eBike Safari’s

— Wildlife Adventures on eBikes through the Cairngorms and upper Deeside

 
 

Wild Discovery has teamed up with local eBike rental businesses to bring you a new, adventurous style of wildlife watching on full-suspension mountain ebikes

 
 
eBiking in the Highlands, D Brown

Custom Half or Full Day eBike Safari’s

Perfect for families or groups of friends

 
 

eBike Safari Highlights

  • Taking wildlife watching to the next level - low carbon transport taking you further than you can get on foot.

  • Explore upper Deeside and eastern Cairngorms on a full-suspension mountain ebike and see some fantastic Scottish wildlife and landscapes.

  • Eagles, Grouse, Red Deer, Mountain Hares, Red Squirrels and many more species are possible (variable depending on the season). As well as taking a closer look at mosses, lichens, fungi and the wider habitats of this incredible part of Scotland. 

  • Two expert guides, Dan and Rachael, to find species and explain the habitats and wider ecosystems.

  • Accompanied by a fully qualified mountain bike guide.

Roe Deer_hans-veth-ZzleXZL8STI-unsplash.jpg
If you’re into the outdoors and wildlife and looking for an adventure – this is for you!
 
 

Overview

Let Wild Discovery take you on a wildlife-focused ebiking adventure from the base of the Cairngorm massif through Caledonian forest to lowland heaths and marshes. 

Never ridden an ebike before? Don’t worry – it’s as easy as riding a bike! Ebikes use a battery to assist your peddling making the steepest hill a cinch. 

These are the perfect options for an exciting family adventure, a group of friends who love to share experiences, or anyone who is keen to search for some great Scottish wildlife in superb scenery.

 
 
Experience your own wildlife adventure in the Cairngorms by exploring further on eBikes
— Dan & Rachael

 

Custom Half or Full Day eBike Safari’s

Our ‘eSafari’ Wildlife Adventures have a selection of routes that will take you through some of the best Caledonian woodland in Scotland, over heather-clad moors, along meandering rivers and through glacial glens. We like to keep the exact route(s) flexible to make the most of the weather conditions on the day and we can tailor the route length and difficulty level based on your ability and what you wish to see. We will stop frequently to look at different species or points of interest.

We stand a good chance of seeing Golden Eagles soaring over the glens and potentially White-tailed Eagles, Goshawks and Merlins whilst Black and Red Grouse are both likely to be encountered. Red and Roe Deer roam the moors and woodlands. We operate all year and the wildlife we see will vary depending on the season. In spring migrant birds start arriving over the snow-capped Cairngorm mountains. Mountain Hares are often easy to spot in their white winter coats and the energetic, bubbling display of lekking Black Grouse is always entertaining to watch.

Throughout the summer the glens are a hive of activity with summer birds feeding up before their autumn migration, flowers in full bloom, young Red Squirrels and Pine Martens exploring their new homes and Osprey’s hunting along the rivers.

In autumn the leaves can look spectacular and the understory of the forests are often peppered with fungi. Bird migration is often in full swing and skeins of Pink-footed Geese may be headed south whilst the first Redwings and Fieldfares will be arriving into Deeside from Scandinavia. We also hope to witness the Red Deer rut where males come together to fight it out for the females.

Despite the short winter days, it can still be an excellent time to see wildlife. Mountain Hares and Ptarmigan looking pristine against the snow, flocks of winter thrushes arrive to feed in the valley bases and Black Grouse take to the trees to forage for buds. If you decide to join us in the winter months, be prepared for some cold and muddy rides!

Prior to booking we will call you to find out what you would like to get out of the ‘eSafari’, your level of cycling experience and discuss possible options with you.

 
 
 

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

What level of cycling do I need?

You must be able to ride a bicycle already - these are not proficiency training sessions! You should be comfortable cycling on forest trails and 4x4 tracks.

 

What group sizes do you take?

Bespoke half or full day eSafari’s can cater for up to 15 guests.

Are there age and weight limits for the ebikes?

You must be 14 years old or older to take part. There is not a weight limit for the ebikes but we will ask you for your weight (and height) so we can select the most appropriate ebike for you.

 

What kit do I need?

Included within the rental of every ebike is your helmet, a spare tube, pump, bike lock and tire levers. A qualified mountain bike guide will be on hand to help if you have any technical issues.

If you have binoculars we strongly recommend that you bring these as they greatly enhance your experience when watching wildlife.

How long will my battery last?

Range is very subjective and is dependent upon several factors, but in general it is possible to get approx. 50-60km from a full battery. Hilly terrain, extreme temperatures, rider weight and assistance mode will all influence the range. A full battery should be enough for one day; however additional batteries can be included as part of an extended rental package if required.

 

What happens if it is raining or windy?

We go out in all weather conditions. If in the unlikely event that the leaders deem the weather conditions be unsafe then we will cancel the tour, giving you the options of re-booking or receiving a full refund.

 

Prices

 
Bespoke eBike Safari's - Contact us for Dates Number of People Base Cost Plus eBike Rental
Half Day 1 - 5 £300 £70 per person
Half Day 6 - 15 £450 £70 per person
Full Day 1 - 5 £500 £70 per person
Full Day 6 - 15 £700 £70 per person

Bring your friends along and spread the cost. The base rate is fixed so this is perfect for small groups or families to help spread the cost.

 

What’s Included?

  • Professional services at least one wildlife leader and a mountain bike leader

  • Rental of a full-suspension mountain ebike and helmet

  • A native tree planted on your behalf in our woodland grove

 

What’s Not Included?

  • Food and drinks are not included in any of our eBike Safari’s.

  • Water bottles

  • Trip cancellation insurance or any other travel or activity insurance

  • Travel before or after eBike Safari start/end

  • Visas

  • Other items of a personal nature, e.g. souvenirs, etc.

 

Testimonial

 

“We spent the most amazing four hours with Dan and Rachael on an e-bike wildlife safari on Deeside. Being on e-bikes we covered some real distance into the countryside and more than we could ever have done on foot or on normal bikes. Once off the roads we hardly saw another person but we did see lots of wildlife and the most fabulous scenery. Being with Dan and Rachael who were not only great company but so knowledgeable about all the flora and fauna was a memorable experience and one we will repeat again.”

— James and Sarah Hopkins, UK

 

More time to explore?

Let us take care of everything on a behind the scenes, fully inclusive tour

Workshops & Events

Build your field skills with workshops on Birds, Moths, Mammals and Plants

 

Only 1 day to explore?

Check out our Royal Deeside Days

Prefer the water?

Create your own private Scottish west-coast expedition