Eden Escape (11 Days)

Terrain – Paved Road

It is the shortest of all our Africa motorcycle tours, but in no way does it offer riders less than what they expect. After arriving in Cape Town, riders get to explore the Cape Peninsula route taking them to the Cape of Good Hope inside the Cape Point Reserve at the southern tip of the peninsula.  During the circular motorcycle day journey, you experience the splendour of the Cape and ride the scenic Chapman’s Peak drive – a “bucket-list” ride on any riders list of dream routes.  After the riding is done there is a visit to the world-famous Table Mountain and the shopper’s paradise at the popular Victoria & Alfred Waterfront complex.

From Cape Town and the ever-present Table Mountain, the ride heads to Cape Agulhas.  We follow the scenic Clarens Drive along the eastern shores of False Bay as it hugs the Atlantic Ocean making its way to Hermanus and finally the southern tip of Africa.  After a night at the southernmost tip, we head to Knysna which is considered the capital of the Garden Route. Most of the ride to Knysna offers us panoramic views of the Outeniqua mountains and the Indian Ocean. Knysna has much to offer from food to postcard picture views to mountain passes.  It also boasts one of two motorcycle museums in South Africa.  After visiting the Knysna Heads viewpoint, showcasing the rugged Indian Ocean coastline, we head to the Tsitsikamma forest. Once wide-spread, the protected indigenous forest of the Tsitsikamma reduced drastically in size due to development and over-harvesting.  Today the Storms River National Coastal Park is one of a few protected areas where we can enjoy nature as it was intended to be.

From the Tsitsikamma our motorcycle journey continues to Addo National Park via Port Elizabeth.  Port Elizabeth was home to hundreds of British settlers who came to the Cape in 1820.  Our Addo stop includes a relaxing full day safari to this acclaimed national park, famous for its elephant population and Big 5 sightings.  After our safari at Addo, we head inland and ride the Karoo back-roads until we reach Oudtshoorn.  The town and region are famous for its ostrich farming activities and the popular Cango Caves.  Our tour includes a visit to both.  After the birds and the caves, we ride Route 62 (R62).  This scenic ride established itself as one of South Africa’s iconic motorcycle journeys to enjoy.  Route 62, with its sweeping roads and absence of traffic, where riders are surrounded by wide-open space flanked by mountains on either side, is on our itinerary. No motorcycle tour will be complete without the customary stop at the infamous Ronnie’s Sex Shop – ironically selling no sex, but plenty of beer.  This iconic stop, along with Diesel & Crème coffee bar in Barrydale, compliments Route 62 to the fullest and features on our bucket list.

We exit Route 62 at Montagu from where we head to Robertson in the Breede River valley.  Our last day of riding takes us to Cape Town.  En-route to the Mother City, we enjoy a fine detour via Franschhoek and traverse the enjoyable Franschhoek pass from where we get a 180˚view over the Drakenstein valley below.  Franschhoek welcomes us to the Cape Winelands region.  From here we set sail for Cape Town soon to set eyes on Table Mountain in the distance.

Our Garden Route Explore Motorcycle Tour covers some of the best routes in South Africa, in just 11 days. The thrill is immediate, but you’re left with a lifetime of memories to share.

• Day 1 – All participants arrive in Cape Town and meet for a late afternoon drink and informal briefing.
• Day 2 – After collecting the motorcycles and we head off along the Cape Peninsula Route.  We explore the popular Cape Peninsula from the saddle and head off to the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of the Cape Point Park.  After lunch we make our way back to the city along the Atlantic coast line.  This route includes the spectacular Chapmans Peak drive.  Visit the V&A Waterfront early evening.  (150km)
• Day 3 – Early morning we ride to Cape Agulhas via Hermanus.  We follow the scenic Clarens Drive as it meanders along the eastern shores of the False Bay coastline.  In Betty’s Bay we visit the Stony Point penguin sanctuary.  From Hermanus we set sail via a maze of inland roads to take us to the southern tip of Africa. (320km)
• Day 4 – From Cape Agulhas we ride to Knysna via Mossel Bay.   We wonder past miles of farmland in the Overberg region before joining the N2 road to explore the popular Garden Route region.  Mossel Bay is always a popular stop on the ride to the heartland of the Garden Route at Knysna. (390km)
• Day 5 – Our rest day in Knysna allows participants to explore the town or get to join some activities around Knysna or ride some of the popular routes around to Plettenberg Bay or George. (100km)
• Day 6 – From Knysna we continue along the N2 road to Addo.  We meander through the Tsitsikamma region where we stop at the world’s highest bungee jump at Bloukrans and visit the scenic Storms River coastal park.  (350km)
• Day 7 – Today is a rest day to be enjoyed on safari in the well-known Addo Elephant National Park.  After breakfast you will be picked up from your lodge and spend the day enjoying a safari in search of the Big 5.  (000km)
• Day 8 – When done in Addo we say goodbye and follow the Karoo backroads via Steytlerville and Willowmore where we experience the vastness of the semi-arid Karoo region. These backroads take us to Oudtshoorn which is known for its highly successful ostrich industry and the world renowned Cango Caves. (400km)
• Day 9 – Our journey for the day explores the ever-popular Route 62.  Not only is it the longest wine route on the planet, but the infamous Ronnie’s Sex Shop is along here, selling no sex, but plenty of beer, especially in the summer months.  Deception at its best, others call it clever marketing!  From Montagu, surrounded by vineyards and mountains, we enter the Breede River valley as we make our way to our small wine farm stay nearby. (320km)
• Day 10 – We stay in the winelands region where after we make our way to Franschhoek as we follow the scenic roads to Cape Town.  The numerous mountain passes across the mountains hugging the Cape Peninsula are extensive, but we pick one or two as our gateways to Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula where we end our Garden Route Tour in splendour before returning our motorcycles late afternoon. (250km)
• Day 11 – Today is a day at leisure to prepare for the journey back home.  For some, there will be a few hours to enjoy a last visit to the V&A Waterfront or maybe hike up Lions Heads or to relax on the beach at Camps Bay.  Bon Voyage and hope to see you soon!