19 Day Johannesburg to Cape Town Guided Tour

A guided tour from iconic Johannesburg to Cape Town

AT A GLANCE

Over the course of 19 days, comprising 17 riding days and 19 nights of accommodation, you’ll embark on an incredible journey. It all begins in the vibrant city of Johannesburg, before setting your course towards the renowned Kruger National Park. From there, your adventure will take you along the untamed coast of Kwazulu-Natal.

As you head southward, prepare to be captivated by the breathtaking landscapes that mark the beginning of the Garden Route in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).

The journey continues with a scenic route through Knysna and a captivating detour into the Ostrich world of Oudtshoorn.

Lastly, you’ll make your way to the enchanting Cape Winelands and the panoramic Coastal Peaks of the Cape Peninsula, bringing your unforgettable expedition to a close.

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Duration
17 Riding Days and 19 Nights Accommodation
Weather
Spring / Summer
Temperature
25 C – 35 C
Distance
3667 km / 2279 miles
Mountain Passes
Experience unforgettable mountain passes
Superb Accommodation
Enjoy superb accommodation
Support Vehicle
Support Vehicle, Driver/Sweeper, Luggage Transport / Assist

TOUR PRICE & DATES

Prices & Dates of this Tour

Prices To Be Confirmed Soon…

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Dates To Be Confirmed Soon…

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PRE-TRIP

Welcome to the Mother City, Cape Town!

The Hotel’s Shuttle Service will meet you at Cape Town International Airport and transport you to your hotel (about half an hour’s drive).

Your hotel is walking distance (one block)! from V & A Waterfront with “millions “of restaurants, shops and activities.

A Pre-Tour Briefing and African themed dinner will conclude the day.

OUR ITINERARY

Daily Distances and Destinations

DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5 DAY 6 DAY 7 DAY 8 DAY 9 & 10 DAY 11 DAY 12 & 13 DAY 14 DAY 15 DAY 16 DAY 17

DAY 1

JOHANNESBURG > DULLSTROOM

The little town of Dullstroom in South Africa’s famous Mpumalanga province was named after the Scottish Highlands, as the area around the hotel has many similarities to the Northern country of the British Kingdom and its over 2100 m in altitude. The hotel was formerly known as Peebles Country Retreat and is voted as most romantic hotel during the international Luxury Hotel of the yar awards.

This famous Dullstroom countryside retreat is renowned for its Art of Food at Chapter One restaurant and it’s Whiskey, Oysters and Champagne bar. The Highlander is an exclusive retreat, set in the heart of the magnificent trout fishing village of Dullstroom.

It reveals the timelessness of a bygone era combined with luxury, elegance and breath taking surroundings. Your hosts welcome you to this gracious country house with personal service and attention to detail.

Activities are High Altitude Training, Bird Watching, Horse Riding, Trout Fishing, Arts & Entertainment, Hiking and more…

Total kilometers: 256 kms / 160 miles

DAY 2

DULLSTROOM > KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

With all the wildlife that calls Africa home, Kruger National Park in northeastern South Africa is home to all the continent’s most famous species, including over 12,000 elephants, 27,000 African Buffalo, 2,000 leopards, and 2,800 lions. It’s also regarded as the most likely place in the world to see a leopard.

Where nearly 2 million hectares of unrivaled diversity of life forms fuses with historical and archaeological sights – this is REAL AFRICA. The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa!

Your upmarket luxury hotel at the Kruger Gate Hotel is set in a tranquil riverine woodland of immense African trees and rich birdlife, with uninterrupted views over the Sabie riverbed into the world-famous Kruger National Park.

This is a range of elegant accommodation with refined Africa-inspired décor, all rooms have ensuite bathrooms, air-conditioning, free wi-fi and in-room dining. This is a stunning lodge-style hotel, with soaring walkways and treetop ambiance.

Total kilometers: 207 kms / 128 miles

DAY 3

DULLSTROOM > KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

Each of the comfortably furnished 96 luxury en-suite bedrooms at Kruger Gate makes guests feel part of nature. One of the unique features at this safari lodge retreat near the Kruger National Park is the Tree House which provides an opportunity to experience sleep out under the stars.

Open Vehicle Shared Safaris available daily – mornings, afternoons and/or full days. The South African National Parks’ senior guides boast the highest guiding qualifications obtainable in South Africa, meeting the most stringent requirements. The park spans through six different ecosystems.

Total kilometers: Rest Day

DAY 4

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK > ERMELO

Ermelo is the educational, industrial and commercial centre of the Gert Sibande District in Mpumalanga. It is both a mixed agriculture and mining region. Ruins of a settlement dating to 1400 have been found in the area, however Ermelo was founded by Dutch Reformed Church Reverend Frans Cachet in 1880 and named after the town of Ermelo in the Netherlands.

During the Second Boer war the town was reduced to a single standing home and rebuild in 1903. Ermelo Inn is set the southern part of Mpumalanga in the South African Highveld. Ermelo can be seen as the Gateway to the fascinating Kingdom of Eswatini formerly known as Swaziland.

Accommodation on Day 4 will be at the Three Star graded Ermelo Inn. The Ermelo Inn offers rooms with full air-conditioning, satellite TV, Tea & Coffee station. The restaurant and bar are open 7 days a week for breakfast and dinner, and offers buffet and a la carte

Total kilometers: 317 kms / 197 miles

DAY 5

ERMELO > CLARENS

Day 5 takes us from Ermelo to Clarens. Clarens is a small town situated in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains in the Free State province of South Africa and nicknamed the “Jewel of the Eastern Free State”. It was established in 1912 and named after the town of Clarens in Switzerland.

Set in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains, this we will be staying at the 4 Star Marriott Hotel just 1.4 km from The Clarens Golf Estate and 20.8 km from Golden Gate Highlands National Park.

The polished rooms with mountain views offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and tea and coffeemaking facilities. Upgraded rooms add minifridges and balconies.

The contemporary restaurant serves a breakfast buffet, plus a la carte lunch and dinner. Other amenities include an outdoor pool, an airy bar and a sundeck, all with mountain views.

Total kilometers: 329 km / 204 miles

DAY 6

CLARENS > HIMEVILLE

Himeville is a small village/town situated in the foothills of the picturesque Southern Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, approximately 130 km from Pietermaritzburg. It is a landmark en route to the world-famous Sani Pass and the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park.

Moorcroft Manor is the ultimate Boutique Country Hotel in the Southern Drakensberg.
With 12 luxurious rooms, nestled in Himeville at the foot of South Africa’s highest mountain range, it offers a magical experience.

The hotel offers adventure opportunities for those who enjoy exploring the mountains on foot, horseback, or bike. Moorcroft Manor combines old-world country charm with modern comforts, featuring original African artworks and retaining some of the original farmhouse’s features.

The dining experience is exceptional, whether it’s a day visit for lunch or weekend brunch on the terrace, or dinner in the fantastic restaurant surrounded by the majestic uKhahalamba Mountains.

Total kilometers: 401 kms / 249 miles

DAY 7

HIMEVILLE > ELLIOT (BARKLY EAST)

Barkly East is a town in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, seat of the Joe Gqabi District Municipality, and situated in the mountainous area just south of Lesotho.

The Mountain Shadows Hotel is situated amongst the picturesque mountains of the Southern Drakensberg Mountains, in the heart of the Eastern Cape. In the Drakensberg range, each season has its own beauty and sandstone formations form part of the environment.

The hotel is at the top of the Barkly Pass with a height of 1990 meter above sea level. It is on the scenic R58 Route between Barkly-East and Elliot.

It is on the scenic R58 Route between Barkly-East and Elliot. Be amazed by the creation of God’s hand and move freely where time and space have no limits and gaze at millions of stars, seemingly so close that you can touch them by hand.

Total kilometers: 369 kms / 229 miles

DAY 8

ELLIOT > QOLOHA

Qoloha is a populated place and is located in Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The estimate terrain elevation above seallevel is 353 metres.

Set in idyllic Transkei surroundings, views from the hotel range from the stunning Wild Coast beaches to the green and lush, tropical vegetation. The Hotel is known for its light, breezy and spacious chalets. Dinner and full buffet or English breakfast guaranteed to suit any palate. A seafood feast is served Saturday nights. Activities include canoeing, mountain biking, tennis and volleyball. There’s also a bar as well as an outdoor pool.

Experience this culture-rich region of South Africa where village children greet you in the street on your journey and traditional colourful huts line lush green hilltops.

One thing you are guaranteed to see on the Wild Coast are the locals’ cattle herds wandering down the beach each afternoon. This is definitely a sight to behold and can be experienced right at the beach near Trennerys Hotel.

Total kilometers: 223 kms / 139 miles

DAY 9 & 10

QOLOHA (TRENNERY’S) WILD COAST > KARIEGA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE, KENTON-ON-SEA / BUSHMANS RIVER

Kenton-on-Sea, more commonly known as Kenton, is a small coastal town on the Sunshine Coast, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It is situated between the Bushman’s and the Kariega Rivers, and lies approximately halfway between the industrial centres of East London and Port Elizabeth. When you think of Kenton on Sea, you invoke a vision of beaches as far as the eye can see, unspoiled by time and consumerism, where two rivers meet and run into the Indian Ocean. Midway between Port Elizabeth and East London, Kenton On Sea is where the sun is rumored to spend the winter months.

One of the most picturesque resorts in the country, Kenton on Sea lies between the mouths of the rivers Boesmans and Kariega so that it is hedged on three sides by river and sea.

The history of Kariega Game Reserve is an inspiring one. As recently as 27 years ago, the existing Kariega Game Reserve was owned by 15 different farmers! With this reality at the forefront of our minds, it would be accurate to say that the gradual growth and development of the now expansive 10000-hectare reserve is one of the most accomplished conservation projects in the Eastern Cape to date.

Accommodation is offered in 5 separate luxury Lodges.  Prolific game viewing, including the “Big 5” Amazing unique activities (Game drives, river cruises, guided bush walks and canoeing) Dramatic landscape incorporating 5 different eco-systems and 2 major rivers Proximity to the sea and beaches. Social and conservation responsibility.

Total kilometers: 277 kms / 172 miles

DAY 11

KARIEGA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE > PORT ELIZABETH / GQEBERHA

Port Elizabeth is dotted with parks, notably St. George’s Park, which is home to the Port Elizabeth Cricket Club, and Settlers’ Park Nature Reserve.

The city is also known for its oceanarium and many museums. Gqeberha was the isiXhosa name for the Baakens River, and was also the isiXhosa name of the Walmer township in Port Elizabeth.

Your comfortable hotel in Summerstrand is literally located across the road from the beach on the main route, adjacent to the Southern sun International Casino with public transport at your fingertips!

Places of interest include but are not limited to the Kragga-Kamma Game Park or the Red Location Museum or Donkin Heritage Trail or SA Air Force Museum or the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Gallery & Museum amongst others.

Total kilometers: 142 kms / 88 miles

DAY 12 & 13

PORT ELIZABETH > KNYSNA

Knysna has two beautiful beaches which this year received Blue Flag status. These beaches have clean white sand and pristine dunes. The one beach is in a SANParks Reserve, and there is life -guards on duty during season so you can swim there. At low tide you can even cycle along the shore between the two beaches. The beach is popular with surfers and has a casual family-friendly restaurant.

Knysna’s many animal sanctuaries are well worth a visit. Possibly the most exciting and well known of these is the Elephant Park, which offers the opportunity to feed and get close-up to these majestic animals, which once roamed free in the Knysna forests. Tours last between 45 mins and an hour and depart half hourly from 8.30am until 4.30pm. This makes a great morning or afternoon outing and there is a good restaurant on site.

A trip on the Southern Cape coast of South Africa will show you a side of Africa and South Africa that you never imagined existed. The name of this coastal region of South Africa is “The Garden Route” – so named for the indigenous Fynbos that is the world’s smallest and most diverse of all the floral kingdoms and the dense natural forest.

Facing the warm Indian Ocean through the Knysna Heads, the hotel you will be staying at is the Knysna Quays Protea Hotel and it offers a tranquil stay in spacious rooms overlooking the magical Knysna lagoon, historical train station and the Knysna town. The Protea Hotel Knysna Quays boasts wonderful facilities which includes a heated outdoor swimming pool and four restaurants to choose from.

Total kilometers: 261 kms / 162 miles

DAY 14

KNYSNA > OUDTSHOORN

Oudtshoorn is a beautiful town in the country of South Africa and a very popular attraction. The landscapes, mountains, valleys, monuments and everything about Oudtshoorn attracts tourists from all across the globe.

It is a center of agricultural trade for dairy products, alfalfa (lucerne), fruit, vegetables, and tobacco, but it is particularly well-known for its extensive ostrich farms and its ostrich feather industry.

Check in at the 4 Star Turnberry Boutique Hotel. Set in the picturesque surroundings of Oudtshoorn, this smart hotel provides an elegant venue for your visit to Klein Karoo and the Western Cape.

With approximately 60,000 inhabitants, Oudtshoorn is the largest town and capital of the Little Karoo region. The town’s economy is primarily reliant on the ostrich farming and tourism industries.

The Karoo is considered a natural wonder of limitless plains and fascinating rock formations and is perhaps one of the world’s most diverse and unique arid areas.

Total kilometers: 119 kms / 74 miles

DAY 15

OUDTSHOORN > ARNISTON

Ronnie’s Sex Shop, 149 kilometers after Oudtshoorn departure is a must pit stop when traveling the Karoo on Route 62.

Thereafter you will travel through one of the most charming dorpies en-route R62 into a fold of the Langeberg Mountains, Barrydale in the Klein Karoo.

Arniston is a small fishing village that hugs a hillside on the southern tip of Africa. Humble, thatched cottages dot the shoreline, and rare shells lie in the surf.
Arniston inherited its name from the transport ship H.M.S. Arniston which ran aground here in 1815.

Many of the homes here boasts a beam or two from the Arniston. The village’s official name is Waenhuiskrans, named after a cave in the area which was big enough to house several ox-wagons in, and which could be explored at low tide.

Total kilometers: 315 kms / 195 miles

DAY 16

ARNISTON > FRANSCHOEK

En-route to Franschhoek you will stop off at Hermanus, a seaside town southeast of Cape Town, in South Africa’s Western Cape Province. It’s known as a whale-watching destination.

Beaches include Voëlklip Beach and the broad Grotto Beach, overlooking Walker Bay. The Old Harbour Museum is a site encompassing the old harbour, a fishermen’s village and the Whale House Museum. The latter has informative displays and a suspended skeleton of a whale.

Franschhoek is a town in South Africa’s Western Cape with centuries-old vineyards and Cape Dutch architecture. Trails wind through flowers and wildlife at Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve to views over Franschhoek Valley.

The Huguenot Memorial Museum and neighbouring monument honour the area’s French settlers, who fled persecution in France, they arrived in the 17th and 18th centuries. The pristine natural and architectural beauty has made Franschhoek into what many describe as the “food and wine capital” of South Africa. Franschhoek Motor Museum displays vintage cars amid mountain farmland.

Total kilometers: 227 kms / 141 miles

DAY 17

FRANSCHOEK > CAPE TOWN (FINAL RIDING DAY)

On this day you will travel from Franschoek to Cape Town via scenic Chapmans Peak/Cape Point Peninsula Drive, the last route to your final destination Cape Town.

After Breakfast, you will depart on a full-day tour of Cape of Good Hope and the Cape Peninsula – one of the most breathtaking highlights one can experience when in Cape Town.

After the day’s activities, you’ll return to the Legacy Portswood 4-Star Hotel in the V & A Waterfront.

Stop and visit Boulders Beach, named after the huge granite boulders that offer protection from the wind, is not only one of the most sheltered beaches in Cape Town but is also home to a colony of African Penguins that has been here since around 1982. Following this stop is our ride into the Cape Point Nature Reserve.

Here, we make a visit to the Cape of Good Hope and thereafter, a panoramic Chapman’s Peak coastal drive into the harbour town of Hout Bay, past the residential suburbs of Llandudno, Camps Bay and into Cape Town for the final refuel and return of your bikes.

Total kilometers: 211 kms / 131 miles

INCLUDED IN THE TOUR

Items included in the Tour

Airport Transfers from when you land at the Cape Town International Airport to when you leave Cape Town after the tour
Motorcycle of your choice with unlimited mileage
Comprehensive Motorcycle Insurance Cover on the motorcycle
Pre-departure material and route maps
7 x Breakfasts included
Accommodation for 8 nights at reputable accommodation establishments

Complimentary goodie bag for each tour participant
Support Vehicle with Driver/Sweeper, for luggage transport and assist
Services of Qualified experience local Tour Guide on a bike
BMW On-Call Roadside Assistance
Specially fitted Karoo 3 tyres applicable for the riding terrain
An opportunity to have fun!

TOUR DETAILS

Motorcycle options and terrain grading

MOTORCYCLE OPTIONS

Our motorcycles are the latest spec, low mileage, full-house models in pristine condition, as they are no older than two years, are fully serviced and maintained at official BMW Motorrad SA dealerships throughout Southern Africa, according to the manufacturer service schedule carried out by Germany factory certified technicians utilising the latest BMW approved diagnostics equipment.

We are the only company in Southern Africa that chooses not to have an in-house workshop as we believe our relying exclusively on BMW Motorrad’s expertise and knowledge to keep our bikes in perfect condition and fully maintained gives our clients better security. We have the full BMW GS range in stock. Ranging from a light manoeuvrable BMW G 310 GS to a super comfortable BMW R 1250 GS Adventure.

All the bikes are fitted with engine crashbar protection, handguard protection, headlight lamp covers and bashplate. All bikes have the upgraded 6.5 Inch TFT Screen display, keyless ride, centre stand, heated handgrips, tyre pressure monitors and you can upgrade to a quick shift gear selector assistant on your BMW F 850 GS and BMW R 1250 GS.

TERRAIN GRADING

90% of the route is asphalt/tarred with a mix of mostly secondary country roads and 10% of the route being gravelled secondary/farm roads.

DISTANCE

The trip is a total of 1478 kms of planned routing, however, on certain days there will be an opportunity for those wanting a few more hours in the saddle to do a nearby circular route. On average we do about 250kms per day. The longest day is about 384kms on Day 5 (after a rest day) and the shortest of 163kms on Day 7.

This tour is based on seeing as much as possible by bike but also allowing time to explore the popular sights along the route that will be of interest to the group to experience on foot.

WEATHER

South Africa boasts some of the best warm sunny weather all year round, although we do have winter for around 3 – 4 months of the year, we enjoy sunshine 90% of the time. This makes South Africa and the Western Cape Province one of the best locations for Motorcycle tours and travel.

The Cape region has a mild Mediterranean climate, while the rest of the country has more sub-tropical climates. During this tour, it is not the rainy season, so expect sunny days that reach about 25 – 28 degrees during the day and about 18 degrees at night. It is advisable to wear sunblock throughout the day to combat the African fiery sun and for those who feel the chill easily, bring a light jersey/jacket for at night.

MAKE AN ENQUIRY

WHY GSAFRICA

Why book the Garden Route 62 Tour through GS AFRICA?

RIDE THE LATEST BIKE MODELS

RIDE THE BEST ROADS IN SOUTH AFRICA

DON’T MISS OUT ON SEEING THE “LITTLE GEMS” OF SA

GRAB THE THROTTLE, BOOK WITH US AND LET THE BEAUTY OF SOUTH AFRICA WOW YOU!

ABOUT US

GS Africa is a professional Motorcycle Rental & Safari Touring Company located in Cape Town, with a presence in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Knysna.

We specialise in the rental of BMW, Harley-Davidson, Yamaha, Honda, KTM & Royal Enfield motorcycles in South Africa.

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Monday – Friday
08:00am – 17:30pm
Saturday
09:00am – 11:00am
Sunday
CLOSED

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Green Point, Cape Town
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