22 Days Epic Motorcycle Tour of South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, and Namibia

On this adventure, you will enjoy incredible wildlife safaris in Chobe and Etosha National Park, cruise down the mighty Zambezi River, explore the Okavango Delta by Mokorokoro (African Canoe), view the amazing Victoria Falls, climb the enormous sand dunes of Swakopmund and ride around the 3rd largest Canyon in the world (Fish River Canyon). The tour ends on a high note with a triumphant ride down to the Southernmost Point of Africa- Cape Agulhas and riding beautiful coastal roads all the way into Cape Town. Along the way, you will visit the starkly beautiful Kalahari Desert, stop to view elephants right off the main roads, and meet some of the friendly locals along the way.

Get Ready for the two-wheel time of your life!

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TOUR ITINERARY

Day 0: Arrive in South Africa- Bonus Night
Day 1: Pretoria Day Tour and BIG 5 Safari in Dinokeng
Day 2: Dinokeng to Tuli Block, Botswana
Day 3: Tuli Block to Makgadigadi Pans
Day 4: Makgadigadi Pans to Chobe National Park
Day 5: Chobe to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Day 6: Victoria Falls rest day and helicopter flight
Day 7: Victoria Falls to Okavango Panhandle, Namibia
Day 8: Okavango Rest Day- Mokorokoro Safari
Day 9: Okavango to Etosha National Park
Day 10: Rest day Etosha National Park
Day 11: Etosha to Swakopmund
Day 12: Rest Day Swakopmund and Dune Trip
Day 13: Swakopmund to Lake Oanob
Day 14: Lake Oanob to Fish River Canyon
Day 15: Fish River Canyon Rest Day
Day 16: Fish River to Springbok, South Africa
Day 17: Springbok to Citrusdal
Day 18: Citrusdal to Oudtshoorn
Day 19: Rest Day- Optional Ride Over Swartberg Pass
Day 20: Oudtshoorn- Cape Agulhas- Hermanus
Day 21: Hermanus- Cape Point- Cape Town
Day 22: End of Tour

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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: Day Tour of Pretoria and Big 5 Safari by motorcycle (+-75km)

Highlights: Day Tour of Pretoria, Big 5 Safari by motorcycle

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 the Voortrekker monument to learn some history about South Africa. This is followed by lunch in a small township just North of Pretoria to experience all the vibrant colors, sounds and tastes of Africa. Afterwards we enjoy a guided motorcycle ride through a BIG 5 nature reserve. Rhinos, giraffes, impala’s and wildebeest can all spotted from your motorcycle. Tonight we have a welcome dinner in an African Boma. Welcome to Africa! (B,L, D)

Giraffe

Day 2 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 3: Tuli Block to Makgadigadi Pans (+- 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 4: 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:  Morning free at Victoria Falls, transfer back to Chobe, Botswana

Highlights: Victoria Falls

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. Later this afternoon we will take a transfer back to Chobe in Botswana. (B,L,D)

The tumbling water of Victoria Falls is breathtaking

Day 7: Chobe to Okavango Delta, Namibia (+- 430 km)

Highlights: Caprivi Strip, Okavango Delta

Today we make our way into Namibia. The border crossing between Botswana and Namibia is a breeze- We enter Namibia’s Caprivi Strip, a long narrow strip at the top of the country. As we drive along this beautiful road you will be able to view African homesteads and lush African bush. Here, life is simple and sweet. Our lodge for the next two nights is situated on the Okavango River right on the panhandle of the delta. The area is a paradise of flooded plains and swamps, teeming with wildlife. Relax on the deck overlooking the river and enjoy an unforgettable African Sunset while being serenaded by Hippos and African Fish Eagles. (B, L, D)

Sunset over the Okavango Panhandle

Day 8: Okavango Rest Day (+- 0-50 km)

Highlights: Okavango Mokoro Trip (African Canoe)

We have the entire day free to relax and enjoy the beautiful river setting. This afternoon we get into Mokorokoros (African Canoes) and explore the Okavango river in search of hippos and crocodiles. Lunch today is on a private river island where we enjoy a Beach BBQ and a rock pool swim before returning back to our lodge as the sun is setting (B, L, D)

Mokorokoro trip down the Okavango Panhandle

Day 9: Okavango Delta to Etosha National Park (620km)

Highlights: Rural Namibia, Etosha National Park

Today is a lovely ride through the Namibian countryside- watch out for elephants and other wildlife! In the late afternoon, we will arrive at Etosha National Park- This national Park is based around a large salt pan. It is a desert full of salt, but the wildlife still flourishes despite the harsh conditions and the park is world-renowned for its amazing game viewing opportunities. (B,L,D)

Watch out for Elephants on the Caprivi Strip

Day 10: Safari into Etosha and Ride to Gabus Game Lodge (177km)

Highlights: Etosha Wildlife

Today we swap our motorcycles for a 4 wheel drive safari vehicle and make our way into the Etosha pan game reserve for a half day Safari (Included in the tour price). Unlike many other game reserves where you can spend long days looking for animals without any success, this game reserve is famous for its plentiful sightings of wildlife. The Etosha pan makes for a well-deserved oasis in the middle of the desert and animals flock to the water… On return to our lodge we ennjoy a relaxing lunch before taking a short ride to the beautiful Gabus Bush Lodge, surrounded by wildlife (B, D)

A busy waterhole in Etosha

Day 11: Gabus to Swakopmund (+- 510 km)

Highlights: Golden sand dunes of Namibia

After a delicious breakfast, we make our way down through Namibia, watching in amazement as semi-arid desert, becomes fully arid desert and then transforms into full-blown sand dunes towering into the horizon. In the late afternoon, we arrive at Swakopmund on the Skeleton Coast,  famous for its great waves, beautiful sand dunes, and German hospitality- our home for the next two nights… (B,L)

Sand dunes of Namibia

Day 12: Rest day Swakopmund (+- 0-50km)

Highlights: Skeleton Coast, Quad Biking in the Sand Dunes

Swakopmund is based at the tip of the world-famous Skeleton Coast and is the adventure capital of Namibia. This afternoon we take a ride to the famous Dune 45 where we swop our motorcycles for quad bikes and enjoy a roller coaster ride through the incredible sand dunes of the Namib Desert. You will have the rest of the day free to relax or take part in any of the other optional activities on offer- ride to see a shipwreck on the Skeleton Coast, kayak with seals in Walvis Bay, or visit the Flamingo lagoon. If you are looking for more of a relaxing time then you can enjoy the beach just meters from our hotel, or explore the wonderful German culture of the town. Tonight we enjoy amazing seafood (B)

Quadbiking in Swakopmund

Day 13: Swakopmund to Lake Oanob (+-450 km)

Highlights: Private game reserve, Lake Oanob

Riding down through Namibia,  we make our way to Lake Oanob. EN ROUTE We will pass through Windhoek- the Capital of Namibia. Our Lodge for the evening is built on the banks of the very scenic Oanob Dam. Majestic mountains are set on fire by spectacular sunsets. From your patio, you can see the reflections of the moon and stars on the lake. 6 200 ha of unspoiled nature provides the perfect haven for an abundance of free-roaming game. Relax and unwind in this beautiful setting (B,L)

Lake Oanob

Day 14: Lake Oanob to Fish River Canyon (+- 570 km)

Highlights: Fish River Canyon

Making our way down south, we ride on beautiful hard-packed gravel roads that will take us into the heart of the Gondwana Canyon Nature Reserve. Look out for  Quiver trees, Sprinkbok, Gemsbok, Hartebeest, Ostrich and Mountain Zebra. In the late afternoon, the mountains light up to a blazing red as we arrive at the famous Canyon Lodge. This whole resort is built in between rocky boulders, an oasis in the middle of the hostile desert. Welcome to the wild west! (B,L,D)

Godwana Canyon National Park

Day 15: Fish River Canyon Rest Day (0-70 km)

Highlights: Ride to see 3rd largest CANYON on earth

Today we enjoy a rest day in the Canyon National Park- an incredible landscape to explore. This morning we will take a ride to the Canyon view site. This is the 3rd largest Canyon in the world (160km long) and the views will take your breath away! Back at the lodge enjoy the beautiful rock pool and sundowner drinks up on the hill amongst the boulders.  Optional Activities include walks, 4×4 drives and horse rides through this magical landscape.  (B,D)

Fish River Canyon: 3rd Largest in the world

Day 16: Fish River Canyon to Springbok (+- 350 km)

Highlights: Magical Namaqualand, Star Gazing

Time to head back into South Africa- we make our way through Namaqualand- an area made famous by its wild flowers that bloom into a whirlwind of color during the springtime each year! Springbok is known for its peace and tranquility- tonight we will be staying at a Lodge- where you are guaranteed to “Find the magic in Namaqualand….” Because Springbok is literally in the middle of nowhere, the stargazing is phenomenal, so relax and enjoy the constellations! (B,L,D)

Magical Namaqualand

Day 17: Springbok to Citrusdal (+- 400 km)

Highlights: Hot Water Springs, Riding the Northern Cape

Today we make our way through the Northern Cape to the lush green farm valleys of Citrusdal. Tonight we sleep at a famous hot water spring resort situated on a citrus farm. Relax your “motorcycle riding muscles” in one of the hot water pools or mineral baths on the property that are filled by hot water springs with a temperature of 43 Degrees Celcius… Bliss! (B,L,D)

Time to soak those motorcycle-riding muscles

Day 18: Citrusdal to Oudtshoorn (+- 500 km)

Highlights: Route 62, backroads of the Garden Route

After a relaxing evening at the Baths Resort, we make our way to Oudtshoorn- the Ostrich Capital of South Africa- it is a scenic ride through the beautiful mountains and valleys of the Western Cape. We travel along Route 62, through gorgeous little villages such as Ceres, Montagu, and Worcester ( B,L,D)

Ostriches in Oudtshoorn

Day 19: Rest Day Oudtshoorn plus optional ride over Swartberg Pass

Highlights: Ostrich Farm, Cango Caves, Swartberg Pass, Die Hell

Today we have a rest day in Oudtshoorn to enjoy all the exciting activities and rides in the area. You will have the morning free to relax and perhaps visit an ostrich farm  and ride an ostrich of explore the Cango Caves on a cave tour. In the afternoon we have an exciting optional dirt ride over Swartberg Pass. Tonight we enjoy a traditional Ostrich barbeque.  (B,D)

Swartberg Pass

Day 20: Oudtshoorn to  Hermanus via Cape Agulhas (+- 420 km)

Highlights: Southern-Most Tip of Africa

Today we make our way to the southern most tip of Africa at Cape Agulhas. This is the point where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. There is always a party at Cape Agulhas, as we celebrate reaching the most southern point of Africa! There are great photo opportunities at the Southernmost tip. From here we carry on to Hermanus which is famous for land-based whale watching. Here we enjoy an evening feasting on local seafood at our hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. (B,L,D)

Cape Agulhas- the end of Africa

Day 21: Hermanus- Cape Point-  Cape Town   (+- 270 km)

Highlights: Penguins, Cape Point, Chapman’s peak drive, Table Mountain

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 visit the old Navy town (Simonstown) and Bettys Bay to see African penguins living it up on the beach. After that, we make our way to Cape Point to see the spectacular 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!  T (B,L,D)

Ride over 200km of coastal roads

Day 22: 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 and the warm people you have met. Transfers will be arranged to the airport. (B)

Please note that we can book any post/pre-tour accommodation and activities for you. Click here for add-on tours.

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Special: Book onto the October 2024  Victoria Falls Tour and get 15% Discount plus a free 3 Night Cape Town City Stay

2024 Pricing

2025 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 24 August 2024

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Price includes:

Payment Terms:

We require a 10% Deposit to confirm your spot on the tour. Full payment is due 60 Days prior to Departure

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This tour includes 22 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  22 Day Victoria Falls 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

Mokuti Lodge

Uninterrupted views and gardens that interact with the living spaces create an inviting, friendly, comfortable and relaxing atmosphere, which sets the tone for your stay at Mokuti Etosha

Canyon Lodge

An Oasis surrounded by breathtaking desert landscapes you will find this unique lodge where your rooms are built into the giant boulders. There is a welcoming pool, bar and restaurant and a highlight is their bar located up in the boulders overlooking the lodge for the best sunsets in Africa

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.