7-day Cederberg and Swartberg Adventure
Cape Town – Bains Kloof Pass – Cederberg – Papkuilsfontein – Tankwa Karoo – Seweweekspoort – Die Hel / Gamkaskloof – Swartberg Pass – Meiringspoort – Route 62 – Tradouw Pass – Franschhoek Pass
Total Distance: 1720 km
Average distance: 245 km per riding day
Off-Road Surface: 50% Gravel
On-Road Surface: 50% Tar
Cost:
Single Rider: R38000 (approx: $2620)
2+ Riders: R29000 ($1995)
Contact Us to Explore Your Trip
Route Map
(click here to view a full-size version)
Accommodation
Accommodation includes a mix of comfortable 3 and 4 star lodges (usually twin rooms) and campsites equipped with hot water and electricity.
Cost details
Single Rider: R38000 (approx: $2620)
2+ Riders: R32000 ($2200)
Notes:
1) Prices are in South African Rand (ZAR). Click here to convert to your currency.
What’s Included:
Honda Africa Twin 750cc motorcycle
Accommodation
Breakfast and 3 dinners
Camping equipment
Tour guide
Comprehensive Motorcycle Insurance
What’s not included:
Fuel (approx: ZAR1580 / $100)
Lunches, drinks and some dinners (details on request)
Personal Insurance (Accident/Medical)
Itinerary
(Provisional)
Day 1: Cape Town to Cederberg: 250km. We ride north into the Cederberg mountains via Bainskloof Pass, Michell’s Pass, Ceres and Gydo Pass. Just before the Cederberg we leave the tar roads for some good gravel and finish the day at Kromrivier – home of a great little craft brewery. Our accommodation is in a comfortable cottage.
Day 2: Kromrivier to Papkuilsfontein: 195km. Today we get to explore the gravel roads through the heart of the Cederberg wilderness. We can explore the Stadsaal caves, San rock paintings and enjoy the beautiful Uitkyk pass. After lunch we ride the winding tar-surface Pakhuis pass before the gravel roads lead us into the heart of the Great Karoo and one of our favourite locations – Papkuilsfontein farm. Our accommodation is in some lovely, remote stone cottages
Day 3: Papkuilsfontein to Tankwa Karoo: 200 km.A shorter day today with the chance to explore an ancient glacial canyon, a forest of quiver trees, and an iconic collection of motorcycles in Nieuwoudtville. We ride a mix of gravel and tar roads east and then south to a tented camp in the remote Tankwa Karoo.
Day 4: Tankwa Karoo to Seweweekspoort: 242 km. Today we explore the vast stretches of the Karoo before climbing over the famous Ouberg Pass and on into the observatory town of Sutherland. After a break for lunch we ride south on a winding tar road towards Matjiesfontein and another tar-road pass and into the Swartberg mountains. Our overnight stop is at another favourite location at Porcupine camp.
Day 5: Seweweekspoort to Gamkaskloof: 180 km. Today we immerse ourselves in the Swartberg mountain range. Beginning with the spectacular Seweweekspoort pass through folded sandstone mountains we continue over the famous Swartberg pass. At the top of the pass we turn into the Gamkaskloof valley – also known as The Hell. A somewhat technical gravel road leads us down into this remotest of valleys where we spend the night in an old stone cottage built in the 1800’s.
Day 6: Gamkaskloof to Ladismith: 270 km. We begin the day heading back out of the Gamkaskloof valley and down the north side of Swartberg Pass and into the Karoo town of Prince Albert. After lunch we head west to another beautiful mountain pass at Meiringspoort before turning west along some beautiful back-country gravel roads and our overnight stop in a comfortable lodge at Ladismith.
Day 7: Ladismith to Cape Town: 380 km.Our last day takes us along the iconic Route 62 towards Barrydale and Tradouw Pass. We turn west and head back to Cape Town via Greyton and the spectacular Franschhoek Pass.
Route Highlights
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Interested in riding with us?
Contact Us for More Info
We’d love to hear from you! For more information contact Andrew at andrew@ridedownsouth.com or fill out this contact form.