Explore: from Cape Town to Johannesburg
South African motorcycle dream
This is what is waiting for you
South Africa on two wheels
Starting from Cape Town, your route will take you to some of the most beautiful places and landscapes that this extraordinary country has to offer. Ride along route 62 to the Wild Coast, to Zululand, and go on a safari at the Krüger National Park. Experience the magic of South Africa through its unique cuisine and enjoy the thrills of this 3,800-kilometre-long route.
Your complete carefree package
All you have to do is arrive, and our partner will take care of everything else. Your BMW GS is already waiting for you, and all of the planning for the ideal route, first-class accommodation, and authentic local restaurants will be taken care of for you.
Certified BMW Motorrad tour guides
Experienced instructors accompany you on your journey and always provide expert information as well as some useful hints and tips. Small group sizes allow for optimal individual guidance and will make your trip an extraordinary one.
Itinerary
- Day 1 – Day 2
- Day 3 – Day 4
- Day 5 – Day 6
- Day 7 – Day 8
- Day 9 – Day 10
- Day 11 – Day 12
- Day 13 – Day 14
Breathtaking views around Cape Town
After arriving at the airport in Cape Town, your tour guide will take you straight to the hotel. After a relaxing break and a bite to eat, you will receive your first briefing about the route in the afternoon. Here, you can get to know the other participants on the tour, before going on a city tour of Cape Town and enjoying an evening at a local restaurant.
On the second day, you will have the opportunity to get on your motorbike for the first time. After a filling breakfast, you set off in the direction of False Bay. You’ll make a quick stop in Simon’s Town to enjoy the view of the penguins on Boulders Beach. After a short ride to the Cape of Good Hope, you will have time to take a quick break and enjoy a snack before making your way to Scarborough, Kommetjie, and Noordhoek. Riding along Chapman’s Peak Drive, the world-famous coastal road, will give you a breathtaking view of the ocean, before you return to the hotel in the late afternoon.
Stunning mountain passes and the ostrich capital
On the third day, you will cover some 354 kilometres. After starting your day in Cape Town, you will ride through the picturesque region of Paarl, which marks the beginning of some beautiful passes. The first of which is Bain’s Kloof Pass, which you will ride along before taking a lunch break in Tulbagh. In the afternoon, you continue along Michel’s Pass to Touwsrivier, via Ceres. Shortly after, you can let the breathtaking view of the beautiful Koo Valley sink in, before checking into a charming guesthouse in the late evening and enjoying a delicious dinner.
The journey continues at around nine o’clock in the morning on the fourth day. After passing through Ladismith, you’ll ride along the Huisriver Pass to Calitzdorp, which is known for its exquisite port wines and sherries. Today’s destination is located just outside of the city of Oudtshoorn, and it is also known as the ostrich capital of South Africa! Here, you can take stock of the day’s events over a tasty ostrich steak and let all of your experiences from the day sink in.
Along the coast of the Eastern Cape
On your fifth day, before you’ve even had breakfast, you’ll have the opportunity to ride on one of the most spectacular mountain passes in South Africa: the Swartberg Pass. After the first highlight of the day, there are still more to come after you’ve enjoyed some breakfast! You will leave Kleine Karoo and ride along the Outeniqua Pass to reach George, where you will continue on towards the eastern coast. You will be able to enjoy the breathtaking views for while along the way, before passing through the famous coastal cities of Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, before checking in to your hotel in Jeffrey’s Bay at the end of the day.
The sixth day takes you further along the rugged coastline of the Eastern Cape, passing by several estuaries, including at Kenton on Sea, Port Alfred, and East London. From here, you head inland again for the first time, and then back to the coast to reach Cintsa, where your accommodation for the night awaits you.
From the Wild Coast to the Indian Ocean
On the seventh day, your route will take you along the Wild Coast, through Transkei to Nelson Mandela’s birthplace: Qunu. From here, it’s only 23 kilometres to go before you reach Mthatha, the capital of this region. The last stop of the day awaits you, not far from there: The Umngazi River Mouth, which itself is only a short ride from Port St. Johns. You will spend two nights here so that you can properly immerse yourself in the magnificent natural beauty of the area.
On the eighth day, your time is your own. You’ll wake up in the middle of a breathtaking landscape, where the Umngazi River meets the Indian Ocean. Put your feet up on a secluded beach, or explore the region around Port St. Johns with your BMW Motorrad. You can look forward to enjoying spectacular views over the ocean and the city, and the trip is the perfect length for a one-day trip at 113 kilometres.
A journey through African culture
After a relaxing day, you can look forward to a trip inland to the KwaZulu-Natal region on the ninth day, covering a distance of approximately 482 kilometres. You’ll ride along a steep slope, through Lusikisiki and Flagstaff, where you’ll see all of the clichés associated with Africa. Here, the order of the day involves buying a chicken or goat for dinner from a merchant at the edge of the city. After a brief ride through Kokstad, an endless road will take you through the hilly landscape of KwaZulu-Natal. You will pass by two more cities – Umzimkulu and Ixopo – before making your way towards Mooi River for the final stage.
The tenth day has some breathtaking views in store for you. At the heart of KwaZulu-Natal, you will pass through the picturesque cities of Greytown, Dundee, and Vryheid, and you can take some time to absorb all of your impressions from the trip in peace. Today’s destination is a wildlife reserve at the Pongola River and at the Jozini Dam. Here, you will be served dinner in typical African accommodation – a boma – while the sounds of Africa make their way indoors.
Relaxing with a breathtaking view
On the eleventh day, you can enjoy a break from the long stages of the trip thus far. In Pongola, you can indulge yourself in the magnificent opportunities the African region has to offer. Go on a safari and discover wild animals you’ve never seen before, or go on a boat trip in the afternoon. The deck at the lodge is a particularly peaceful place to relax, and offers an extraordinary view of Africa’s natural beauty.
Day twelve begins with a scenic ride past the sugarcane plantations, up a steep slope. From Piet Retief, you will ride along the streets of Amsterdam and Badplaas to reach Barberton for a lunch break. The Hilltop Pass towards Nelspruit will take you further along the western border of the Krüger National Park in a northward direction, via the White River to reach Hazyview. Here, you will spend two nights at a guesthouse close to the Krüger National Park.
A safari to the Big Five
On the 13th day, the bikes will be taking a break. You will have the unique opportunity to observe Africa’s Big Five on a safari. Endless horizons, wild animals, and extraordinary natural beauty will give you an unforgettable experience with an African flavour. If you still fancy a trip with your BMW Motorrad, the Panorama Route is just outside the door. Passing by Pilgrim’s Rest, God’s Window, and the Blyde River Canyon will leave you captivated by the beauty of Africa – just in case you weren’t already.
The last day is here and there’s still more to come! One final ride takes you to Johannesburg, or better said, to Egoli, which is translated literally as ‘Place of Gold’. The official end to your Africa trip will be the airport in Johannesburg, where you will get on your flight home jam-packed with new memories from your 14-day tour.
Let yourself be captivated by the landscape and culture of South Africa on a 14-day-long adventure.
”Jurgen Muess
CEO of Karoo Biking CC
Experience details
Additional options
Additional options
Your journey takes place on a BMW F 800 GS. If you would like to ride a different model, you can choose from the following models for an additional charge:
- BMW F 900 GS: EUR 150
- BMW R 1250 RT: EUR 900
- BMW R 1300 GS: EUR 1,100
The single room supplement is EUR 620.
The price for one passenger is EUR 3,700.
The bike used for the tour, the BMW GS
The bike used for the tour, the BMW GS
The BMW GS family makes every surface you will find on the tour a uniquely enjoyable riding experience. Don't lose sight of your destination if you wish to expand your horizons. Thanks to their comprehensive equipment, you can adjust the bikes to your needs with ease, allowing you to enjoy each and every second.
The motorcycles may vary from the ones depicted. The image serves only to represent the product family.
Frequently asked questions
Simply use the contact form to send us your enquiry. To do this, use the “Send request now” button and enter your contact details.
Select the options that best suit your needs from the services offered in the following overview. Our partner providing the service will immediately submit an offer tailored to your wishes and will be happy to answer any further questions you may have.
Please note that submitting an enquiry to our partner does not constitute a confirmed booking. The booking will be confirmed directly between you and our partner in the next step.
The package is organised by our partner Karoo Biking CC. Our partner organises the experience independently and offers it to the participants in its own name. All the information relating to this offer, including pricing, was provided by the FUEL FOR LIFE partner.
If you have any questions about this offer, the Karoo Biking CC team would be glad to help. You can reach our partner at the following email address: hello@karoo-biking.de
We, the FUEL FOR LIFE team, are also happy to help you at any time. You can email us at the following address: fuelforlife@bmw-motorrad.com
Organising partner
Our partner Karoo Biking CC have made it their mission to share their passion for motorcycling tours with others. With their headquarters in Cape Town, South Africa, they are the perfect point of contact for anybody wishing to escape the cold winter weather. With plenty of professionalism and infectious optimism, the team operates motorcycling tours through the whole of South Africa, and takes participants on a very special journey.
