Cape Town to Malawi
Motorcycle Tour
Experience the best of South Africa's south and east coast, Mozambique and Malawi on this 30 day motorcycle adventure
Route Stats & Highlights
30 days, 5490 km
Riding Days: 20
Rest Days: 9
Ave km per day: 275
Cape Town - Knysna & Garden Route - Addo Elephant Park - Wild Coast - Drakensberg Mountains - St Lucia Estuary - Hlane Game Reserve - Kruger National Park - - Mozambique Coast - Lake Malawi
Route Details and Itinerary
View spreadsheet here
Day 0: Cape Town
Sightseeing and preparation day in Cape Town and an optional warm-up ride around the Cape Peninsula
Day1: Cape Town to Matjiesfontein
275 km. We ride north-east out of Cape Town along some spectacular mountain passes to the historic railway town of Matjiesfontein.
Day 2: Matjiesfontein to Knysna
320 km. We have some spectacular riding today as we cross the Swartberg mountains through Seweweekspoort pass on a good dirt road and head through Ostrich country to Oudtshoorn and the beautiful tar Outeniqua pass towards Knysna and the start of the Garden Route.
Day 3: Rest day at Knysna
0 km: Today we get the chance to explore this beautiful Garden Route town. Options include restaurants in the Waterfront area, the Motorcycle Room, the lagoon and the Knysna Heads.
Day 4: Knysna to Jeffrey's Bay
190 km. We ride east exploring the beautiful coastline along the Garden Route through Plettenberg Bay, Nature's Valley, Bloukrans Pass and Storms River Mouth on our way to Jeffrey's Bay.
Day 5: Jeffrey's Bay to Addo Elephant Park
120 km. A short ride takes us inland to Addo Elephant Park where we'll have the option to go on an afternoon game drive to experience the elephants and other wildlife here.
Day 6: Addo to Cintsa
323 km. We head back to the coast and ride north-east along the coast past coastal towns including Kenton-on-Sea, Port Alfred and East London to the start of the Wild Coast at Cintsa.
Day 7: Cintsa to Coffee Bay
260 km. On our way north-east to Coffee Bay we get to experience the rural and rugged Wild Coast.
Day 8: Rest day at Coffee Bay
0 km. Today we get a break from riding and the chance to enjoy the beaches around Coffee Bay. You can also visit the famous Hole-in-the-Wall.
Day 9: Coffee Bay to Underberg
360 km. We head inland through the rolling hills of the Eastern Cape towards Underberg at the southern end of the Drakensberg Mountains - the highest and most dramatic mountain range in South Africa. Along the way we have the option of stopping to visit Qunu - the village where Nelson Mandela grew up, went to school and herded cattle.
Day 10: Explore Sani Pass
80 km. Today we have the option of exploring the famous Sani Pass which twists its way up the escarpment to the border of Lesotho.
Day 11: Underberg to St Lucia Estuary
436 km. We leave the Drakensberg and head north through the Kwazulu-Natal lowlands to the coastal estuary at St Lucia.
Day 12: Rest day at St Lucia
0 km. St Lucia is a unique coastal estuary with abundant wildlife including Hippos and rich birdlife. There's the chance to explore the mangrove swamps on a boat tour of the estuary.
Day 13: St Lucia to Hlane Game Reserve
290 km. Today we head inland towards the Kruger Park, briefly entering eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) where we stop overnight at the Hlane Game Reserve.
Day 14: Hlane to Kruger Park
127 km. A short ride today takes us back into South Africa and the town of Malelane. We leave the bikes here for a 3-night stay in the Kruger National Park.
Day 15-16: Kruger Park
0 km. We have two full days to experience this incredible game reserve based at a camp inside the park.
Day 17: Malelane to Maputo
144 km. Today we leave South Africa and enter Mozambique with our first overnight stay in the capital city Maputo.
Day 18: Maputo to Xai Xai
232 km. We ride along the good tar road toward the resort town of Xai Xai. In the afternoon we'll have the chance to explore the beach with its coral reef as well as the mouth of the Limpopo river and a well-known rock pool.
Day 19: Xai Xai to Inhambane
260 km. Today we continue along the Mozambique coast to our base for two nights - Inhambane.
Day 20: Rest day at Inhambane / Barra
0 km. A rest day and a chance to explore the local area and/or catch a ride to Barra to enjoy the beach and restaurants there.
Day 21: Inhambane to Vilankulos
293 km. We ride north to one of Mozambique's best coastal spots - Vilankulos.
Day 22-23: Rest day at Vilankulos
0 km. We have two days here to take in the beauty of the Mozambique coast at Vilankulos and explore the Bazaruto Archipelago.
Day 24: Vilankulos to Chimoio
380 km. Today we leave the Mozambique coast and begin the leg to Lake Malawi. Our first stop along the way is Chimoio.
Day 25: Chimoio to Tete
390 km. Stop 2 along the leg to Lake Malawi is at Tete in north-western Mozambique.
Day 26: Tete to Blantyre
220 km. We cross into Malawi and stop for the night in the capital city Blantyre.
Day 27: Blantyre to Monkey Bay
252 km. Today we reach the southern shores of Lake Malawi and settle in Monkey Bay right next to the beach for a two night stay.
Day 28: Rest day at Monkey Bay
0 km. A well deserved rest day and the chance to explore the beaches and villages around Monkey Bay or go fishing or sailing on the lake.
Day 29: Optional exploration day
Depending on your time available we can spend this day exploring the local area around the lake. Alternatively we can head back south to our departure point at Blantyre
Connection to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar
Ethiopian airlines have flights to Dar es Salaam or direct to Stone Town on Zanzibar. There are also flights to Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation
Accommodation is in comfortable lodges (usually twin rooms). Upgrades to single rooms are available
Motorcycles
Ride one of our Honda Africa Twin XRV 750's or Suzuki V-Strom 650
"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, Cape to Kalahari 2016
Cost details
Rider: ZAR 128000 (approx: $CAD9670, $US6855)
Notes:
1) Prices in South African Rands. Click here to convert to your currency.
2) Prices are for minimum of six riders for the full tour. Please contact us for rates for smaller parties
Included in the price:
Honda Africa Twin 750cc or Suzuki V-Strom 650cc motorcycle
Support vehicle with spare bike and trailer
Fuel
Accommodation on tour up to Lake Malawi
All breakfasts
Panniers, Top Box and Tank Bag
Riding gear if required - helmet, jacket and gloves
Sena 20S Bluetooth In-helmet Communicator
Motorcycle border fees
Motorcycle return to Cape Town
Airport transfers
Tour guide and 1 crew
Comprehensive Motorcycle Insurance
Emergency evacuation to local medical center
Excess luggage storage
Excluded:
Flights to and from tour start and end points
Visas
Activities – e.g. game drives and excursions,
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)
Click here to download our T's and C's. We'll have this available for you to sign at the start of the ride or you can bring a signed copy with you
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, San Francisco