Motorcycle Tour

Good Hope: South Africa Motorcycle Tour

Pure Cape region - a pure South Africa tour to enjoy - 2,500 kilometers with fantastic passes between coastal, nature, and wine-growing landscapes.

Description

Starting with the world-famous "Chapmans Peak" that takes us past the "Cape of Good Hope" along the beautiful bays and beaches around Cape Town. Afterward, the tour runs through the heart of the wine-growing areas via Franschhoek to Paarl. Via picturesque Wellington and Tulbagh, we reach the enchanted Cederberg Mountains through the fruit-growing areas of Ceres. The vastness of the Klein Karoo offers fantastic views on various passes towards Montagu and Oudtshoorn. Passing the famous Swartberg Pass we continue to the dreamy Prince Albert, where (among others) the singer Brian Finch was at home.

Enduro freaks can ride the spectacular steep mountain pass "De Hell" (unpaved) on the rest day.

Afterward, the route leads all the way south to the Indian Ocean. We visit the jungle in the Tsitsikamma National Park and pass the highest bungee jump in the world (if you feel like it, you can jump down) on our way to tropical Knysna. Romantic passes through wild mountain scenery lead us through the Klein Karoo to Swellendamm and back to the coast in the "De Hoop Nature Reserve". Along the Garden Route, we also visit "Cape Agulhas", the southernmost point of Africa, and ride via Hermanus through beautiful coastal passes back to the vibrant life of the "Mother City" Cape Town, where the tour ends on the last evening...

-

Daily stages

Day 1: Departure Germany to South Africa (overnight)

2nd day: arrival in Cape Town

Day 3: to the Cape of Good Hope

4th day: Cape Town - Paarl

5th day: Paarl - Cedar Mountains

6th day: Cedar Mountains - Montagu

7th day: Montagu - Prince Albert

8th day: Prince Albert - "de Hell" or rest day

9th day: Prince Albert - Tsitsikamma

Day 10: Tsitsikamma - Knysna

Day 11: Knysna - Oudtshoorn

Day 12: Oudtshoorn - de Hoop

Day 13: de Hoop - Hermanus

Day 14: Hermanus - Cape Town

Day 15: Cape Town and return flight

Day 16: Arrival / Return Germany

-

Itinerary:

Day 1: Departure Germany to South Africa (overnight)

Individually booked departure flight to Cape Town/South Africa (usually overnight flight)

-

Day 2: Arrival in Cape Town (ANEW Hotel Green Point, Cape Town)

Arrival at the completely newly built airport in Cape Town, where we will pick you up. Already the way to the hotel offers magnificent views of the city's dream scenery. We stay at the Anew Hotel, located in the heart of Cape Town right across the Greenpoint Park. Our modern hotel is not only in a great location, but also has the integrated Jaffer Modern Gallery which offers art exhibitions from Africa and the rest of the world. After checking in, a small welcome round will be organized for the group and then it's time to relax and discover Cape Town: a city tour on a double-decker to the classic city sights is just as much an option as an extended stroll on the nearby "Waterfront" at the harbor. We will have dinner together in a nice restaurant in the city.

-

Day 3: to the Cape of Good Hope (ANEW Hotel Green Point, Cape Town)

Today's stage, which we start right after the handover and briefing on GPS and motorcycles, takes us around the entire Cape Peninsula. Although the round is only about 140 km long, we already experience some highlights today. Almost the whole route consists of coastal roads and particularly interesting are the 9km of Chapmas Peak with its 114 curves. There is a lot more to see: the coastal towns of Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek, and Simonstown on the Indian Ocean or Scarborough and Houtbay, and the extravagant Camps Bay on the Atlantic coast. Of course, we will visit the Cape of Good Hope and the penguin colony at Boulders beach. In the evening we´ll meet again at our hotel and ride from there to dinner. (100% tarmac)

-

Day 4: Cape Town - Paarl (Pontac Manor Hotel)

Today we leave Cape Town heading east. The stage takes us through the world-famous wine-growing areas via Stellenbosch to Paarl. First, we pass Somerset West on the N2 and wind our way up Sir Lowry`s Pass. Then we turn inland on the R321, the road takes us past eucalyptus groves and large orchards to Elgin and Grabouw. Along the Theewaterskloofdam at the Theewaters Nature Reserve, we reach the La Rochelle Pass through the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, which leads us to the picturesque Franschhoek, a small French-influenced wine-growing town. Many small street cafes invite you to linger... From there we follow the Helshoogte Pass, finally, pass Stellenbosch on the R44, and arrive in the tranquil wine town of Paarl. (100% tarmac)

-

Day 5: Paarl - Cedar Mountains (Mount Ceder Guestcottages)

Today's stage is a leisurely ride that takes us into the remote Cedar Mountains. Leaving Paarl to the north, we pass through the picturesque town of Wellington and the famous Boschendal Winery before heading up the beautiful Bain's Kloof Pass through the Hawequas Nature Reserve. We meet for a delicious lunch under oaks and palm trees in the famous Church Street in Tulbagh, a small wine village in the Breede River valley. Afterward, the "Cape Scenic Route 62" leads us over Mitchell's Pass to Ceres, the heart of fruit growing. We ride through the large valley along nectarine and apricot orchards and we continue through the cultivated landscape via Prince Alfred Hamlet onto the Gydo Pass to the north. We will experience the charm of the barren Karoolandschaft that leads on wonderful gravel roads to the Blinkbergpass with its fabulous landscape scenery to the Mount Ceder Lodge. (70% tarmac, 30% gravel)

-

Day 6: Cedar Mountains - Montagu (Montagu Country Hotel)

Today the road leads us out of the Cedar Mountains back over the Blinkberg Pass and past striking sandstone formations until we turn east over the Katbakkies Pass onto the high plains of the Karoo countryside from where we enjoy magnificent views at 1000m altitude before descending the Peerboomskloof Pass to the R 355, the longest uninterrupted gravel road in South Africa. The upcoming 40 km of monotony are soon made up for. Some tarred sections and a short bridge on the national route N1 provide relaxation before we get back on beautiful gravel passages to the south. The fantastically beautiful Rooihoogte Pass lies before us and then come Burger's Pass and the Koo Valley that take us once more into the lovely valleys and orchards of our day's destination Montagu. The small town of Karoo invites you for a leisurely stroll along the streets. (40% tarmac, 60% gravel)

-

Day 7: Montagu - Prince Albert (Swartberg Hotel)

We leave the small town of Montagu in the morning. We head northeast through mountainous farmland, along the Anysberg Nature Reserve and plateaus of the Klein Karoo. The ride takes us over beautiful roads, such as the imposing Seweweekspoort (which was built by engineer Thomas Bain in 1862 like almost all the passes we ride through). A short stretch on the paved Route 62 takes us pleasantly over the Huisrivier Pass to Calitzdorp. Then we continue via partly narrow, jungle-like sections and idyllic gravel passes through small farmland along the Great Swartberg Mountains to Matjiesrevier, where the highlight of the day awaits us: the famous Swaartberg Pass, which we have to cross to get to Prince Albert. Over and over again, there are superb views and you have to decide whether you want to ride or look around...

-

Day 8: Prince Albert - "de Hell" or rest day (Swartberg Hotel)

Today we have the choice... either to rest at the pool (in case the party with Brian Finch on the previous evening was too exhausting) or take one of the most spectacular gravel pass rides in South Africa. The ride over "de Hell" (hell) to Gamkaskloof, a small fertile valley deep in the gorges of the Swartberg mountains, which can only be reached via a more than 1000m deep descent. A group of settlers had lived there, completely isolated, for almost 130 years. Their houses can still be visited and seen in their original state. However, only a few people make use of this opportunity. The route is characterized by gigantic rock formations and the steep serpentine descent with breathtaking views at the end. The fittest motorcyclists in the group should not miss this route in any case. (100% gravel)

-

Day 9: Prince Albert - Tsitsikamma (Tsitsikamma Village Inn)

Soon after leaving Prince Albert to the east, we turn south onto the paved, gorgeous Meiringspoort pass. A small waterfall with a large natural pool invites for a refreshment. Afterward, we pass the small farming town of de Rust, where the landscape is dominated by ostrich farms. We continue into the small Karoo near Uniondale. But then we ride through the plain, high on the impressive Prince Alfred Pass, cross deserted forests. The small river crossing and the landscape remind us of Alaska a little bit. Here, the memories of the gold miners and lumberjacks of yesteryear still live. We finally reach Plettenberg Bay riding through dense forest and following the N2 Garden Route to our next accommodation in the rustic Tsitsikamma National Park. Tsitsikamma Village, situated on the Storms River, is famous for its Cadillac hut, full of classic cars and Elvis memories. (50% tarmac, 50% gravel)

-

Day 10: Tsitsikamma - Knysna (Brenton Haven Beachfront Resort (RSA))

For those of you who would like that - swing in the morning into the African jungle with a "Canopy Tour". Explore the treetop bird's eye view from up to 30m in height! Then we set off for Knysna. On the Garden Route N2, we first pass the world's highest bungee jump point at the Bloukrans-Rivier Bridge and then continue to the Grootriver Pass through the dense primeval forests of the Nature Valley. We will be rewarded with a beautiful viewpoint of the Indian Ocean. The Garden Route takes us to Plettenberg Bay, from where we head back into the coastal hinterland. The lonely pass roads lead through the farmland, mountain scenery, and exciting dense jungle up to the "green hell", where elephants are said to have lived for a long time. The road "spits us out" again in Knysna. In the tropical-green town situated in a lagoon, where we end our evening. Here, the local Mitchell's beer and Knsyna's fresh oysters are considered to be legendary. (30% tarmac, 70% gravel)

-

Day 11: Knysna - Oudtshoorn (Mooiplaas Guesthouse)

Behind the lagoon of Knysna at the Indian Ocean, we soon disappear into dense forests and gorges over the Phantom Pass to the north. The picturesque old 7 Passes Route towards George leads us through long-forgotten forest stations and lets us cross numerous small crystal clear rivers. We reach Montagu Pass on a gravel road through vast farmland and ride up into the magnificent landscape of the Outeniqua Mountains. Descending again over the impressive Outeniqua Pass we finally reach George. The route now leads us on the western side along the Outeniqua Mountains. We ride through idyllic farmland on pleasing gravel roads to Robinson Pass at an altitude of just under 900m. We reach our next lodge "Mooiplaas", situated in the lonely expanse of the Klein Karoo. (20% tarmac, 80% gravel) Depending on the time available, a visit to the largest stalactite caves in the world, the Cango Caves, is possible in the afternoon.

-

Day 12: Oudtshoorn - de Hoop (De Hoop Nature Reserve)

We leave the guest farm riding off the parallel, longest wine route in the world (the R 62). We ride lonely roads through the Karoo up to the spectacular Rooiberg Pass. Endless wide views reward the sometimes hot ride in high altitudes. The gravel road leads us first via Vanwyksdorp to the tarred R 62 to Ladiesmith and Barrydale, where we turn off to the Tradouw Pass and reach the dreamy town of Swellendam. Finally, we cross the Breede River using the hand-operated ferry in Malaga's former inland harbor. The De Hoop Nature Reserve welcomes us with zebras and bonteboks along the way, the quarters are waiting in its unique fynbos scenery in a cozy ambiance under gigantic fig trees. (50% tarmac, 50% gravel)

-

Day 13: de Hoop - Hermanus (Windsor Hotel)

In the morning, we take a detour to the beautiful white sandy beach from where dolphins can often be seen. Then we set off for the southernmost point of Africa (Cape Agulhas), where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. The route takes us via Bredasdorp, Arniston, and Struisbaai, where small street cafes and a fish restaurant invite you to have lunch. Continuing to Hermanus, we cross vast farmland where numerous paradise cranes and storks can be seen. We pass a small, but famous place called Elim (an old Moravian mission station, still in a completely pristine condition.) We continue riding west and finally reach Hermanus along Walkerbay, the famous whale bay, where with a bit of luck and depending on the time of year, we might even be able to see a few humpback whales right in front of our hotel. (50% tarmac, 50% gravel).

-

Day 14: Hermanus - Cape Town (ANEW Hotel Green Point, Cape Town)

The last stage of our journey takes us to the oldest South African university town of Stellenbosch. But before we start to explore the beautiful coastal passes, we will take another trip to the northern inland. We leave Hermanus via the Hemel en Aarde pass towards Caledon to the picturesque artist town Greyton at the edge of the large forest reserve Riviersonderend. Cozy cafes give us a good reason to stop for a lunch break, in an unusual idyllic atmosphere under old oaks. The gravel roads then lead us all the way back down to Betty's Bay, where we can get a close-up view of the highly endangered South African penguins in the rocky bay. The picturesque coastal pass now takes us along Falsebay, where our eyes can hardly get enough of the turquoise sea and look out for dolphins. We then head inland Along the Strand promenade and passing Summerset West and Stellenbosch we are finally back in Cape Town, where we spend our last evening together in a nice restaurant. (100% tarmac)

-

Day 15: Cape Town and return flight

Depending on your return flight, you may be able to end this beautiful journey which offered diverse impressions in a leisurely manner. But at noon, at the latest, we have to vacate our accommodation... In any case, an airport shuttle leaves directly from the hotel.

-

Day 16: Arrival / Return Germany

Arrival in Frankfurt/Main in the early morning and, if necessary, onward travel by train or flight to your home town.