Day 0: Arrive in South Africa
Welcome to South Africa. You can arrive at any time on day 0 as your motorcycle tour will officially start on the day 1. Tonight’s accommodation is included as your bonus night. A friendly Sama Tours' representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Pretoria.
Day 1: Arrive in South Africa (50 kilometers / 31 miles)
This morning, Sama Tours will hand over your motorcycle to you and sign all the paperwork. After that is complete, you will have a tour briefing and then the fun begins. You will start off by taking a tour of a small township just north of Pretoria to experience all the vibrant colors, sounds, and tastes of Africa. You will have lunch in a tavern in the township, followed by a visit to a rural motorcycle mechanic shop. Afterwards, you will enjoy a guided motorcycle ride through a big 5 nature reserve. Rhinos, giraffes, impalas, and wildebeests can all be spotted from your motorcycle. Tonight, you will have a welcome dinner in an African boma. Welcome to Africa.
Day 2: Pretoria to Magoebaskloof (400 kilometers / 249 miles)
Today, you will make your way up to South Africa’s wild Limpopo Province. As you head up north, the roads will become mountainous with beautiful views of the rolling hills below. Enjoy the great twisties and arrive at the majestic Magoebaskloof hotel, situated on the top of a beautiful mountain pass with breathtaking views of the valley below. There is a lot to do at the hotel. You can take a walk to the waterfall, spotting birds and Samango Monkeys along the way, or you can chill out at the Phoenix & Fireman Pub. You may wish to go for a late afternoon drive in the mountains surrounding the hotel. There is a great lookout point over Ebenezer Dam on Georges Valley Road (John Buchan Memorial).
Day 3: Panorama Route (250 kilometers / 155 miles)
Make your way down to Mpumalanga (an area known to local bikers as “Motorcycle Paradise”) where the roads here are beautiful and curvy, and there are so many great viewpoints, rock formations, and waterfalls along the way. The route will include stops at Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels, and God’s Window. Although there are so many attractions sign posted along the way, you may just wish to pull off and experience a few of them. You will arrive in Hazyview in the late afternoon. Tonight, you will enjoy a traditional African meal and African dances at the Shangana Cultural Village.
Day 4: Half day safari to Kruger National Park (50 kilometers / 31 miles)
Today, you will bid goodbye to the motorcycles and board a game viewing safari vehicle which will transport you to the Kruger National Park. This world famous wildlife reserve is home to the big 5 and is roughly the size of a small country. The vastness of the park allows ample opportunity to view wild animals in their natural habitat. You will have a full day to spot lions, elephants, birds, and many different species of animals. In the afternoon, there will be an optional motorcycle ride over the famous Long Tom Pass.
Day 5: Hazyview to Swaziland (300 kilometers / 186 miles)
After breakfast, you will depart for the kingdom of Swaziland, home to the friendly Swazi people. After border procedures (passport and possibly visa required), you will weave your way along winding country roads and mountain passes. Today, you will visit Swaziland’s own glass factory (Ngwenya Glass) and see the world famous Swazi candles being handcrafted at Swazi Candles. There are many excellent restaurants, pubs, and craft markets in the Ezulwini Valley where you will overnight at an excellent country lodge, with its own magnificent restaurant on a wooden deck with spectacular views.
Day 6: Swaziland to St Lucia (350 kilometers / 217 miles)
Today, you will make your way through Swaziland to South Africa’s Zulu Kingdom, homeland of the proud Zulu nation. In the late afternoon, you will arrive in St Lucia, a world renowned natural heritage site, with its beautiful secluded beaches, hippos, crocs, whales, endangered turtles, and other wildlife, your home for the next 2 nights. This afternoon, you will embark on an exciting sunset river cruise where you will see hippos , crocodiles, and other estuary wildlife. Tonight, you can explore the many restaurants, pubs, and cocktail bars that St Lucia has to offer.
Day 7: St Lucia rest day (50 kilometers / 31 miles)
St Lucia has so much to offer that Sama Tours suggest an action-packed day undertaking one of the many optional activities on offer such as whale watching and turtle tours (in season). Full and half day game drives are also available to the magnificent Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. You can also visit a Zulu cultural village. As all activities are extremely popular, to avoid disappointment, Sama Tours prefers to pre-book activities for you.
Day 8: St Lucia to Oribi Gorge (350 kilometers / 217 miles)
After breakfast, you will travel down the KwaZulu-Natal coastline through Durban to the South Coast holiday town of Port Shepstone, where you will head inland via a beautiful mountain road to the spectacular Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve. Tonight, you can witness the magnificent African sunset over the breathtaking Gorge.
Day 9: Oribi Gorge to Coffee Bay (450 kilometers / 280 miles)
After an early breakfast, it is time to head for the Wild Coast, where the famous Madiba which is former president Nelson Mandela, was born. You will see why this region is called the Wild Coast. Endless unspoilt sandy beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see make this destination well worth a visit.
Day 10: Coffee Bay rest day (50 kilometers / 31 miles)
This morning, there will be an optional ride to Hole in the Wall, along the most spectacular dirt road that meanders up and down beautiful winding mountains overlooking the sea. The rest of the day may be spent relaxing on the beach, learning to surf, or taking part in any of the adventurous activities on offer. Sit back relax and let the Wild Coast sink in.
Day 11: Coffee Bay to Port Alfred (450 kilometers / 280 miles)
After an early breakfast, you will bid the rolling hills and sea cliffs of the Wild Coast farewell and make your way inland following the N2 to East London. You will continue along the coastal road to Port Alfred, a beautiful little mariner town with stunning sea views and good places to eat. In the late afternoon, you may wish to take a walk over the beautiful sand dunes the dominate Port Alfred's beachfront.
Day 12: Port Alfred to Knysna (450 kilometers / 280 miles)
Today, you will follow the coastal route to Knysna, the start of the famous Garden Route where you will be based for the next 2 nights. En-route, those brave enough will have the opportunity to bungee from Bloukrans, the highest bungee in the world which is a 214 meters of pure adrenalin. Tonight, you will walk over to the Knysna waterfront and dine on delectable seafood and the freshest oysters in town.
Day 13: Knysna rest day (50 kilometers / 31 miles)
Knysna is a truly beautiful place and is ideal for a rest day. There is so much to do. You can go on a boat cruise, marvel at the Knysna heads, embrace the beautiful evergreen Knysna forest, meet the Knysna elephants, or simply relax and enjoy the pubs, restaurants, and shops. Another option is to re-explore the beautiful routes and twisting mountain passes in the area.
Day 14: Knysna to Oudtshoorn (250 kilometers / 155 miles)
Today, you will enjoy the spectacular scenery and twisting mountain passes of the world famous Garden Route. Around every corner, there is a breathtaking view. You will visit an Ostrich farm where you can ride ostriches, feed them, or buy their huge eggs. Later, you will visit the Cango Caves to explore underground wonders, arriving in Oudtshoorn in the late afternoon. For off-road enthusiasts, there is an optional ride up Swartberg Pass, a steep zigzagging road that will make your heart skip a beat.
Day 15: Oudtshoorn to Cape Agulhas (450 kilometers / 280 miles)
After an early breakfast, you will make your way to the start of Route 62. The road winds through the Swartberg mountains and beautiful foothills in their valleys. You will make your way down to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa at 34° S and 20°. Here, the ice-cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean meet the warm Indian Ocean, creating a turbulent mixture of untamed beauty. There is always a party at Cape Agulhas, as you will celebrate reaching the most southern point of Africa. There are great photo opportunities at the southernmost tip.
Day 16: Cape Agulhas to Cape Point and Cape Town (350 kilometers / 217 miles)
Today, you will make your way to Cape Town, South Africa's Mother City. Today is the highlight of the trip as there are beautiful coastal views with twisting roads cut to the sea cliffs virtually all the way. Today, you will get to visit Hermanus, the whale watching capital of South Africa as well as the old Navy town "Simonstown" where you can view South African penguins living it up on the beach. After that, you will make your way to Cape Point, the most south-westerly point of Africa (with views of the Cape Peninsula). Tonight, you will sleep in Cape Town and go out for your farewell dinner at one of Cape Town's best restaurants.
Day 17: End of tour (50 kilometers / 31 miles)
Sadly, your tour of South Africa has come to an end. Sama Tours guarantee that you will take home loads of awesome photographs and fond memories of South Africa the warm people you have met. Transfers will be arranged to the airport.
Notes: BMW F800GS is available from 86,710 ZAR.
Skill level required for this tour:
Beginner
- can ride for two to three hours
- minimal riding experience
- assistance required
- comfortable with curves and leans
- basic experience with unsurfaced roads
- short distance ascents and descents
