Waving grassland plains frequented by elephant and giraffe ... Sand forests abuzz with calls of narina trogon and purple-crested touraco ... Shimmering wetlands where hippo and crocodile lurk … And you want to go ride in this ‘Place of Miracles and Wonder’? Of course you do!

There’s False Bay on the Cape Peninsula, brimming with southern right whales, great white sharks and sandy single-track. Then there’s iSimangaliso False Bay, near Hluhluwe, where you can crank hippo paths and watch pelicans across the bars of your bike. Go there. Now.

World-class … that’s all I need to say about Karkloof. As an Average Joe who’s been fortunate enough to ride trails all around the world, I can safely say that few rides can compare whoop-for-whoop with this magical little piece of the Midlands Meander. But there’s no need to take my word for it, so saddle up and plug into pure MTB Mojo.

All Out Adventures and the gorgeous Sungubala Eco Camp must surely rate as one of the Berg’s best kept secrets. Situated a mere 2km off The Cavern tarmac road makes it easy to access, but you will feel a million miles away from the rat race.

From Durban, take the N2 north past Empangeni and turn right to Hluhluwe/Sodwana Bay, continuing on the R22 to Mbazwana. Keep going for 45km to a traffic circle, where you turn right to KaNgwanase/Kosibay and the Farazella Border Post. Drive 20km past Emanguzi (KanGwanase) towards the Mozambique border post, only turning right onto a good gravel road 600m before border post. Another 4.5 km will get you to the Utshwayelo Lodge and Camp.