ABOUT THE ROUTE

 

The superlative tour… If you have some previous off-road experience, although limited, have a serious dose of endurance, enjoy remoteness, wide open and desert-like spaces, then this route is made for you.

If you add wild camping to the equation (alternating with comfortable lodges/cottages) then you’ll get the ultimate off-road motorcycle adventure of South Africa, the kind of once in a lifetime riding and human experience.

The tour starts gently to get to the West Coast,  and quickly becomes sandy and challenging.

The Richtersveld is regarded as the only arid biodiversity hotspot on earth and the majority of the area is inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List due to its cultural values.

The Fish River Canyon is the largest canyon in Africa, featuring a gigantic ravine, in total about 160 kilometres long, up to 27 km wide and in places almost 550 meters deep.

As the longest 4×4 route in the country, the Namakwa Eco Trail is also one of the prettiest. The countryside is characterised by winding rivers and dramatic mountain ranges.

The last 3 days will bring you through the Nieuwoudtville and the Cederberg Mountains, before returning to Cape Town.

We take it at a leisurely pace, which means there is plenty of time for breaks, photo shooting, or simply relaxing and enjoying the moment.

The terrain comprises a combination of gravel, rock and deep sand, with some exciting river crossings and dongas to negotiate. Riders can expect a number of steep slopes (both inclines and declines) and some serious zig-zags to test their skills. Some of the stages might appear short, but remember: rather count in hours than in km… The trails can be very exhausting for both the bikes and the riders.

 

PROGRAMME

 

Day 1: 334km

Bellville – Darling – Elandsbay – Vredendal (guest cottage)

Day 2: 226km

Vredendal – West Coast – Groenriver – Hondeklip Bay (tented camp)

Day 3: 230km

Hondeklip Bay – Port Nolloth – Bakkrans caves (campsite)

Day 4: 159 or 198km

Bakkrans caves – Alexander Bay – Tierhoek (campsite)

Day 5: 100km

Tierhoek – Smith’s Pass – Eksteenfontein – Helskloof Pass – Vioolsdrift (cottages)

Day 6: 199km

Vioolsdrift – Noordoewer (Namibia) – Quiver Tree trail – Gamchab trail – Ai Ais (lodge or campsite)

Day 7: 238km

Ai Ais – Fish River Canyon – Ai Ais

Day 8: 200km

Ai Ais – Noordoewer – Eco Trail – Kamgab (campsite)

Day 9: 101km

Kamgab – Ramansdrif – Groot Melkboom  (campsite)

Day 10: 76 or 132km

Groot Melkboom – Klein Pella (lodge or campsite) – optionally Charle’s Pass

Day 11: 266km

Klein Pella – Pofadder – Okiep – Springbok (guesthouse)

Day 12: 301km 

Springbok – Kliprand – Nieuwoudtville (self-catering cottage)

Day 13: 99 or 175km

Nieuwoudtville – Die Hel loop (Bokkefeld Plateau) – Nieuwoudtville (self-catering cottage)

Day 14: 176km

Nieuwoudtville  – Rooibos Heritage Route – Wupperthal – Cederberg Oasis (tented camp)

Day 15: 306km

Oasis – Katbakkies Pass – Tankwa Karoo – Ceres – Bain’s Kloof – Bellville

Restitution of the bikes & equipment – End 

 

DURATION & DIFFICULTY

 

Duration: 15 days

Riding days: 15

Difficulty: overall moderate to difficult, with numerous challenging stages, sandy and rocky terrain.

Participants: maximum 5

Start/End: Bellville (Cape Town)

 

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ACCOMMODATION

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Campsite and guesthouse

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PRICES

 

All-inclusive package with rental motorbike:

Tour code: NAM-15

ZAR 87’800

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Minimum number of participants: 4