Cape2Kruger
13-day Motorcycle Adventure
Cape Town to the Kruger National Park

Cape2Kruger
18-day Motorcycle Adventure
Cape Town to the Kruger National Park

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 13-day motorcycle adventure

Route Highlights
Cape Town – Cape Winelands – Matjiesfontein - Swartberg Pass - Knysna and the Garden Route - Eastern Cape Highlands - Drakensberg - Battlefields - Kruger Park - Panorama Route

Total Distance: 3470 km
Riding Days: 12
Rest Days: 3
Average distance: 290 km per day
Riding Time per day: 4-6 hours
Level of Difficulty: Easy to Intermediate 

(good tar roads with some good gravel roads)

Too long, too short, or not quite the right route?
We'd be happy to build a custom route for you.

Dates & Itinerary

Click here to view our tour calendar

Day 1: Cape Town to Tulbach, 280km

We start the tour with a ride to Tulbach today. We will start in Cape Town and make our way to south along the shores of False Bay via a Penguin colony and an optional mountain pass to Grabouw through some beautiful fruit farms and a coffee break. From there we head towards Theewaterskloof dam and the spectacular Franschhoek Pass, after which we ride to Wellington then up and over the tight, twisting Bainskloof Pass before heading to our destination of Tulbach, and a well-deserved rest.

Day 2: Tulbach to Ladismith, 370km

Today is a riding day of some note beginning with a ride up Michell's Pass into the town of Ceres. Riding the R46 road we make our way for a short distance on the N1 highway before turning off onto the amazing R318 Burgers Pass road (affectionately known as the Koo Valley road) towards Montagu. Riding out of Montagu we pass under the old English fort which was built in 1899 to hold the river and mountain thoroughfare. We head towards Swellendam before darting along the N2 highway before turning off it again and riding the picturesque Tradouw Pass to Barrydale and an obligatory milkshake stop.
Leaving Barrydale we have a short ride to the world-famous Ronnies Sex Shop, where any biker worth his salt has to stop here for a picture or two and a t-shirt.

Our last burst of riding is to our overnight rest stop just outside the pretty town of Ladismith.

Day 3: Ladismith to Knysna, 220km

Today we have fantastic riding leaving Ladismith, we continue on the R62, heading through the Huisriver Pass and onto Calitzdorp. We then head straight to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world. Hanging a left turn in the town center we head towards the mighty Swartberg mountains for a bucket list mountain crossing (you will thank me later). With the short bit of gravel pass done, we ride smooth tar towards Meiringspoort which has a waterfall that is just too beautiful for words. On the bikes again we head south towards the coast over the Outeniqua Pass and on to a natural phenomenon called the “Map of Africa” just outside Wilderness.
We head back to the main road and wind our way to Knysna, but not to our guesthouse just yet, we have the awesome Knysna heads to see before we relax with a cold beer.

Day 4: Knysna to St Francis Bay, 220km

Our route today is packed with things to see along the way. We'll stay off the main national road almost the whole way, taking the winding passes through the Tsitsikamma region into Nature's Valley, through Bloukrans pass and down to the mouth of Storms River. It's a lovely, scenic ride ride exploring the beautiful Garden Route. We continue east along a good secondary road enjoying the coastal scenery and lush farmland before arriving at our overnight stop in St Francis Bay

Day 5: St Francis Bay to Graaf Reniet, 290km

Our road is a beautiful one today, with the possibility of seeing different wild game as we make our way. Heading towards Jeffreys Bay via Paradise Beach we then start heading inland via a local wildlife sanctuary. Continuing north we ride below the Van Stadens river bridge and stop for a picture or two. On our ride, we are going to pass many game farms, and vistas of beauty will be seen on either side of the road today with our destination being Graaf Reinet.

Day 6: Graaf Reneit to Barkley Pass. 435km

Leaving this morning we ride through a short bit of Camdeboo National Park with its desertlike landscape. Continuing north we come up to Middelberg where we ride past the old Grootfontein Anglo Boer War Cemetery as we head out of town at this point we start heading northeast. Today riding is all about making our way through the eastern part of the Karoo, quaint little towns, some famous for Hot thermal springs, fly fishing 4x4 trails, and of course just pure natural beauty.

Day 7: Barkly Pass to Underberg, 340km

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

Day 8: Rest day at Underberg and Sani Pass, 0km

We have a non-riding day today with the option to visit the spectacular Sani Pass on a 4x4 tour. We’ll have lunch in the highest pub in South Africa and if the weather is favourable enjoy spectacular views into Lesotho and the lowlands to the east

Day 9: Underberg to Clarens via Golden Gate National Park, 400km

Our 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 we arrive at National Highway 3, we skirt past the Midmar dam on our left as we head north again. The ever-present Drakensberg mountains (Dragon Mountains) are on our left and will mark our route all of today. Fortunately, we 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 our left and rolling hills and valleys to our right we turn west and head past a Basotho Cultural village before entering the Golden Gate National Park so worth the stop, then onto our destination of Clarens. Clarens has a great Brewery and Gin distillery.

Day 10: Clarens to Piet Retief, 410km 

Barely out of Clarens, we come upon Titanic Rock, which sticks out like a sore thumb! Bethlehem is our next town, the wheat and sunflower capital of the Orange Free State Province and not the Holy Land. With big wide open spaces, we ride and admire the farmlands and small villages we pass through. We cross the provincial border 3 times today as the roads twist and wind us to our destination of Piet Retief in Mpumalanga.

Day 11: Piet Retief to Hazyview, 380 km 

Today’s ride takes us through some spectacular scenery as we ride through mountains and pine plantations. After descending into the lowlands along a winding pass with spectacular views towards the Kruger Park. After lunch in the historic gold-mining town of Barberton we’ll continue to our base for the next three nights in Hazyview.

Day 12: Safari in Kruger National Park, 0km

We’ll switch the motorcycles for a Land Cruiser as we 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.

Day 13: Eastern highlands loop or Kruger Park Safari, 290 / 0 km

We end our riding adventure with one of the most scenic routes in South Africa. We’ll leave our bags at the base and set out on a loop that takes us 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. We’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.

Day 14: Transfer to Mbombela airport and Depart

Unfortunately, good things do come to an end, so this morning we transfer to Mbombela airport and said our final goodbyes. However it is never goodbye, it is see you next time on another epic adventure ride.

Cost and Includes

Cost details

Tour Price:
Rider:
ZAR96000

Pillion: R32000
Single Supplement: R5000

Notes:
1) Prices in South African Rand. Click here to convert to your currency.
2) Prices are for minimum of four riders for the full tour. Please contact us for rates for smaller groups.

Click to download our T's & C's

Included in the price:
Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L or Honda Transalp 750
Fuel
B&B Accommodation in 3-star lodges

All breakfasts and 3 dinners
Morning safari at Addo Elephant Park
Morning safari at Kruger National Park
Airport transfers
Tour guide
Comprehensive Motorcycle Insurance
Support Vehicle on standby in Cape Town or Johannesburg
Emergency evacuation to local medical center
Unlimited Mileage
Excess luggage storag
e

Excluded:
Flights
Visas
Additional Activities
Accommodation at origin and destination outside of tour dates
Lunches, drinks and remaining dinners
Personal Insurance (Accident/Medical)

Bikes, Accommodation and Emergency Info

Our Motorcycles

Our fully owned and lovingly cared-for fleet of Honda Africa Twin CRF1000 and Transalp 750 motorcycles are built to handle the African roads we ride with ease


The Honda Africa Twins were everything a person could need to travel the rugged terrain.  I own a BMW F800gs, and was still blown away by the maneuverability of the AT and it’s ability to tackle a variety of conditions.  Andrew’s knowledge of the mechanical aspect of the bike and riding expertise provided a completely worry free traveling experience."

Ryan - Kelowna, Canada

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Accommodation

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

Medical & Emergency

In the event of a medical emergency our tours are supported by:
1. A level 3 first aider on tour
2. An on-call doctor provided by SATIB
3. SPOT satellite emergency evacuation
4. If required we can arrange to have a medic on tour

Andrew and Greg aren't just great guides, they're also just really great people

 -- a joy to ride with and also a joy to hang out with. They ran my tour without a hitch and made sure we stopped at all the best secret spots. When I booked this motorcycle trip I wanted the trip of a lifetime. I got it and then some. Wow. What an experience!

Will Elliot  // San Francisco

A motorbike tour in Southern Africa wasn't on my list of priorities...

 ... but when invited by a friend to join him on a Cape to Kalahari tour I decided to give it a go. It turned out to be a very memorable experience, which has left me with the burning desire to see more of Africa. If you want adventure, mateship and a real sense of achievement; just do it! The bikes are classics, strong, and well maintained. The food is sensational, whether it be at restaurants or by the campfire. Andrew is the perfect tour leader, cool, calm and very knowledgeable about the country and things in general. Thanks Andrew, Drew and the team, looking forward to doing it again..

Owen Holcombe  // Cambodia

Contact Andrew

Andrew is the lead guide and owner at Ride Down South. You can reach him by phone, Whatsapp, email or Skype

Email: andrew@ridedownsouth.com

Or click on the icon to chat via Whatsapp

or fill out this contact form.

Ride Down South
Registered in South Africa. No.: 2015/293371/07
SATSA Membership No.: 2313
Registered Office: 6A Chaucer Road, Claremont, Cape Town,
7708, South Africa

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