BAVIAANSKLOOF /  GARDEN ROUTE

Baviaanskloof World Heritage Site

Experience the natural beauty of the Garden Route and the Baviaanskloof World Heritage Reserve on an adventure motorcycle. Our journey begins in Cape Town, travelling through the Cape Winelands to the coast at the southern most tip of Africa and on to the splendor of the Garden Route. We head inland over the spectacular Swartberg Mountains into the rugged Karoo landscapes before reaching Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve. Nine days of riding through the most beautiful region of South Africa.

An added bonus would be to schedule a zipline tour with Cape Canopy Tours for a breathtaking two-hour canopy tour suspended high above the Hottentots Holland World Heritage site, voted second best new attraction in the world 2015 by The Lonely Planet.

Day 2: Hermanus. Scenic ride through the Cape Winelands to the seaside resort village of Hermanus. (land based whale watching July – October)

Highlights include the iconic Franschhoek mountain pass and Walker Bay

Day 3:Swellendam. Lovely gravel tracks on our route to the southern most tip of Africa, meeting point of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. We cross the Breede River on a unique hand pulled ferry before reaching our lodgings in Swellendam, South Africa’s oldest magisterial district.

Day 4: Calitzdorp. Our journey takes us inland over the Tradouw’s and Rooiberg (red mountain) passes to our luxury guesthouse at Calitzdorp. The town is the gateway to the semi-desert Karoo region, famous for port wines, merino sheep and windmills throughout the farmlands.

Day 5: Prince Albert. A beautiful valley road leads us to the famous Cango Caves before we straddle the majestic Swartberg Pass, our favorite gravel mountain pass to the picturesque Karoo desert town of Prince Albert. After riding some of the finest gravel roads on the planet we enjoy superb local cuisine in one the towns renowned restaurants.

Day 6: Groot Brak. Meiringspoort, a heritage roadway through a stunning mountain gorge is followed by the beautiful Montagu Pass (gravel) to the start of the garden Route near Mosselbay. The desert landscapes change to the rich coastal fynbos vegetation that gives the distinctive aroma of the garden Route. We get the rare opportunity to walk with lions in the afternoon before settling at our luxury seafront guesthouse.

Day 7:: Baviaanskloof.Our ride takes us through the City of George to the indigenous forest roads that lead us to the beautiful village of Knysna and beyond to the start of the show piece of the tour, Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area. A fantastic day of forest riding with lunch in the waterfront precinct of Knysna town. We take in the night sky and peace of the Baviaanskloof (Valley of baboons).

Day 8: Baviaanskloof. A special day riding the magnificent reserve, over rough mountain passes, dozens of flowing rivers through a floral and animal rich kingdom. This narrow gorge between the Kouga & Baviaans mountains that stretches about 200km from east to west is home to large herds of free roaming antelope, buffalo, rhino, leopard and many other species.

Day 9: Port Elizabeth. Our final time in the Baviaanskloof before riding the scenic riverside gravel track to our tour end in the city of Port Elizabeth. We share our final dinner at a beachfront restaurant.

Day 10:Home. Final transfer to the airport as we make our way home.

We recommend some off road riding experience before you attempt this tour.
We can schedule a one day off road training session with an experienced ride instructor if you would prefer to sharpen your riding skills, or just to get the feel of the bike before the tour.

Or consider a discounted ‘WildWood Cape Peninsula’ tour the day prior to our departure and get to see what Cape Town has to offer, with it’s magical coastline, Cape Point Nature Reserve, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Signal Hill, Table Mountain, not forgetting the famous African penguin colony at Boulders Beach, Simon’s Town.

Price includes bike rental, an experienced rider guide, back up vehicle for groups of four or more or let us quote if less, bed and breakfast, as well as selected suppers.