ITINERARY:
Back Roads of the Cape Garden Route by BMW Motorcycle

MOTORCYCLE OPTIONS | MOTORCYCLE SPECIFICATIONS | PHOTO ALBUM I | PHOTO ALBUM II | PHOTO ALBUM III
Discount for larger groups, please enquire. Put together your own personal group and book collectively.

South-Africa’s Garden Route is about as famous as its American counterpart Route 66 or the Australian Outback, but here’s how to avoid the bus loads of tourists on the busy tarred road with its speed traps and ride some of the much more interesting and quiet ‘off-the-beaten-track’-roads on motorcycle! For this safari we will actively seek out the scenic alternative ‘back’ roads - some good gravel (+- 30%) but most still paved ( +- 70%).

Note the detailed itinerary below is for our longer 10-day safari duration, but the route and activities can be amended to shorten the duration to 7- days for a personal group with limited time available.

The best roads to ride with a motorcycle are the ones that “squiggle on the map”- curves mean hills, mountains and passes. Make some of these roads a dirt traverse of thousands of hectares of wilderness on capable dual-purpose motorcycles (like the BMW F 650 GS and R 1200 GS etc.), and you have something on your hands that you won’t want to go back home to.

Motorcycles most suitable and available for these roads are BMW’s F650GS and R1200 GS, all fitted with ABS and heated grips.

Like Sir Francis Drake, who described it as “the fairest Cape in all the world”, the south-western tip of South-Africa not only offers beautiful landscapes, the famous Route 62 and Karoo, wine lands, fruit orchards, scenery, places of historical interest, spectacular mountain passes (of the many in the Western Cape-area we will ride at least 21!) and numerous river crossings, some interesting wildlife in 2 unique national parks (including whales), beaches, SA’s most southerly point Cape Agulhas, but also some superb marine drives. We will cover ALL of these highlights in the next few days on this motorcycle safari of the Western Cape Province.

This is a guided fully supported motorcycle safari, with a late-model BMW R1200 GS's or F 650 GS and comprehensive insurance for the motorcycle included as well:

* You will have a guided inclusive safari / tour package arranged including the motorcycle and its insurance, with luxury star-graded en-suite accommodation, all full breakfasts and dinners, some activities, guide in support vehicle with bike trailer, National Park fees etc.

* Riders can pre-choose from a range of our BMW motorbikes available for the tour (see above), and riders follow the guide OR / AND ride at their own pace meeting up along the road. Note these bikes are from brand new to low kilometer models and in very good condition, are regularly serviced and parts and tyres are replaced on - or before schedule.

* A professional, experienced and knowledgeable guide registered as a RSA National Tourist Guide will accompany you, assisting with support, luggage, arrangements etc. on the way. This will be (at least) owner of this safari company, himself a keen motorcycle rider.

* The guide will be driving a closed air-conditioned support vehicle towing the bike trailer (and for larger groups David will also ride along on one of the bikes plus a second guide will be driving the support vehicle)- and can accommodate either non-riding partners driving along in the support vehicle and / or where motorbikes are not allowed to ride (like in some of SA's National Parks) or in less-suitable weather conditions, riders can then ride along with the guide in the vehicle (so a guaranteed seat in support vehicle even for all of the bike riders!!!). The motorcycles are then loaded and towed with on the bike trailer.

* This support vehicle will be a late model 8-seater Mercedes Benz Vito 115 CDI 2-wheel drive vehicle with seat belts for each person and 2 front airbags. It can also be used for after riding -hours transport to dinners and activities etc. Note it also has run - flat safety bands in all the tyres.

* Accommodation at combination of very good to superior / excellent up market guesthouses (all SA Tourism Grading Council - rated mostly 4 stars) located in the best areas and in a National Park (all will be en-suite and some even air-conditioned);

* Guide will provide detailed road maps / Garmin Zumo GPS and other support and navigation (like assistance with loading / off- loading motorbikes – and luggage on trailer, breakdown service, towels for washing etc.)

* The motorbikes can optionally be equipped with side panniers to store your daily en-route luggage requirements and gear. (Although this is not really necessary with support vehicle transporting your luggage and following the bikes on the same route.)

* Your extra luggage will be safely transported in the support vehicle / bike trailer.

BMW F650 GS
Specifications

Motorcycle photos courtesy of BMW & RSA dealers
BMW Owners News Brochure
* Single-or couples can also book this safari- but we require a minimum of 4 guests (so at least 2 motorcycles / riders and 2 pillions, or 3 riders and 1 pillion, or 4 riders) to guarantee a tour departure, with the group size contained to a maximum of 7 guests (total of riders – and non riding partners) per any 1 two-wheel drive support vehicle / bike trailer / guide to ensure a seat in support vehicle for every guest where needed. Larger groups may be accommodated from say the same club or group of friends, with then more support vehicles/ bike trailers / guides.

* Bring your own riding gear and helmet along, or excellent gear can also be purchased here locally. Helmets may be rented here in SA from a rental company.

I T I N E R A R Y for longer duration safari of 10 - days

Day 1 Cape Town to Rawsonville:

After the necessary collection / hand-over of the motorcycles, and a road safety briefing / bike introduction from our departure point at or near the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, we leave busy Cape Town behind and continue for a short while on the NI highway before we ride with some back roads towards the town of Paarl with its landmark Afrikaans language Monument and very photogenic Cape Dutch and Victorian buildings along the unusually long oak-and jacaranda –lined main street.

On the way there, we can then visit some of the local wineries close by, like Simonsvlei and Fairview, as well as a lion park, plus we ride our first exciting scenic gravel pass up to the famous “Paarl Rocks” (a 50 million year old granite outcrop second only in size to Australia’s Uluru granite rocks at Ayers Rock) etc., before heading further.

From here we are faced with the formidable barrier of the Du Toit’s Kloof Pass, today a tar road, so instead we swing away from the N1 at Paarl and take the older route (called the “Forgotten Highway”) via Wellington over the mountains - a pleasant rural centre set astride the Berg River and hub of the region’s dried fruit industry. We then ride the incredible Bain’s Kloof Pass (+- 30 km’s long) with superb views from the road and the scenic picnic spot at the summit. This pass was one of the masterpieces of the road engineer Andrew Geddes Bain, and was hand built by about 1000 prisoners in 1853.

We then proceed further towards the town of Worchester, a town in the Breede River Valley dating back 250 years. The district is the largest and one of the most important wine making areas in the country.We overnight in / near the small and beautiful town of Rawsonville, just west of Worchester, at a luxury guest house.A good place to relax after the first day’s ride.

Accommodation and meals night 1 at luxury 4-star guest house in / near Rawsonville:

Dinner can be provided at 1 of many restaurant-options in or near town.

Day 2 Rawsonville to Swellendam:

After a hearty breakfast, we ride from the accommodation to Worcester. The town is famous for its Karoo National Botanical Garden, and “Kleinplasie” – which is an Open Air Living Museum, where the lifestyle of the pioneer farmers (Afrikaans word = ‘Boers’) is depicted (like bread baking, tobacco twisting, candle making, wheat milling and iron forging etc.). (Either or both these can be visited if some of the other scheduled wine tasting activities for today are substituted.)

From here we ride the paved road that runs between the Breede River and the Langeberg Mountains- one of those archetypal South-African roads. Although the fairly arid Little Karoo actually lies across the mountains, the scenery along the R60 is very similar, and you just know you couldn’t be riding anywhere else in South Africa.

There are several farm stalls along the way, and photographers certainly won’t miss those cleverly painted and decorated. There are more wineries too, including the well-known Rooiberg and Graham Beck, not far from Robertson, which can also be visited for some more wine tasting.

Beyond Robertson the road continues to Ashton, leaving the arid lands behind and drawing closer to the Langeberg. This is a beautiful landscape, especially later in the day when the sun lights up the mountains in front of you. Just beyond Ashton, we leave the R60 and enter Cogmanskloof Pass, which takes us into the Little Karoo. Although comparatively short, this pass is a beautiful section of the road. About midway through the Cogmanskloof a bridge, overlooked by an Anglo-Boer war blockhouse, crosses the river. Here we might also see some local wildlife, like baboons, dassies (rock hyrax), and grey rhebuck. There is also a bronze plague recording the building of the original (by the road engineer Thomas Bain 1877 - the son of Andrew Geddes Bain – the famous pioneer builder of other passes like the Bain’s Kloof Pass we rode on day 1).

We then ride into Montagu, a charming town dating back to 1851, which has a host of good restaurants and delightful Cape Dutch and Victorian-style homes and gardens. There are also several wineries in the area, with their local muscadels particularly recommended.

Leaving Montagu, we ride the very exciting (arguably THE highlight of the day) “Ouberg Pass Road” - a fairly long and in parts quite fast gravel road. This is a motorcyclist’s dream road with no or very little traffic, exciting curves and river crossings, vast open spaces and views of the beautiful Little Karoo. It takes us past road signs, small towns and villages with unknown names like “Rietjiesbosch, Boerboonsfontein, Addersfontein, Warmwatersberg and Lemoenshoek”, and later on the tar road takes us past the famous “Ronnie’s Sex Shop” on Route 62 (NO- it’s not what you think it is! It’s only a road-side coffee shop cleverly promoted) etc.

Then into Barrydale (here possibly a late lunch) from where we head via the Tradouw’s Pass to the small town Suurbraak and then Swellendam.It feels as you sometimes ride into a different season as you ride the Tradouw’s Pass- and luckily many motorists avoid this road to the benefit of motorcyclists. The Tradouw Pass was opened in 1873, and this area covers the historical ox-wagon trails, which used to be the main road from the coast to the Little – Karoo. There are 2 pretty view points near the summit with beautiful views over the Tradouw River far in the valley below.

We will overnight in Swellendam- the town skirting the southern foothills of the Langeberg- a stunning setting indeed. Swellendam was only the third settlement established by the Dutch East India Company (after Cape Town and Stellenbosch) and many of its old homes have been beautifully preserved (once again Cape Dutch and Victorian).

Accommodation and meals night 2 in Swellendam:

Excellent accommodation options are available in the town of Swellendam - at a range of 4-star luxury guest houses.

Dinner provided in the town or at accommodation chosen.

Day 3 Swellendam to Oudtshoorn:

In the morning we will first head out of town to the nearby Bontebok National Park for some gameviewing (using the support vehicle and/ or you can ride your bike), before tackling the roads further by motorcycle again. The park’s rest camp overlooks the Breede River, and as the park’s name suggests, was established to save the bontebok, a handsome antelope, once the rarest of all antelope. They nearly suffered the same fate as the extinct cape lion and the blue buck, but today the numbers have increased to a few thousand in the park and in other private nature reserves.

Although the park is tiny by national park standards, it also conserves some valuable fynbos, and is the last refuge for several plant species. We will drive round the park looking for game such as the bontebok, the cape mountain zebra and the rich diversity of other animals, birds- and plant life.

Afterwards we will continue the road to Heidelberg and Riversdale. Leaving Riversdale, we will ride the Garcia Pass.In contrast with the Little – Karoo’s other steep passes, the Garcia pass is a long sweeping ride - it was built in 1873 by the legendary Thomas Bain but it seems this was more like experimenting for him before he tackled the more difficult passes he became famous for later in his life, like the stunning Swartberg Pass that we will also encounter and ride later on our journey (see day 4).

After this pass, we get onto the gravel of the Grootwaterval road to Van Wyksdorp. This stretch of road is virtually the same as the route used by the ox-wagons of the last century; evidence of this is Grootwaterval farm en-route, today a wine cellar, but years ago a place for ox-wagons to stop for repairs.

Most people associate a mountain pass with steep valleys, narrow gullies and deep cliff faces. Rooiberg Pass between Van Wyksdorp and Calitzdorp is an exception to this – here it is the pass’s openness that makes it unique. Hairpin bends and a gravel road make for some interesting riding!

From Calitzdorp (South-Africa’s port wine capital) we have another short ride to Oudtshoorn but also on an extremely satisfying road! A great gravel road should have ‘rhythm’ when you ride it. It must have enough turns and bends, not too sharp, the road must have inclines and declines, somewhere there must be a low water bridge, and there should be interesting things both sides of the road… like and old farm house with a cow in the fields that has not seen too many cars in her life- just so when you ride past her gaze follows you…..This gravel-surface Groenfontein- Kruis River road has all those properties! From Kruisrivier, we head to the ostrich capital of the world- Oudtshoorn for our next overnight stop.

Accommodation and meals night 3 Oudtshoorn:

We will overnight for 2 nights at the same place (nights 3 & 4), as we will use Oudtshoorn as our base to explore the area further. A variety of excellent accommodation options are available in – and near the town of Oudtshoorn - all at luxury 4-star guest houses.

Dinner provided in the town or at accommodation chosen.

Day 4 Oudtshoorn to Ostrich Farm to Cango Caves and then return ride of the stunning “Prince of Passes” between Oudtshoorn and Prince Albert, then Cheetah and Crocodile farm visit and back to Oudtshoorn:

In the morning we will be riding to one of the Ostrich Farms near Oudtshoorn where we will have a tour of the working ostrich farm – which includes features such as an ‘ostrich derby’. The Oudtshoorn – region is still the ostrich capital of the world, as more than 70% of all ostrich products around the world generate from here.

From here we head to another highlight of our safari via the beautiful Schoemanspoort Pass - namely the Cango Cave Complex for a guided tour into the caves. The internationally renowned Cango Caves are rated as one of the best limestone caves in the world.

From the caves, we turn onto the nearby and truly stunning “Prince of Passes” the Swartberg Pass between Oudtshoorn and Prince Albert. This is one of the most sensational drives in the whole of southern Africa! The 27-kilometre gravel pass was opened more than 120 years ago in 1886 for its first traffic- interestingly the "Oudtshoorn Courant" (a newspaper at the time) carried the official opening notice reading “but the government is taking no responsibility”.

The Swartberg Pass lies like a dragon (a pretty big one at that....) with its green back turned to the cooler Little Karoo and its legs and belly baking in the warm Greater Karoo. Across the dragon’s back, like the reins with which he was tamed, lies the masterpiece of the brilliant road engineer Thomas Bain who built it over the imposing Swartberg mountain range (instead of cutting through it), using tight switchback curves supported by superbly constructed dry-packed retaining walls.

The road is narrow at places, but it is in excellent condition and very comfortable to ride, with many viewing points where we can stop to admire the view. The highest point is 1585 metres above sea level.

Whether it is more spectacular to ride the pass from Oudtshoorn to Prince Albert (south to north) or vice versa, is for you to decide… - because we are also going to ride it back the same way after visiting the small town of Prince Albert just to find out for yourself!

On our return to Oudtshoorn via the Schoemanspoort pass again, there might be time for some Camel riding near the Cango Caves, and close to Oudtshoorn town we could also alternatively visit another highlight – a cheetah, white tiger and crocodile farm! As if the day has not had enough excitement and highlights yet, here you can even do cage-diving with a Nile crocodile.

Accommodation and meals night 4 in Oudtshoorn:

As we will overnight for 2 nights at the same place (nights 3 & 4) we will use the same luxury 4-star accommodation as last night in Oudtshoorn.

Dinner provided in the town or at accommodation chosen.

Day 5 Oudtshoorn via Meiringspoort to Tsitsikamma NP, then rest / activity day 6 spent at Tsitsikamma NP:

Today (day 5) we are departing to the coast but first we will ride a few more exciting roads and passes!

In the morning we will first be riding the “Oude Muragie” gravel road accessed via the paved Schoemanspoort. This gravel road is 30 km’s of extreme pleasure! The road follows the southern edge of the Swartberg Mountains, and there is also the Rust en Vrede waterfall on the way before we reach De Rust.

From here it is off to the beautiful Meiringspoort Pass. This pass is a 24-kilometre route through a narrow gorge that makes for a superb ride. Meiringspoort was officially opened in 1858 – another of Andrew Geddes Bain’s projects- but after severe flooding problems and damage, a new route was established and it was reconstructed not long there- after and again in the 1920’s, and once again in the 1930’s.

The present route closely follows the course of the Groot River, and the road crosses the river 25 times. Many of the dry-packed walls of this period are still visible. Between 1948 and 1953 the drifts were replaced with causeways, which greatly reduced the maintenance costs necessary after each flooding. We can stop at some of the many drifts along the way as well as walk to the waterfall (5 minutes), before we reach the small town of Klaarstroom.

From here it is to Vondeling and Willowmore on another exciting higher speed motorcyclist’s dream gravel road, then down south via Uniondale (where lunch can be enjoyed) on 2 more mountain passes, namely the Uniondale Pass and then the beautiful hairpin gravel road of the Prince Alfred’s Pass.

The Prince Alfred Pass snakes its way from Avontuur in the direction of Knysna, another of Thomas Bain’s masterpieces. There are many indigenous trees and shrubs such as fynbos, yellow wood and iron wood etc. along the way. These forests were once the hide-out for the almost extinct Knysna elephants, and chances are good to see other animals along the way such as duiker, bush pig, lynx and shy bush buck.

At the bottom of the pass, we ride some more paved roads via The Crags, and on the road to Nature’s Valley there is another highlight first! - we take the alternative road away from the busy N2 highway via the two Grootrivier- and Bloukrans Passes, offering some of the prettiest passes in the country all on the same stretch of road. Not surprising, it was also designed and built by the famous Thomas Bain, and completed in 1885.

Then finally after our longest riding day of the safari to our next overnight stop at the Storm’s River Mouth in the Tsitsikamma National Park on the Indian Ocean.Tsitsikamma means ‘place of much water’- this is a place of mystery, ancient rivers and forests, deep ravines and long forgotten tales. This magnificent NP is a combined marine and forest park and stretches for some 80 km’s from the lagoon at Nature’s Valley in the west to the mouth of the Groot River in the east.

Optional activities available here for ‘rest’ day 6 are walking routes, boat excursions into the river mouth, bird watching, tree-top canopy tours,bungee jumping, canoeing, swimming in the pool and sea and snorkeling in the ocean (scuba diving and snorkeling equipment are available in the NP for rental). Off course- for those more interested in spending more time on the motorcycle, there are good tarred roads to ride to Jeffreys Bay and back which is higher up the coast (east) etc.

Accommodation and meals nights 5 and 6 at Tsitsikamma National Park:

We will overnight for 2 nights in the same place (nights 5 & 6), as there is so much to do- and see here, and after a long riding day 5 a good rest will also be needed.

A variety of good accommodation options are available- like oceanettes, chalets, cottages and a large guest house for comfortable accommodation in a stunning coastal setting. (Most units are located right on the sea front with access and views of the sea and beach.)

Dinner provided in the NP’s restaurant.

Day 7 Tsitsikamma NP via Plettenberg Bay and Knysna to Wildernis:

We will spend today at a more leisurely pace for some short scenic rides along the coastline. First we ride the two Grootrivier- and Bloukrans Passes again towards Nature’s Valley, with its charming setting of mountain, forest, lagoon and ocean, and then to Plettenberg Bay – a busy sun-drenched and fashionable seaside resort town with fine beaches.

Near Plettenberg bay, there is time for a visit / tour into Kurland Village for the Elephant Sanctuary, Monkeyland and Birds of Eden.

We then ride into Knysna, where we will spend lunch time (possibly on the "John Benn" - a double decker boat whilst on a return journey to the famous "Knysna Heads"). This is a fast-developing up-market residential and resort town flanking the lovely and popular lagoon of the same name and access to the sea from the famous Knysna Heads. Knysna’s motto is “This fair land is the gift of God”, a fitting testament to the beauty of the lagoon, forest and coastal countryside.

After lunch, we head out of town to Wildernis- our next overnight stop –also flanked by the ocean on one side and the Wildernis lagoon on the other side.

The old 4-Passes Knysna – to George Road seems just a pleasant meander off the usual busy Garden Route, but it took the famous Thomas Bain far longer to construct than any other of his 24 major roads and passes. Today we will ride it to Wildernis to see why.

This is not a very long stretch, but we will cross a number of passes – as well as a number of major rivers cleaving the rocky coastline, creating precipitous gorges and wide river mouths. In 1868 the famous road builder Thomas Bain – with then already 20 years of road-building experience (including his latest masterpiece the Prince Alfred Pass we rode two day’s ago), settled his family in George when he received a commission to open a road from George to Knysna.

Today this road they eventually built is a national monument. We join the old passes road just a little way west of Knysna. The mainly gravel route is ‘only’ about a two- hour ride, but we will cross bridges over 9 rivers (Homtini -, Goukamma -, Karatara -, Hoogekraal -, Diep -, Touws –, Silver -, Kaaimans – and Swart rivers) and cross no less than 4 passes (Phantom -, Homtini -, Karatara - and Hoogekraal Pass).

On the way we can also deviate to the ‘Big Tree’ – a giant +- 33 metres high Outeniqua Yellowwood that managed to avoid the woodsman’s axe, and estimated to be about 815 years old. We end our ride of the “old road” just before Wilderness- our next overnight stop.

Accommodation and meals night 7 in Wildernis:

A variety of excellent accommodation options are available in the town - at luxury 4-star guest houses. (We will attempt to book at one located right on the sea front with access and views of the sea and beach.)

Dinner provided in the town or at accommodation chosen.

Day 8 Wildernis to Cape Agulhas- Africa's most southerly point:

Today we head down further on our mainly coastal scenic riding route. From Wildernis we ride the Kaaiman’s Pass towards George staying on the highway so we bypass the town – which is the biggest of the Garden Route’s centres, scenically set in fertile countryside at the foot of the Outeniqua mountain range. It’s a most pleasant town named after England’s King George III, and distinguished by its broad, oak-lined streets.

From George we continue riding along the N2 but deviate off to Mossel Bay, where its Bartolomeu Dias Museum complex (with it’s Dias ship) and the Post Office tree are worthy visits.

From here we ride to the small town of Albertinia (the Aloe capital of RSA) now heading to the most southerly point in Africa- namely Cape Agulhas via Riversdale, Heidelberg and Swellendam, and then to Bredasdorp.

After Bredasdorp it is to Struis Baai and then to Cape Agulhas, Africa’s southernmost extremity. There will be time available to visit the famous light house and Cape Point.

Accommodation and meals night 8 in Cape Agulhas:

A variety of excellent guest house accommodation options are available in the town. (We will attempt to book at one located right on the sea front with access and views of the sea and beach.)

Dinner provided in the town or at accommodation chosen.

Day 9 Cape Agulhas to Hermanus:

Today we are heading to the coastal town of Hermanus- possibly the Western Cape’s favourite - and most picturesque seaside resort town on the Indian Ocean.

But first we will visit the beautiful Waenhuiskrans- cave and Arniston at the sea, and then the shipwreck museum at Bredasdorp with its fascinating shipwreck exhibits.We reach Hermanus on mostly good gravel back roads via Elim and other coastal towns like Gans Bay and Stanford.

Hermanus is attractively set between mountains and the blue ocean and a paradise for fisherman, crayfish and perlemoen divers, sailors and water-sportsmen. For over a century Hermanus served as the centre of a thriving fishing and whaling industry. Hermanus has a wonderful lagoon, superb beaches at Grotto, Voelklip and Langbaai, a fishing harbour, stunning mountain- and cliff walks, paragliding and, off course, its much-vaunted whales (‘Southern Right’).

For the eco-adventurer seekers there are scuba – diving, sailing, boardsailing, sea-and river kayaking, deep see fishing, Great White shark viewing and cage diving off Dyer Island.

The mountains overlooking Hermanus are considered to be one of the best hang- gliding and parasailing flying sites in the Cape and Rotary Drive offers easy access to the launching site.

During the whale season from July to November each year, South Africa offers the FINEST land based Whale Watching in the World! The ‘Southern Right’ whale is the 6TH - animal of the Big 6 with the other BIG 5 animals seen elsewhere in RSA such as in the far-away Kruger NP (– see our other safaris for this purpose). Whale watching – from a boat or even land based - is possible from the Overberg Coast from the towns of Hermanus and Onrus (“the principality of Whales”) to San Sebastian Bay where 70% of the world’s Southern Right Whales come in to calf. This is the only town anywhere to employ a ‘whale crier’ - a kind of herald.

Accommodation and meals night 9 in Hermanus:

A variety of excellent accommodation options are available in the town of Hermanus - at luxury 4-star guesthouses. (We will attempt to book at one located right on the sea front with access and views of the sea and beach OR located in a private estate on the beautiful golf course.)

Dinner provided in the town or at accommodation chosen.

Day 10 Hermanus to Cape Town:

Today is another day filled with highlights all the way to Cape Town where we end our safari in the afternoon; a stunningly scenic ride along the coast with twisting roads and views providing numerous last photo opportunities.

We will pass through several picturesque coastal towns like Kleinmond, Betty’s Bay, Pringle Bay, Rooiels, Gordon’s Bay, Strand, Muizenberg, Fish Hoek, Simon’s Town (can also visit the Penguin colony at Boulder's Beach), Cape Point (where there is time for a tour to visit the Table Mountain NP and actual Cape Point as well as having a last lunch together), Scarborough, Kommetjie, Noordhoek, Hout Bay and the famous Chapman’s Peak Pass before reaching our completion point at or near the Cape Town Waterfront.

After riding at least 2300 km’s (or +-1420 miles), this is the END OF THIS WONDERFUL MOTORCYCLE SAFARI with many happy memories!! - Although you return your motorcycle to us here - we hope you will return to our country again soon to join us for another of our safaris!

– BUT wait it may not all be over yet- see next paragraph below- one optional extra day / night can still be added.

Extra riding Day 11 / Night 10 extension available at extra cost:

* As an EXTRA day / night that can be fitted in today departing from accommodation in Cape Town as a day 11: Four passes road and winelands visit from Cape Town to Stellenbosch etc.:

A popular and very rewarding sightseeing drive is the circular one taking you from Cape Town through Stellenbosch, eastwards across the Franschhoek Mountains, and past Threewaterskloof dam, and then back to base through the apple-growing country of the Elgin-Grabouw area and over the Hottentots-Holland range.

The four passes, each of which affords stunning views, are the Helshoogte, Franschhoek, Viljoen’s and Sir Lowry’s. A variety of wineries can be visited as well along the route.Accommodation for this extra night will be at an establishment in the better scenic areas of Cape Town's Peninsula.

I T I N E R A R Y for shorter duration safari of 7 - days

* Same as longer safari's days 1 - to 4;
* Modified activities and route only from day 5 onwards;
* Day 5 cancel Tsitsikamma- portion;
* Night 5 overnight Knysna;
* Night 6 at Cape Agulhas;
* Day 7 route to Cape Town more direct, via Bredasdorp, Napier and Caledon;
* Please enquire for more detail.

Climate and best times to ride:

* Although this safari is available at all times during the year – with each season having its special benefits to visit, the best times are when it is not too cold and / or wet, so the ideal time is from September to April each year.

* Bear in mind - spring and summer months in South Africa are September to February, and autumn and winter months are March to August.

* For whale watching at Hermanus, from July to November each year, South Africa offers the FINEST land based Whale Watching in the World!

* The safari covers a fair portion of the Western Cape Province South Africa.

* The Western Cape Province / Garden Route has a Mediterranean climate, warm to hot in summer, mild in winter, with winter rainfall. Dry summers with up to 11 hours or more sunshine per day and long sunny evenings sets a party mood.

* The Garden Route averages less rainfall than Cape Town during winter.

* Whatever season you choose to visit the city of Cape Town, be aware that it has four seasons- sometimes all in the same day!

* Most tourists visit Cape Town during our long summer from October to March. RSA’s summer holidays are peak periods for visiting CT, so you should plan trips reasonably far in advance! These peak times when it is difficult to find accommodation if not booked far in advance, are usually from the first week of December to mid January, then again in early March (with large International cycling events etc.), and around Easter.

Participants:

Single-or couples can also book this safari- but we require a minimum of 4 guests in the group to guarantee a departure, with non – riding partners also welcome in addition (at least 2 bike riders and 2 pillions, or 3 bikes and 1 pillion, or 4 bikes). The group size is contained to a maximum of 7 guests in total (riders – and non-riding partners) per any 1 support vehicle / guide / bike trailer combination to ensure a seat in closed support vehicle for every guest where needed as well as a space on the bike trailer for at least 4 of the bikes.

Larger groups may be accommodated from the same club or group of friends, with say then 2 support vehicles / bike trailers / guides.

Highlights on this safari:

Too numerous to list all individually- every day has a few, but you will never forget riding the ‘off-the-beaten-track’-roads on motorcycle for a vast variety of beautiful landscapes, spectacular mountain passes (at least 21 for longer 10-day safari duration - or even more- i.e. 25 if optional day 11 is chosen) and numerous river crossings, some interesting wildlife in 2 unique national parks (including Southern Right whales), beaches, SA’s most southerly point Cape Agulhas and also some superb marine drives.

Activities available on safari (see * ):

Lion Park visit,Cango Cave visit, Oudtshoorn ostrich farm tour and ‘derby’, visit Oudtshoorn cheetah, tiger and crocodile farm (with crocodile cage diving!), camel riding, wine tasting tours, botanical garden visit, cultural tours, walking and hikes, boating, fishing, kayaking and canoeing, bird watching, swimming in the pools and scuba diving and snorkeling in the ocean, water sports, cruises, beaches, whale-watching in season, visit the "Elephant Sanctuary","Monkey Land", "Birds of Eden", the world’s highest bungee jump, Great White shark viewing and cage diving off Dyer Island, game watching in 2 NP’s etc. etc.

(Note * = not necessarily included in safari price but optionally available at extra cost- consult pricing in itinerary for safari inclusions).

Trip Duration:

* Shorter 7 days / 6 night safari, OR
* Longer 10 days / 9 nights. Can also be amended (either longer by 1 day / night by adding the Stellenbosch 4-passes and winelands option to make it a 10 night / 11 day safari, OR shorter by 1 day to an 8 night / 9 day safari if the activity / rest day 6 at Tsitsikamma NP is cancelled- although NOT advisable to do.This is only possible for a single-group booking the full tour.)

Start Country/City:

South Africa Cape Town

End Country/City:

South Africa Cape Town

Departure Dates for 2007 & 2008:

We are flexible and do not have fixed scheduled departure dates - please enquire or provide your preferred range of dates.

What makes us different to other motorcycle tour companies?:

* Each rider and their non-riding partner/s have a guaranteed seat in the support vehicle.

This is sometimes necessary for adverse weather conditions, and / or if a rider / pillion is ‘tired’. It also means that non-riding partners that are often left behind at home whilst the ‘boys are out playing’, can now also join their partners on the same safari also experiencing the same holiday and routes etc;

* Space for at least 4 bikes on the bike trailer towed by any 1 support vehicle;

* Because you can ride along in the support vehicle with our experienced wildlife guide, a game drive in the Bontebok National Park on our safari is included in your safari rate, and is not an additional extra-cost option like with some other companies;

* Small mostly personal / own groups;

* Fridge (12V and 220V) in support vehicle for your own cold drinks en - route;

* Personal service and guiding by owner of this safari company, and his attention to detail.

INCLUDED in price:

* Use of late model BMW F 650 GS OR R 1200 GS bike for duration of safari for each rider, with comprehensive insurance cover, on unlimited kilometers - basis for entire duration. Bike fitted with ABS (can be de-activated for off-roading) and heated grips, etc.;

* Insurance includes comprehensive collision damage waiver and theft protection (see however for insurance excess at exclusions);

* The lead bike rider will have a Garmin Zumo GPS fitted to his motorcycle;

* Accommodation at excellent up-market small guesthouses - SA Tourism graded - mostly will be 4 stars. And also in 1 National Park for the longer safari. All will be en-suite and some even air-conditioned;

* All breakfast meals consisting of either continental – or full English breakfast;

* All dinners;

* VAT at 14% and tourist levy where applicable;

* NP & entry fees plus game drive with our guide and in our support vehicle at Bontebok National Park;

* For longer safari only: NP & entry fees at Tsitsikamma NP and Cape Point Table Mountain NP;

* A professional, experienced and knowledgeable RSA registered tour guide with an air-conditioned closed support vehicle towing the bike trailer will accompany you for full duration of the safari, assisting you with road side support, directions, luggage transport, all accommodation and breakfast / dinner arrangements, the bike, a space on trailer for each bike, breakdown service if required, when riding during the days en-route - towels for washing faces and hands, and a seat inside the support vehicle for each guest, etc.;

* Our advice and assistance with arrangements, GPS / maps or directions provided where required etc.;

* Introduction to RSA’s traffic laws and the operation of the BMW motorcycle on the first day.

EXCLUDED from price:

* The extra security deposit / excess for damage / insurance is R15000 per R 1200 GS or R10000 per F 650 GS, all authorized from your credit card the morning of departure is additional and will be refunded upon satisfactory return of the bike at end of the safari;

* Toll fees, fuel etc. for bike;

* Entrance fees, and cost of activities for own- or escorted tours for daily excursions and activities (note this is a very small extra amount but we specifically exclude this so you have greater choice and flexibility en-route and can choose them yourself);

* Own drinks;

* Optional extra 11th day/ 10th night for 4-passes and winelands in Stellenbosch area (all inclusive as before);

* Extra nights in Cape Town before - or after the safari, etc;

* International and local airfare;

* Lunches (this won't be much, but we specifically exclude these so you have greater choice and flexibility en-route and can choose from a variety of establishments);

* Personal purchases and laundry;

* Any new taxes introduced, travel insurance (cancellation, medical coverage etc. highly recommended), tips, other items not mentioned;

* Own riding gear and helmet (- can be purchased here, and helmets can also be rented here but we strongly recommend you bring your own);

* Extra luggage systems on bike - note not really needed with support vehicle accompanying riders all the time will transport your luggage.

WHAT THE SAFARI COSTS; guided and fully supported, inclusive of all items listed above, pricing on basis of minimum of 4 guests on at least 2 bikes required- valid until end August 2008:

* SHORTER DURATION of 7 days / 6 nights:

* Price per each bike rider on a BMW F 650 GS or the larger R 1200 GS and basis sharing accommodation with comprehensive insurance cover: Price for F 650 GS is GBP 982 p/p/s or you can pay in USD then $ 1964 p/p/s and for the R 1200 GS the price is GBP 1173 p/p/s or you can pay in USD then $ 2346 p/p/s.

* Extra price for single accommodation preferred (rider or pillion): GBP 99 or USD 198 p/p.

* Price per each NON- riding partner like pillion / support vehicle passenger (so all except own motorbike): GBP 663 or USD 1326 p/p/s. Note a pillion rider is also defined and charged the lower price as a non-riding partner.

Note for this shorter safari duration it IS necessary for all the guests in the group to book it- it means the shorter and longer safari can not be booked simultaneasly.

* LONGER DURATION of 10 days / 9 nights:

* Price per each bike rider on a BMW F 650 GS or the larger R 1200 GS and basis sharing accommodation with comprehensive insurance cover: Price for F 650 GS is GBP 1384 p/p/s or you can pay in USD then $ 2768 p/p/s and for the R 1200 GS the price is GBP 1633 p/p/s or you can pay in USD then $ 3266 p/p/s.

* Extra price for single accommodation preferred (rider or pillion): GBP 150 or USD 300 p/p.

* Price per each NON- riding partner like pillion / support vehicle passenger (so all except own motorbike): GBP 887 or USD 1774 p/p/s. Note a pillion rider is also defined and charged the lower price as a non-riding partner.

* Price for extra riding day / night after official end of 'normal' safari like optional Cape Town to Stellenbosch and back to Cape Town 4 passes day trip: Add one / ninth of applicable price above.

Note for this add-on day it IS necessary for at least 3 of the guests in the group to book it.

Discount for larger groups, please enquire. Put together your own personal group and book collectively.

Call of Africa Tours by David Malan
 PO Box 1863, Brooklyn Square 0075
Republic of South Africa
Cell: +27 (0)82 564 7377
Fax: + 27 (0)12 333 5799
callofafrica@icon.co.za