Name: 5 Days Luxury Guided Motorcycle Tour in Western Cape, South Africa
Brand: Africa Twin Adventures
Price: 3400 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 10.0 (1 reviews)

Accommodation

All accommodations will be four and five stars (local standards) and specially vetted to ensure you have the luxury at your fingertips after every day's riding. The aim is to showcase the best the country has to offer in terms of accommodation and hospitality and no expense has been spared in selecting Africa Twin Adventures' partners.

Program

Day 1: Cape Town to Cederberg, 338 kilometers / 210 miles

You collect the bikes in the morning and head east on a short stretch of highway / freeway before turning onto a road that takes you through a serene countryside and beautiful vineyards towards a small town called Stellenbosch. From here, you climb and wind your way up and over the scenic Helshoogte mountain pass before stopping for a well-deserved break in the picturesque town of Franschhoek. You make your way onto the Franschhoek pass and follow this road, stopping where you can admire and photograph the magnificent views.

From here, you follow a few twisting and turning roads all the way to your lunch stop near the town of Worcester. After enjoying lunch, you continue and wind your way through the stunning Michell’s pass and its incredible rock formations towards the farming village of Ceres. Ceres produces the finest collection of deciduous fruit in South Africa. Your next port of call is Gydo pass, a gateway to the area known and referred to as the Cederberg. Famous for its incredible and twisted rock formations and biodiversity, You get your first taste of an unpaved road surface through this remarkable mountain pass before arriving at your accommodation for the night.

Day 2: Cederberg to Clanwilliam, 136 kilometers / 85 miles

On day two, you ride mostly on unpaved roads while there will be many opportunities to stop, stretch the legs, and take photographs of the surroundings (guaranteed to take your breath away). You will be riding through the only place in the world where the famous rooibos tea is grown and produced and it is exported to the world.

You continue through two mountain passes after which you snake your way down to the Olifants River, following its course all the way to a dam in a town called Clanwilliam. First-class accommodation facilities and service with the added bonus of a game drive in an open safari vehicle on a game farm near Clanwilliam bring this memorable day to a close.

Day 3: Clanwilliam to Karoo, 187 kilometers / 116 miles

Today is still in unpaved road territory. You continue your journey and enter the semi-desert region known as the Karoo. Wide open plains make it possible for you to witness spectacular views as you enter the Tankwa Karoo National Park. This unspoiled area offers the opportunity to spot antelope in their natural habitat. Another impressive mountain pass awaits that you follow while ascending the escarpment.

The views from the summit are too magnificent to describe, nothing short of breathtaking. The extraordinary clarity of the cloudless, pollution-free night sky combined with the high elevation above sea level makes this area a prime star-gazing destination and the perfect site for the nearby South African Astronomical Observatory and the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) in Sutherland. The genuine South African hospitality and a great meal at your lodging end this fantastic day.

Day 4: Karoo to Ceres, 353 kilometers / 219 miles

The day’s ride starts where the previous ended, on a high-descending down another scenic mountain pass, from where you make your way to the plains of the Karoo, known for sheep farming as well as being the host to the annual Africa Burn festival. Long flowing unpaved roads with never-ending views take you southwards through changing vegetation and twisty roads, finally greeted by the Theronsberg pass before you arrive at your overnight stop in Ceres.

Day 5: Ceres to Cape Town, 158 kilometers / 98 miles

The last day of your tour offers much in the way of enjoyment. You are back on paved roads and meander your way through the very beautiful Cape Winelands region, heading back to Cape Town. In addition to stopping at the many scenic viewpoints along the way, you will visit a wine estate to enjoy a hearty lunch before a leisurely cruise back to the beloved Mother City.

Notes

Riders must be over 25 years old.
International motorcycle driver’s license / permit is required.
The participants must have experience of riding on unpaved roads.
The terrain varies from paved mountain passes through fertile farming areas to long and dusty unpaved roads through semi-desert areas.

The motorcycles

Africa Twin Adventures uses the new 2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin. Unlike most other tour operators, Africa Twin Adventures owns all the motorcycles used for the tours, which enable them to ensure that each motorcycle is properly maintained and in perfect running condition. Africa Twin Adventures believes that the Africa Twin is the ideal motorcycle for touring in South Africa, offering a low seat height and smooth power, making it easy and a joy to ride.

Use of own motorcycle

You are most welcome to use your own motorcycle although the logistics involved with traveling from abroad may be quite a challenge. You will be required to ensure that the shipping of your motorcycle is done timeously so as to ensure that it arrives in Cape Town, customs cleared and uncrated prior to the commencement of your tour. If you decide to use your own motorcycle, your tour cost will be adjusted accordingly. Any bikes are welcome and Africa Twin Adventures is happy to advise on suitability should you prefer to ride your own.

Level

Intermediate

can ride for 3-4 hours
average riding experience
little assistance required
comfortable with extreme curves and leans
average experience with unsurfaced roads
steep ascents and descents

Advanced

can ride for five to six hours
extensive riding experience
assistance on demand (if required)
experienced with riding a variety of motorcycles
comfortable with any terrain and weather conditions

Included excursions

There will be a game drive in an open safari vehicle on a game farm near Clanwilliam which is included in the price.

Instructors

Gavin Dahms

Gavin Dahms, the owner of the business, was born in Cape Town. Through his passion for his hometown and the wider Western Cape region, motorcycle riding, and nature, the idea of exclusive adventure riding tours in the area came about and Africa Twin Adventures was born. With 15 years of hard-core motorcycle trips under the belt, Gavin realized as he was also getting a little older, that the luxury of high standard accommodation and meals are as important as the ride and the views to make a tour a truly unforgettable experience.

Location

Although South Africa is regarded a developing country, it has an excellent road network and is home to some of the best accommodation and restaurant options in the world. South Africa has successfully hosted the Soccer World Cup, Rugby World Cup, and Cricket World Cup tournaments, as well as many other international events. The Western Cape, in particular, is a world-renowned tourist destination.

South African roads present some of the most incredible motorcycle riding opportunities in the world. It has a network of high-quality tarmac and dirt roads that stretch far and wide across the country. All dirt roads included on the tour are of good quality and provide access to the most beautiful countryside, villages, and hamlets along the way, often not visible from the tarmac.

While South Africa has many national languages, English is widely spoken and understood by all in the tourism industry. You may learn a few words from South African languages along the way as locals often use an interesting mix.

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Food

South Africa is known to offer some of the finest wining and dining in the world and all accommodation options have been selected with this in mind. While the traditional western cuisine is always available, you will also have the option to taste traditional South African food. Kindly note that breakfasts and dinners are included in your tour price. You will also stop for lunch at some of the finest restaurants available along the routes. South African cities and towns all enjoy clean drinking water but if you prefer bottled water, this can be purchased virtually everywhere.

The following meals are included:

Breakfast
Dinner

The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:

Regular (typically includes meat and fish)

If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation

What's included

2016 Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin rental
Helmet, jacket, and gloves rental (upon request)
Local guide
Fuel
4 nights' accommodation
Breakfasts and dinners

What's not included

Lunches
Snacks
Alcohol
Beverages

How to get there

Recommended Airports

CPT

Cape Town International Airport

198 km

Transfer included

Arrival by airplane

Please book your flight to arrive at Cape Town International Airport (CPT). The airport has been voted as the best airport in Africa. It is a 20-minute drive away from the Africa Twin Adventures' office as well as the city of Cape Town. Africa Twin Adventures staff will take care of your transfers between the airport and your hotel on the arrival and departure day.

Airport: Cape Town International Airport Airport transfer included: Cape Town International Airport No additional charges. You can request this in the next step.

Cancellation Policy

A reservation requires a deposit of 50% of the total price.
The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.

Explore

Hello there. Glad to have you!

Day 1: Cape Town to Cederberg, 338 kilometers / 210 miles

Day 2: Cederberg to Clanwilliam, 136 kilometers / 85 miles

Day 3: Clanwilliam to Karoo, 187 kilometers / 116 miles

Day 4: Karoo to Ceres, 353 kilometers / 219 miles