Tour Information

Tour Price Includes:

• Rental of one BMW F650GS
• Accommodations
• Two guides on motorcycles with satellite phones
• Chase vehicle (4x4 double cab with trailer) and driver
• Gasoline
• Park entrance fees
• Van to transport riders to dinners out on the town
• All breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 7 dinners (this total includes the Welcome and Farewell dinners)
• Free Aerostich Tours items (shirts, hat, maps...)
• Tour video and photos

Tour Price Does Not Include:

• Airfare
• Most lunches and some dinners (see above)
• Tips
• Alcohol

Motorcycle License:

All riders must get an International Driving Permit with motorcycle endorsement. Make sure you get your motorcycle endorsement on it! To get an International Driving Permit, proceed to your nearest AAA .

Passport:

A passport will be needed, so please make sure it will be current during the time of the tour.

Money

ATMs are the best way to get cash, and are available in Cape Town, and other larger Towns. They are not available for most of the trip, while we are in remote locations. Credit cards are widely accepted.

Tips:

Tipping is welcome and highly encouraged. Please remember, we are ambassadors in a foreign country (unless you're from the far Northern reaches of Canada). Our actions speak volumes and will reverberate for years into the future. Please be kind.

Itinerary

South Africa 2008 Itinerary

 

Friday, February 29, 2008
Day One:
Arrival in Cape Town (Welcome Dinner)
Upon arrival, we'll meet and transfer the group into Cape Town. The day is at your leisure to explore or unwind after the long flight. In the early evening we'll head over to the vibrant Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in the historic heart of Cape Town's working harbor. Situated between Robben Island and Table Mountain, and set against a backdrop of sea and mountain views, it offers a variety of shopping and entertainment options for visitors. We will enjoy a Welcome Dinner and run through the program for the trip. After dinner, explore some of the watering holes around the waterfront, or return to your hotel for a well deserved rest!

Saturday, March 1, 2008
Day Two:
Day in Cape Town
After breakfast, we'll head out on a bit of an orientation tour of the city including a trip up Table Mountain - and for those who are interested - a trip to Robben Island, a national monument best known internationally as the prison where Nelson Mandela spent 19 of his 27 years of incarceration. The rest of the day and evening are at your leisure.

Sunday, March 2, 2008
Day Three:
Bike Pick Up and Visit Two Oceans
75 miles [100% tar / 0% dirt]
Before breakfast we'll collect our bikes and head back to the hotel to enjoy a leisurely breakfast before packing up and checking out. We'll ease into our first day on the bikes with a laid back trip down the Cape Peninsula. This is an unforgettable journey to the mythical meeting place of the two great oceans, the Indian and the Atlantic. Breathtaking scenic beauty contrasts with the harsh, rugged conditions of the most Southwesterly edge of the African Continent. After a visit to the Cape of Good Hope, we'll continue on to Simonstown for a night's rest.

Monday, March 3, 2008
Day Four:
Muizenberg to the Resort Town of Hermanus
125 miles [80% tar / 20% dirt]
After breakfast, we'll travel East, hugging the coastline via small seaside towns and then meander through the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley vineyards - famous for producing world class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wine - to the town of Hermanus, a popular resort town. Hermanus has been a sought-after holiday destination since the early 1800's. Its idyllic setting and legendary champagne-air have earned it a reputation as the "Riviera of the South." The afternoon is free to explore this quaint town.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Day Five:
From Hermanus to the Southern Tip of Africa
95 miles [80% tar / 20% dirt]
WeÕll continue our journey East from Hermanus to Cape Agulhas, the Southern tip of Africa, and on to the beautiful fishing village of Arniston, which has arguably the best swimming beaches in the Cape. For those who are interested in shark cage diving, we'll head out early to Gansbaai for an unforgettable experience along the way to Arniston. Those who aren't into up close and personal greetings with sharks can explore the ride along the coastline to Arniston at their leisure.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Day Six:
Arniston to Mossel Bay
140 miles [50% tar / 50% dirt]
From Arniston to Mossel Bay we'll ride through wheat fields and sheep farms, and witness unusually large flocks of majestic blue cranes. We'll cross the Breede River via the hand-drawn pontoon at Malgas - a truly unique river crossing - believed to be the last operational pontoon in South Africa. The ride will continue via Heidelberg to the main road to Mossel Bay.

Thursday, March 6, 2008
Day Seven:
From Mossel Bay to Knysna
65 miles [100% tar / 0% dirt]
From Mossel Bay we'll travel along the Garden Route, a popular scenic stretch of the southern coast of South Africa, to the port town of Knysna. Known for its beauty, Knysna is situated on a lagoon surrounded by temperate rainforests and an amphitheater of mountains. The Knysna Lagoon opens to the ocean after passing between two large headlands, popularly known as the"The Heads," which have become infamous due to the loss of boats and fishermen passing through these treacherous and unpredictable waters.

Friday, March 7, 2008
Day Eight:
Rest Day in and Around Knysna
A day to relax and explore this beautiful locale. There are many optional activities in and around Knysna. Ride out to the surrounding hot spots like Plettenberg Bay, or the Outeniqua Forest. Relax and read a book or catch a sun tan. Walk around town to discover the galleries and flea markets, workshops and buskers. Take a cruise along the lagoon to The Heads. Visit the beautiful private beach of Noetzie or visit Brenton on Sea for romantic sunset cocktails. Other adventurous activities include abseiling, canoeing, creeking, deep-sea fishing, diving, hiking, horse riding, whale watching, quad biking, paint balling and much more.

Saturday, March 8, 2008
Day Nine:
Knysna to the Home of the Perfect Wave
125 miles [90% tar / 10% dirt]
We'll check out and continue along an extremely picturesque part of the Garden Route that takes in Plettenberg Bay, Natures Valley, and Tsitsikamma National Park. For the brave - or plain crazy - stop off at the Bloukran's Bridge and undertake the world's highest commercial bungee jump at a whopping 708 feet!!! Our destination this evening is Jeffreys Bay, the world-renowned surf spot considered by many to be the home of the perfect tube.

Sunday, March 9, 2008
Day Ten:
From the Surf to the Safari
100 miles [80% tar / 20% dirt]
Today, we'll pack up and head for the African bush in search of wildlife. Riding Northeast from Jeffrey's Bay, we'll bypass Port Elizabeth en route to the Addo Elephant National Park, deep within the dense tropical savannah of the Sundays River region of the Eastern Cape. Proclaimed in 1931 when only 11 elephants remained in the area, this park now provides sanctuary to over 420 of these magnificent creatures. Other animals that call the Addo home include Cape buffalo, black rhino, many antelope species, the unique flightless dung beetle (found almost exclusively in Addo), and - reintroduced for the first time in over 100 years - lion and spotted hyena. We'll join a qualified ranger for an evening safari drive (included in the price!).

Monday, March 10, 2008
Day Eleven:
Addo into the Baviaanskloof
160 - 190 miles [40% tar / 60% dirt]
Today the backcountry comes into its own as we'll head Southwest into an area known as the Baviaanskloof. This vast mountain kingdom offers a memorable traveling experience through the beautiful and striking landscapes of the Eastern Cape. The road leads through the rugged beauty of the "Grootrivier" Gorge, past colorful cliffs and rock formations, and rises and descends very steeply as it crosses historic passes constructed in the late 1800's. Our evening resting point is halfway into the Baviaanskloof.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Day Twelve:
Baviaanskloof to the Great Karoo
145 miles [25% tar / 75% dirt]
Today we'll continue West, through the Baviaanskloof and out via Willowmore along the northern edge of the Groot Swartberg mountains. We'll continue across the semi-desert plateau region of the Great Karoo to the charming oasis of Prince Albert. With 8000 inhabitants, it is both relaxed and lively, with many beautifully restored Cape Dutch and Victorian houses. The town is known for its sun-ripened fresh and dried fruit, Karoo lamb, olives, and cheese. The Mohair wool farmed here is of the highest quality in the world.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Day Thirteen:
Great Karoo to the Little Karoo
85 miles [30% tar / 70% dirt]
After a sumptuous breakfast we'll start our day with a journey through the Swartberg Pass; considered one of the most spectacular mountain passes in the world, which will lead us down into the ostrich capital of the world, Oudtshoorn. Here we'll stop for a visit to the magnificent Cango Cave, have a bit of time in the town, and perhaps visit an ostrich farm if time and inclination permits. After lunch we'll continue via the dramatic Rooiberg pass to Assegaay Bosch Game Lodge, an oasis in the wilderness.

Thursday, March 13, 2008
Day Fourteen:
Rest Day at Assegaay Bosck Game Lodge
After breakfast or an early morning walk around the foothills of the Rooiberg Mountain Range, relax and enjoy the facilities of the lodge. Many optional activities are available. Take a scenic flight over the area in the game lodge's private aircraft for an excellent aerial view. Go clay pigeon shooting. Enjoy a massage in the comfort of your chalet. Take rides through the surrounding area. Visit the local one-horse town of Van Wyksdorp. Take an afternoon nature/game drive in open 4X4 vehicles, ending with sundowners on top of the mountain. Go bird watching. Go hiking. Enjoy wine tasting. After the day's adventure, we'll return to the lodge for a traditional South African barbecue or "braai".

Friday, March 14, 2008
Day Fifteen:
From the Little Karoo to Cannaland
115 miles [20% tar / 80% dirt]
We'll bid farewell to the Little Karoo and travel through Cannaland and onto Route 62, South Africa's Route 66, to explore the Western Cape. No bike trip along this road is complete without a visit to Ronnie's Sex Shop. Originally a roadside produce and fruit stand, Ronnie's friends played a prank on him and the sign for "Ronnie's Shop" became "Ronnie's Sex Shop". He left the name and it eventually became a pub that has become a regular pit stop for bikers, local farmers, and tourists that travel along this route. From here we make our way to Montagu, the mountain Mecca of the Western Cape. A unique rural atmosphere distinguishes Montagu as one of the best preserved late Victorian agricultural villages in the Cape. A variety of superb accommodations and excellent restaurants are plentiful here.

Saturday, March 15, 2008
Day Sixteen:
Route 62 to the Winelands of the Cape
95 miles [50% tar / 50% dirt]
As we move closer to Cape Town, we'll follow the course of the Bree River through the beautiful Winelands of South Africa to Franschhoek, or "French Glen". More than three centuries ago about 200 French Huguenots, having escaped religious persecution, settled in the Berg River Valley and founded the community of Franschhoek. With its fine balmy summers and the majority of its rainfall in winter, the French Huguenots recognized the potential of the region for wine production and fruit growing. Today, Franschhoek is considered the food and wine capital of the Cape.

Sunday, March 16, 2008
Day Seventeen:
Return to Cape Town
75 miles [100% tar / 0% dirt]
As the end of our trip approaches, we'll take the day to explore the Winelands area at a leisurely pace. In addition to its natural beauty, this region is steeped in history and culture, and a host of activities, museums, and art galleries abound. The towns throughout the Winelands also have a great outdoor cafe culture where you can kick back and reflect on your journey. After a relaxing day, we'll return to Cape Town, return our motorcycles, and check into the hotel in time for our Farewell Dinner (included).

Monday, March 17, 2008
Day Eighteen:
Departure
After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and checkout, we'll say our goodbyes. If time permits, you'll be able to spend time doing last minute shopping, relaxing or whatever takes your fancy before transferring to the airport for your flight home.

Pricing

South Africa 2008 Pricing

Tour Rider with Single Occupancy:	$9,250.00*
Tour Rider with Double Occupancy:	$7,950.00*
Non Rider/Passenger:	$6,550.00

Please call 800-222-1994 ext. 402 or email us for more information or to register for this tour.

Bike Upgrade Options

BMW F650 GS	Standard
BMW F650 Dakar	+$250
BMW R1200 GS	+$1100
BMW R1200 GS Adventure	+$1500

Deposit

A $1000.00 deposit is required to secure a spot on the tours. The deposit will go towards the final tour price.

Full Payment

Full payment is due 90 days prior to the start of the tour.

Cancellation/Refund Policy

Cancellations must be received more than 60 days prior to departure for a full refund. Cancellations received less than 60 days from departure will receive a 50% refund. If your reservation is filled by another rider, a full refund less the deposit will be issued. After 60 days, deposits are NOT refundable, but ARE transferable to a different party or to a later date (subject to availability). We strongly suggest that riders purchase traveler's insurance prior to registering for a tour to help off-set any costs involved in the event of a cancellation.

Tour dates are subject to change in the event of accommodation restrictions, or other unforeseen circumstances and limitations. In the event of a date change (usually only by a day or two), riders will be notified, and reasonable assistance and reimbursement will be provided.

Map

Printable map