"I had wanted an adventure and I got a BIG adventure. A HUGE one. Much bigger than I anticipated. I visited a most beautiful part of the country for the first time."

"I did a lot of technical riding. All with the most brilliant bunch of people"

"This was biker's paradise!"

"To truly appreciate the awesome landscapes and brilliant riding you will have to visit the area yourself."

The mountain passes of the Eastern Cape Highlands are some of the most spectacular in the country and offer challenging riding for bike enthusiasts. The variable weather and road conditions in the mountains mean that a guided tour is the safest and most fun way to tackle the 8 passes on 2 wheels. Enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded riders, an experienced guide and the comfort and security of a back-up vehicle (with two-way radio communication to the group leader). All logistics, meals and accommodation are pre-arranged - all you have to do is enjoy the ride!

TOUR ITINERARY

Please note that tours can be adapted according to the riding level of the group. The following itinerary is a more technical ride, suitable for the more experienced rider (and the very experienced with pillions), but easier alternatives can also be arranged. A road trip route which includes the Wild Coast, Eastern Cape Highlands, Karoo and Lake Gariep is being launched in October 2011.

The start point can either be in Cape Town or Port Elizabeth (i.e. Day 2 below). Similarly, you can opt to leave the tour in Graaff Reinet or continue on to Cape Town. Further information about the passes in the Eastern Cape Highlands can be found here.

Day 1 - Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, via the N2

Day 2 - Port Elizabeth to Mountain Shadows Hotel, Elliot via the challenging Katberg and Devils Bellows Passes

Day 3 - Otto Du Plessis and Bastervoetpad Passes to Tsitsa Falls, Maclear

Day 4 - Tsitsa Falls: Rest day with optional activities including short day ride, zip line/abseil, fly-fishing or hiking trail to rock art site

Day 5 - Maclear to Rhodes via Naude's Nek - the highest pass in South Africa

Day 6 - Day ride via Tiffindell - Carlisleshoek and Volunteershoek Passes - at nearly 3,000 metres above sea level, this is the Long Way Up.... and Down.

Day 7 - Rhodes to Lady Grey via Lundean's Nek and Joubert's Passes

Day 8 - Lady Grey to Graaff Reinet via gravel route

Day 9 - Graaff Reinet to Cape Town via Route 62

Tours are accompanied by a back up vehicle and trailer. This carries our luggage, first aid kit, as well as a range of bike spares and tyres. Riders are responsible for their bikes, protective clothing, own refreshments, snacks, lunches and fuel. 

Tours are subject to a minimum of 10 people, however there are regular tour dates scheduled, so contact us if you would like to join an existing group.

YOUR GUIDE

Geoff Russell is a very experienced 4x4 and motorbike tour guide who has been operating tours for a number of years. To quote a satisfied customer:

"A good tour, such as this one, doesn't just happen. It takes meticulous planning and attention to details, which in turn takes a lot of effort and time. But that's not all. To maintain discipline in a group of 20 adults, which is very important, and to be able to chide us for transgressing rules without causing offence, takes leadership, which Geoff has in abundance."  

Our thanks go to members of the Cape BMW Motorcycle Club for use of their photographs and comments, with special thanks to Geoff Edwards whose fantastic trip report can be viewed here. Since his trip, we have continued to develop and change the itinerary, but his write up gives a great perspective of the group's experience.

Contact us for further information regarding scheduled tour dates and a quotation.