12 Days Epic Motorcycle Tour of South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe
This 2 WHEEL motorcycle Adventure will take you right into the heart of Africa.
Starting in Pretoria, South Africa we make our way to Botswana where the fun begins.
This is the WILDEST country in Africa. Here you are more than likely to see WILD Elephants on the side of the road.Our first stop is Nata Pan where we enjoy a sunset drive out onto the salt pans in search of incredible birdlife. Next up we head North to Chobe National Park where we enjoy a boat ride on the Chobe River. Here you will literally see 1000’s of elephants coming down to the river to drink, swim and play.
Next up we travel across the border to spend 2 Nights at the breathtaking Victoria Falls. Here you can fly high in a helicopter above of the falls or take a swim above or below the falling waters. On day 7 we ride to Planet Baobab where we swop 2 Wheels for 4 and get on Quad bike to whiz out onto the Salt Pans where we spend a night wild camping under the stars. The next morning we visit the Local Meerkats who are very friendly and inquisitive about the crazy bikers who come to visit them.
From here we travel to Maun at the Heart of the Okavango Delta. We enjoy an overnight Safari on Dug Out Canoes and camp in the Delta.
We then ride south down through Botswana and Back into South Africa again where our tour ends on day 12
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TOUR ITINERARY
Day 0: Arrive in Johannesburg- Transfer to Pretoria
Day 1: Pretoria to Tuli Block, Botswana
Day 2: Tuli Block to Nata
Day 3: Nata to Chobe- River Cruise
Day 4: Chobe to Vic Falls, Zimbabwe
Day 5: Vic Falls Rest Day
Day 6: Vic Falls to Chobe- Night Drive
Day 7: Chobe to Gweta- Overnight on the pans
Day 8: Gweta to Maun
Day 9: Mokoro Adventure Camp in Delta
Day 10: Maun to MakumutuÂ
Day 11:Â Makumutu to Kwa Nokeng
Day 12: Kwa Nokeng back TO Pretoria, South Africa
Day 13: End of Tour
Day 0: Arrive in South Africa (0-50km)
Welcome to South Africa. You will be met at the Johannesburg International Airport by a Sama representative who will transfer you to your Pretoria Hotel where you can relax and unwind after your flight. This afternoon at 2 pm we will hand over the keys to enjoy a pre-tour briefing to get you ready for the adventure. Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner (D)
For those of you that arrive a few days early, there are lots of optional activities in and around Pretoria- for example you can do a City tour, Lion and Rhino Park tour, Soweto Tour or enjoy a massage at an African Spa. Your hotel is in walking distance of shops, restaurants and cocktail bars.
Lets Ride!
Day 1: Pretoria to Tuli Block, Botswana (+- 450km)
Highlights: African Lodge on the banks of the Limpopo River
Today we leave Pretoria and make our way northwards through the wild province of Limpopo to the Botswana border. The more North you travel in South Africa- the wilder the landscape becomes. After border procedures, we make our way to our lodge in the Tuli Block, our home for the night, based on the Limpopo River (Full of Crocodiles and Hippos). Tonight we have dinner in the beautiful boma and if we are lucky some local African Kids will come dance for us. Fall asleep listening to the great sounds of the African night- Lions roaring in the distance…. (B,L,D)
Botswana Dancers
Day 2: Tuli Block to Nata (+- 452km)
Highlights: The Makgadigadi Pans- Largest Salt pans in the World
After an early start, we make our way through Botswana towards Nata. Nata is on the outskirts of the Makgadigadi Pans-the largest salt complex in the world. This afternoon we are transported to the Makgadigadi Pans in a Safari Vehicle for a sunset tour of the pans- breathtaking views and African wildlife awaits. (B, L,D)
Makgadigadi Salt pans
Day 3: Makgadigadi Pans to Chobe (+-330km)
Highlights: Afternoon Safari into Chobe National Park
Today we make our way to Chobe National Park, right on the border of Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. Botswana is a truly wild country, there are no fences and we often see elephants right on the side of the road on this leg of the trip. We will arrive at Chobe National Park in the early afternoon. This is a river paradise and the only place in Africa where you can do a BIG 5 Safari by boat! After lunch, we enjoy a boat cruise on the Chobe River. Enjoy floating downstream while hundreds of elephants come down to the water's edge to drink water, play in the mud, and have a swim- truly an amazing sight and a photographers dream 5! (B,L,D)
Elephants right off the main road
Day 5: Chobe to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (+-80km)
Highlights: Victoria Falls helicopter flight
After an early morning Safari into Chobe National Park, we make our way to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. You will arrive in in the early afternoon. This waterfall is not the highest or the widest in the world, but it is the largest sheet of falling water, and the sheer volume of falling water will blow you away. During your stay, we have included a Helicopter flight over the falls. They call this: "The flight of Angels" and seeing Victoria Falls from the air is the best angle to truly appreciate its magnificence (B, L,D )
Chobe Boat Cruise
Day 6:Â Rest Day Victoria Falls
Highlights: Victoria Falls
You have the whole day free to enjoy all the You have the whole day free to enjoy all the activities that Victoria Falls has on offer. You may wish to do a guided tour of the falls, canoe down the Zambezi River, visit an elephant sanctuary, bungee jump, or enjoy adrenaline-fueled river rafting. There are also tours available where you can swim either above or below the tumbling waters of the falls! Otherwise, you may wish to just grab a drink at the pool, book a spa treatment and just relax in the beautiful hotel grounds. (Meals: B, D)
The tumbling water of Victoria Falls is breathtaking
Day 6:Â Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park
Highlights: Victoria Falls
Today we make our way back to Botswana. We will have a nice relaxed morning at the Falls and arrive back at Chobe National Park around Lunch Time. This Afternoon we have booked the group onto a Open Vehicle Safari into the beautiful National Park. Lookout for Leopards up high on the trees and herds of Elephants making their way down to the River to drink and play in the mud! (B,L, D)
Chobe Safari
Day 7: Chobe to Gweta (+-420km)
Highlights: Overnight trip on the Ntwetwe Pans
Today we get back on the Bikes and enjoy a relaxing ride through Botswana as we make our way to Planet Baobab, located on the northern side of the Makgadigadi Pans. We swop 2 Wheel for 4 and hop onto Quad bikes, riding out onto the Salt Pans to camp under the stars. This afternoon, you will meet some of the Kalahari’s most fascinating inhabitants, the meerkats. Due to an ongoing habituation program, it’s possible for guests to get up close and personal with the captivating creatures. Enjoy breathtaking views of sparkling salt that extend as far as the eye can see. Sleeping here is a once-in-a-lifetime experience (B, L, D)
Quadbiking on the Makgadigadi Pans
Day 8:Gweta to Maun (+-210km)
Highlights: Meerkats
Wake up to a beautiful sunrise out in the wilderness to a cup of piping hot coffee. Then Jump on the Quad bikes to enjoy exploring more of the Salt Pans. Open the throttle; close your eyes and travel, knowing there is nothing to crash into until you fall off the edge of the earth.. On return to Planet Baobab we will enjoy a scrumptious breakfast, have a shower and then suit up and carry on our ride to Maun-Gateway to the Okavango Delta (B,L, D)
Meet the Meerkats
Day 9: Overnight Okavango Delta Trip
Highlights: Canoe trip and wild camping
It is time to explore the waterways of the beautiful Okavango Delta. Â We start the day with a 4 x4Â Drive to the poler station where we meet our guides. We then get into Traditional Dug Out Canoes and spend the day exploring the waterways, move quietly through shallow water, being pushed by the boatman using a long pole. We will then enjoy a scrumptious Lunch and set up Camp on an Island in the Delta. There will also be optional guided walk to explore the area. This area is known for Elpehnat, Hippos and Even Lions. Tonight, we sleep in Tents that will be provided. All meals will be provided by the team, cooked out in the Bush(B,L, D)
Glide along the waterways of Okavango looking out for HipposÂ
Day 10: Maun to Makumutu (310km)
Highlights: Wild Botswana
After a night in the wild waterways of the Delta, we return to our camp for a quick shower and a meal. Then we jump on our bikes and ride further into Botswana, where we spend the night at a Safari Lodge. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the pool and an ice-cold beer (B,D)
Donkey Cart Botswana
Day 11: Makumutu to Tuli Block (+- 510 km)
Highlights: Golden sand dunes of Namibia
Today we continue our Journey through the wide open landscapes of Botswana as we make our way down to the Border of South Africa and Botswana. Enroute we will stop for lunch at the community-based Khama Rhino Sanctuary. We spend a last night on the Mighty Limpopo River! (B,L,D)
Khama Rhino Sanctuary
Day 12: Tuli Block to Pretoria (+- 380km)
Highlights: Farewell Dinner
Its our last day of this amazing African Motorcycle Adventure. It is a nice relaxing ride back to Pretoria. We will drop off our motorcycles this afternoon and then go out this evening to Celebrate the end of our Ride (B,D)
Please note that we can book any post/pre-tour accommodation and activities for you. Click here for add-on tours.
2024 Pricing
Riding 1up sharing on an F750GS: ZAR 108,450
Riding 1up sharing on an F850GS: ZAR 112,370
Riding 1up sharing on an R1250GS: ZAR 118,640
Riding 1up sharing on an R1250GS ADV: ZAR 122,170
To bring a pillion, add: ZAR 71,070
For Single supplement, add: ZAR 11,880
Prices quoted in South African Currency- ZAR.
This tour includes 12 Nights of 3-4 Star Accommodation
Every night you will have your own Private room with an ensuite bathroom. You can choose to share with your partner or another rider on the tour. Otherwise, you can select our "Single Supplement" to get your own room throughout the tour.
All Accommodation has been handpicked by Sama Tours- we only use high-standard accommodation in good locations. We love African Lodges, Boutique Hotels and BnBs, or places that have a good atmosphere, exceptional staff, and all the modern amenities. This tour is also unique in that it includes 2 Nights of Wild Camping. However if you are not in to camping, we can organise for you to stay back at the lodge with your comfortable ensuite accommodation and take part in a different exciting excursions
Examples of Hotels on the 12 Day African Odyssey Tour:
Chobe Safari Lodge
Situated on the beautiful Chobe River, this Lodge is a major highlight of the tour. Enjoy your stay in the luxuriously appointed Thatch rondavel (Cottage) Walk down to the restaurant and bar on the wooden deck and enjoy a drink while watching hippos and other wildlife in the water below
Wild camping quad bike overnight on the Makgadigadi pans
This is wild camping, but it isn't without a luxurious touch, you will get to ride out onto the Makgadi Salt Pans on quad bikes. On arrival, you will see that a camp fire has already been made and your bed roll is laid out. Relax, drink in hand, as the chef cooks up a scrumptious meal. After a delicious starlit meal, retire to bed and look up at a billion stars! The camp managers put up a proper toilet and their is delightful hot water ready and waiting when you wake up so you can splash your face and get ready for the day. Please note- not all of us are made for camping, If you would prefer to stay back at the 3-star lodge with ensuite accomodation (Planet Baobab) and take part in a different activity- we can organize this for you on request.
Please note that well the above hotels are our first choices, we don't always get availability on the dates we need. In this case, we source hotels next door or nearby that are of the same high standard and quality or better.Â
