ENJOY WINTER IN THE WATERBERG AT SUMMERPLACE

Warm fires, stunning sunsets, midday walks, runs or rides through the Bushveld. What’s not to love about a winter escape to the Waterberg? Summerplace Game Reserve is perfectly geared for winter breaks with a range of accommodation that includes cosy indoor fireplaces, outdoor braai bomas and wood-fired hot tubs.

Swap the smog that settles over the Highveld cities in winter for crisp countryside air that’s rich in Bushveld aromas. Experience night skies that enable stargazing from the comfort of your private hot tub. Sip sundowners from a viewpoint after a late afternoon game drive. Leave the urban noise behind and listen to the sounds of the Waterberg wilderness.

Just over two hours’ drive north from Pretoria, Summerplace Game Reserve offers a wondrous winter escape. There’s a range of accommodation to suit every budget. From camping, to glamping, to small country units to luxury villas, Summerplace Game Reserve makes it possible for anyone to afford a winter escape in the Waterberg.

There are over 40 species of large mammals at Summerplace Game Reserve, including Zebra, Giraffe, Warthog, Brown Hyena and Black-backed Jackal. There’s also a wide range of antelope including Eland, Roan Antelope, Kudu, Sable Antelope, Waterbuck, Tsessebe, Common Reedbuck, Mountain Reedbuck and more. And there’s the smaller mammals such as Aardvark, Aardwolf, Pangolin, Civet, Badger, Serval and others.

The dry winter months, with less dense vegetation, makes for more successful game-viewing. Summerplace Game Reserve is one of the few game reserves in South Africa where you can enjoy wildlife encounters while riding a mountain bike, running or walking on our broad network of purpose-built trails. If you don’t own a mountain bike, you can hire a regular mountain bike, a kids mountain bike or an eBike (electric-assist) from our fleet of Specialized rental bikes.

Our relaxed game drives are also a great way to enjoy wildlife encounters. Our knowledgeable guides are able to offer useful information on the animals you see from the comfort of our game drive vehicle.

Summerplace Game Reserve is also home to a wide range of trees and bird species. There are at least 130 different types of trees and at least 107 bird species, including several raptors, making it an ideal destination for dendrophiles and birders. Summerplace Game Reserve is also where you will find the tallest Aloe in South Africa.

A Bushveld break at Summerplace Game Reserve can be ideal for couples or families. Ideal lodges for couples include, Hideaway (10 ultra-luxury glamping tents, launching late July 2024), as well as New Wine, The Shed 2 and Saringa lodges. Family-friendly accommodation includes camping, Rosemary Cottage, Marula Cottage, Bushwillow, The Shed 1 and 3, Yorks View, Summerhill and Summerview lodges.

Most of our accommodation is self-catering but we also offer meals twice a day at our Bike Village restaurant with brunch/lunch and dinner. The Bike Village, which has plenty of comfortable seating inside and on the veranda, also has a fully stocked bar and coffee station, a big-screen TV and free, uncapped WiFi. There’s also a shop where you can buy Summerplace-branded apparel and mementos as well other useful items.

Whether it’s during the school holidays, a quick mid-week break or a lazy, long-weekend escape, a winter break in the Waterberg is best enjoyed at Summerplace Game Reserve.

To book your winter escape, see the range of Summerplace Game Reserve accommodation here.

INTRODUCING THE NEW ORANGE MTB ROUTE

There’s a new route at Summerplace Game Reserve that’s instantly broadened the riding options to a greater range of mountain bikers. The 22km Orange Route is ideal for lesser skilled recreational riders, but it also adds great value to experienced riders and wild-life lovers.

Already a premier mountain biking destination, Summerplace now offers even more to mountain bikers. During the summer, trailmaster, David Baber and his team added more than 25km of new mountain bike routes to the reserve’s trail network. Most of these additional kilometres went into the new Orange Route, which explores a fresh section of the reserve.

As you drive into the main gate at Summerplace, the land to your right, which includes a decent sized hill, now has many kilometers of engaging mountain bike trails. You need at least -4% gradient to create good flow and this slope ranges from -4 to -25%, which means plenty of flow.

We’ll get back to that hill in a bit though. It’s important to know that the Orange Route is a route that’s ideal for most mountain bikers. It’s got a couple of steep bits that might be a bit intimidating for some, but these are quite easy to dismount and portage. Ninety percent of the route is unintimidating and ideal for most mountain bikers.

The Orange Route starts near the Bike Village on the road that heads to the main gate. It hugs the side of the hill on a trail called Spook Huis, where many rocks have been cleared to ensure as smooth a ride as possible before it joins onto Drop to Gulley trail.

This piece of trail rolls gently down the slope in the direction of the main reserve road for a few hundred metres before it takes a left onto a trail called Old School. This is a completely new trail that winds its ways gradually in a northerly direction down to the low ground and then up the opposite slope, which is very slight in terms of gradient. It then turns east and takes you on an engaging path before turning north to join a gravel road.

You follow the gravel road for a while until you reach a boundary fence, turn right and then right again to begin the first of three ascents of the large hill that dominates this section of the reserve. David has masterfully crafted trail to make the most of this elevation, which delivers a moderate climbing challenge and stunning views.

The first descent is on a trail called Mountain Oak, which starts off steep, but which eases as you reach the gravel road where you can take a drink, chat excitedly to your mates about that cool descent before turning onto a long singletrack trail called Easy Going, which lives up to its name and allows you some freedom to enjoy more game-spotting.

The second ascent is more direct and on a jeep track road, which has some steep pitches but is superbly rewarding once you begin the second descent, which takes you about halfway down the slope before tackling the final ascent. This ascent brings you to the top of the hill again where you can appreciate some superb vistas to the south and west before dropping down the final descent on a trail called Ball Itch.

The name may be uncomfortable, but the trail is a delight! It drops 100 metres in 2km, has an average of -4.6 percent gradient and delivers some classic David Baber flow! This is sure to become one of the new favourite trails at Summerplace because no matter what your skill level, it’s so much fun.

The fun does end though, right in the dip, but you do get to take a steady pedal back to the end of the Orange Route on the gravel road, where you can process what you have just ridden or contemplate a second lap!

The Orange Route is mostly rideable for newer mountain bikers, but expect a couple of short portage bits. It’s all part of the adventure and it does allow you to pause and take in the natural beauty around you. For Intermediate and Experienced mountain bikers, the Orange Route is an absolute gem! The balance of climbing, descending and singletrack is just right and, like a small slab of your favourite chocolate, leaves you feeling both satisfied and craving more…

The Orange Route can also be considered a Mountain Biking Safari. A wide range of game can be encountered on this route, including Giraffe, Zebra, Roan Antelope, Impala, Kudu, Sable Antelope, Eland, Tsessebe, Warthog and Reedbuck, partly because the route covers a large area and partly because the vegetation isn’t too dense, which makes it easier to spot wild animals from your saddle.

For experienced/fit riders, the Orange Route is a great start or end loop as either a long warm-up or cool-down to a longer ride. It’s a highly engaging way to add another 20-odd kilometres of distance without too much toil.

To experience the new Orange Route – and all of the other mountain bike routes and trails at Summerplace Game Reserve, book your accommodation here. https://summerplacegamereserve.com/accommodation/

THE BIKE VILLAGE – THE SOUL OF SUMMERPLACE

Experiences in the South African bush only gain real value when they’re relayed with detail by being told or via photos or videos shown to others. In a comfortable place, over a drink, or a meal. A place where the dress code is ‘relaxed’, where you can watch the sun set. A place that’s cool in summer, warm in winter and where positive energy flows freely. The Bike Village at Summerplace Game Reserve is that place.

The Bike Village is where you check in when you arrive and where you check out when you leave. It provides the bookends to your piece of peace… After the 15-minute drive from the main gate, it’s where you start to experience the warm hospitality of the reserve. For many first-time visitors, The Bike Village is where their feelings of trepidation are eased. You can’t sense energy from what you see on a website, but The Bike Village has this way of making you feel settled and calm. It’s where you start your relaxation before you head to your accommodation.

It began as the place where guests would meet to start mountain bike rides. A central point where you can grab a fresh coffee, pump your tyres and discuss the planned ride. It’s still that place, but now also so much more. It’s still called The Bike Village because Summerplace grew into a place people want to visit through the fantastic mountain bike trails network. Also, a village is a community, not a single building. A village is where you can give and receive support, praise, inspiration and advice. That’s The Bike Village.

It can get cold at Summerplace in winter. An icy Waterberg wind brings the temperatures down. But with the doors closed, the fireplace crackling and the comfortable couches calling, The Bike Village makes a great place to relax or play board games while sipping coffee or red wine.

In summer, Limpopo is one of the hottest provinces in the country. The Bike Village delivers the ideal oasis for guests. With the doors wide open and the ceiling fans spinning, seating inside or on the veranda offers solace from the searing sun while sipping on cooldrinks, craft gin or ice-cold beer. The Bike Village swimming pool offers an additional cooling-off opportunity.

Technically, The Bike Village is one single building. But over time it’s undergone expansion to incorporate office space, a larger kitchen, a fireplace, storage for catering items, a retail store, a bike rental kiosk, a bicycle workshop, a larger veranda and a coffee and beverages bar. There’s also lush green lawn out front where kids play and dogs enjoy daytime naps.

A boma and firepit ensure an idyllic outdoor setting for evening braais and social banter. The crisp night sky is pollution-free, so the stars are brighter and more visible and the sounds of the bushveld more vivid.

We have a permanent chef which ensures we can host all occasions at The Bike Village. Landmark Birthdays, Bushveld Weddings, Youth Skills Camps, Cycling Club Weekend Escapes, Business Conferences, Bike Industry Launches and Mountain Bike Events – just some of the notable occasions that we have successfully.

Everyone that visits Summerplace Game Reserve spends some time at The Bike Village. It’s not just a reception area. It’s not just a place to eat and drink. It’s not just a place to relax. It’s not just a place to rent bikes. It’s not just a place to socialise. It’s all of that and more because The Bike Village is the soul of Summerplace…

To experience the soul of Summerplace, book your accommodation here.

SUMMERPLACE LEADS THE WAY WITH MOUNTAIN BIKE HIRE

Mountain bike hire is a relatively new concept in South Africa, and Summerplace Game Reserve is leading the way. Whether you’re a non-mountain biker just keen to enjoy the experience of riding casually in the bush, a committed rider eager to shred some quality singletrack, or have kids that love being active outdoors, Summerplace has a bike in its rental fleet for you.

If you’re a seasoned mountain biker, hiring a mountain bike is something you generally don’t consider. Firstly, most rental mountain bikes are relatively low-quality hardtails. Secondly, a hire bike feels different to your own bike. And mountain biking confidence requires a reasonably high level of familiarity. All of this was carefully considered when investing in a fleet of rental mountain bikes for Summerplace.

We have a wide range of eBikes, trail bikes and kids bikes for hire at Summerplace.

The other consideration is that Summerplace Game Reserve has a trails network that includes a high volume of challenging climbs. A few hours of riding in the morning can leave you spent for the remainder of the day. And then of course there are those that don’t mountain bike at all, but would like to experience it while visiting one of South Africa’s premier mountain biking destinations…

As a result, the Summerplace Game Reserve mountain bike rental fleet comprises both regular bikes and eBikes. All the bikes are from Specialized, one of the world’s leading performance mountain bike brands and the pacesetter when it comes to eBikes.

We ensure you get the right bike for your ability and fitness level, even if you’re not a mountain biker. We also hire out helmets.

In terms of eBikes, there’s a size curve of Turbo Levos, which are full eBikes. They have a large motor and generous battery range. These are ideal for those who are not conditioned to mountain biking as they offer ample pedalling assistance up steep and long climbs. Then there’s a size curve of Turbo Levo Super Light (SL) eBikes, which are lighter with a small motor, but which ride with the same agility as a regular trail bike.

And then there are Stumpjumper trail bikes. These aren’t eBikes, but regular mountain bikes that are designed to climb smoothly, corner with stability and descend with fervour. The Stumpjumper was chosen because it’s a superb allrounder and easy for anyone to find a good ride feel on the Summerplace Game Reserve trails.

We recently added several youth bikes to our mountain bike rental fleet.

For those who aren’t mountain bikers, but are active and would like to experience our world-class trails network with a good chance of wildlife encounters, you can either choose to self-guide or book one of our local guides for your mountain bike ride. We have marked routes of varying distance that are ideal for self-guided rides and which can deliver a wonderful feeling of adventure in the Waterberg bush. If you’re more into controlled experiences, a guide will ensure you have all the support you may need, allowing you to simply pedal the bike and absorb the experience.

We recently added several youth bikes to our rental fleet. We now offer Specialized Riprock hardtail mountain bikes for hire. Available in 24-inch and 20-inch wheel sizes they’re ideal for kids aged 6-12 years. The Specialized Riprock bikes are designed to give kids confidence and feature a relaxed headtube angle, short stem, Plus-sized tyres, hydraulic disc brakes and single-chainring drivetrain with a wide gear range. Made from A1 Premium Butted Aluminium, the frames are both durable and light, making it an ideal bike for kids to enjoy hours of fun.

Our fleet of rental mountain bikes are kept in excellent condition.

Our rental fees are based on a half-day or full-day system and are reasonable for both local and international guests. Our bikes are kept in exceptional condition with regular servicing and maintenance and our experienced staff will ensure you are set up correctly as well as educate you on the controls, brakes and gearing of your rental bike before you begin your ride.

Our rental bikes all have flat pedals, but you can bring your own pedals and swap should you be intending to hire a bike while visiting.

For more details on our mountain bike rental options, click here.

We have an expansive trails network that is suited to all levels of mountain biker. You can examine the details on our Trailforks Profile Page here.

VALUE-FOR-MONEY ACCOMMODATION AT SUMMERPLACE

Regardless of our budget we all want value-for-money holiday accommodation in South Africa. That’s why we have three levels of accommodation at Summerplace Game Reserve. Here’s a breakdown of our comfortable bushveld escape accommodation that’s just a short drive from Gauteng.

Budget: R180 per person per night

BRETT’S CAMPSITE

Our recently expanded campsite is located on a largely flat surface beneath a canopy of shady trees. There are electricity points spread throughout the campsite as well as recently added modern ablution blocks, which offer separate male and female toilets and hot showers as well as communal dishwashing space. There are also portable braais. Catering for caravans, trailer tents or regular tents, Brett’s Campsite is near to the Bike Village, where food and beverages can be purchased and where a swimming pool and other amenities for campers are available.

To find out more or book, click here.

Budget: R550-R650 per person per night

THE SHED

The Shed comprises three self-catering units that are separate, but which can also be combined to accommodate a small group. Sheds 1 and 3 are two-bedroom, four-sleepers, while Shed 2 is a one-bedroom two-sleeper. Each unit has its own bathroom. There’s a veranda space for each unit for outdoor relaxation as well as access to a large boma and firepit. The Shed apartments all have uncapped Wi-Fi, power is via solar and hot water is generated by gas. If you are on a budget but need to escape to the bush from the city, The Shed is your sanctuary.

To find out more or book The Shed 1 or 3, click here.

To find out more or book The Shed 2, click here.

NEW WINE

New Wine is a two-bedroom, four-sleeper self-catering home. Although adjacent to The Shed, it faces the bush on the base of Marula Hill and is private with its own veranda, outdoor fire pit and wood-fired hot tub. The open-plan living room and kitchen area is spacious and comfortable for indoor relaxation. New Wine has uncapped Wi-Fi, power is via solar and hot water is generated by gas. New Wine offers incredible bang-for-your-buck bushveld accommodation.

New Wine is fenced and pet friendly.

To find out more or book, click here.

MARULA COTTAGE

This free-standing self-catering two-bedroom, four-sleeper cottage has one of the best vistas at Summerplace Game Reserve. Located about 500 metres from the Bike Village, Marula Cottage has a veranda with a view over the grassy plain that we call ‘Summergeti’, where wild animals regularly gather to graze or rest. Beyond that is the classic bushveld vegetation with the highest peaks of Summerplace’s hills on the skyline. Marula Cottage is private with its own fire pit and boma and a wood-fired hot tub. The open-plan living room and kitchen area is spacious and comfortable for indoor relaxation. It has a bath and a shower. Marula Cottage has uncapped Wi-Fi, power is via solar and hot water is generated by gas. Ideal for a small family getaway.

Marula Cottage is fenced and pet friendly.

To find out more or book, click here.

YORKS VIEW

This six-bedroom, 12-sleeper lodge is located on the north-eastern high ground of Summerplace Gamer Reserve, delivering spectacular views of the reserve and the Waterberg. There are four bathrooms, a large comfortable living room and modern kitchen, making this an ideal group booking lodge. Yorks View is ideal for outdoor relaxation and entertainment with a generous wraparound veranda, swimming pool, boma, fire pit and wood-fired hot tub. There’s uncapped Wi-Fi, solar power and gas-generated hot water. This is the ideal bush escape accommodation for families or groups of friends.

Yorks View is fenced and pet friendly.

To find out more or book, click here.

Budget: R875-R1050 per person per night

ROSEMARY COTTAGE

This spacious three-bedroom, six-sleeper bush lodge has recently been upgraded to offer a tranquil bush escape. Each bedroom has an ensuite bathroom one of which includes a bath. Located close to the Bike Village, this comfortable unit is also right at the start of the mountain biking and running trails and adjacent to the tennis court. There’s a covered veranda and a wood-fired hot tub for outdoor relaxation; and there’s uncapped Wi-Fi, solar power and gas-generated hot water. Rosemary Cottage is the ideal accommodation for active families and friend groups looking to get away from the city.

Rosemary Cottage is fenced and pet friendly.

To find out more or book, click here.

SARINGA

This luxurious couples retreat is one of our new lodges, featuring modern design to capture the natural light and wilderness sounds of the Waterberg. Set against Marula Hill with uninterrupted views of the bush and Waterberg peaks, Saringa is a stunning destination for couples looking for privacy and space. Built as a self-catering lodge, it includes a comfortable open-plan kitchen and living area with fireplace. There’s a covered veranda and wood-fired hot tub as well as uncapped Wi-Fi, solar power and gas geysers. Saringa is the perfect romantic getaway close to Pretoria and Johannesburg.

To find out more or book, click here.

BUSHWILLOW

This modern two-bedroom four-sleeper lodge is designed to offer ample space and stunning views of Summerplace Game Reserve. The bedrooms each have an en-suite bathroom, one of which also has an outdoor shower. For outdoor relaxation, there’s a large, covered veranda, fire pit and a wood-fired hot tub. The spacious living area includes a modern kitchen and comfortable lounge with fireplace. Bushwillow also offers uncapped Wi-Fi, solar power and gas-heated geysers. Bushwillow offers classy accommodation for a weekend away with friends or a small family.

To find out more or book, click here.

SUMMERHILL

Designed to accommodate large groups OR offer separate mini-lodges, Summerhill is the ultimate modern bush lodge. Set on the south-facing slope of Marula Hill, Summerhill features a large living and dining room with full kitchen and scullery. A generous covered veranda offers ample outdoor relaxation and dining space, while a built-in braai, fire pit, swimming pool, tanning deck and wood-fired hot tub complete the outdoor facilities. There are two two-sleeper units and two four-sleeper units, each with its own kitchenette and bathroom with outdoor shower option. Summerhill is the perfect venue for small business conferences or social group getaways.

To find out more or book, click here.

Located in the Waterberg, Limpopo, Summerplace Game Reserve is a 2-hour 15-minute drive from Pretoria and less than 3 hours from Johannesburg. Although all accommodation is self-catering, tasty meals can be ordered in advance to give you a break from cooking to focus on relaxing! Our activities include game drives, bush walks, hiking, trail-running, mountain biking and tennis. We have more than 40 species of large mammals making for regular, exciting wildlife encounters while exploring our reserve.

BIKE HUB FEATURES SUMMERPLACE

While many Gauteng and Limpopo mountain bikers know about Summerplace Game Reserve, we’re still growing our awareness nationally as a premier mountain biking destination. Coverage in the various South African media helps us grow this awareness. Recently, we hosted Bike Hub, South Africa’s largest cycling media. Here’s how that went…

Bike Hub is a digital media that includes a very popular classified buy-and-sell section, a well-known discussion forum and an articles section that carries current South African cycling industry content. One of Bike Hub’s strong regular features is Trail Daze, a mountain biking destination or trail feature that’s visually weighted to offer superb imagery of mountain bikers riding and enjoying a featured destination.

Started by world-class photographer, Ewald Sadie in 2015, Trail Daze ran for three years until 2017. At the time, mountain biking in South Africa was heavily racing focused and Trail Daze showed the more recreational trail-riding culture, which has become more prevalent these days.

“We used to have a new edition of Trail Daze every two months and then it almost became monthly for a while. But I am a freelancer and my workload changed and I took a break from Trail Daze,” explained Sadie.

The Covid-19 related lockdown by the South African government essentially banned racing but boosted riding and saw the growth of many more trails parks in South Africa. That, along with a partnership from Mercedes Benz and Maxxis Tyres, helped Sadie and Bike Hub revive Trail Daze in 2023.

“We’re calling it Trail Daze 2.0. It’s a great way to shine a light on different places to ride in South Africa as well as pay some homage to the trailbuilders who put in so much time and effort to create trails networks that bring so much joy and satisfaction to mountain bikers,” said Sadie during his visit to Summerplace.

“It was a first for me to ride my bike in a game reserve, and it didn’t disappoint. Riding among wildlife and being on the lookout for animals is a totally different experience of mountain biking. And it’s not just sandy jeep tracks either as most people would assume – Dave and his team have done a stellar job building some proper trails. Then there’s the five-star hospitality and accommodation to round off the entire experience,” said Sadie.

Sadie keeps the Trail Daze human complement lean, usually just himself and two riders. But this trip to Summerplace Game Reserve was slightly different and Kylie Hanekom, Content Manager at Bike Hub, joined him.

“Summerplace Game Reserve is a hidden gem. It offers a complete mountain bike experience, from a range of accommodation options, to bike rentals, and endless kilometres of fun, flowing trails.

“It is some of the best and most diverse riding I have experienced in a long time. It is such a privilege to be able ride amongst free-roaming game and experience the diverse vegetation of the Limpopo province on both raw and beautifully manicured Bushveld trails. Coming from the Western Cape it was an unforgettable experience.

“The Baber family make the Bike Village feel like a home away from home, and Dave is an absolute magician of a trail-builder. He works with the land and existing natural features to build trails that are both safe and technical, so that the fun factor dials up exponentially the faster you go. I haven’t had a smile like that on my face on a mountain bike in a long time, and I will be back to ride everything I missed out on this time around,” said Hanekom.

The two riders selected to feature in this edition of Trail Daze were both from Gauteng. Sam Bull, former Downhill racer and Managing Director of Rush Sports, the South African distributor of brands that include Santa Cruz bikes and Maxxis tyres; and Cade Badenhorst, a 17-year-old junior Enduro racer who is a Specialized ambassador.

With daytime temperatures in the mid-to-high 30s, the Trail Daze shoots were limited to early morning and late afternoon. Sadie’s objective was to showcase the variety of trails as well as feature the Bushveld landscape, which is mostly hilly and covered in small- to medium-sized trees with patches of savannah grassland. One of the main attractions at Summerplace Game Reserve is wildlife encounters and he was able to capture that too.

To check out the Trail Daze Summerplace Game Reserve feature on Bike Hub, click here.

SUMMERPLACE: A FAVOURITE DESTINATION FOR MTB CLUBS & BRANDS

Word is getting out about Summerplace Game Reserve being a premier mountain biking destination. Several clubs and bike brands have recently spent – or will be spending – a few days enjoying our trails. Here’s why…

Lynnwood Cycling Club has regular Summerplace Game Reserve weekends where club members bring their families to enjoy a weekend in the bush. The mountain bikers in the family get to ride with the planned group rides and the non-riding family members get to also enjoy the escape to the Waterberg.

Most kids spend hours and hours riding on the flowy trails in front of the Bike Village in sight of their parents, pausing occasionally to have a cooldrink or a dip in the swimming pool. The scheduled brunch and dinner at the Bike Village gives all members of the group a chance to socialise and get to know each other better.

Lynnwood Cycling Club has already held two weekends at Summerplace this year and will hold another in early November.

South African mountain bike brand Pyga hosted its annual Trail Daze event at Summerplace Game Reserve in September. The three-night, four-day event included three meals a day and two riding sessions. Those who attended were current Pyga owners and potential Pyga buyers. It was an opportunity for riders to try out different Pyga models and the varied trails and terrain were ideal for this purpose.

“One of the most outstanding riding experiences in the world. Sensational trails meet luxury accommodation, incredible service and wonderful food capped an awesome weekend! Thanks ever so much Summerplace Team,” remarked Richard Crouse of Pyga.

A group from Specialized South Africa also spent a few days at Summerplace in September. It was an all-employee group, most of whom had not ridden at Summerplace Game Reserve before. They thoroughly enjoyed putting their Turbo Levo SL bikes through their paces on our long climbs and stimulating Enduro line descents.

“The venue is amazing, the trails and variation were top notch and the personal touch from Dave, Simone, Jo and team was the icing on the cake. Tim from Specialized in Stellenbosch was sad that he had to go home – and you know how good his local trails are!” remarked Scott McKenzie, owner of Complete Cyclist, a Specialized store in Johannesburg.

In late September Johannesburg Mountain Bicycle Club (JMBC) returned to Summerplace with a large group. With hot and windy conditions, they were wise to start their rides early, but got to enjoy the soft sunrise light on our vegetation, which is showing signs of spring with green leaves on many trees.

Other cycling groups scheduled to spend time at Summerplace soon are Cycle Lab Active Women (CLAW), a women-only group from Johannesburg and Club 100, another Johannesburg-based club that’s returning after previous visits to enjoy our trails, tranquility and hospitality.

“With the addition of new trails and the creation of marked routes over the winter months, Summerplace is now even more appealing to mountain bikers,” said David Baber, landowner and trailbuilder at Summerplace Game Reserve.

“What we are seeing is that clubs and riding groups enjoy being able to do self-guided rides by following one or more of our marked routes to suit their fitness and skill level. Some mountain bike groups split their riders into stronger and weaker groups and set off at the same time. This ensures that all the riders get to do a ride that’s challenging and rewarding but not outside of their ability,” added Baber.

While the mountain bike group guests are spread though the various accommodation options at Summerplace, they use the Bike Village as their base. The Bike Village offers everything you would expect from a mountain bike trailhead, including comfortable indoor and outdoor seating, tables for meal times, high quality coffee, a range of cold beverages, including alcohol, uncapped WiFi and clean ablutions that include hot showers.

Summerplace Game Reserve occupies 3500 hectares of wilderness land in the Waterberg Biosphere. Besides the exceptionally high level of safety for visitors, regular encounters with wildlife on the reserve are hugely appealing. There are more than 40 species of large mammal, including Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Leopard, Eland, Roan Antelope, Kudu, Sable Antelope, Tsessebe and many more.

To book your mountain bike group getaway at Summerplace Game Reserve, send a message via WhatsApp to 083 3025123 or email bookings@summerplacegamereserve.com

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