1^st day: The northern Winelands:

After collecting your motorcycle and road book in Cape Town you travel the Cape Winelands through the Paarl Valley. You cross over the famous Bain’s Kloof Pass, one of South Africa’s most beautiful passes, where you can stop for a swim in the rock pools of a crystal clear river. Climbing the Bokkeveldberge you head for the Cederberg Wilderness area, where you spend the night in a beautifully located lodge.

Distance: 250 km, 50 km on gravel roads.

2^nd day: The Cederberg:

After an early morning swim in the pools of the nearby river and breakfast, you travel on a rugged gravel road, taking you through the heart of the Cederberg area. Make sure to do that at a relaxed pace, as the exceptional beauty of the area deserves to be admired. The track as well demands attention; it is washed out and corrugated, with some soft and sandy passages. Sightings of Rock Hyrax, Klipspringer and troops of Baboons reward you for spilling your sweat, as well as the majestic Black Eagle circling high above you. Leaving the Cederberg down across its northern slopes you turn north into the great Karoo. The second half of the day is a more relaxing ride on well maintained gravel roads, which ends in a tranquil Karoo town, where youspend the night.

Distance: 290 km approx.; mostly on gravel tracks and roads.

3^rd day: The Bushmanland:

A full day on lonely gravel roads takes you through the Bushmanland to Springbok, the capital of the Namaqualand region. Crossing the main road to Namibia you carry on to a beautiful guest farm located "in the middle of nowhere" for the next night

Distance: 300 km on gravel roads.

4^th day: The Diamond Coast:

You spend the day travelling from Springbok into the "diamond areas" in South Africa's far Northwest, and reach Alexander Bay, a mining town at the mouth of the Orange River, where you stay for the next two nights.

Distance: 250 km, 120 km on gravel roads.

5^th day: Rock, Sand and Diamonds:

Visit the diamond mine of Alexander Bay or leave for a daytrip into the Richtersveld national park. The tracks in the Richtersveld can be very rough and this daytrip is recommended for the lightweight 650 cc motorcycles and experienced riders only.

Distance: Between 40 and 250 km on gravel tracks.

6^th day: The Namaqualand:

You travel down the Westcoast to Port Nolloth, and over scenic mountain passes into the Namaqualand National Park, before you reach the guest farm, where you spend the third night of your journey. In season, from August until October, you will experience the arid, semi-desert of the Namaqualand turning into the worlds largest display of wildflowers.

Distance: 250 km, 160 km on gravel roads.

7^th day: The valley of the Orange River:

Following backroads to the Namibian border and heading eastwards in the afternoon you will experience another day of untouched landscapes and semi-desert scenery before reaching this day's destination.

Distance: 250 km on gravel tracks.

8^th day: The Augrabies National Park:

A short trip takes you to the Augrabies National Park. The name "Augrabies" originates from the Nama word "aukorebis", which means "place of great noise". At Augrabies the waters of the Orange River plunge into a 240 m gorge forming one of the world's largest falls. The fact, that Augrabies National Park has no big cats and no elephants, and the black rhinoceros only roam the not accessible northern banks of the Orange River, allows you to explore the park on your motorcycle during the afternoon. In the evening you park your motorcycle for the next few days and catch some sleep before next day's early departure into the Kalahari Desert.

Distance: 160 km mostly on tarmac roads plus 60 km gravel tracks in the Augrabies National Park.

9^th day: Into the Kalahari:

At 03.00 in the morning you climb aboard a fully equipped safari vehicle and leave for a 4 day guided game viewing safari in the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, one of the largest wilderness areas in Africa. You arrive in the park around lunchtime and go for your first game drive to the bush camp of Nossob or Mata-Mata.

10^th day: The black - maned Kalahari Lion:

You depart for a full day of game drives to Unions End, Mata-Mata or the dune road using local reports of game sightings. Besides the famous blackmaned Kalahari lion you might spot leopard, cheetah, gemsbok, springbok, wildebeest, jackal and hyena, and many other game species. The Kalahari Gemsbok National Park’s reputation is to be Africa’s best place for big cat sightings as well as it impresses with its unique landscape of dry river beds and red sand dunes.

11^th day: The backroads of the Kalahari:

A last game drive brings you to Twee Rivieren, where you stop for souvenir and supply shopping. You have lunch at the saltpans of Loch Marie before driving along the Malopo River to Riemvasmaak. You arrive at the next overnight camp in the late afternoon. Relax in the hot springs while viewing the infinite canopy of the stars above you.

12^th day: The banks of the Orange River:

After a morning walk to the waterfalls and breakfast you can go for a last swim in the hot springs before you return to Augrabies. Traditional "Sundowners" are served in the Augrabies National Park, before you head for dinner and overnight in Augrabies.

13^th day: Surf the white waters:

The Augrabies Rush white water rafting (grade 2 to 3) takes you through a pristine part of the National Park not otherwise accessible to the public. After lunch you depart on the motorcycles to Upington. The "Gateway to the Kalahari" will allow you to recall the adventures of the last days whilst enjoying dinner and a drink in one of the restaurants and bars, which are located in walking distance of your accommodation.

Distance: 130 km on tarmac roads, alternatively 50 km tarmac road and 80 km gravel roads.

14^th day: The great plains of the Karoo:

Leaving Upington and the valley of the Orange River behind, you follow the railway tracks of the Lüderitz Port Elizabeth railway line and head deeper into the Great Karoo. The next night is spent in a little Karoo-Town, which is not accessible on tarmac roads.

Distance: 300 km on gravel roads.

15^th day: Saltpans and dry rivers:

Today you will cross the western parts of the great Karoo. The landscape impresses with endless plains and saltpans, dotted with Table Mountains left over after ages of erosion by wind, water and sun. En route you can visit Bushman paintings, which date back thousands of years and bear witness of South Africa's perished prehistoric culture. When you reach your destination for the night in a small Karoo-Town, well known from your 2^nd night, time and space will have gained a new meaning for you.

Distance: 270 km on gravel roads.

16^th day: Following the Olifants down to the sea:

A relaxing day-trip on tarmac roads takes you across the Bokkeveld Mountains into the valley of the Olifants River. Leaving the Great Karoo behind, you reach your next destination at the Westcoast with its endless white-sandy beaches. The day’s itinerary leaves enough time for a relaxing walk on the beach or a "dip" in the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean during the afternoon.

Distance: 190 km on tarmac roads.

17^th day: The Westcoast: Crayfish country:

The 17^th day leaves you the choice, how to make your way down the Westcoast:

Either you follow the coast on partially sandy and corrugated gravel tracks to St. Helena Bay. You travel through a unique landscape called "Strandveld" along kilometres of lonely white, sandy beaches and dunes. This route is recommended for the lightweight 650’s and riders with experience on gravel roads only.

Or you re-trace your route of the previous day to the Olifants River, turn south towards Cape Town and reach a wine estate, your last nights quarter, on tarred roads. You will visit the cellars and taste some of South Africa’s excellent wines before having dinner at the estate’s restaurant.

Distance: 110 km on gravel tracks and 130 km on tarmac roads or 290 km on tarmac roads.

18^th day: Bain’s Kloof and the northern Winelands:

Your ride back to Cape Town is not far so we suggest that you take your time and enjoy a morning by the swimming pool. The famous Bain’s Kloof Pass and the view of Cape Town and Table Mountain seen from Bloubergstrand will end this unforgettable motorcycle tour.

Distance: 130 km tarmac.

If you booked a Bed&Bike arrangement for the following day, we recommend staying at Bloubergstrand for the sunset and return to Cape Town after nightfall.

130 km approx.; tarmac.

The tour package includes:

Rental motorcycle, equipped with luggage system; 3600 free kilometres and motorcycle insurance; Tour description, road-book and maps; All accommodation in good standard hotels, guesthouses and guest farms; 3 nights tented accommodation in the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park and in Riemvasmaak (Alternative accommodation in the Park is available by prior arrangement and at extra expense); 17 x breakfast; 16 x dinner; 4 x lunch; 4 day guided Kalahari Backroads safari including entry fees and camping equipment; Guided Orange River white water rafting trip; Alexander Bay diamond mine tour; Wine cellar tour and wine tasting.

Prices:

Climate:

Due to the very high daytime temperatures during December, January and February, which might reach and sometimes exceed 40°C in the Great Karoo and the Kalahari Desert, we do not recommend this tour for the summer months. Rather think about one of the the Western Cape and Garden Route tours, where you will experience more bearable daytime temperatures. The rest of the year offers perfect conditions for riding with the annual rainfall mainly confined to the months of June to August in the Cape Town region and to the months of September and October in the Kalahari Desert. Intensity and possibility of rain are decreasing the further north you go. The Kalahari, in some years, doesn’t get any rain at all.

From March to May and in November the days are quite hot, the nights are warm and the chance to have rain is almost zero.

June, July and August are perfect for game viewing in the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park. Cape Town and the Westcoast might have some rain. The days in the Karoo and the Kalahari are warm and sunny; the nights can be quite chilly.

September and October are believed to be the best season for the wildflowers of the Namaqualand. But exactly this time of the year is the rainy season in the Kalahari, and, if it does rain, the animals will leave the waterholes and scatter out across the plains to take advantage of the fresh pastures.

What do I need to bring?

We recommend you to bring suitable motorcycle clothing like motorcycle leathers or an Enduro suit as well as helmet, gloves and motorcycle boots. Usually the climate in the region doesn’t require heavy rain protection, but a vinyl rain suit can be useful during the winter months from June until August. A warm sweater or fleece is recommended as the nights in the desert are sometimes chilly. Sun block and a hat or cap is essential. Don’t forget to bring clothing suitable for the desert and for the white water rafting as well as a torch for camping. Laundry service is available en route.

Helmets, gloves and goggles can be hired at daily rates.

Required riding skills:

The tour is suitable for experienced riders; off-road experience is not required as South Africa’s gravel roads and tracks are usually in quite good condition. Some parts of the itinerary include riding on soft gravel with sandy passages. For riders without riding experience in these conditions the itinerary can be modified to accommodate them.

Health and Malaria:

The medical infrastructure in South Africa has European standard. The itinerary doesn’t cover any malaria-risk areas. The last flare-up of malaria in the Kalahari was recorded in 1923 and therefore malaria-precautions are not indicated. Comprehensive travel and health insurance is recommended.

Guided tours including fully equipped back-up vehicles are available on request.

Please feel free to contact us about any details in our office!