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African Southern Cross Adventure

The Southern Cross is the first part of our three-trip African Trilogy. The trip through South Africa and Swaziland offers an unforgettable Adventure for motorcyclists who wish to incorporate Africa into their globe-riding plans. This 14-day Adventure could have been named “Best of South Africa”; we've incorporated more of South Africa's highlights into our Southern Cross Adventure than you'll find in any other South African tour. Why fly all the way to Africa and miss any of the following highlights?

  • Upscale accommodations, starting with Cape Town's Victoria & Alfred Hotel on the Pierhead at the Waterfront.
  • Overnight accommodations in an upscale but rustic lodge at the southernmost point of the African continent - where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Each of the lodge's eight rooms features a private balcony overlooking the ocean.
  • Luxury accommodations in a game lodge in South Africa's Klein Karoo, providing opportunities to see elephant, rhino, hippo, giraffe, zebra, buffalo and antelope during our game drives.
  • A two-night stay at a premium hotel on the waterfront in Knysna - a small South African town that for several years has been recognized as South Africa's favorite vacation spot.
  • A visit to a Zulu Community in Kwa-Zulu Natal province.
  • An overnight stay in Swaziland, with a ride through the beautiful Swazi Mountains
  • The "Grand Finale" - two nights in a luxury game lodge in the midst of the Kruger National Park. Multiple game drives, including evening game drives, are an important part of this exceptional experience. Some competitors offer a game drive through the park, but only Ayres Adventures offers two nights inside the park in a luxury tented game lodge.

Our Southern Cross Adventure includes plenty of the country's most popular motorcycling roads, coupled with an opportunity to truly enjoy the wildlife and cultural aspects of this fascinating area of the world.

Although our route is totally paved and ideal for two-up riding, this tour offers exciting off-pavement alternate routes as well. Off-pavement opportunities include South Africa's Swartberg Pass, Prince Alfred Pass, Montague Pass, Swaziland's Saddleback Pass, and many others.

Rider Logo
Mark and Genie Tuttle
Our Southern Cross Adventure beginning September 8, 2012 is sponsored by Rider Magazine. Join Rider Editor Mark Tuttle and his wife Genie on this special version of this Adventure. An article featuring the tour will appear in a future issue of Rider.
SC MAP
Southern Cross Adventure
Date From To Km
Arrival Arrival Cape Town 0
Day 2 Cape Town Cape L'Agulhas 280
Day 3 Cape L'Agulhas Oudtshoorn 325
Day 4 Oudtshoorn Knysna 150
Day 5 Free day in Knysna 0
Day 6 Knysna Grahamstown 375
Day 7 Grahamstown Kokstad 560
Day 8 Kokstad Eshowe 390
Day 9 Free day in Eshowe (Zulu experience) 0
Day 10 Eshowe Piggs Peak 470
Day 11 Piggs Peak Kruger 300
Day 12 Free Day in Kruger National Park 0
Day 13 Kruger Sandton 400
Day 14 Departure - Johannesburg  
Total 3,250
The route is entirely paved, with a variety of road features. The route over the Swartberg Pass consists of 30 kilometers of gravel and is entirely optional.
Paved
 
2% (Optional)
Itinerary
It may be necessary to make minor modifications to the proposed itinerary. When alternate lodging is used, we will endeavor to use lodging of an equal or higher quality or rating than what has been specified in this listing.
V&A Hotel Day 1: Arrival in Cape Town. Airport transfer, motorcycle handover, kickoff meeting and our first dinner together! Accommodations at the luxury V&A Hotel and dinner at a first class restaurant on the Waterfront. Riders arriving early can visit Table Mountain, take a city tour, or enjoy the cafes, restaurants and shopping that the waterfront has to offer.

Hotel: V&A Waterfront
Cape Town Beach Day 2: Cape Town to Cape L'Agulhas (~280 km, 175 miles). Ride the beautiful coastal route through Gordon's Bay, Betty's Bay and Hermanus to Cape L'Agulhas. After a gourmet dinner, enjoy the ocean view from your private balcony.

Highlights: Visit the southernmost point on the African Continent, where the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean meet.

Hotel: Agulhas Country Lodge
Land Rover and Elephant

Day 3: Cape L'Agulhas to Oudtshoorn (~325 km, 200 miles) Ride South Africa's famous wine route, enjoy beautiful mountain sweepers, and enter the Swartberg Mountains.

Highlights: Tradouws Pass, South Africa's wine route, The Klein Karoo (semi-arid desert), Oudtshoorn (the ostrich capital of he world). Enjoy an overnight stay at a working wine and ostrich farm in the setting of a 4 star Cape Dutch Country House.

Hotel: Thylitshia Villa Guesthouse

Meeringspoort Day 4: Oudtshoorn to Knysna (~175 km, 110 miles). Spectacular riding through various mountain passes and valleys.

Highlights: Swartberg Pass, Meeringspoort Pass, Outeniqua Pass, Four Passes, and numerous smaller mountain passes.

Hotel: Protea Hotel on Knysna's waterfront
Knysna Waterfront

Day 5: Rest Day in Knysna - a small South African town that has consistently been votes "the most popular vacation destination in South Africa".

Highlights: Visit the "Knysna Heads" - the most striking geological feature along the entire southern African coastline. Other options include riding the gravel Prince Alfred Pass, a leisurely train ride along the Indian Ocean to the railroad museum in George, the Knysna elephant sanctuary, or the world's highest bungee jump at the nearby Bloukrans River Bridge. Or stay in town and enjoy the interesting shops and cafes in Knysna.

Hotel: Protea Hotel on Knysna's waterfront

Cock House

Day 6: Knysna to Grahamstown (~ 340 km, 210 miles). An easy, picturesque ride as we ride along the East Coast past the city of Port Elizabeth to the beautiful little town which is home to Rhodes University.

Highlights: Beautiful roads as we leave South Africa's Garden Route and head for the Wild Coast. Stay in a landmark hotel that has hosted such famous South African leaders as Nelson Mandela an president Tabo Mbeki.

Hotel: The Cock House

Willowdale Lodge

Day 7: Grahamstown to Kokstad (~ 560 km, 350 miles).

Highlights: See traditional South African life as it exists in rural areas of the country. Pass through the former Transkei and Siskei areas, which, during the apartheid years, comprised the black “Homelands”. Landscape are very pretty, with deep valleys and many scenic overlooks. Our destination is the historic Willowdale Lodge, a graceful centenarian farm homestead just a few kilometers from Kokstad, surrounded by endless mountains and wind-swept grasslands. The stay will invoke visions of "Out of Africa".

Hotel: Willowdale Lodge

Shakaland Warrior

Day 8: Kokstad to Eshowe (~ 360 km, 240 miles). Ride through Kwa-Zulu Natal Province - home of the Zulu people. Eshowe is situated close to the capitals of the old Zulu kingdoms and is steeped in Zulu and colonial history. The city has been home to many Zulu kings, including Shaka.

Highlights: Shakaland, constructed as a make believe village that was originally created for the film sets of Shaka Zulu and John Ross. The village offers visual explanations and lectures about Zulu traditions. After dinner, you can attend a re-enactment of native Zulu dancing.

Hotel: Shakaland

Chobe River Cruise

Day 9: Free Day in Eshowe.

Highlights: Visit at least one Zulu village with a local guide who is knowledgeable about Zulu culture and the surrounding areas. You will have time to visit other attractions near Eshowe in the morning. Possibilities include an aerial boardwalk in the Dlinza Forest, the Zululand historical museum at Fort Nongqay, or the Vukani Museum. Or, use the day for additional riding in the beautiful mountains in the Eshowe area.

Hotel: Shakaland

Swazi Natives

Day 10: Eshowe to Piggs Peak, Swaziland ( ~ 470 km, 290 miles). Cross into Swaziland and ride the stunning Swazi mountain roads.

Highlights: Border crossing into Swaziland, cultural show at authentic Swazi village.

Hotel: Piggs Peak Hotel and Casino

Jock Game Drive

Day 11: Piggs Peak to Kruger National Park ( ~ 100 km, 62 miles).

Highlights: Spend two nights in one of the most popular game parks on the African continent. Spending the nights 'IN" the park (as opposed to visiting it for a few hours during the daylight hours) provides the unique opportunity to do game drives after dark as well as during the day. Most of our guest are able to spot all five of Africa's "Big Five" during their stay (Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Rhino, and Cape Buffalo). Enjoy luxury tented lodge accommodations and dining under the African skies.

Lodge: Jock Safari Lodge

Sunset with Elephants

Day 12: Free day in Kruger National Park

Highlights: The free day in Kruger National Park is certainly one of the most important highlights of the Southern Cross Adventure. You'll enjoy both morning and evening game drives, including a "sundowner" game drive. Enjoy you favorite drink as you enjoy the sun setting over the African bush.

Lodge: Jock Safari Lodge

Nelson Mandela Square

Day 13: Kruger National Park to Sandton ( ~ 450 km, 280 miles)

Highlights: Enjoy an easy ride to Johannesburg on the N4, and on to Sandton. We'll have a final celebration dinner at one of the many fine restaurants in the Sandton area.

Hotel: Courtyard Sandton

Tambo International Airport Day 14: Departure from Johannesburg

Breakfast and airport transfer

Route:
     Cape Town, Cape L'Agulhas, Oudtshoorn, Knysna, Grahamstown, Kokstad, Eshowe, Piggs Peak, Kruger National Park, Sandton

 Dates and Prices:  (Arrive at departure city on start date, depart final destination on end date)
Start Date End Date Duration Price (USD) Co-Rider Note
Mar 17 2012 Mar 30 2012 14 Days $8,975 $6,400  
Sep 8 2012 Sep 21 2012 14 Days $8,975 $6,400  
Mar 16 2013 Mar 29 2013 14 Days $8,975 $6,400  
Sep 7 2013 Sep 20 2013 14 Days $8,975 $6,400  

Includes BMW F650GS
Additional charge of $525 for BMW F800GS
Additional charge of $1070 for BMW R1200R
Additional charge of $1200 for a BMW R1200GS or BMW R1200RT
Additional charge of $1500 for a BMW R1200GS Adventure
Single room supplement - $1425.
Need a currency converter?  Click here: CURRENCY CONVERTER

Meals: All breakfasts and 12 dinners

Motorcycles Available:

Model   Specifications

BMW F650GS

(2 Cylinder)

Seat Height: 820 mm / 790 mm

Seat Height: 32.3 inches / 31.1 inches

Dry Weight: 171 kg / 377 lb

Fuel Capacity: 16 Liters / 4.2 Gallons

Displacement: 798 cc

Damage Deposit: $3,000

BMW F800 GS

Seat Height: 880 mm / 850 mm

Seat Height: 34.65 inches / 33.46 inches

Dry Weight: 178 kg / 392 lb

Fuel Capacity: 16 Liters / 4.3 Gallons

Displacement: 798 cc

Damage Deposit: $3,000

BMW R1200 GS

 

Seat Height: 870 mm / 850 mm

Seat Height: 34.25 inches / 33.46 inches

Dry Weight: 199 kg / 439 lb

Fuel Capacity: 20 Liters / 5.3 Gallons

Displacement: 1170 cc

Damage Deposit: $3,500

BMW R1200 R

 

BMW R1200R

Seat Height: 800 mm / 770 mm

Seat Height: 31.5 inches / 30.3 inches

Dry Weight: 198 kg / 437 lb

Fuel Capacity: 20.5 Liters / 5.4 Gallons

Displacement: 1170 cc

Damage Deposit: $3,500

BMR R1200 RT R1200RT

Seat Height: 840 mm / 820 mm

Seat Height: 33.07 inches / 32.28 inches

Dry Weight: 229 kg / 505 lb

Fuel Capacity: 33 Liters / 7.1 Gallons

Displacement: 1170 cc

Damage Deposit: $4,500

BMW R1200 GS

Adventure

 

Seat Height: 915 mm / 895 mm

Seat Height: 36.02 inches / 35.24 inches

Dry Weight: 223 kg / 492 lb

Fuel Capacity: 33 Liters / 8.7 Gallons

Displacement: 1170 cc

Damage Deposit: $4,500

 
 
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