12 Day Garden Route Tour

SOUTH AFRICA | LESOTHO |GARDEN ROUTE

Starting in Pretoria and ending in Cape Town this 12 Day Self Guided Tour takes you on a once in a lifetime adventure through South Africa and Lesoth0

On your first day of the ride, you make your way to the beautiful Golden Gate National Park. You then ride into the Mountainous Kingdom of Lesotho on a day ride to Katse Dam. From here your travel South through the Drakensberg Mountains and meet the Indian Ocean East London. 

Next up you ride to Addo Elephant National Park where you have a rest day to enjoy a Big 5 Safari. From here you ride to Garden Route National Park, walk the suspension bridges in the Storm River Gorge, then marvel at the Knysna heads and get up close to Ostriches in Oudtshoorn

Enjoy the best Gravel OR Tar Mountain Passes of the Garden Route before making your way to the Southern Most Tip of Africa at Cape Agulhas.

From here you ride miles and miles of coastal roads all the way into Cape Town where your tour ends on the morning of day 13.

Day 0: Arrive in South Africa
Day 1: Pretoria to Clarens
Day 2: Clarens- Lesotho- Clarens
Day 3: Clarens to Underberg
Day 4: Underberg to East London
Day 5: East London to Addo Elephant Park
Day 6: Rest Day Addo Elephant Park
Day 7: Addo to Tsitsikamma
Day 8: Tsitsikamma- Knysna – Oudtshoorn
Day 9: Rest Day Oudtshoorn
Day 10: Oudtshoorn to Cape Agulhas
Day 11: Cape Agulhas- Cape Winelands
Day 12: Cape Winelands – Cape of Good Hope – Cape Town
Day 13: End Of Tour

Day 0: Arrive in South Africa (Bonus Night)

You will be met at JHB International Airport by a SAMA representative who will transfer you to your Pretoria Lodge. You have the day free to relax and recover from any jetlag you may have. There is a lot to see and do in and around Pretoria. You may wish to just relax or do a day tour of Soweto.

Day 1: Pretoria to Clarens (+-380km)
Highlights: Golde Gate National Park

Today you make your way through South Africa’s Golden Freestate to Clarens on the edge of Golden Gate National Park. Clarens is an artist’s paradise: poets, painters and sculptures from all corners come to Clarens its famous GOLDEN Sunsets. Spend the late afternoon wondering around the craft shops, or tasting Clarens Craft beer and have dinner in one of the numerous restaurants in town.

Golden Sandstone Cliffs

Day 2: Clarens- Lesotho- Clarens (+-410km)
Highlights: Riding the Alps of Africa

On this day you will experience a very exciting ride to Katse Dam in Lesotho. After an early start, we enter the Lesotho border and make our way towards Katse Dam (a huge man made dam that forms part of the Highlands water project which supplies water to South Africa in times of drought) The road to the dam has more turns within 80km than any other road in Africa (A motorcycle riders’ dream.) The condition of the road is excellent with very little traffic. The Katse Dam is truly eye-opening! After lunch you can return along the same road arriving back at your hotel in Clarens in the late afternoon. (B)

The Mountain Passes of Lesotho

Day 3: Clarens to Underberg (+-435km)

Today’s ride is unbelievably scenic. We ride down through the Golden Gate National Park. This park is made up of sandstone cliffs, with scenic rocks and other interesting landforms.  Watch out for Antelope and vervet monkeys crossing the road- you’re in the wild here! We will continue our tour through the beautiful Drakensberg mountains, past the Sterkfontein dam and along Nottingham road. There is an optional Stop at the Nelson Mandela Capture site and we will arrive at Underberg in the early afternoon. (B)

The Drakensberg

Day 4: Underberg to East London (450km)

Leaving the rolling hills of the Drakensberg behind, you make your way through the Eastern Cape To your lodge just outside of the coastal town of East London. Tonight, you sleep right on one of the most beautiful surfing beaches in the country- Chintsa Beach. Enjoy an amazing meal and fall asleep to the sound of Waves crashing below.  

Cintsa Beach

Day 5: Cintsa to Addo Elephant National Park

Today you head inland again and ride on the Alternative Route 72 that meanders through small seaside villages. You will arrive at Addo Elephant National Park in the earl;y afternoon- This will be your home for the next 2 Nights where you can enjoy a Big 5 Safari.

Day 6: Rest Elephant National Park

It is time to go on Safari! Addo is famous for its large heard of elephants. This makes for an amazing day spent on safari looking out for these gentle giants as well as the whole BIG 5 including Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo and Elephant. As this is a self Guided tour you can choose to do a full day safari with lunch or a sunrise and sunset safari with free time in the middle of the day to relax back at your lodge (B)

Day 7 – Addo to Tsitsikamma (+- 250 km)
Highlights: Tsitsikamma Park

Today you follow the coastal route to the start of the famous Garden Route. Ride into 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. You can take an easy walk to see the famous suspension bridges between the sea cliffs, or book an optional boat ride to take you up the gorge. (B)

Suspension bridges @ Tsitsikamma National Park

Day 8: Tsitsikamma- Knysna- Oudtshoorn  (+- 260km)
Highlights: Knysna Heads, Garden Route Mountain Passes

Today you ride the world-famous Garden Route. Your first optional stop isthe spectacular Bloukrans Gorge. Bloukrans is home to the world’s Highest Bungee Jump- 216 Meters of pure Adrenalin. Next up you can ride into Knysna and marvel at the beautiful Knysna Heads. From here, choose to either take the dirt or tar route to Oudtshoorn. Both options include unbelievable views and the spectacular mountain roads that the Garden Route is known for. You should arrive in Oudtshoorn- the Ostrich Capital of South Africa- in the late afternoon. This will be your home for the next two nights. (B,)

Riding breathtaking mountain passes

Day 9- 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. You may wish top visit the Cango Caves with its beautiful stalactites and stalagmites or do a tour of a working Ostrich farm- where you will get to feed, touch, and hug Ostriches. We highly recommend doing the optional loop ride up and over the famous Swartberg Pass. This is a bucket list ride for Adventure Bikers the world over. (B,)

Feeding Ostriches in the Garden Route

Day 10:  Oudtshoorn to  Cape Agulhas (350km)
Highlights: Route 62, Folding Mountain Passes, The Southern Tip of Africa

Today you make your way to the start of Route 62. The road winds through the Swartberg Mountains and beautiful foothills in their valleys. Make your 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. Celebrate reaching the most southern point of Africa- there are great photo opportunities at the Southern most tip! (B)

Cape Agulhas- the Southern Most Tip of Africa

Day 11: Cape Agulhas to Cape Winelands (+- 300 km)
Highlights:  Cape Winelands

Today you make your way to the Cape Winelands. En- Route you can stop in at Hermanus- the whale-watching capital of South Africa and a Bettys Bay  to see 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 you get to sleep in the heart of the winelands and enjoy some local wine tasting. (B)

Great riding through the Cape Winelands

Day 12- Cape Winelands- Cape Point- Cape Town (+- 180 km)
Highlights: Cape Point, Chapmans Peak,Simons Town, Coastal Roads, Signal Hill

Today you 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 into the sea cliffs virtually all the way. Start your day with a ride to  “Simonstown”- a working navy base. After that your route will take you to Cape Point- the most South- westerly point of Africa (with views of the Cape Peninsula). Next up  you can ride the famous Chapman’s Peak drive past False Bay and then head over Signal hill into Cape Town.What a ride! (B)

Ocean hugging roads all the way today!

Day 13- End of Tour (+- 0-50 km)

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 Southern Africa and the warm people you have met. Transfers will be arranged to the airport.

Cape Town is such a beautiful city and is really worth staying for a few extra nights after the tour- there is so much to see and do including Cable Car Rides up Table Mountain, Robben Island trips to see where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 26 years and wine tasting tours to sample our famous South African wines.

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2025/26 Pricing

Understanding the Pricing:
All prices are quoted per motorcycle based on riding 1 up and sharing accommodation. If you would like to bring a passenger add the “Pillion price” to the base price OR if you would like your own room, add the “Single Supplement price to the base price to get your total.

Please note that we require Payment in our local South African Currency (ZAR). The USD, AUD, and POUND  pricing are Estimations only. For up to date exchange rates, please visit www.xe.com
Exchange Rates Generated on 06 Jan 2025

Tour Price Includes:

• 12  Days Motorcycle Rental
• 13 Nights’ Accommodation in 3-4 Star Lodges, 
• 13 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 3 Dinner
• Gps loaded with route maps
• Side Panniers and top box for luggage
• Activities are included follows:
• Full Day Safari into Addo Elephant Park
• Entrance to Tsitsikamma National Park
• Transfers From Johannesburg International Airport and to the Cape Town International Airport
• Detailed Tour app with information on attractions, towns, places to eat, maps and more
• Sama T-shirt
• 24 Hour Back up Suppourt
• Basic Tools ]with puncture repair kit and mini compressor

Tour Price does NOT Include:

• Tour Guide
• Back up vehicle
• Petrol and toll fees
• Domestic and International flights
• Items of a personal nature
• All items not mentioned in “Price includes”
• All meals and drinks other than those specified in “Price includes”
• All Entrance fees other than those specified in “Price includes”

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. 

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.