SAMA MOTORCYCLE TOURS
9 Day Lion Ride
South Africa | Botswana | Zambia
Great Motorcycle Adventure through South Africa and Botswana in support of Lion Conservation
The Exciting Lion Ride starts in Pretoria. We visit the Famous Kevin Richardson Foundation to learn all about Lion Conservation and meet the Lion Whisperer himself.
Next up we enjoy a BIG Safari by motorcycle through Dinokeng Nature Reserve and then ride up into Botswana
We meet the local Bushmen in Ghanzi who will walk with us through the bush teaching us about ancient plant medicine, and bush hunting practices of the san people.
We then ride to Maun – where we enjoy an Mokorokoro Trip (African Canoe) into the Okavango Delta- drifting past hippos and crocodile in a traditional canoe
We spend an evening sleeping on the Makgadigadi Salt Pans, under the stars before riding to Chobe National Park where we do a BIG 5 Safari by Boat in the park. We will literally see thousands of Elephants coming down to the river to drink, swim and play in the mud
Our tour ends in Victoria Falls Livingstone, on Day 9 where we sleep on the edge of the Mighty Victoria Falls.
What a RIDE!
| Day 0 | Arrive in South Africa- Bonus Night |
| Day 1 | Visit Lion Sanctuary and Big 5 Safari by Motorcycle |
| Day 2 | Pretoria to Jwaneng, Botswana |
| Day 3 | Jwaneng to Ghanzi |
| Day 4 | Ghanzi to Maun |
| Day 5 | Rest Day Maun, Okavango Delta Trip |
| Day 6 | Maun to Gweta- Overnight on Makgadi Salt Pans |
| Day 7 | Gweta to Chobe |
| Day 8 | Chobe Rest Day- Big 5 Safari by Boat |
| Day 9 | Chobe to Victoria Falls, Zambia |
| Day 10 | End of Tour |
Day 0: Arrive in South Africa- Bonus Night
Welcome to South Africa! This is your Bonus Night, so you can arrive at any time as the tour only officially starts the next day. A friendly Sama Tours representative will collect you from the Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Pretoria.
Day 1- Dinokeng and Kevin Richardson Foundation
Highlights: LIONS
Today we visit the FAMOUS Kevin Richardson Foundation- Home of the Roaring Ride. We will get up close to Amazing Cats and get to meet Kevin Richardson himself. After an eventful morning at the Foundation we ride to our lodge in the BIG 5 Dinokeng Game Reserve enjoying “a game drive by motorcycle” along the way. Look out for Rhinos, giraffes and Zebras – all to be seen from the seat of our motorcycles! Tonight, we celebrate the beginning of an amazing tour around a roaring fire!
Visit the Kevin Richardson Foundation
Day 02- Pretoria to Jwaneng (+449km)
Highlights: South Africa’s Northern Province
Today we ride up North through South Africa wild North West Province to Botswana. Botswana is one of the wildest countries in Africa- there are no fences and animals roam freely- so be on the lookout. Tonight we sleep at a comfortable country lodge (B)
Day 03- Jwaneng to Ghanzi (510km)
Highlights: Bushman
Today we make our way further through the Desert of Botswana to Ghanzi- home to many Bushman and Khoi San People. Depending on availability- we will enjoy a bushman experience where you will get to meet the real Bushman who will show you their amazing lifestyle in the Kalahari desert (B)
Bushman of the Kalahari
Day 04- Ghanzi to Maun (+-285km)
Highlights: Okavango Delta
Today we leave the amazing Khoi San People behind and ride up North to Maun. This is the Gateway town to the Okvanago Delta- an amazing inland waterway in the middle of the Kalahari desert. Our Accommodation is right on the Thamalakane river for the next two nights.
The Okavango Delta
Day 05- Rest Day Maun (+-0-50km)
Highlights: Okavango Delta
Today you are free to relax and enjoy your beautiful river setting. Included in your tour is a Half Day Mokorokoro Trip (African Canoe) where you will get to explore the waterways of the delta, look out for Hippos and crocs. Otherwise you may wish to take a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta. Other optional activities include Game Drives, Boat Cruises and More (Meals: B)
Scenic Flight Okavango Delta
Day 06 Maun to Gweta- Overnight quad bike Trip into the Makgadigadi Salt Pans and Meerkats (225km)
Highlights: Makgadigadi Salt Pans
Today we make our way across Botswana to Gweta on the edge of the Makgadigadi Salt Pans. This afternoon we get onto Quadbikes and ride right onto the Makgadigadi Salt Pans (Weather Dependant) and sleep out on the Pans under the stars. Please note that if there has been a lot of rain we will not be able to sleep out on the pans- we will enjoy an afternoon tour and then return to the Lodge in Gweta
Overnight Quad Safari onto the Makgadi Salt Pans
Day 07: Gweta to Kasane (450km)
Waking up in the desert we enjoy a scrumptious breakfast and visit a Local family of Meerkats before returning to Gweta and riding our Bikes further North to Kasane. As we ride along this stretch of road- we often see wild elephants right on the road side. Botswana is the wildest country in Africa and there are no fences! In the late afternoon we will arrive in Kasane- our home for the next two nights, Our lodge overlooks the mighty Chobe River and is just minutes away from Chobe National Park
Elephant right off the main road
Day 08- Chobe National Park Rest Day (+-0-50m)
Highlights: Elephants, Chobe National Park
Today we have a full day of wildlife encounters planned. This morning we are up bright and early for a Game Drive into Chobe National Park- keep your eyes open to see Lions, and other incredible wildlife. On return we enjoy a buffet breakfast overlooking the magnificent Chobe River. You have most of the day free and then in the late afternoon we board our sunset boat for the cruise of a lifetime into Chobe National Park. Chobe National Park is the only park in Africa where you can do a BIG 5 Safari by boat. As you cruise along the you will literally see Thousands of elephants coming down to the river to drink, swim and play in the mud. Enjoy a cold beer and an amazing African sunset.
Chobe Boat Cruise
Day 09 Kasane to Victoria Falls, Zambia
Highlights: Victoria Falls
Today we will have a transfer over the Ferry to Zambia where we will get to spend a night right on the edge of the breathtaking Victoria Falls. We have included a Helicopter flight this afternoon to see Victoria Falls in all its glory you also have free access to the Victoria Falls View site for your entire stay. Tonight we celebrate the end of an great African adventure tour
Mosi—Au- Tunya- The Smoke that Thunders
Day 10: End of Tour
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Transfer will be arranged to the airport. You may also wish to extend you stay at Victoria Falls
2022 Pricing
- Riding 1up sharing on an F750GS: ZAR 70,630
- Riding 1up sharing on an F850GS: ZAR 71,660
- Riding 1up sharing on an R1250GS: ZAR 75,120
- Riding 1up sharing on an R1250GS ADV: ZAR 76,550
- To bring a pillion, add: ZAR 29,190
- For Single supplement, add: ZAR 9,360
- Prices quoted in South African Currency- ZAR.
- For up to date exchange rates visit www.xe.com
Prices are based on sharing accommodation and quoted in South African Rand. To convert to another currency, visit www.xe.com
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.
Price includes:
- 8 Days Motorcycle Rental
- 9 Nights Accommodation in 3-4 Star
- Tour Guide on Motorcycle
- Back Up vehicle
- 9 Breakfast, 8 Dinners
- Visit to Kevin Richardson Lion Foundation
- Big 5 Safari by motorcycle in Dinokeng Game Reserve
- Bushman experience
- Mokroro Canoe trip on the Okavango
- Overnight Quad Bike/ 4 X4 Experience Makgadigadi Pans
- Big 5 by boat safari Chobe National Park
- Game Drive into Chobe National Park
- Transfer from Chobe to Victoria Falls
- Helicopter flight over Victoria Falls
- Motorcycle Transport from Kasane back to Pretoria
- T-shirt
- Guide Book
- Map of South Africa
- Free Transfers to and from the Johannesburg International Airport / Livingstone International Airport
- The most amazing motorcycle adventure you have ever had!
- All Taxes
Price does not include
- Local and International Flights
- Petrol (Budget R1,890)
- Visas (Budget US$50 for Zambia
- Cross Border Fees (Budget R500)
- Drinks
- Items of a personal nature
- Activities and meals not listed in "Tour Includes"
TOUR DIFFICULTY?
This ride is suitable for most motorcyclists. +- 99% of the ride is on good tarmac roads. There are also some exciting off road options on good hard packed gravel roads. Daily distances are relatively short ( >450km) , there are rest days scheduled regularly and there are no long border crossings. 
90% of this tour takes place on tarmac roads. The dirt roads are good hard-packed dirt. However, there are some long riding days and long border crossing. Some areas we visit are very rural and the roads sometimes have lots of potholes and other hazards. Need to be a confident rider. 
This tour takes places 50% on tar roads and 50% on dirt roads. You need to be an experienced rider both on and off the pavement and have completed at least an intermediate riding course on a big Adventure bike- or have a lot of experience riding adventure bikes in your own country PICTURES OF THE 9 DAY LION RIDE
TOUR INFO AT A GLANCE
DATES
Dates Available on request
START
Pretoria (Fly in/out of Johannesburg)
End
Victoria Falls (Fly out of Livingstone, Zambia)
MILAGE:
+-1867km
DAILY DISTANCE
200- 450km (Avg of 200km)
REST DAYS:
8 Riding Days, 1 Rest Day
COUNTRIES:
South Africa, Botswana, Zambia
ROADS
99% Tar
Difficulty:
Easy
