
Cape Town to Malawi
Motorcycle Tour
via Namibia, Okavango and Victoria Falls
30 days, 6770km
ZAR125000

Join the Ride Down South crew on the tour of a lifetime from Cape Town to or from Malawi with hop on/off points at Windhoek, the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls
Route Highlights
30 days, 6770km, ZAR125000
Cape Town – Fish River Canyon – Aus – Kolmanskop – Sossusvlei – Swakopmund – Spitzkoppe – Erindi Game Reserve – Windhoek – Dqae Qare San Lodge – Okavango Delta – Katima Mulilo – Victoria Falls – Lusaka – Monkey Bay – Mayoka Village
Includes: Bike rental + fuel; accommodation in 3-star lodges; breakfasts; cross border fees; tour guide; airport transfers.
Too long, too short, or not quite the right route?
We'd be happy to build a custom route for you.

Route Details and Itinerary
This is a one-way ride and can be done in either direction. Itinerary is customisable.

Day 1: Cape Town to Papkuilsfontein
Ride from Cape Town through 5 mountain passes into the Cederberg Mountains and Karoo and an overnight stay at Papkuilsfontein Farm


Day 2: Papkuilsfontein to Orange River
Today we ride through the northern Cape and Richtersveld to Springbok. We cross into Namibia and spend the first of two nights on the banks of the Orange River.

Day 3: Orange River
Rest day at the Orange River. We get the chance to soak in the beauty of the Richtersveld on the banks of the Orange River. There’s also the chance to go on a 3-4 hour guided canoe trip.

Day 4: Orange River to Fish River Canyon
180km. We ride along the banks of the Orange River and on to the Fish River Canyon along some beautiful gravel roads.


Day 5: Fish River Canyon to Aus
270km. Our route takes us north and west through Namibian big-sky country on good gravel roads to Aus. We stay overnight in a remote cabin at Klein Aus Vista


Day 6: Kolmanskop Ghost Town
Today we visit the fascinating Kolmanskop diamond mining town. On the way back we visit the coastal town of Luderitz and see the local wild horses.

Day 7: Aus to Sossusvlei
375km. Today we tackle the gravel roads as they cross the incredible desert landscapes of the Namib desert and head north to the famous dunes at Sesriem and Sossusvlei


Day 8: Rest day at Sossusvlei
A rest day today as we explore the famous sand dunes at Sossusvlei and visit the iconic deadvlei

Day 9: Sossusvlei to Swakopmund
Back on the bikes today as we cross the Namib desert to the coastal town of Swakopmund. We ride through the spectacular Kuiseb canyon and stop for the best apple pie at Solitaire.


Day 10: Rest day at Swakopmund
Today we get to explore the area around Swakopmund. Activity options include exploring some shipwreck along the Skeleton coast to the north, riding the local dunes on quad bikes, or just enjoying this attractive coastal town.

Day 11: Swakopmund to Spitzkoppe
A short ride along the southern part of the skeleton coast to Henties Bay before we turn inland and cross the Namib desert again to the breathtaking Spitzkoppe rock formations. We have the chance to explore these rock formations in the afternoon.


Day 12: Spitzkoppe to Erindi Private Game Reserve
Another shortish day as we ride a mix of tar and good gravel roads to Erindi game reserve. There are game drives available in the evening and morning - and an active waterhole next to our accommodation.


Day 13: Erindi to Windhoek
After an optional morning game drive at Erindi we ride on a mix of gravel and tar roads to our base at Windhoek.

Day 14: Windhoek to Dqae Qare San Lodge
Today we head east and across the Botswana border, stopping overnight at one of our favourite places. The San community at Dqae Qare Lodge

Day 15: Dqae Qare to Maun
A short ride today as we head for Maun - the gateway to the Okavango Delta. If you're heading into the Delta you may have a flight connection later in the day.

Day 16-17: Exploring the Okavango
There are lots of ways to explore this incredible area. Recommended is a 2 or 3 night stay at Oddballs camp in the Delta, or a visit to nearby Moremi game reserve

Day 18: Maun to Drotsky's Cabins
After a good break we get back on the bikes and head north along the west side of the Okavango River. We stay for two nights on the banks of the river at Drotsky's Cabins

Day 19: Rest day at Drotsky's
The area here is rich with wildlife. Activity options include fishing for Tiger fish, wildlife and birdlife river cruises, or just enjoying the surroundings at Drotsky's

Day 20: Drotsky's to Katima Mulilo
We cross back into Namibia today, riding through a game reserve and then heading east through the Caprivi Strip. We spend the night at Caprivi Mutoyo lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River

Day 21: Katima to Vic Falls
Our last day of riding as we cross into Zambia and a short ride into Livingstone, our base to explore the falls.

Day 22: Exploring the Falls
There are lots of ways to see the falls: walks along the Zambian and Zimbabwean banks, a helicopter ride or a full or half-day rafting trip.

Day 23: Livingstone to Lusaka
Today we begin the last stage of our ride to Malawi with a ride north to the Zambia's capital city, Lusaka.

Day 24: Lusaka to Chipata
Our ride today takes us through one of Zambia's most scenic stretches as we ride east through mountain country to the Malawi border.

Day 25: Chipata to Lake Malawi
We cross into Malawi and ride north-east towards the Lake. Our route takes us through the scenic western highlands before we descend into the Rift Valley and the shores of Lake Malawi.

Day 26: Explore Lake Malawi
Mayoka Village is one of our favourite spots in Africa and we get to spend two nights here exploring the lake and local culture. Activities include snorkeling, scuba diving and exploring the lake with the local fishermen.

Day 27: Ride to Cape McLear
Today we head south along the western shore of the lake to Cape Mclear at the southernmost part.

Day 28: Explore Cape McLear
We have another chance today to soak in the beauty and local life of the lake.

Day 29: Cape McLear to Liwonde
A short ride today takes us to Liwonde National Park.

Day 30: Liwonde to Blantyre
Our final day on the road and a short ride to our destination at Blantyre.

Depart
Blantyre's international airport provides flights home via Nairobi, Addis Ababa or Johannesburg.
Cost details
Main rider: ZAR 125000
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.
Included in the price:
Honda Africa Twin 750cc motorcycle
Fuel
Support vehicle with spare bike and trailer
Airport transfers
Accommodation
Breakfast and some dinners
Tour guide
Comprehensive Motorcycle Insurance
Motorcycle border fees
Emergency evacuation to local medical center
Unlimited Mileage
Excess luggage storage
Excluded:
Flights
Visas
Activities – e.g. game drives
Accommodation at origin and destination outside of tour dates
Lunches, drinks and some dinners (details on request)
Reserve and sightseeing entry fees
Personal Insurance (Accident/Medical)
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.



Our Motorcycles
Ride one of our Honda Africa Twin XRV 750 or Suzuki V-Strom 650 motorcycles.
The Honda Africa Twin 750 is an excellent all-round motorcycle that can handle anything that Africa presents us. Strong, reliable and fun to ride, our bikes are fully owned and expertly maintained. Read more about our fleet here



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

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

Your Tour Guide

All our rides are led by our lead guide and company owner Andrew Vaughan. Andrew is a qualified adventure tour guide licensed in South Africa and has about 105000 km (65000 miles) of motorcycle guiding experience over the last 12 years. Andrew is a qualified mechanical and materials engineer and has been riding adventure motorcycles since 2007 when he and friend rebuilt two Kawasaki KLR650's and then rode them from Vancouver to Cape Town via Siberia, the Middle East and Africa.

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 Us to Explore Your Ride