13 Day South African Motorcycle Safari 

Starting in Pretoria  and ending in Port Elizabeth, this motorcycle Tour takes in all the best Riding that South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho  have on offer.

13 Day South African Motorcycle Safari Tour
Starting in Pretoria and ending in Port Elizabeth, this motorcycle Tour takes in all the best Riding that South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho have on offer.
Our first stop in Bikers Paradise in Mpumalanga. Here we visit waterfalls, awe inspiring view points and ride twisting mountain passes . We then enjoy a Big 5 Safari Into Kruger National Park. Next up we ride into the Mountainous Kingdom of Swaziland and experience the colorful Swazi culture and hospitality before venturing back into South Africa again where we ride off the beaten path to spend a night in the Kwazulu Nata Battlefields.
Next up we ride through the spectacular Drakensburg mountains and Golden Gate National Park to our favourite little village in the mountains called Clarens. Heading South we enter the Lesotho and enjoy riding “The Alps of Africa” all the way to Semonkong and spend 2 Nights in a place where time stood still. We have a rest day to meet the Basotho people, admire the Matseluyne Falls and enjoy all Lesotho has on offer before riding back into South Africa Again.
We spend 2 Magical nights in Addo Elephant National Park. Here the Elephant is King and we enjoy an open vehicle Big 5 safari, before your tour comes to an end on Day 13
Transfers will be arranged to the Port Elizabeth Airport and we include a one-way flight at the end of the tour- Either to Johannesburg International Airport or to Cape Town.

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Day 0: Arrive in South Africa, Bonus Night
Day 1: Pretoria Day Tour and BIG 5 Safari
Day 2: Dinokeng to Magoebaskloof
Day 3: Magoebaskloof- Panorama Route- Hazyview
Day 4: Big 5 Safari into Kruger plus optional Twisty Ride
Day 5: Hazview to Swaziland
Day 6: Swaziland to Battlefields
Day 7: Battlefields to Clarens via Golden Gate
Day 8: Clarens to Semonkong, Lesotho
Day 9: Rest Day Semonkong
Day 10: Semonkong to Aliwal North
Day 11: Aliwal North to Addo Elephant Park
Day 12: Addo Safari Day
Day 13: End of Tour, Transfer to the airport for 1 way flight to Cape Town or Johannesburg

Day 0: Arrive in South Africa

Welcome to South Africa. You can arrive at any time on “day 0” as you motorcycle tour only officially starts on “day 01”. 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: Day tour of Pretoria and BIG 5 Safari (+-70km) 

Highlights: Township tour and BIG 5 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 off 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 drive 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)

Stay in Dinokeng Big 5 Nature Reserve

Day 2: Dinokeng to Magoebaskloof (+-300km)

Highlights: Scenic mountain passes, Magoebaskloof

Today you make your way up North into Limpop province. As we head up north, the roads become mountainous with beautiful views of the rolling hills below.. Enjoy the great twisties and arrive in Magoebaskloof in the late afternoon. Our hotel has breathtaking views of the valley below an we enjoy a scrumptious dinner in the pub (B,L,D)

Riding Mpumalanga

Day 3: Magoebaskloof- Panorama route – Hazyview (+- 270km)

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

Today we make our way down 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 God’s Window as well as a waterfall or two. We will arrive in Hazyview in the Late Afternoon. (B,L,D)

The Blyde River Canyon View site

Day 4: Half Day Safari- Kruger National Park (+-50km)

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. There will be an Optional 215 km Twisty Ride that will take you over the Famous Long Tom Pass and to the Gold Mining Town of Pilgrims Resr (B,D)

Leopard @ Kruger National Park

Day 5: Hazyview to Swaziland (+-280km)

Highlights: Kingdom of Swaziland

Today we ride down South and into the Mountainous Kingdom of Swaziland. African Kids wave and smile as we ride on by. Our first stop is Sibebe Rock- This is the 2nd Largest Rock in the world, after Ayers Rock in Australia. We then make our way to our lodge in Ezulwini Valley and down to Mantenga Nature Reserve where we enjoy a tour of a living Swazi Village complete with Swazi Dancers in their colorful traditional clothing. Tonight, we enjoy a candlelit dinner overlooking Execution Rock. (B,L,D)

Sibebe Rock, Swaziland

Day 6:  Swaziland to Kwazulu Natal Battlefields  (+- 290km)

Highlights: Tour of the Anglo Zulu Battlefields

Entering South Africa Again we make our way to the battlefields of the powerful Zulu Nation. Our Lodge for tonight is off the beaten track in rural South Africa. We enjoy about 40km of good gravel roads and arrive in time for lunch. This afternoon we take a tour of Isandlwana Battlefield with a local guide who make the battlefields come alive as he shares his local knowledge with us. (B,L,D)

Good Hard Packed Gravel leading to the Battlefields

Day 7: Battlefields to Clarens (+-340 km)

Highlights: Drakensberg, Golden Gate National Park, Clarens

Today we enjoy more great riding as we get to the Drakensburg Mountains. We ride Twisting mountain roads that take us up into Golden Gate National Park and enjoy breathtaking views of the Golden Sandstone Cliffs. This afternoon we will arrive at the Artists Village of Clarens. Enjoy a walk around this cozy little town, taste some beer at the local brewery and tonight we  enjoy a lovely pub meal (B,L,D)

Ride the Drakensberg Mountains

Day 8: Clarens to Semonkong, Lesotho (+-276 km)

Highlights: Ride your 3rd African Country- The Alps of Africa

Today we ride the ALPS of Africa! Up early we ride into the Kingdom of Lesotho. This whole country is situated in the mountains. The main form of transportation is horseback as most of the country is only accessible via small mountain paths. That said- the roads that they do have, are a true work of Art. We spend the whole day riding beautiful twisting mountain passes that take us high up into the Mountains.  There is hardly any traffic! This afternoon we get to Semonkong Lodge- our home for the next 2 Nights where we sleep in luxurious stone cottages complete with Fire Places. After a warm shower we hit the Donkey Tavern and enjoy Maluti Beer! (B,L,D)

Riding Lesotho- The Alps of Africa

Day 9: Rest Day Lesotho (0-50km)

Highlights: Waterfalls, Mountains, Village Life, Donkey Pub Crawl

Semonkong is a perfect place for a rest day- there is so much to see and do. You may wish to attempt the “Worlds Highest Abseil” 186 Meters- over the breathtaking Matlesunyane Falls. Other optional activities include Fly Fishing (In season) Horseback riding, 4 x 4 Tours,  Hiking, Village tours, or our favorite: a Donkey Pub Crawl. Ride local donkeys into town and visit local “Shebeens” (Bar/Taverns) for a truly local experience. (B, D)

Semonkong Falls

Day 10: Semonkong to Aliwal North, South Africa (+- 290 km)

Highlights: Amazing mountain Passes

Today we make our way down South through Lesotho and through the Qachas Neck Border post into South Africa again. En route we enjoy hundreds of twisties that will make you smile from ear to ear. Tonight we sleep in a small town called Aliwal North and enjoy South African Hospitality at its finest (B,L,D)

More Beautiful Riding through Lesotho

Day 11: Aliwal North to Addo Elephant Park (+- 440 km)

Highlights: Big 5 Safari Time

Today we enjoy the backroads of the Eastern Cape as we make our way down South to Addo Elephant National Park. We sleep right on the edge of the Park, so close you can hear the lions roaring. This afternoon enjoy exploring our camp, visit the waterhole, and enjoy another great African dinner under the stars. (B,L,D)

Addo Elephant National Park

Day 12: Rest Day Addo Elephant Park  (+- 0-100 km)

Highlights: Big 5 Safari and South African BBQ

Today we jump onto a Safari Vehicle and enjoy a full day spent In Addo Elephant National Park. We enjoy a Traditional Braai (bbq) Lunch and then hop back on the game viewer for some more wildlife viewing. Addo is famous for its large herds of Elephants as well as other unique wildlife.  (B,L,D)

 You are in the wild here

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 South Africa the warm people you have met. Transfers will be arranged to the  Port Eliabth airport for your one-way flight to Cape Town or Johannesburg. (Inlcuded in the tour price) (B)

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2025 Pricing

Understanding the pricing
Prices are quoted on a sharing basis, meaning that you will be sharing with another rider on the tour. If you would like your own private room please add the single supplement. If you would like to bring a pillion/passenger- add the pillion price. Please note that we charge for our tours in our local currency- The ZAR (Rand). The other currency’s are an estimate only (taken on the 8 Aug 2024). For up to date exchange rates please visit www.xe.com 

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Price Includes:

• 12 Days motorcycle rental
• 13  night’s Accommodation in 3-4 star lodges
• ALL PETROL and Toll Fees
• Tour guide on a motorcycle
• Back up vehicle
• 13  Breakfasts, 9 lunches, 12 Dinners
• Big 5 Safari into Dinokeng
• Half Day Safari into Kruger National Park
• African Dances and Village Tour
• Tour of the Anglo Zulu Battlefields
• Big 5 Safari into Addo Elephant Park
• Free shuttle service Johannesburg international airport and to the Port Elizabeth Airport
• One way flight from Port Elizabeth to Either Johannesburg or Cape Town
• Sama T-shirt
• Guide book with detailed itinerary and area information
• South African map book
• All Taxes
• Motorcycle Insurance (Excess Payable)
• The two wheel time of your life!!
•  

Price does not include:

• Local and International Flights
• Visas (Note American, Australian and British citizens do not require visas for South Africa or Swaziland or Lesotho)
• Drinks
• Items of a personal nature
• Activities and meals not listed in “Tour Includes”

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This tour includes 13 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. 

Examples of Hotels on the  19 Day South African Safari Tour include:

City Lodge Hotel, Pretoria

This is a great City Hotel. Surrounded by shops, restaurants and cocktails bars (all within walking distance) This is a great starting hotel where you can relax and get over any jetlag you may have. It is close to all Pretoria’s Main Attractions as well as Sama Tours headquarters. Modern Amenities include: Wifi | Laundry | Room Service

Mantenga Lodge, Swaziland

On arrival enjoy a fresh glass of juice while enjoying views of Execution Rock. Thr rooms are beautifully appointed and the staff are the friendliest in Africa. Enjoy a delicious dinner on the wooden deck while the chef serves up Flame grilled meals that tantalise our tastebuds

Isandlwana Lodge, Kwazulu Natal Battlefields

Everyone comments that this is one of their favourite hotels, Perched high up on the hillside with breathtaking views of the Battlefields, this luxurious hotel checks all the boxes

Semonkong Lodge

This is a one-of-a-kind luxury lodge located in one of the most remote countries in the world- Lesotho. Situated in a small village, on the river, this lodge is a hive of activity, relax on your balcony as you watch Basotho herdsman riding their horses down into town with their pack donkeys and sheep. Enjoy a cozy evening at your fireplace in your stone-walled chalet. Dine on delicious homemade bread and other delectable treats at the Duck and Donkey Pub

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.