Motorcycle Tours South Africa

Tour 1: Durban - Cape Town - Garden Route: 14 days

Experience the majestic grandeur of the Drakensberg mountains (more than 3,000m) on this motorcycle tour. Then, on through the wide semi-desert of the Karoo to Cape Town with Table Mountain and Robben Island.

We return through the picturesque Garden Route and the rugged Transkei to sub-tropical Durban.

Day 1. Durban-Arrival Day

We shall collect you from the airport in our shuttle bus and take you to your guest house where you can settle in and freshen up after your flight.

Welcome to Durban, Surf City of South Africa.

Later, we will meet at the tour centre to collect your bikes and accessories and plans for the ride. Take this opportunity to ask us any questions and to get to know the other riders over snacks and welcome drinks.

Day 2. Durban-Valley of a Thousand Hills

This morning we shall ride from Durban to Drummond "Valley of 1000 Hills" along a road which used to be the original wagon trail between Durban & Pietermaritzburg.

Enjoy a short bush drive where you will have the opportunity to see game animals and birds followed by a show of Zulu culture, dancing, stick fighting, lifestyle and cooking at pheZulu. See live crocodiles and snakes including a 100 yr old 4,5m long African Python. You can purchase African curios at the very well stocked curio shop and enjoy a local meal including crocodile steaks or "Potjie Kos" cooked on an open fire.

After lunch, its back to the Durban beachfront to Ushaka Seaworld to enjoy a tour of the aquarium, snorkeling in the "Snorkeling lagoon" or for the more adventurous a "Shark Cage Dive" with Ragged Toothed sharks(Optional). uShaka is the 5th largest aquarium in the world with a seal pool, penguin rookery, dive tank, snorkel reef and touch pool.

Distance today: 95km

Day 3. Sani Pass-Drakensberg

Today we start our trip and ride from Durban to the Sani Pass Hotel for an early arrival where we will be collected by the Sani Pass Tours offroad vehicle or quads for a thrilling drive/ride up the Sani Pass to the highest Pub in Africa. We enjoy a delicious lunch and the most amazing views of the Drakensberg at an altitude of 3000m above sea level.

See "Ice Rats" scurry around their burrows and then the Cape Vulture catching the thermals high overhead. The Drakensberg (Dragon Mountains) is South Africa's highest mountain range , is a "World heritage Site" and referred to as South Africa's best kept secret. Birdwatchers can see the rare Drakensberg Siskin or the Orangebreasted Rockjumper at the top of the pass. We spend this evening at the Sani Pass Hotel relaxing and enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery.

Distance today: 230km

Day 4. Clarens-Golden Gate

We ride from Sani Pass to Clarens via Nottingham Road, Oliviershoek Pass, Sterkfontein Dam & Golden Gate National Park.

Nottingham Road is the heart of the Natal Midlands Meander and we will have a short stop here to top up fuel, enjoy a snack and look around a craft market. Then it's up the scenic Oliviershoek Pass to Sterkfontein Dam which has the largest dam wall in South Africa, covers an area of 6940ha, holds 2616 million m3 of water and adjoins an 18000ha Nature Reserve.

A short ride further and we reach the entrance to the breathtaking 48sq km "Golden Gate Highlands National Park" situated in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains with its scenic winding roads and impressive sandstone cliffs. The park was formed in 1963 to protect the sandstone cliffs above the Little Caledon Valley.

Only 15km outside Golden Gate's exit lies the tranquil village town of Clarens, an artists haven & renowned for its art and craft shops, scenic views & sandstone buildings. This is why Clarens is known as the "Jewel of the Free State". The evening is spent at the splendid Maluti Mountain Lodge.

Distance today: 370km

Day 5. Gariep Dam

Today we travel to Gariep Dam via Bethlehem, Senekal, Winburg and Bloemfontein.

Gariep Dam is South Africas largest dam covering an area of 374 sq km and hosts 3 beautiful game reserves. We will spend the afternoon on a game drive where we will view herds of springbok, wildebeest, eland, zebra and white rhino, followed by a sundowner cruise on the dam and a braai (barbeque) under the stars.

Distance today: 425km

Day 6. Beaufort West-Karoo National Park

From Gariep Dam we continue down the N1 national road to Beaufort West , an historic town where Chris Barnard, the first surgeon to perform a heart transplant grew up. The area is also well known for over 200 species of bird, small & large game as well as 250 million year old fossils and the most amazing star filled skies.

The afternoon is free for a visit to the Karoo National Park, fossil collecting, waterfall walk or just buy some olive products at our stopover , the "Olive Grove Guest Farm".

Distance today: 365km

Day 7. Stellenbosch-Wine Estates

Today we continue down the N1 to Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands. The Cape Winelands are home to over 100 estates nestled in the fertile valleys around Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franshhoek. Stellenbosch was the first of the wineland towns to be established by Simon van der Stel in 1679 and today these winelands support over 300 000 farm labourers.

We will tour two wine estates tasting their best wines and there will be an opportunity to purchase these excellent wines. Time permitting we will do a tour of the town of Stellenbosch. This evening we will stay at a charming Victorian Manor called Labri Manor.

Distance today: 365km

Day 8. Cape Town-Robben Island & Table Mountain

The day will start with a short ride into Cape Town to meet up with our open top bus which will take us to Table Mountain for a cable car ride to the top of this magnificent mountain, a scenic coastal drive through Clifton & Seapoint, a Guided Boat Cruise of the Waterfront, Green Market Square, District Six & a scenic city tour passing the Houses of Parliament, City Hall, Castle and Slave Lodge.

In the afternoon we will take a boat trip across Table Bay to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for many years. This 3,5hr tour leaves from the V&A Waterfront and visits the Maximum Security Prison and includes a 45 min bus ride with guide to Murrays Bay Harbour , Muslim Shrine, Kramat & the Museum Shop. The next two evenings will be spent at the 40 Winks Luxury Guest House in Greenpoint.

Distance today: 45km

Day 9. Cape Town-Cape Peninsula & V & A Waterfront

Today sees us ride a scenic loop around the Cape Peninsula passing through Fish Hoek, Simonstown, Cape Point, Kommetjie & Hout Bay.

The route includes Chapmans Peak Drive which is carved into the cliff face and took seven years to build and has splendid view points as well as the panorama from Cape Point where you can see False Bay, Hottentot Holland Mountains, and the Cape Hangklip.

The journey also passes the Penguin Colony at Boulders and charming Simonstown. Distance travelled is 140km.

Lunch is at the beautiful Victoria & Alfred Waterfront named after the son of Queen Victoria. Spend the afternoon at leisure shopping in the Victoria Wharf Centre's exclusive shops, boutiques & "Barrow" Stalls, visit the Two Oceans Aquarium, Alfred basin, Shed Craft Workshop or V & A Amphitheatre. Return to 40 Winks Luxury Guest House.

Distance today: 140km

Day 10. Oudtshoorn

We ride to Oudtshoorn via Riviersonderend, Riversdale,Mosselbay and George. This afternoon we visit the world famous Cango Caves deep in the heart of the Swartberg Mountains. Here you will see Cleopatra's Needle, a 9m high stalactite which is believed to be 150,000yrs old as well as the Grand Hall which is 107m long and 16m high.

If time permits we will visit the Highgate Ostrich Farm where we will tour the Ostrich Breeding Facilities to hold Ostrich Chicks and handle the eggs. The more adventurous can ride an Ostrich or you may watch an Ostrich Derby and then visit the Curio Shop where Ostrich Feather Products, Handbags, Wallets, Belts and Shoes can be purchased. The evening is spent at the luxurious Adley House.

Distance today: 450km

Day 11. Tsitsikamma National Park

Today we ride to Tsitsikamma National Park in the "Garden Route" via George, Wilderness, Knysna & Plettenberg Bay. This is some of the most scenic riding of the tour.

We start the day with a visit to the amazing Cango Wildlife Ranch near Oudtshoorn where you will interct with tame cheetah's, play with Tiger or Lion Cubs as well as experience crocodile cage diving. The park also contains over 400 crocodiles , snakes and Pygmy Hippo. Then we ride the scenic Garden Route to Knysna for seafood lunch at the waters edge.

After lunch we ride on to the Bloukrans Bridge to experience the "Highest Commercial Bungy Jump" in the world (216m). This is an optional activity and is not compulsory as other less extreme activities are available for those who wish to try them. The evening is spent at the Tsitsikamma National Park Lodge.

Distance today: 240km

Day 12. Grahamstown

This morning we ride from Tsitsikamma to Grahamstown via the Addo Elephant Park.

This 600 sq km park is home to over 300 African Elephants . In the past elephants lived throughout the Cape Colony but as the land was settled they were hunted to near extinction.

Grahamstown was formed by the 1820 settlers when the Cape government enticed over 4500 British families to settle in the area. Grahamstown is known for its over 50 churches, university and superb schools. Some 60 buildings have been declared national monuments and a host of beautifully restored Georgian and Victorian residences line the streets.

The evening is spent at the picturesque "Cock House", an 1820's Provincial Heritage Site.

Distance today: 310 km

Day 13. Umngazi Mouth-Transkei

Today we ride to the Umngazi River Mouth via King Williamstown, East London and Umtata. This part of the Transkei is known as the "Wild Coast" because of its rugged and scenic coastline and treacherous Indian Ocean seas which has wrecked many unsuspecting ships. The Transkei was a former independent homeland but since 1994 has again become part of South Africa.

The scenic Umngazi River Bungalows and Spa is located near to Port St Johns and offers beautiful indigenous forests, boating, fishing and treatments at the Spa.

Distance today: 450km

Day 14. Durban

The last day of our tour consists of a ride from Umngazi River Mouth through Luskisiki, Kokstad, Harding ,Port Shepstone & Umkomaas. The ride from Port Shepstone to Durban is up the South Coast of Natal and is beautifully scenic.

We will aim to arrive in Durban just after lunch so we can unpack, return the bikes and equipment and reflect on an amazing 2 week adventure which has taken you through some of the most amazing places of interest in South Africa and a round trip of nearly 3500km.

Distance today: 340km