Tour Overview
South Africa is a country that rewards the motorcyclist like no other — a vast, wild nation where every landscape is cinematic, every pass is a masterpiece, and every stretch of road opens onto something extraordinary. This nine-day circuit from Cape Town is among the finest riding itineraries on the African continent, taking in the entire sweep of the Western Cape.
From the vertiginous cliffs of Chapman's Peak Drive to the towering forest canopy of Tsitsikamma, the moonscape semi-desert of the Great Karoo, and the legendary Swartberg Pass — one of Africa's most celebrated mountain roads — this tour covers ~2,200 km of riding that will stay with you long after you've touched down back home. October–November brings warm spring weather, wildflowers in the Western Cape, and whale-watching along the Hermanus coast.
Route Map
Day-by-Day Itinerary
| Day | Date | Route | Activity | Meals | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Oct 27 | Cape Town | Arrival at Cape Town International. Bike handover, Table Mountain cable car, welcome dinner with views over the Atlantic. | Meals included — Dinner | — km |
| Day 2 | Oct 28 | Cape Peninsula Loop | Chapman's Peak Drive, Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Boulder's Beach penguin colony — a full day on Africa's most dramatic peninsula. | Meals included — Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | 180 km |
| Day 3 | Oct 29 | Cape Town → Swellendam | Hermanus whale-watching coast, the Overberg passes, and picturesque Swellendam — one of South Africa's oldest towns. | Meals included — Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | 280 km |
| Day 4 | Oct 30 | Swellendam → George | Begin the Garden Route proper — Mossel Bay, the Wilderness lagoon, the Outeniqua Pass, arriving in George with ocean views throughout. | Meals included — Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | 250 km |
| Day 5 | Oct 31 | George → Tsitsikamma | Outeniqua Pass, Knysna Heads sea cliffs, the ancient yellowwood forests of Tsitsikamma — South Africa's Garden Route at its wildest. | Meals included — Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | 220 km |
| Day 6 | Nov 1 | Tsitsikamma → Port Elizabeth | Storms River Gorge suspension bridge, Bloukrans Bridge (world's highest commercial bungee jump — optional). Arrive Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha). | Meals included — Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | 200 km |
| Day 7 | Nov 2 | Port Elizabeth → Graaff-Reinet | Leave the coast behind and enter the vast Great Karoo semi-desert. Valley of Desolation, ancient dolerite columns, and the jewel-like Graaff-Reinet. | Meals included — Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | 350 km |
| Day 8 | Nov 3 | Karoo → Cape Town | The grand finale — the legendary Swartberg Pass (2,200m, unpaved). Descend through Prince Albert, the winelands of Paarl, and back to Cape Town. | Meals included — Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | 450 km |
| Day 9 | Nov 4 | Cape Town | Farewell breakfast, bike return. Departure transfers to Cape Town International Airport. | Meals included — Breakfast | — km |
Motorcycle Options
-
BMW F 800 GS -
BMW R 1250 GS -
BMW R 1300 GS -
BMW R 1300 GSA
Tour Inclusions
- BMW motorcycle rental (F800 GS / R1250 GS / R1300 GS / R1300 GS Adventure) with insurance & fuel
- 8 nights twin-share lodges & hotels
- All breakfasts + welcome & farewell dinners
- MotoRover tour manager + local South African guide
- Support vehicle + dedicated mechanic
- GPS units & detailed route maps
- Airport transfers (Cape Town)
- National park & nature reserve entry fees
- Tour merchandise
- GST & TCS included
Optional Services
- Single Room Supplement USD 420
- Extra Night in Cape Town (Twin) USD 200
- Extra Night in Cape Town (Single) USD 170
Tour Exclusions
- International flights (typically INR 55,000–75,000 return from India)
- Lunches & most dinners (est. ZAR 300–500/day)
- Riding gear & helmet
- Personal travel insurance (from India, budget roughly INR 3,000–4,000)
- Personal expenses
- Single room supplement (optional) — from ZAR ~8,500 when available; confirm at booking
Tour Details
Food and Water
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner as per the itinerary (Veg/Non-Veg)
Accommodation
4* Hotels & Boutique stays in great locations
Total Travel Distance
1650 Kms
Riding / Driving Time
4-6hrs every day with multiple breaks
Terrain
80% tarmac roads, 20% smooth dirt roads
Air Connectivity
Several airlines like Emirates, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and Qatar Airways offer connecting flights with layovers in their respective hubs.
Weather Forecast
Warm weather with increasing rainfall, particularly in the afternoons. Temperatures range from the mid-60s to the low 90s Fahrenheit (18°C to 33°C), depending on the region.
Additional Costs
Airfare – INR 54,000 Onwards
Visa – Approx INR 3500
Personal Travel Insurance – INR 2000 to 3000
Tour Video
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Rider Testimonials
Real, verified Google reviews from riders who have toured with MotoRover.