18 Day Wonders of South Africa | MOTORCYCLE TOUR

Arrive in South Africa

Welcome to South Africa. You can arrive at any time on ‘day 0’ as your motorcycle tour only officially starts on ‘day 01’. Tonight’s accommodation is included as ‘Your bonus night’. A friendly Aquella Travel representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Pretoria.

Day tour of Pretoria and BIG 5 Safari

Highlights: Township tour and BIG 5 motorcycle Safari

This morning we will hand over your motorcycle to you and sign all the paperwork. After that is complete we will have a tour briefing and then the fun begins. We start by taking a tour of a small township just north of Pretoria to experience all the vibrant colors, sounds, and tastes of Africa. We will have lunch at a local tavern and afterwards, we enjoy a guided safari through a BIG 5 nature reserve. Rhinos, giraffes, impala’s, and wildebeest can all be spotted. Tonight, we have a welcome dinner around a roaring fire in an African Boma. Welcome to Africa! (B, L, D)

Pretoria To Hazyview

Highlights: Scenic mountain passes, Long Tom Cannons

Today you make your way up into Mpumalanga- an area known to local riders as ‘Biker Paradise’. As you head up north, the roads become mountainous with beautiful views of the rolling hills below. A highlight is riding up Long Tom Pass. Enjoy the great twisties and arrive in Hazyview in the last afternoon. (B, L, D)

 Panorama route

Highlights: God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, The Three Rondavels, Waterfalls, Magical Views Sites

Make your way up into Mpumalanga (an area known to Local Bikers as ‘Motorcycle Paradise’) the roads here are beautiful and curvy, and there are so many great viewpoints, rock formations, and waterfalls along the way. The route includes stops at Bourkes luck potholes, The Three Rondavels, and Gods Window as well as a waterfall or two. We will arrive back in Hazyview in the Late Afternoon. Tonight- you will enjoy a traditional African meal and African dances at the Shangana cultural village (B, L, D)

Half Day Safari – Kruger National Park

Highlights: Safari, African wildlife

Today we will bid goodbye to the motorcycles and board a game viewing Safari vehicle which will transport us into 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. We will have a full morning to spot lions, elephants, birds, and many different species of animals. In the afternoon we will return to our hotel in Hazyview where we can relax around the pool or take part in any of the optional activities in the area- for example, you can visit the elephant sanctuary or enjoy a microlight flight over the Blyde River Canyon. (B, D)

Hazyview to eSwatini

Highlights: Kingdom of eSwatini

After a hearty breakfast, we depart for the Kingdom of eSwatini – the home of the friendly Swazi people. After border procedures (passport and possibly visa required) we weave our way along winding country roads and mountain passes. Today we will visit eSwatini’s glass factory (Ngwenya Glass) and see the world-famous Swazi candles being handcrafted at Swazi Candles. tonight we sleep in Ezulweni Valley, the valley of Heaven at an excellent country lodge, with its magnificent restaurant on a wooden deck with spectacular views. (B, L, D)

 eSwatini to St Lucia

Highlights: Relaxing drive through African Countryside

Today we make our way through eSwatini to South Africa’s Zulu Kingdom, the homeland of the proud Zulu nation. We make our way down to St Lucia, a world heritage site that is famous for its natural beauty, wildlife, and deserted beaches. St Lucia is also home to an abundance of Hippos and crocodiles that live on the estuary around which the town is based. Tonight we will walk into town for a delicious meal. (B, L, D)

St Lucia, rest day

Highlights: Hluhluwe National Park and Hippo Croc Cruise

Today is dedicated to experiencing African Wildlife! We start the day with an early morning safari into Hluhluwe Umfolozi National Park, this park is home to the Big 5 and is the oldest National Park in South Africa and one of the most scenically beautiful landscapes in South Africa. Enjoy your Game Drive in an open safari vehicle before returning to St Lucia. In the late afternoon, we also enjoy a Lake Cruise to see hippos and crocodiles while enjoying an ice-cold drink. Bliss! (B, D)

St Lucia to Oribi Gorge

Highlights: Breath-taking views over Oribi Gorge

After breakfast, we travel down the Kwazulu Natal coastline through Durban to the South Coast holiday town of Port Shepstone, where we head inland via a beautiful mountain road to the spectacular Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve. Tonight we can witness the magnificent African Sunset over the breathtaking Gorge (B, L, D)

Oribi Gorge to Coffee Bay

Highlights: Wild and undeveloped ocean paradise

After an early breakfast, it is time to head for the Wild Coast, where our famous Madiba, former president Nelson Mandela – was born. You will see why this region is called the Wild Coast, endless unspoiled sandy beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see make this destination well worth a visit.  You will pass countless African huts with amazing sea views to arrive at our home for the next two nights, a Beach hotel with amazing ocean views. Fall asleep to the sounds of waves in the distance. (B, L, D)

Coffee Bay, rest day 

Highlights: Hole in the wall, relaxing on the beach

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, enjoying a village tour, learning to surf, Hiking, or taking part in any of the adventurous activities on offer. Sit back, relax, and let the Wild Coast sink in! (B, D)

Coffee Bay to Port Alfred 

Highlights: Port Alfred Mariner

Today we bid the rolling hills and sea cliffs of the Wild Coast farewell and make our way inland to East London. We 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. (B, L, D)

Port Alfred to Tsitsikamma

Highlights: Tsitsikamma, Suspension bridges, Storms River Mouth and riding the Garden Route

Today we follow the coastal route to the start of the famous Garden Route. We ride into the Tsitsikamma National Park and sleep in wooden cabins overlooking Storms River Mouth. You will have the whole afternoon free to explore this beautiful National Park. Storms River is the start of our famous ‘Otter Trail’ and you can walk part of the hike down to the breathtaking suspension bridges between the sea cliffs. Enjoy an evening spent in this very unique camp overlooking the Indian Ocean. (B, L, D)

Tsitsikamma – Knysna – Oudtshoorn 

Highlights: Knysna Heads, Garden Route Mountain Passes

Today we ride the world-famous Garden Route. Our firsts top is the spectacular Bloukrans Gorge. Bloukrans is home to the world Highest Bungee Jump- 216 Meters of pure Adrenalin. Next up we ride into Knysna and marvel at the beautiful Knysna Heads. From here riders can either take the dirt or tar route into the Mountains. Both options include unbelievable views and the spectacular mountain roads, that the Garden Route in Known for. We will arrive in Oudtshoorn, the Ostrich Capital of South Africa, in the late afternoon. This will be our home for the next two nights. (B, L, D)

Oudtshoorn Rest Day

Highlights: Garden Route, Ostrich farms, Cango Caves and spectacular mountain passes

Today is a rest day, but there is so much to see and do. We will have a guided tour of the Cango Caves with its beautiful stalactites and stalagmites and a tour of a working Ostrich farm, where you will get to feed, touch and hug Ostriches. For those that would like to do some more exciting dirt riding there will be an optional ride over the famous Swartberg Pass, this is a bucket list ride for Adventure Bikers the world over. This afternoon, relax and enjoy the warm Karoo Hospitality that this area is known for and this evening we will be treated to a traditional Ostrich Braai (BBQ) that will tantalize your taste buds. (B, D)

Oudtshoorn to Cape Agulhas

Highlights: Route 62, Folding Mountain Passes, The Southern Most Tip of Africa

Today we ride the famous Route 62. The road winds through the Swartberg Mountains and beautiful foothills in their valleys. We make our way down to Cape Agulhas, the Southernmost tip of Africa at 34° S and 20° E. 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 we celebrate reaching the most southernmost tip of Africa. There are great photo opportunities! (B, L, D)

Cape Agulhas to Cape Winelands

Highlights: Cape Winelands

Today we make our way to Cape Winelands. En- Route we will stoop in at Hermanus- the whale watching capital of South Africa and also at Bettys Bay where we will get up close to penguins living on the beach. The Cape Winelands is a beautiful landscape of vineyards, mountains, and fruit farms. The riding is also world-class with some exciting mountain passes. Tonight we will sleep in the heart of the Winelands and enjoy some local wine tasting. (B,L,D)

Cape Winelands – Cape Point – Cape Town

Highlights: Cape Point, Chapmans Peak, Simons Town, Coastal Roads, Signal Hill

Today we make our 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 into the sea cliffs virtually all the way. We start the day with a ride to the ‘Simonstown’- a working navy base. After that, we make our way to Cape Point, the most South-westerly point of Africa (with views of the Cape Peninsula). Next up we ride the famous Chapman’s peak drive past False Bay and then head over Signal hill into Cape Town, where we celebrate the end of an amazing tour at one of Cape Town’s best restaurants. What a ride! (B,L,D)

End of tour

Sadly your tour of South Africa has come to an end. We 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. You may also wish to extend your stay in Cape Town with a couple more dates, this is such a beautiful city with so much to see and do! (B)