16 Day Garden Route tour 

16 Day Tour through Lesotho and South Africa with 2 Big 5 Game Reserves!

This tantalizing tour of South Africa combines motorcycling with culture, wildlife, adventure and some of South Africa’s most beautiful destinations!

Our tour starts off with a ride into Mpumalanga- an area known to locals as “Bikers Paradise” here we stop off to view waterfalls, rock formations, and view sites. We also enjoy a BIG 5 Safari into the world-famous Kruger National Park 

Next up we cut across South Africa to Clarens and ride down through the magnificent Golden Gate National Park and the Drakensberg mountains to Himeville. We have a rest day here to enjoy an epic tour into Lesotho over the famous Sani Pass.  Lesotho is known as the “Alps of Africa” and this day will be unforgettable!

We meet up with the Indian Ocean at East London and visit Addo Elephant National Park where we see thousands of beautiful elephants and other exciting wildlife on a Big 5 Safari.

We are now in the world-famous Garden Route and  ride down to Storms River Mouth where we enjoy a walk to the Suspension bridges. The next day we travel to Knysna and ride over the Outeniqua Pass to Oudtshoorn– the Ostrich Capital of South Africa

We have a rest day here to visit the Ostrich Farms, explore the Cango Caves and enjoy some great riding over Swartberg Pass. We then head down to Cape Agulhas- the Southern Most tip of Africa were we celebrate our amazing journey!

We then spend a night surrounded by vineyards in the Cape Winelands and our last riding day is perhaps the highlight of the entire trip as we ride over 200km of breathtaking coastal roads all the way into Cape Town.

Our tour ends in Cape Town on Day 16. This is such a beautiful city and a perfect destination for a few extra days in Africa!

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Day 0: Arrive in South-Africa Bonus Night in Pretoria
Day 1: Pretoria to Magoebaskloof
Day 2:  Magoebaskloof to Hazyview via the Panorama Route
Day 3:  Safari into Kruger National Park
Day 4: Hazyview into Clarens
Day 5: Clarens to Sani Pass
Day 6: Sani Pass Rest Day and  4 x 4 Tour into Lesotho
Day 7: Sani Pass to East London
Day 8: East London to Addo Elephant Park
Day 9: Addo to Tsitsikamma (Storms River Mouth)
Day 10: Rest Day Tsitsikamma
Day 11: Tsitsikamma to Oudtshoorn via Knysna
Day 12:  Oudtshoorn  Rest Day & Optional Garden Route Rides
Day 13: Oudtshoorn to Cape Agulhas
Day 14: Cape Agulhas to Cape Winelands
Day 15: Cape Winelands – Cape Point- Cape Town
Day 16: End of Tour

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 Johannesburg airport and transfer you to your hotel in Pretoria- surrounded by shops and trendy restaurants

Day 01 – Pretoria  to Magoebaskloof, South Africa (+- 317km)
Highlights: Scenic mountain passes, Long Tom Cannons

Today you make your way up into South Africa’s wild Limpopo Province. As you head up north, the roads become mountainous with beautiful views of the rolling hills below. Enjoy the great twisties and arrive at the majestic Magoebaskloof hotel, situated on the top of a beautiful mountain pass with breathtaking views of the valley below. There is a lot to do at the hotel. You can take a walk to the waterfall, spotting birds and Samango Monkeys along the way or you can chill out at the Phoenix and Fireman Pub! (B,L,D)

Day 02- Magoebaskloof to Hazyview via the Panorama Route (+- 250km)
Highlights : God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, The Three Rondavel’s, 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 view points, rock formations and waterfalls along the way. The route includes stops at Bourkes luck potholes, The Three Rondavels, and Gods Window.. We will arrive in Hazyview in the Late Afternoon. Tonight- we enjoy a traditional African meal and African dances at the Shangana cultural village. (Meals: B, L, D)

Day 03 Hazyview Rest Day and Half Day Safari into Kruger National Park
Highlights: Kruger National Park

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 the whole morning to spot lions, elephants, birds and many different species of animals. In the Afternoon there is an optional motorcycle ride over the Famous “Long Tom Pass”- a must for anyone who likes to ride twisties!!! (Meals: B, L)

Day 04- Hazyview to Clarens (+-600km)
Highlights: Golden Gate National Park

Today is a long ride through the interior of South Africa. In the late afternoon we will arrive in Clarens. This is a small arty town on the outskirts of Golden Gate National Park surrounded by beautiful Sandstone cliffs. Clarens is an artist’s paradise: poets, painters and sculptures’ from all over the world come to Clarens to witness its famous GOLDEN Sunsets. Spend the late afternoon wondering around the craft shops and have dinner in one of the numerous restaurants in town. Clarens also has its very own brewery where you can taste some local beers and ciders (Meals Included: B,L)

Day 05- Clarens to Sani Pass Hotel (+-435km)
Highlights: Golden Gate National Park, Drakensberg Mountains, Rolling green hills

Today’s ride is believably scenic. We ride down through the Golden Gate National Park. This park is made up of sandstone cliffs, with scenic rock formations. Watch out for Antelope and vervet monkeys crossing the road- you’re in the wild here! We spend the rest of the day riding through the majestic Drakensberg Mountains and arrive at the Sani Pass Hotel in the early afternoon.. (Meals included: B,L,D)

Day 06- Rest Day  Sani Pass (0-50km)
Highlights: The infamous Sani Pass  and a 4 x 4 Tour

Today we have a rest day at the Sani Pass Hotel. We have included a 4 x 4 trip up the Sani Pass and into Lesotho (A small mountainous country completely surrounded by South Africa). For those that are very experienced at Dirt Riding- you will be able to do this tour on their motorcycles, but for those that are not to confident and wives/non riding partners, a 4 x 4 escort will be arranged Sani Pass is a very technical ride- hairpin bends, rocky sections and vertical drop offs. Once in Lesotho (Passport required) we will enjoy a visit to a Local Lesotho Village where you can taste some local beer and later we enjoy a meal at the “Highest Pub in Africa” before returning to the Sani Pass Hotel for the Night. (Meals: B,L,D)

Day 07- Sani Pass to East London (450 km)
Highlights: Cintsa Beach

Leaving the rolling hills of the Drakensberg behind, we make our way through the Eastern Cape To our lodge just outside of East London. Tonight, we sleep right on one of the most beautiful surfing beaches in the country. We enjoy an amazing meal and fall asleep to the sound of Waves crashing below us.  (Meals: B,L,D)

Day 08 – East London to Addo Elephant National Park (+- 400 km)
Highlights: Addo Elephant National Park

Today we make our way through the rolling hills of the Eastern Cape, stopping in to see the Giant Pineapple in Bathurst. In the early afternoon we will arrive at the Addo Elephant National Park- home to Africa’s famous BIG 5. Later we will embark on a sunset game drive in an open safari vehicle. Addo is famous for its large herds of elephants (Meals: B,L,D)

Day 09- Addo to Tsitsikamma (+- 250 km)
Highlights: Garden Route National Park

We start off our day with a Sunrise Game Drive into Addo Elephant National Park and after a scrumptious breakfast,  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, Our home for the next two nights. 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 breath-taking suspension bridges between the sea cliffs. (B,L,D)

Day 10- Tsitsikamma Rest Day (+- 0-50 km)
Highlights: Tsitsikamma Park

This is the perfect place to enjoy a rest day. Relax with the sounds and beautiful views of the Indian Ocean. There are also plenty of exciting optional activities on offer. You can join a kayaking tour to explore the Storms River Gorge or enjoy a Treetop canopy tour, Tarzan style, through a forest of gigantic trees. You may also wish to book yourself in for a spa treatment or enjoy an optional ride to explore more of the Garden Route. Other activities include Walks, Quadbiking, Segway tours, tubing, and more. Storms River is an idyllic village with many great restaurants to choose from as well as quirky little shops (B,L,D)

Day 11- Tsitsikamma- Knysna- Oudtshoorn  (+- 260km)
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 to Oudtshoorn. Both options include unbelievable views and the spectacular mountain roads that the Garden Route is 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)

Day 12- 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. This evening we will be treated to a traditional Os¬trich Braai (BBQ) that will tantalize your taste buds. (B,D)

Day 13- Oudtshoorn to  Cape Agulhas (350km)
Highlights: Route 62, Folding Mountain Passes, The Southern Most Tip of Africa

After an early breakfast we make our way to the start of 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 south¬ern point of Africa- there are great photo opportuni¬ties at the Southern most tip! (B,L,D)

Day 14- Cape Agulhas to Cape Winelands (+- 300 km)
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)

Day 15- Cape Winelands- Cape Point- Cape Town (+- 180 km)
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)

Day 16- 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.

You may wish to extend your time in Southern Africa with an add on tour- check out all the options on our add on tour page

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Riding 1 up sharing on an F750GS: R 117 210.00
Riding 1 up sharing on an F850GS:  R 118 380.00
Riding 1 up sharing on an R1250GS:  R 132 420.00
Riding 1 up sharing on an R1250GS ADV: R 137 680.00
 
 
Pillion Price, add: R 43 350.00
Single Supplement, add:  R 10 000.00

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Price includes

• 16  Days Motorcycle Rental
• 16 Nights’ Accommodation in 3-4 Star Lodges, hotels or Beach Bungalows
• 16 Breakfasts, 12 Lunch, 15 Dinner
• All Petrol and Toll Fees
• Tour Guide Leading on a motorcycle
• Back Up Vehicle
• Activities are included follows:
  Safari into Kruger National Park
  Shangaan Cultural evening
  4 x 4 Tour up Sani Pass into Lesotho
  Safari into Addo Elephant Park
  Entrance to Tsitsikamma National Park
• Transfers From Johannesburg International Airport and to the Cape Town International Airport
• Bottle Water, Tea, coffee and Snacks
• Detailed Guide Book
• Map of Southern Africa
• Sama T-shirt

Price does not include

• 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”

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This tour includes 3  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:

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

Storms River Mouth Rest Camp

Here we stay in beautiful well-appointed chalets or wooden cabins, each featuring amazing sea views. Take a walk down to the Suspension Bridges between the sea cliffs and enjoy a delicious meal at the oceanside restaurant. This is a National Park so you will be surrounded by wildlife including monkeys, Dassies, and small antelope

President Hotel, Cape Town

This is a beautiful fresh and sunny hotel with incredible ocean views. It has a great central location in Sea Point, walking distance from the promenade and a quick taxi ride to the VA Waterfront. The Hop on Hop off Cape Town City Sightseeing bus leaves from just across the road.

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.