
Game drive vehicles at both ends keep the group together, with a seat for anyone who wants a break.
Water points, snacks and lunch are carried with the convoy, so you never ride far from supplies.
Spare batteries travel with us and every e-bike is charged in camp each night.
“An absolutely mind-blowing experience! Riding through big-5 country and having a chance to experience areas of Addo that no-one else can visit was such a thrill! The small group means you really bond with your fellow riders.”
Gerbrand Breed
“What I found was immense support, including airport transport, fixing my bike, patience to wait for me after long uphills, a little push from time to time, lovely fireside discussions, loads of laughter and good nights’ rests.”
Adri van Zyl
“Such a privilege to be able to cycle in these pristine and exclusive wilderness areas. Both camps were great, set in wilderness surroundings. Facilities were everything you could want and the catering was fantastic.”
Peter Grobler
“Despite the weather challenges, you and the Honorary Rangers made it an unforgettable event. Worth the 1200 km drive from Johannesburg. Loved being so close to nature and the giants.”
Inga Isabel Hitzeroth
“The tour way exceeded our expectations in all ways! The game viewing was the cherry on the top. The group of very varied characters all out to have fun made for many laughs, and friendships were made.”
Brenda Silberbauer
“Two very tough days, food was great… Shaun was a great leader and he has a great team around him. We cannot choose the weather but it was really lekker!”
Bruce Morgan
Your entry isn’t just a ticket. A portion of every rider’s entry, together with a donation from our title sponsor M&G Investments, goes to the SANParks Honorary Rangers, and that money goes straight back into Addo Elephant National Park.
Putting up and repairing the fencing that keeps Addo’s wildlife protected.
Helping keep rangers employed, equipped and out on patrol.
Building the facilities and equipment the park needs to keep running.
R1 million+ raised for the Honorary Rangers in more than five years of riding. 2027 is the next leg.
Can’t find your answer? Send us a message or see the travel information for getting to Addo.
Tour de Addo is a social ride, not a race. Daily distances run from about 17 to 40 km at Darlington Dam and about 19 to 66 km at Nyati, at a relaxed pace with regular stops. E-bikes are welcome, and a backup vehicle follows the group all day, so you can load your bike and take a seat whenever you like.
Yes. Armed SANParks rangers ride at the front and back of the group and stay in camp with us day and night. A lead vehicle and a sweep vehicle keep the group together, paramedics travel with the convoy, and a fleet of Ford Rangers from Eastern Cape Motors follows behind.
Three nights of glamping in your own tent with a real bed and linen, two cooked meals a day plus snacks and lunch on route, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, armed rangers and support vehicles, evening talks, a complimentary Tour de Addo jacket, event merchandise and gifts from M&G Investments.
Addo Elephant National Park is in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, near Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). Fly into Gqeberha’s Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ), which has daily flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town. Our No-Hassle package (R3 950 pp) covers airport pickup, a night in town, transfers to and from the event, and getting your bike there.
Yes. Addo Elephant National Park is in a malaria-free part of South Africa, so no malaria medication is needed.
Yes. You can rent a Scott e-bike for the four days for R5 450. We deliver it to the start and help you set it up. If you are bringing your own bike from far away, our bike transfer service (R1 350) builds it in Port Elizabeth, takes it to the event, and services and ships it afterwards.
We ride twice a year. Best of Darlington Dam is in April, in autumn, with mild to warm days and cool evenings. Best of Nyati is in August, in the dry winter, with crisp days, cold nights and good game viewing.
Each Darlington Dam trip takes up to 30 riders. Best of Nyati takes up to 40 riders across two pace groups, one averaging about 15 km/h and one about 12 km/h.
Book online through Entry Ninja. A R5 000 per person non-refundable deposit confirms your entry, and the balance is due two months before the event. Prices are in South African rand (ZAR).
Yes. We cater for vegan, vegetarian and halaal diets. Tell us when you book.
A portion of every rider’s entry, together with a donation from our title sponsor M&G Investments, goes to the SANParks Honorary Rangers for work in Addo Elephant National Park: game fences, rangers and park infrastructure. Riders have raised over R1 million in more than five years.
The Red Cherry Events Rider Hub has everything for your ride: event information, your rider details, routes and updates, on your phone or desktop.
Spots are limited to 30 riders a tour. A R5 000 deposit secures yours.
Questions first? Call (041) 581 5335 or send us a message.
