Eden Experience (14 Day)

Terrain – Paved Road

The 14-day Garden Route Motorcycle Tour spoils the rider with landscapes ranging from scenic coastal roads along the Cape Peninsula to the rugged coastline of the Garden Route as well as the infinite vastness of the Great Karoo. Certain sections of the 14-day tour is like the shorter 11-day motorcycle tour with the major difference being a visit to Graaff Reinet. This historic town is situated in the north east of the Eastern Cape and the 4th oldest town in South Africa. A well-known landmark outside of Graff Reinet is the Valley of Desolation which we visit. Riders joining the 14-day motorcycle tour explores the best of the Cape Peninsula all the way to the Cape of Good Hope situated in the Cape Point Reserve which is part of the Table Mountain National park. Early in the tour we ride the scenic Clarence Drive when on our way to visit Cape Agulhas, the place where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet – aka as the southernmost tip of Africa. From Cape Agulhas your ride heads down the Garden Route to Knysna where riders have some time off to relax and explore the mountain passes over the Outeniqua mountains or perhaps indulge in some of the tourist activities around the Plettenberg Bay area.

When we say goodbye to Knysna we follow the road to Addo where riders can view the world’s highest bungee jump at Bloukrans. The scenic Tsitsikamma coastline where the Storms River mouth into the Indian ocean is situated nearby the bungee jumping and worth a visit. Time permitting, riders can visit Port Elizabeth with its beautiful beaches and beachfront before we are off to Addo Elephant Park. Our two nights stay near the Addo Park allows ample time to enjoy a full day safari in search of the Big 5. We say goodbye to the coastal region and head north explore the plains of the Karoo. We pass by numerous frontier towns before we enter the Camdeboo, as this region is known. At the Valley of Desolation, we bask in the stillness which blankets the Karoo from up above at the viewpoint. From Graaff Reinet we head to Oudtshoorn which is known for the Cango Caves and its ostrich farming industry 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 days 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. After spending a night in the winelands region, we set sail for Cape Town passing through Stellenbosch before we 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 14 days. The thrill is immediate, but you’re left with a lifetime of memories to share. Safe travels!

Day 1 – All participants arrive in Cape Town and meet for a late afternoon drink and informal briefing. 000km

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. Our journey follows the scenic Clarens Drive as it meanders along the eastern shores of the False Bay coastline. In Betty’s Bay we visit a protected 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 – After Cape Agulhas our next stop is Knysna. We wonder past miles of farmland in the Overberg region before joining the N2 road. From here we explore the popular Garden Route and briefly stop in Mossel Bay. We pass through the lakes district before arriving in Knysna, the heartland of the Garden Karoo. 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. Riders can enjoy some mountain passes, both on and off road, in the surrounding area of the Garden Route. 100km

Day 6 – From Knysna we continue along the N2 road to Addo. We meander through the Tsitsikamma region where the world’s highest bungee jump at Bloukrans is found and visit the scenic Storms River coastal park. 350km

Day 7 – Today is a rest day which participants can enjoy on safari in the well-known Addo Elephant National Park. After breakfast you will be picked to enjoy the day on safari in search of the Big 5 and other wildlife. 000km

Day 8 – We say goodbye to Addo and head inland. We follow the deserted Karoo backroads via numerous frontier towns and reach Graaff Reinet early afternoon. Our last stop for the day is a late afternoon visit to the Valley of Desolation where one can experience the vastness of the Great Karoo region. 360km

Day 9 – We are not done with the deserted Karoo roads as we head down to Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo. The region is well known for its highly successful ostrich industry and the breath taking Cango Caves. 435km

Day 10 – The Klein Karoo justifies a rest day – there is the caves and ostriches. The road to Prince Albert via the scenic Meiringspoort is worth a ride and for the adventure riders the dramatic Swartberg pass is a must-do ride. 000km

Day 11 – Our ride for the day includes the ever-popular Route 62. Not only is it the longest wine route on the planet, but the well-known Ronnie’s Sex Shop is along here. It sells no sex, but plenty of beer, especially in the summer months. Deception at its best some say, we 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 12 – We remain in the winelands region for most of the day where after we make our way to Franschhoek following the scenic mountain rides to the Cape. The numerous mountain passes across the mountains hugging the Cape Peninsula are extensive, but we pick a few to ride and take us to Franschhoek. 200km

Day 13 – Our journey is nearly over and today we visit Stellenbosch, the 2nd oldest town in SA. From here we take stock of what is still on the Cape’s bucket list to ride and end our day with a few scenic stops before returning our motorcycles late afternoon. 200km

Day 14 – 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!