14 Day Seascapes, Switchbacks, Safaris: Guided motorcycle tour to Kruger National Park, South Africa

Overview

Join us as we explore South Africa's breathtaking Cape coast and fold mountains, the Garden Route, Wild Coast, Drakensberg mountains, historic battlefields, and abundant wildlife on this 15-day motorcycle adventure.

Highlights

• Starts in Cape Town and ends in Kruger National Park
• Enjoy safaris in Addo Elephant Park and Kruger National Park
• Ride along the Garden Route and Panorama Route
• Witness amazing mountain sceneries
• Catch a glimpse of the abundant wildlife
• 13 nights accommodation

Itinerary

1. Day 1: Pre-Ride in Cape Town

   They'll arrange to meet you at Cape Town airport and take you to your hotel. They’ll have the bikes ready in the parking area of a hotel near the V&A Waterfront by early afternoon. You are welcome to come check them out and get a start on pre-packing if you’d like. In the evening, they’ll arrange an optional pre-ride dinner at a local restaurant - dinner’s on them.

2. Day 2: Cape Town to Swellendam (280 kilometers / 174 miles)

   You start the tour with one of the most scenic rides you can imagine. From Cape Town, you'll make your way south along the shores of False Bay via Clarence Drive with an optional visit to a local penguin colony. You'll then ride over a short but breathtaking mountain pass through beautiful fruit farms where there is also a locally well-frequented farm stall and coffee shop. You continue towards Theewaterskloof dam and the spectacular Franschhoek Pass, after which you ride to Wellington then up and over the tight, twisting Bainskloof Pass before heading to your destination of Swellendam, and a

3. Day 3: Swellendam to Oudtshoorn (225 kilometers / 140 miles)

   Today, you have fantastic riding leaving Swellendam, beginning with the picturesque Tradouw Pass to Barrydale and an obligatory milkshake stop on the R62. Leaving Barrydale, you have a short ride to the world-famous Ronnies Sex Shop (very interesting story as to how it got its name), now any biker worth his salt has to stop here for a picture or two and a t-shirt. You continue and head through Ladismith towards and over the Huisriver Pass to Calitzdorp. After a great lunch in Calitzdorp, you head straight to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world. For those wanting to experience one of t

4. Day 4: Oudtshoorn to Jeffreys Bay (325 kilometers / 202 miles)

   Today, you get to explore the famous Garden Route as you head towards the coast. You begin by riding through a coastal mountain range down the Outeniqua Pass which takes you to the town of George. You'll ride through a natural phenomenon called the 'Map of Africa' near the town of Wilderness. You'll wind your way to Knysna for a lunch stop at one of the excellent restaurants at the waterfront. After lunch, you'll take the R102 to Natures Valley to see a unique view of the new Bloukrans bridge from the old Blou Krans pass and a stop at the Storms River Mouth. After which, you will head through

5. Day 5: Jeffreys Bay to Addo Elephant Park (110 kilometers / 68 miles)

   You have a short riding day to Addo so you have some time before you leave to explore the beaches or even take an early morning surfing lesson. Today, you start heading inland, from now on, you are heading back inland towards the beautiful eastern Cape highlands. You ride the R102 and take in the 'new' Van Stadens river bridge from the old Van Stadens river bridge. You'll then continue on the R102 towards Addo Elephant National Park where you will stop for the night. Keep your eyes open as you will likely come across an elephant or two.

6. Day 6: Addo to Graaf Reinet (275 kilometers / 171 miles)

   It's another shorter riding day and you have the option of a morning safari into Addo. You'll see plenty of elephants and antelope and possibly some of the local lion. Back on the tarmac, you ride through the park with the chance to see more wildlife up close. After exiting Addo through the western gate, you'll ride past game farms and beautiful open landscapes before arriving at your luxurious hotel in Graaf Reinet for a well-deserved rest.

7. Day 7: Graaf Reinet to Barkley Pass (435 kilometers / 270 miles)

   Leaving the lap of luxury this morning, you ride through a short bit of c with its desert-like landscape. Turning onto the R61 a beautiful stretch of road, the first thing you do is ride the Wapadsberg Pass heading towards Cradock along the northern edge of The Mountain Zebra National Park. Today riding is all about making your way through the south-eastern part of the Karoo, quaint little towns, and a couple of beautiful mountain passes including Cala Pass, that will leave you grinning from ear to ear, and of course just pure natural beauty. The final destination is your hotel, on top of Bark

8. Day 8: Barkly Pass to Underberg (340 kilometers / 211 miles)

   Your ride today takes you along some lovely scenic roads as you descend and ascend the mountain escarpment around the Drakensberg Mountains and ride through rural Xhosa villages. They have a few route options depending on how much you’d like to explore the great riding roads in the area. You spend the next two nights on a tranquil guest farm at the foot of the Drakensberg Mountains.

9. Day 9: Rest day at Underberg and Sani Pass

   You have a non-riding day today with the option to visit the spectacular Sani Pass on a 4x4 tour, or on the bikes if you're feeling up for an adventure. You’ll have lunch in the highest pub in South Africa and if the weather is favorable, enjoy spectacular views into Lesotho and the lowlands to the east.

10. Day 10: Underberg to Clarens via Golden Gate National Park (400 kilometers / 249 miles)

    Your heading for today is Clarens, a picturesque little town nestled in the mountains bordering Lesotho. Riding through small villages on hilltops and many valleys crossed, you arrive at National Highway 3, you skirt past the Midmar dam on your left as you head north again. The ever-present Drakensberg mountains (Dragon Mountains) are on your left and will mark your route all of today. Fortunately, you won’t stay on the highway and will turn off and head towards the Sterkfontein Dam, impressive with its body of water. With high mountains to your left and rolling hills and valleys to your right

11. Day 11: Clarens to Dullstroom (460 kilometers / 286 miles)

    Barely out of Clarens, you come upon Titanic Rock, which sticks out like a sore thumb! Bethlehem is your next town, the wheat and sunflower capital of the Orange Free State Province and not the Holy Land. With big wide open spaces, you ride and admire the farmlands and small villages you pass through. You cross the provincial border 3 times today as the roads twist and wind you to your destination of Dullstroom, famous for its trout fishing and spectacular scenery.

12. Day 12: Dullstroom to Hazyview via the Panorama Route (275 kilometers / 171 miles)

    You end your riding adventure with one of the most scenic routes in South Africa. You’ll set out on a loop that takes you up the escarpment to stunning view points over the lowlands at God’s Window, and the Three Rondawels. The riding here is a lot of fun on good, twisting tar roads with some magnificent mountain and forest scenery. You’ll get lunch in the another historic gold-mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest and enjoy a dramatic ride over the mountains on Robber’s Pass.

13. Day 13: Safari in Kruger National Park

    Hazyview is a great base from which to experience the world-famous Kruger National Park. In their experience, it has the best Big-5 game experience in Southern Africa. You'll switch the motorcycles for a Land Cruiser as you enjoy a guided safari into the Kruger National Park. There is the option of a half and full-day experience of the largest game reserve in Southern Africa. You can expect to see at least some if not all of the Big 5 animals along with a rich variety of birdlife, antelope, and other animals.

14. Day 14: Transfer to Mbombela airport and depart

    Unfortunately, good things do come to an end, so this morning, you transfer to Kruger Mpumalanga airport (KMIA) and say your final goodbyes. However it is never goodbye, it is see you next time on another epic adventure ride.

Ride Details

Terrain

Good tar roads with some good gravel roads

Bike

Rental bike (Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L or Honda Transalp 750)

Mileage

3,470 kilometers / 2,156 miles

Daily rides

290 kilometers / 180 miles

Riding gear

Not included

Meals

all breakfasts, 3 dinners

Accommodation

Your accommodation includes comfortable 3-star lodges (usually twin rooms). For those who prefer lodge accommodation or single rooms, they will happily upgrade these for you. Contact them for details.

Food

The package includes all breakfasts and 3 dinners.

Getting There

The route highlights include [+](https://www.tripaneer.com/ride-down-south/14-day-seascapes-switchbacks-and-safaris-guided-motorcycle-tour-town-to-the-kruger-national-park# "Zoom in") [−](https://www.tripaneer.com/ride-down-south/14-day-seascapes-switchbacks-and-safaris-guided-motorcycle-tour-town-to-the-kruger-national-park# "Zoom out") [+](https://www.tripaneer.com/ride-down-south/14-day-seascap