Cape Town to Victoria Falls Map

 

THE BEST OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

This tour through South Africa offers an unforgettable Adventure for riders who wish to enjoy the unique experience of traveling in Africa by motorcycle. This 14-day Adventure could be named “Best of South Africa”, as it includes more of South Africa’s highlights than you’ll find in any other South African tour.

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, and others.

Multiple game drives, including evening game drives, are an important part of this exceptional Kruger experience. Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa and covers more than 7,000 square miles – larger than the state of Connecticut. The Southern Cross is the only motorcycle tour that features overnight stays within the park, allowing for evening game drives.

Our Southern Cross Adventure combines many of the country’s most popular motorcycling roads with an opportunity to truly enjoy the wildlife and cultural aspects of this fascinating part of the world.

Highlights of this Adventure include:

  • Cape Town Waterfront – the most popular destination in this beautiful city
  • Overnight accommodations in an upscale lodge at the southernmost point of the African continent – where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet
  • Tradouw Pass, South Africa’s wine route, The Klein Karoo (semi-arid region), Oudtshoorn (ostrich capital of the world)
  • Two nights in a luxury game lodge located within Kruger National Park which allows for evening game drives. Some competitors offer a game drive through the park but only Ayres Adventures offers two nights inside the park allowing for this exceptional wildlife-viewing experience.

AT A GLANCE YOUR SOUTHERN CROSS ADVENTURE

DAY 1 – ARRIVAL IN CAPE TOWN

Southern Cross Tour, Day 1

The tour leaders will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel where you can spend the day relaxing or exploring the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Later in the afternoon, the tour leaders will hand over the bikes before hosting a group briefing providing more detailed information about the tour. After the briefing we will enjoy our first dinner together at a wonderful local restaurant.

DAY 2 – CAPE TOWN TO CAPE AGULHAS ~170 MILES

Southern Cross Tour, Day 2

Our first riding day will take us along beautiful coastal roads and through the small seaside towns of Gordon’s Bay, Betty’s Bay and Hermanus to our destination at Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of the African continent where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. We will stay at a boutique oceanfront lodge and enjoy a wonderful gourmet dinner.

DAY 3 – CAPE AGULHAS TO OUDTSHOORN ~200 MILES

Southern Cross Tour, Day 3

The route to Oudtshoorn offers beautiful sweeping roads through rugged mountains and fertile valleys. We will enjoy a scenic ride over the stark and semi-arid Tradouw Pass and into the picturesque Tradouw Valley before stopping in the friendly village of Barrydale. From Barrydale we will ride Route 62 – the longest wine route in the world. Tonight, we will stay at a small, privately-owned Cape Dutch country house in the heart of the world’s ostrich capital, Oudtshoorn.

DAY 4 – OUDTSHOORN TO KNYSNA ~90 TO 200 MILES

Southern Cross Tour, Day 4

Oudtshoorn lies in the Klein Karoo between the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountains. Taking the direct route to Knysna makes for a short but beautiful ride over the Outeniqua Pass, Four Passes and numerous smaller mountain passes. A short riding day allows us to enjoy a late, relaxing breakfast.

For those who wish to add more miles, we will take you over the stunning Swartberg Pass toward the small farming town of Prince Albert. The Swartberg Pass is hard-packed gravel and offers breathtaking views of the valley below. The route continues through the beautiful Meiringspoort valley as you make your way back towards Oudtshoorn and on to Knysna via the Outeniqua Pass.

DAY 5 – KNYSNA TO MAKHANDA ~240 MILES

Southern Cross Tour, Day 5

Today we will ride into the Eastern Cape province of South Africa as we make our way towards Makhanda. An early departure from Knysna will allow time for an enjoyable full day’s ride as we make our way to tonight’s destination. We’ll ride through the Tsitsikamma National Park and over the Bloukrans Bridge. For the brave and fearless there will be a chance to do the world’s highest bungee jump (710ft/216m) off the Bloukrans Bridge.

DAY 6 – FREE DAY

Southern Cross Tour, Day 6

By staying at a lodge inside the game reserve, we can enjoy early morning and late afternoon game drives. Sunrise and sunset are the perfect times to enjoy game viewing from an open-top safari vehicle. The lodge is beautiful and the perfect place to sit back and enjoy a true African wildlife experience.

DAY 7 – MAKHANDA TO PORT ST. JOHNS ~285 MILES

Southern Cross Tour, Day 7

Our route today takes us through rural areas of the country where we will get a glimpse of traditional African life. We will pass through the former Transkei and Ciskei areas, two of the former African homelands during the apartheid years. These rural areas include beautiful landscapes with deep valleys and many scenic overlooks.

DAY 8 – PORT ST. JOHNS TO HIMEVILLE ~175 MILES

Southern Cross Tour, Day 8

Today we will ride inland through the province of KwaZulu-Natal, home to the Zulu people. We will have opportunities to observe the traditional ways of life as we pass through several small Zulu villages. From Kokstad we will ride through rural farmland as we head towards the foot hills of the spectacular Drakensberg Mountains. Our destination is just outside the village of Himeville, where we will stay at a beautifully converted farm manor.

DAY 9 – HIMEVILLE TO DUNDEE ~210 MILES

Southern Cross Tour, Day 9

A full day of riding through several African towns lies ahead as we make our way to Dundee where we will spend the night. On our way, we will pass through the town where Nelson Mandela was captured by the police in 1962 and where a monument and museum have been built in his honor. If time allows, we will also visit a some of the battle sites where the Zulus and Boers fought.

DAY 10 – DUNDEE TO BARBERTON ~260 MILES

Southern Cross Tour, Day 10

We will ride through the picturesque farming country before stopping for lunch in the town of Piet Retief. After lunch we will skirt around Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland) to tonight’s lodge located south of Barberton.

DAY 11 – BARBERTON TO KRUGER NATIONAL PARK ~110 MILES

Southern Cross Tour, Day 11

Leaving the lodge, we will head north and ride through the town of Barberton, White River, and into the bustling town of Hazyview before making our way to our hotel for the next two nights. It’s a fun and scenic ride as we make our way to Kruger National Park.

DAY 12 – FREE DAY IN KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

Southern Cross Tour, Day 12

We’ll board our open-air safari vehicle for an all-day game drive in Kruger National Park, including lunch inside the park. Kruger National Park is South Africa’s flagship national park and one of the largest game reserves in Africa. Teeming with wildlife, this diverse game park is home to numerous species of mammals and reptiles, and hundreds of bird species! The African Big Five – elephant, rhino, leopard, lion and buffalo – are found here, as well as a dazzling array of other mammals such as giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, hippos, hyenas and numerous antelope species.

DAY 13 – KRUGER NATIONAL PARK TO SANDTON, ~260 MILES

Southern Cross Tour, Day 13

After a relaxing breakfast at the lodge followed by a 45 minute game drive back to the bikes, we will get ready for our last ride of this tour. We’ll enjoy an easy final ride into Sandton, an upmarket suburb of Johannesburg. Tonight we will enjoy a final celebration dinner at a nearby local restaurant.

DAY 14 – DEPARTURE FROM JOHANNESBURG

Southern Cross Tour, Day 14

After a relaxing breakfast, the tour leaders will arrange your transfer to the airport for your flight home.

TOTAL MILES: ~2110 MILES

Road Conditions

The majority of this tour is on paved roads. The tour has a mix of scenic twisty coastal roads and mountain passes with a few sections of highway. We will ride through several small towns with a lot of traffic, people, children and animals. The riding speed is slower through these busy towns.

There is an optional 20-mile ride over the Swartberg Pass which is unpaved. Riders should expect a few short sections of unpaved road leading to game lodges. These roads are hard-pack gravel and the sections are not very long. The tour leaders will be happy to assist on these sections if you do not feel comfortable riding them.


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Weather

The weather will be warm and dry for most of the tour. Occasionally, there may be late afternoon rain storms, but for the most part we will already be checked into the hotel/lodge for the night.

Please contact us about low frame and/or low seat options for our bikes.

  • Includes BMW F750GS
  • Additional charge of $250 for a BMW F850GS
  • Additional charge of $350 for a BMW F850GS Adv
  • Additional charge of $900 for a BMW R1250 GS
  • Additional charge of $1,150 for a BMW R1250 GS Adv
  • Additional charge of $1,250 for a BMW R1300GS
  • Personal motorcycle: deduct $1,900 from the rider price.
Standard Inclusions
  • Late model, low mileage motorcycle
  • Upscale accommodations
  • A la carte dining
  • Two Ayres Adventures professional tour leaders
  • Airport arrival/departure transfers
  • Luggage handling
  • Comfortable support vehicle for non-riding companions
  • Comprehensive pre-trip planning and assistance
  • Customized trip booklet with day-by-day itinerary and attractions
  • Commemorative shirts
  • Adventurer Club travel award credit
Meals
  • All breakfasts
  • All dinners
  • Several lunches
Special Inclusions
  • Two night stay in luxury lodge within Kruger NP
  • Multiple game drives including evening drives
  • All park entry fees
Deposit per person: $800

Single room supplement – $1,425.

2024 Schedule
Date2024 AdventuresLengthRider
Price
(USD)
Co-Rider
Price
(USD)
Notes
September 14 - 27Southern Cross
(Cape Town to Johannesburg)
14 days$8,600$5,600
2025 Schedule
Date2025 AdventuresLengthRider
Price
(USD)
Co-Rider
Price
(USD)
Notes
September 13 - 26Southern Cross
(Cape Town to Johannesburg)
14 days$8,600$5,600
2026 Schedule
Date2026 AdventuresLengthRider
Price
(USD)
Co-Rider
Price
(USD)
Notes
September 12 - 25Southern Cross
(Cape Town to Johannesburg)
14 days$9,300$6,050
Cancellation fee and refunds
FROM DATE OF
SCHEDULED COMMENCEMENT
AMOUNT FORFEITED
More than 60 days50% of deposit
60 days or fewer but more than 45 days100% of deposit
45 days or fewer but more than 30 days50% of full tour payment
30 days or fewer100% of full tour payment

Norway is the most beautiful country I have ever ridden a bike in

Norway is the most beautiful country I have ever ridden a bike in. It is a combination of Chile and Argentina, New Zealand, Ireland, but scenery wise better than the four of them combined.

It is one scenic beauty after another. You never knew what the scenery was gonna look like around the next corner or when you came out the next tunnel. And the North Cape is pretty spectacular when you consider where you are at that moment.

I will do this tour again, with better raingear.

The group of fellow riders on this tour were the nicest people I've ever been on a trip with. Nice, caring, funny, intelligent, accomplished riders and they were extremely nice to invite me to do things with them.

John's Adventures include:
Southern Cross
Munich to Istanbul
Mystical Ireland
Barcelona to Lisbon
Norwegian Midnight Sun
Spain and Morocco

John Dinges
Lebanon, OR

Our high expectations were substantially exceeded from the moment we arrived in Africa.

After a few days at home Araceli and I are still digesting the many wonders we had the opportunity to enjoy during our tour throughout your amazing country.

Our high expectations were substantially exceeded from the moment we arrived in Africa. Every single detail of the trip was wonderfully organized and the selection of roads, lodges and restaurants was outstanding.

Both Jason and Braam did a terrific job making sure we had a great time, explaining many interesting things about multiple aspects of your country, facilitating superb riding opportunities and always willing to go the extra mile.

A big thank you for all that. We both have been bitten by the African bug and as you know we are already thinking in doing the Heart of Africa tour next year, so we will definitely be in touch.

Araceli and Raul's Adventures include:
Southern Cross

Araceli Barcena and Raul Gonzalez
Madrid, Spain

Ayres Adventures you have done it again!

Jann Barber O’Hara and Chris O’Hara, Ayres Adventures

Ayres Adventures you have done it again! Our second tour (Southern Cross) was amazing. Another trip with top notch motorcycles, accommodations, guides, scenery and excursions. It is obvious how passionate John and Jason are about Africa as well as accommodating each individual
tour participant. Ayres attention to detail sets them apart from other touring companies. Thanks again for another great adventure.

Chris and Jann's Adventures include:
Triple S Harley-Davidson Southern Cross
Call of the Wild Adventure

Chris and Jann created a video about our Call of the Wild Adventure. Click here to watch the video.

Jann Barber O’Hara and Chris O’Hara
Morgantown, West Virginia

The Southern Cross Tour was everything it claimed to be and much more

I just returned from South Africa and my first Ayres Adventure with a dozen customers. I've nothing but praise for the entire team. The Southern Cross Tour was everything it claimed to be and much more. From the bikes to the lodging to the dining it was all fabulous. Our two guides insured it was an incredible two weeks and represented what I feel is a fantastic value for the money. I will be selecting our next tour very soon!

Bob and Suzanne's Adventures include:
African Southern Cross Adventure

Bob Henig of Bob's BMW
Bob's BMW

We have been bitten by the "Ayres Bug", so we will certainly be on another trip very soon!

I have wanted to write and thank you and Barbara for a truly wonderful vacation.

What makes a great vacation? Superb food, outstanding accommodations, well planned itineraries, new friends who share the same values, new challenges every day all with a sense of security knowing that there is great team (Ayres) behind you. The net result is a truly fun time and a remarkable memory and to Lori and I who went on the Southern Cross trip all this came to pass and more. We have been bitten by the "Ayres Bug "so we will certainly be on another trip very soon.

Thanks to all your wonderful team: John constantly keeping the group's fun in mind and taking care of every little detail and with a great sense of humour, ED who was such a gentleman and pleasure to travel with. Lori especially spent a lot of time with him and talks highly about his thoughtfulness and kind spirit.

I can also say that to anyone who is thinking of taking an Ayres trip but whose companion is not a lover of the "Two Wheels" mode of transport, the companion vehicle is a great way for couples to share some truly memorable trips to some very unique and interesting places. These trips allow a multitude of dinner stories recounting the fun.

Thanks again.

Michael and Lori's Adventures include:
African Southern Cross Adventure

Michael Collinson
Caledon, Ontario, Canada

Congratulations on putting together such a memorable event

Still full of great food and fantastic memories, we are home from Brazil. I will be wearing my new Ayres' Adventures Best of Brazil shirt on the Thursday night ride with the locals tonight.

Brazil was beyond our wildest expectations.
Congratulations on putting together such a memorable event.

Bert and Val's Adventures include:
Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay
African Southern Cross
Best of Brazil

Bert and Val Reynolds
Fairview, Alberta, Canada

Now I'm dreaming of an Ayres Adventure in South America

The planning and organization that went into the African Southern Cross made this trip very special for me. I recommend this excursion to anyone who would like a very special holiday on a motorcycle. Now I'm dreaming of an Ayres Adventure in South America!.

Andre's Adventures include:
Escape to Ushuaia
Southern Cross
Viking Run

Andre Gareau
Ottawa, Canada

All of the tours that I have taken with Ayres Adventures have been excellent from start to finish

All of the tours that I have taken with Ayres Adventures have been excellent from start to finish. The itineraries, accommodations, and activities during the tours have provided many incredible experiences. Ron and his tour leaders have a way of finding the very best in each geographic area in which they travel.

John's Adventures include:
Escape to Ushuaia
Southern Cross
Call of the Wild
Namibian Splendors
Machu Picchu Excursion
Into Africa (Cape Town to Nairobi)

John Cheney
White Salmon, Washington

You win the oscar!

You win the Oscar for the category of "The Company that Works the Hardest to Please a Client!"

George and Sherri's Adventures include:
Southern Cross
New Zealand Top Down Adventure

George and Sherri DeMier
Tulsa, Oklahoma

The sixteen tours we were on with Ayres Adventures are the best we have ever been on!

“We have taken more than 20 motorcycle tours; sixteen of the last seventeen were with Ayres Adventures.

The sixteen tours that we have taken with Ayres Adventures were the best trips we have ever been on.”

Denny and Alice's Adventures include:
Call of the Wild
Best of Brazil
Southern Cross
Diamonds, Desert and Dunes (Africa)
South American Five Flags
South American Four Flags
Mediterranean Odyssey
Escape to Ushuaia
Swiss Alps and Italian Dolomites
Swiss, French and Italian Alps
Adventure Center Holiday (USA)
Escape to Colorado (USA)
Rocky Mountain Holiday (USA)
National Parks Tour (USA)
Prudhoe Bay Excursion
Best of Alaska and Canada
Portugal, Spain and Morocco

Denny and Alice Sanford
Anchorage, Alaska

Bikers Delight

Biker's delight. These are the words that come to my mind when I think of my Ayres Adventures tours. Great rides, sensational places, good food and great fun. A big "Thank you!" to the whole Ayres team for creating such an experience, you're doing an awesome job. I am looking forward to riding with you again.

Michael's Adventures include:
Machu Picchu Excursion
Southern Cross
Namibian Splendors
Spain and Morocco
Norwegian Midnight Sun
New Zealand Top Down Adventure

Michael B
Cologne, Germany

This trip had a little of everything and it makes me want to go back to Africa

My son and I rode the Ayres Adventures Machu Picchu trip over a year ago and we had so much fun I decided to go on my own trip to South Africa, at Ron Ayres suggestion.  I'm a fair weather, slower rider, the type that likes to look at scenery, stop often, and avoid highways, so after Machu Picchu which really challenged me, I asked Ron for something more suitable to my style, and the Southern Cross trip fit my needs perfectly.

It had everything: beautiful scenery that included seascapes and inland hills and valleys, cultural offerings by the Zulus in S. Africa and the Bsuto in Swaziland, game reserves and Kruger National Park where the big animals walked in their natural habitat, and most touching to me, visiting an orphanage and school where we met some children and which offered us the opportunity to give back a little by connecting them with possible resources in the USA.

The accommodations and the food were always the best, especially Otter's Den, where we were treated like family by the hosts and where I felt like I might hear Tarzan yelling as he swung from branch to branch.

John Jesson and Chris Carey offered wonderful support as group leaders, and they made my experience work, especially since I ride slower than most and I was traveling alone. It's not easy to satisfy everyone with different needs, but they did. The planned visits included a snake reserve, elephant farm, balloon ride, and could have included the highest bungee jump in the world. This trip had a little of everything and it makes me want to go back to Africa.

Deborah's Adventures include:
Southern Cross
Machu Picchu Excursion

Deborah Pigeon
W. Tilsbury, Massachussets

We can't wait for the next one!

It’s been less than two weeks since we completed the African trilogy and I’ve wondered how I’d ever find the words to describe our feelings about this extraordinary adventure. When the October 2008 Waypoints Bulletin arrived, it gave me the perfect start. As one who had to “overcome initial apprehension about travel to the ‘Dark Continent’,” I can honestly say that none of my fears materialized. Nick and I fell in love with Africa. From day one and throughout nearly seven weeks of travel, Africa grabbed us with the warmth of the people, the cultural diversity, the mind-blowing wildlife, and the spectacular scenery. Ayres Adventures delivered in its usual superb fashion on each and every day of the three distinctly unique tours.

The “Southern Cross” could be described as “Africa 101”, offering a taste of everything—from the busy, upscale Capetown waterfront to the luxury of L’Agulhas Country Lodge, from the cultural experiences in Eshowe and Shakaland to the overall African immersion at Otter’s Den. Leaving Johannesburg at the start of the second tour, we mistakenly thought ourselves steeped in a sense of place. Then came Shibula Lodge and we realized that a very different African adventure was just beginning. The “Call of the Wild” is truly all about the wildlife—watching the elephants crossing the river in Chobe can only be termed a life-altering event. As for Namibia, we’ll never forget the sands—towering over us on the dunes and shifting under our tires as we crossed the Kalahari! But the challenge was thrilling and the landscapes incomparable.

We’ll always be grateful to the Ayres “family” with whom we shared this amazing experience. So while "doing 'Africa Ayres Adventures Style'" may be addictive, I think it’s more accurate to say that we’ve simply become addicted to Ayres Adventures. We can’t wait for the next one!

Nick and Susan's Adventures include:
New Zealand Grand Tour
Southern Cross - TWICE!
Call of the Wild - TWICE!
Namibian Splendors
Escape to Ushuaia
South American Splendors
Best of the Mediterranean

Susan wrote an article about her African trips which was published in BMW Owners News. Click here to read her article.

Nick and Susan Vallario
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey

Our trip was beautifully planned.

Our first Ayres Adventure was everything we'd hoped and more. John is extraordinary at what he does. We really appreciated his sincere caring, competency and sense of fun. When asked where we were headed that day by a waitress at a coffee stop, a fellow rider said, "I'm not sure. It's like going on vacation with Dad. We just follow him and everything's taken care of, everything's wonderful."

Our trip was beautifully planned. Greg and I enjoyed the variety of accommodations, from a luxury waterfront hotel, to a country lodge, to a 100 yr. old farmstead, to a tented tree house, and especially the opportunity to visit the Zulu school and AIDS orphanage. We felt that we learned a lot about the country, rather than just passing through it. We're looking forward to future Ayres Adventures. South Africa definitely captured our hearts.

Roseann

Greg and Roseann's Adventures include:
Southern Cross

Greg Hague and Roseann Dunteman
Phoenix, Arizona

First Class Adventures

Recently my wife Chris and I took an Ayres Adventure trip through South Africa (from Cape Town to Johannesburg). We have nothing but good things to say about the Ayres people, having done several "adventures" with them, in various parts of the world. They are first class, and go the extra mile to take good care of their customers. The Africa trip was exceptional in every respect. Ayres has a knack for picking exotic places to visit and stay. Kruger is breathtaking and Swaziland is really cool. We totally recommend anyone that wants to do an overseas adventure to strongly consider this opportunity.

Rob and Chris's Adventures include:
Machu Picchu Excursion (Twice for Chris!)
Best of Alaska and Canada
Southern Cross
Viking Run
Spain and Morocco
Dutch Treat (now named Normandy and the North Sea)

Rob and Chris Hiday
Jacksonville, FL

Exceptional Road Support and Tour Leadership

While searching on-line for motorcycle travel I came across the Ayres Adventures website. The site was far and away better than any other so I called Ron, took a chance, signed up for the South America 5 Flags Tour and never looked back. The trip was well run and well planned, offered reliable road support, experienced tour leaders and attracted fun, adventurous people.

The next trip I took was an Ayres Adventure to Africa and this past summer I rode with Ayres in Alaska and Yukon Territory. By now I knew I could count on Ayres for exceptional road support and tour leadership and I was not disappointed. The Alaska challenge for me was riding the Dalton Highway to Prudhoe Bay and our leaders, John and Ed, aside from the expected road support, offered moral support and encouragement. I couldn't have done that ride without them.

My challenge now will be deciding which Ayres Adventure to sign up for next.

Marilyn's Adventures include:
Prudhoe Bay Excursion
Alaska/Yukon Adventure
Southern Cross
Call of the Wild
South America 5 Flags
The Epic Journey - Moscow to Hong Kong
Antarctica Adventure

Marilyn Makepiece
Santa Barbara, California

START CITY: Cape Town

  • Nearest international airport: Cape Town International Airport
  • Airport code: CPT
  • Approximate distance from city centre: 11 miles/18 kms

END CITY: Johannesburg

  • Nearest international airport: O.R. Tambo Inernational Airport
  • Airport code: JNB
  • Approximate distance from city centre: 16 miles/26 kms
Private Tour Inquiry

We are happy to book any of our motorcycle tour as a private tour. For most tours, we require a minimum of 8 bikes, or 12 participants (riders plus co-riders). We can provide a private motorcycle tour for smaller groups, but a surcharge may apply. We can also customize any of our regular tours for a private group.

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