Where are you traveling afterward, and how? Did the race last year and then stayed another week, took a Garden Route tour back Capetown and then flew home from there. We packed up bikes and were able to fit them in the van for the tour and then just stored them in the hotel before it was time to fly home. I'm sure it would be more complicated if you were planning on flying elsewhere before going home, though.

We are planning on flying to Kruger for a week and then fly to Cape Town for a week before heading home. There would be 4 of us and 2 doing the race.

I did the race the first year in 2004. Took my bike on the plane with me in a big Tri-All 3 case. We had to rent an SUV to fit the bike case and everyone was fascinated by the SUV because, other than on the game reserves, no one had one. Maybe just rent a car and instead of flying to Kruger, drive to one of the private game reserves near Port Elizabeth and then drive the Garden Route, which is really a stunning drive with some great places to stop.

I just flew in and out of Port Elizabeth and kept all my touring local. The Addo Elephant park is pretty awesome and has all big 5 game there. As others said, you could rent a car and drive to Cape Town and fly home from there. That would leave Krueger off the option list, but there is plenty to do between PE and Cape Town

You'll fly from PE to Johannesberg en route to Krueger. The JNB airport has a great storage facility (lower level) that is surprisingly cheap. I've used it both times I raced IMSA and visited the park afterward. Very safe, very convenient. Leave the two bikes (and any additional luggage you don't want to cart on the small plane to Krueger), then pick it up on your way back through Johannesberg. I'll be doing the same next year, heading back for IMSA number 3!

Did the race this year and traveled for 2 weeks afterwards. The morning after the race I went to the post office and mailed the bike home. Took about an hour to do that. The cost was around $200 and it got home about a week after I got back home. Was really each to do.

Out of interest, where is home for you. This could be a good option in the future as I have multiple bikes at home and would allow me to travel and not be held back with the stupid bike case.

I am in Denver, CO.

If you have more questions about it feel free to ask. You have to go to the main post office in town which is about a mile or two from the start finish line. There is a store about 2 blocks from the post office that will wrap the bike box in brown paper (which is for some reason required in SA) for about $1.00. Then go to the main office (they open at 8 AM) and they will weigh it and will then send it off. I had no trouble with it at all. They said it would take 14 days but I think it was 19 days, but it came to me with zero issues.

did SA this past March and just a marvelous experience but hard as hell - packed the bike from the US through HK - South African Airlines made the connections through Johannesburg and bike arrived in great condition - I did three week safari after Ironman so had the bike issue you describe - two choices - I shipped the bike back DHL from Port Elizabeth (DHL really good at this) but it cost me about $1000 US as their are a bunch of customs stuff to be dealt with - bike arrived in about 5 business days safe and sound - the other choice was to leave the bike at the hotel and then return to Port Elizabeth to get it - hotel was willing to hold it for just a nominal charge - I opted not to do so because I needed to fly back out of JBurg and didnt have time to fly back to Port Elizabeth

Anyone has any experience from Europe? I'm participating the IM South Africa in 2016 and coming from Belgium, however does not matter whether taking off from Paris/Frankfurt/Amsterdam/Brussels.
I will not be travelling around and will be staying around Port Elizabeth.
I would love tips about:
Which airlines you took, the cost of shipping a bike with it etc...?
Cheerz

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2016 Schedule:
IM South Africa - Challenge Roth - IM 70.3 Zell am See - Marathon Valencia

Folk,

Hello from South Africa! You have much more faith in the Postal service than us locals... we avoid it like the plague. Not sure I could be convinced to use it for anything, it is terribly unreliable and often packages are pilfered.

Are you flying from PE to Kruger direct or via JNB? I am not aware of a luggage store at OR Thambo airport (JNB international), but if it's there this is probably the best option if you are going via JNB. But I can't find anything about left luggage on the airport webpage: http://www.airports.co.za/home.asp?pid=228

There are a bucket of bike transport companies that specialise in transport (and storage) of bikes to many local events around the country. Look here: https://www.google.co.za/...sport%20johannesburg

Another option is to rent a storage locker from one of the self storage companies: http://www.stor-age.co.za/

Feel free to shout if there are any other q's...

Hope to see you there.

Best...

How much did it cost you to get your bike on your flight to RSA?