Motorcycle Tours in South Africa
Riding motorcycles in South Africa with its wide-open spaces, spectacular scenery, and incredible wildlife is a bucket list experience for any two-wheeled traveler. Starting in Cape Town and the point of Cape Agulhas marking the location where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Indian Ocean and riding the country’s stunning coastal routes and mountain passes, as well as going on wildlife safaris and wine tasting expeditions are all part of motorcycle tours in South Africa, and it’s an adventure you won’t forget quickly. South Africa is one of the most accessible, developed, and scenic countries to explore on the entire African continent. Whether you’re riding a Harley Davidson or braving South Africa’s gravel roads on a BMW GS adventure motorcycle, you’re guaranteed to experience the best that the country has to offer. Riding motorcycles in South Africa is a combination of nature, culture, and wildlife. From the cheerful bars and restaurants in Cape Town to the peace and quiet of the enormous Kruger National Park, South Africa offers so much it’s hard to fit everything into just one tour. If you have the time, however, you can combine your South Africa adventure with the neighboring Namibia, Botswana, or Mozambique, or put your off-road skills to the test venturing into the Kingdom of Lesotho next door. Motorcycle tours in South Africa focus on the beautiful coastal roads, game and wildlife sightseeing, mountain twisties, and African hospitality. An assault of smells, sounds, sights, and diverse landscapes await on your South Africa motorcycle adventure, and there’s simply no place like it on Earth.
Motorcycle Tours in South Africa: Highlights
Whether you’re sticking to tarmac twisties or going on an all-terrain adventure, some of the motorcycling destinations here are a must. Here is a list of our favorite highlights when riding motorcycles in South Africa: Cape Town The capital city of South Africa, Cape Town is famous for its colorful and vibrant lifestyle, amazing surfing spots, colonial architecture mingling with modern design, and its buzzing harbor. Situated against the jaw-dropping view of the Table Mountain with vistas of the turquoise blue Table Bay, the Mother City is an excellent starting point for motorcycle tours in South Africa. Just a little over 200 kilometers southeast of Cape Town lies Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa and the dividing marker between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Known as one of the great capes of the world, Cape Agulhas is on the traditional clipper route used for centuries, and the name owes itself to Portuguese sailors who were exploring the South African shores as early as the sixteenth century. Garden Route Starting a few hours outside of Cape Town, the Garden Route is South Africa’s most beloved motorcycling road. Offering some three hundred kilometers of coastline between Mossel Bay and Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route is found on the itineraries of most motorcycle tours in South Africa because of its generous curves, beautiful views, and sun-drenched bliss. The shoreline here is marked by mountains tumbling down into the ocean, wild beaches and bays, and dramatic scenery. One of the most popular holiday destinations in South Africa, the Garden Route is sometimes likened to the Pacific Coast Highway in the US. Sani Pass Easily the most famous – or infamous, depending how you look at it – mountain pass in South Africa, Sani Pass lies between the border of Lesotho. Starting at over 1,500-meter altitude, Sani Pass is famous for its adrenaline-inducing switchbacks and steep ascents requiring some skill to negotiate. Only off-road capable motorcycles and 4x4 are allowed on the Sani Pass as the road is not paved, so you’ll need to brush up on your dirt riding skills to experience this road. The highest point on Sani Pass is over 2,800 metres revealing the spectacular views of the mountains. All of Sani Pass lies in the South African territory, so if you’re not planning to go into Lesotho, simply turn around at the border and double back. Most motorcycle tours in South Africa add Sani pass on their itineraries as one of the most astonishing highlights on the trip. Kruger National Park Situated in the northeastern part of South Africa and bordering Mozambique and Zimbabwe, the Kruger National Park is an iconic safari destination. One of the largest game reserves on the entire African continent, Kruger covers over seven thousand square miles of pristine wilderness, vast landscapes, and diverse wildlife. Out here, you can see Africa's Big Five: elephants, rhinos, leopards, lions, and buffalo roam the park freely, and it‘s not uncommon to see a pride of lions sunning themselves right on the access roads. Motorcycles are not allowed into the Park, and you‘ll need to go on an organized safari to see the wildlife, but this is the one safari that is simply a must in Africa. Most South Africa motorcycle tours make a stop in the Kruger National Park for that ultimate game viewing experience, and it‘s not to be missed on your trip.
Practical Information for Touring South Africa
When planning motorcycle tours in South Africa, remember that the seasons here are reversed because of its location in the Southern Hemisphere. The best time to visit is the South African winter between May and September, especially for wildlife safaris as the cooler months provide the best conditions. South Africa uses rand as its official currency, and it’s a relatively affordable country to travel. Expect to spend around $70-80 a day on your food, fuel, and accommodation here, unless your stays are included in the tour package. South Africa is a safe country to travel but do be wary in places like Cape Town and Johannesburg where crime rates are higher. Keep an eye on your belongings and don’t wander into sketchier parts of town at night. Depending on what type of riding you’re planning to do, motorcycle choices can range from road-ready Harley models to adventure bikes such as the BMW GS series. South Africa has an excellent road infrastructure and can be experienced both on and off the road.
