Adventure in South Africa

It is our only tour in South Africa: a 10-day adventure tour with 8 riding days, on a loop from Cape Town along the coast, Route 62, the Klein Karoo and the Great Karoo, then the Cape winelands. It is a tour of landscapes and tracks rather than a safari. It asks more of you than Rwanda, rated Intermediate, and has less off-road than An Adventure Tour across Maasai Lands in Tanzania, where two thirds of the route are tracks.

The level is Sustained: you need to ride regularly, have some off-road experience and good physical fitness. About 391 miles (630 km) are on tracks, close to 40% of the route, spread over 6 of the 8 riding days. The most technical track comes on day 4, heading into the Klein Karoo. Rain can make it harder, and some stages are far from medical help. A one-day off-road training course is a good way to prepare.

About 994 miles (1,600 km) over 8 riding days, from 90 to 174 miles (145 to 280 km) a stage. The longest, on day 3, includes 81 miles (130 km) of tracks to Cape Agulhas and on to Barrydale; on days 3 and 6, we set off early. On day 5, the climb over the Swartberg Pass, at 1,600 metres, depends on the weather. The last two stages, to the winelands and then round the Cape Peninsula, are easier going.

On day 2, lunch is at Betty’s Bay, next to a penguin colony. Day 3 leads to Cape Agulhas, the southern tip of Africa, and day 5 stops at an ostrich farm. On day 7, a jeep outing goes looking for wildlife in a remote reserve, followed by a braai in the evening. Day 8 crosses Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, in the heart of the winelands, and the last riding day takes in the Cape of Good Hope.

A Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, at ease on tarmac and tracks alike, looked after by our mechanic with spare parts on hand. Pillions are welcome, at £2,990 (€3,290) per pillion, as long as you are both comfortable with long days and hours on sometimes rough tracks. Luggage travels in the support vehicle. If in doubt, talk to your travel advisor before booking.

An English-speaking motorcycle tour leader leads the way on riding days. An experienced mechanic and the support vehicle driver follow with your luggage and the kit. There are no more than 10 motorcycles, or 12 participants counting pillions. If anything urgent happens, our team in France can be reached around the clock.

£3,590 (€3,990) per rider and £2,990 (€3,290) per pillion. The price includes the motorcycle, fuel, tolls, the team, accommodation, full board from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 10 and transfers from Cape Town airport. You pay for your flights, an international driving permit if you need one, drinks, entrance fees for visits, tips and a €600 deposit per motorcycle. The £31 (€35) registration fee only applies to your first trip with us.

The season runs from September to March, through the southern spring and summer; we avoid the Cape winter, which is colder and wetter. Next departures: 5 and 18 November 2026 (full), 6 to 15 February 2027, 26 September to 5 October 2027 and 12 to 21 February 2028. Other dates are possible on request from your travel advisor. Expect 10 to 25°C, cooler in the evening: bring a warm layer and rain gear.

The tour starts and ends in Cape Town. You fly into the international airport, where we meet you on day 1 and drive you to your hotel in the city centre. You meet the tour leader at the end of the day, so make sure you arrive in time. On day 10, your return transfer is timed to your flight, which sometimes leaves a few hours to enjoy the city.

A passport with two blank pages, valid for at least 30 days after you leave South Africa. UK and EU citizens do not need a visa for a tourist stay of up to 90 days. Bring your motorcycle licence: according to GOV.UK, a UK photocard licence is enough on its own, while a paper licence needs the 1968 international driving permit, and riders from elsewhere should carry an international driving permit. Every traveller must also fill in an online customs declaration before entering and before leaving. Your luggage travels in the support vehicle: bring a soft bag. We stay in standard to comfort hotels and guesthouses. Our list of documents for South Africa covers the rest.