The Call of the Wild Adventure combines motorcycle touring with luxury game lodges to offer an “in-depth” experience with the continent’s incredible wildlife. The Adventure begins in Sandton, South Africa (suburban Johannesburg) and continues through Botswana and Namibia, with a side trip to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. The trip ends in Namibia’s capital city of Windhoek.
Features of the trip include:
- Nearly all accommodations in luxury game lodges (several 5-Star lodges and hotels) in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. (all luxury tented lodges include full private “ensuite” bath facilities)
- Numerous game drives in 4×4 safari vehicles to see Africa’s “Big Five” (lion, rhino, leopard, cape buffalo, and elephant) – as well as a wide variety of other wildlife
- A free day in Kasane, Botswana, providing ample time for a day trip to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. The stay also includes a river cruise on the Chobe River and opportunities to do game drives in Chobe National Park
- Three nights at a luxury lodge in Namibia’s famed Etosha National Park, where guests may use their own 4×4 vehicles to go on their own daily game drives.
Jamie Elvidge, editor of Motorcycle Escape Magazine described the Call of the Wild as “the coolest way to ride a motorcycle from one safari to another.”
Interested in a longer trip? You can precede this tour with our Southern Cross Adventure, which takes place immediately before Call of the Wild.
At a Glance
Your Call of the Wild Adventure
Arrival in Johannesburg. Transfer to hotel in Sandton, motorcycle handover, kickoff meeting and our first dinner together! Riders arriving early can tour Soweto or enjoy the upscale shopping, restaurants and cafes at the nearby Mandela Square.
We will have a very pleasant day of riding through the South African countryside as we head to our 5-star game lodge in the Welgevonden Game Reserve. Parking our motorcycles at the gate, we will enjoy a 45-minute drive in a 4×4 safari vehicle through the reserve on our way to the lodge. “High tea” will be served prior to our first sundowner game drive.
An early morning game drive is a great way to start the day and to watch the wildlife come to life as they begin their day. Afterwards, we will have brunch and then you can relax around the swimming pool or visit the spa. On our late afternoon game drive we will enjoy sunset drinks in the bush and then continue to search for nocturnal wildlife as we head back to the lodge.
Before our noon departure, we will have another opportunity to do a morning game drive followed by a great brunch. We will be crossing the border into Botswana today and then have a short ride to our destination of Palapye.
The road to Nata takes us through rural Botswana on good two-lane paved highways. We will pass many picturesque native villages with possible wildlife sightings along the way.
The road to Kasane is exciting because we have often encountered elephants, giraffes and other wildlife alongside or crossing the road. We will arrive at the lodge in time to enjoy lunch before taking an afternoon boat cruise on the Chobe River. This cruise offers spectacular and close-up sightings of hippo, elephant, giraffe, cape buffalo and many other animal species and birds.
This free day offers several great opportunities from which to choose. You could opt for an early morning game drive through Chobe National Park in an open safari vehicle and possibly repeat the boat cruise in the afternoon. Another great choice is to take a day trip to Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, where you can take a guided tour, bungee jump in front of the falls or take a helicopter flight over the falls.
On our way to Bagani, we will ride through Chobe National Park where we once again have the opportunity for some great wildlife sightings. We will cross into Namibia and then ride along the Caprivi Strip to reach the luxurious Divava lodge which will be our home for the next two nights.
Options for this free day include a boat cruise on the Okavango River to see hippos, crocodiles and other wildlife, a game drive at a nearby reserve, or simply relaxing and enjoying the amenities of this luxurious lodge.
Today we will continue across the Caprivi Strip on our way to Etosha and will have the opportunity for some interesting stops for crafts and souvenirs. At our destination, will trade our bikes for 4×4 vehicles to allow for two days of self-directed game viewing in Etosha National Park.
Etosha National Park is one of the most popular game parks on the African continent. After the many game drives you’ve participated in during this tour, you’ll now be ready to take the wheel of your own 4×4 and explore the park at your leisure. The lodge is located within sight of the Etosha gate, making it easy to visit the park as often as you like.
Our ride to Windhoek will include several interesting shopping opportunities along the way. Our final celebration dinner will be in one of Windhoek’s most popular and trendy restaurants, featuring a menu that includes popular African game dishes.
After a relaxing breakfast at the hotel, the tour leaders will arrange your transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Total – 1,852 miles
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Please contact us about low frame and/or low seat options for our bikes.
- Includes BMW F750GS
- Additional charge of $100 BMW F850GS
- Additional charge of $300 for BMW F850GS Adv
- Additional charge of $800 for a BMW R1250 GS
- Additional charge of $1,200 for a BMW R1250 GS Adv
- Additional charge of $800 for BMW R1250R
- Additional charge of $1,200 for BMW R1250RT
- Personal motorcycle: deduct $2,050 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
- Two commemorative shirts
- Adventurer Club travel award credit
Meals
- All breakfasts
- All dinners
- Several lunches
Special Inclusions
- Luxury game lodges
- Multiple morning & evening game drives
- Chobe river cruise
- All park entry fees
Deposit per person: $800
Single room supplement – $1425.2023 Schedule
| Date | 2023 Adventures | Days | Price (USD) | Co-rider | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30 - October 13 | Call of the Wild (Johannesburg to Windhoek) | 14 | $8,600 | $5,700 | |
2024 Schedule
| Date | 2024 Adventures | Days | Price (USD) | Co-rider | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 28 - October 11 | Call of the Wild (Johannesburg to Windhoek) | 14 | $8,600 | $5,700 | |
Cancellation fee and refunds
| FROM DATE OF SCHEDULED COMMENCEMENT | AMOUNT FORFEITED |
|---|---|
| More than 60 days | 50% of deposit |
| 60 days or fewer but more than 45 days | 100% of deposit |
| 45 days or fewer but more than 30 days | 50% of full tour payment |
| 30 days or fewer | 100% of full tour payment |
We're already looking forward to our next Ayres Adventure
As U.S. diplomats who have traveled the world and lived in sub-Saharan Africa for six years, and as newcomers to organized tours, we might have been among your toughest clients to please - instead, Ayres Adventures won us over from our first email exchange! We can't say enough about the quality and professionalism of our Call of the Wild tour. Africa is not for everyone, but if you experience it with Ayres Adventures, you will not be disappointed. From amazing lodges to beautiful landscapes and wildlife, combined with two absolutely incredible guides (Jason and Claus) we could not have been more impressed. Thank you so much for going above and beyond our expectations - we're already looking forward to our next Ayres Adventure!
Jean and John's Adventures include:
Call of the Wild
Kampala, Uganda
This was our third Ayres tour and it clearly is the best motorcycle tour that money can buy
This was our third Ayres tour (Call of the Wild) and it clearly is the best motorcycle tour that money can buy. Claus and Jason were the best guides, very organized and very much understand people. Our accommodations were top notch and all planned extremely well.
Don and Vicki's Adventures include:
Call of the Wild
Best of Brazil
Escape to Machu Picchu
Inverness, FL
I can highly recommend Ayres Adventures for any motorcycle adventure
The "Call of the Wild" tour offered tremendous value for the money. It gave access to high end lodges such as Sediba which one would normally not necessarily consider. The wildlife sightings were spectacular. Game drives were offered twice a day when at game reserves. The local guides were outstanding and offered a ton of information. The opportunity to visit Victoria Falls was great and a must when in that area. The tour guides Claus and Jason made the tour enjoyable. They are professionals and know their stuff. Especially to have Jason, a South African on the tour gave us so much good insight into the country's history, current affairs etc. Jason's knowledge of the wildlife was especially helpful. Special thanks to Jason for helping me in refreshing my Afrikaans. I felt in good hands with both Claus and Jason. The good chemistry among the tour participants also helped to make this trip an unreserved success. I can highly recommend Ayres Adventures for any motorcycle adventure. Their organization and attention to detail is second to none. I am looking forward to the next tour.
Dietrich's Adventures include:
Call of the Wild
Bariloche to Ushuaia
Kitchener, Canada
This trip was set up to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but I hope it was not the only time I will visit.
"My lasting impressions of South Africa, Botswana and Namibia are overwhelmingly positive. This trip was set up to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but I hope it was not the only time I will visit." - Corey Hinderstein
"To encapsulate the experience of traveling by Ayres, I compare it to traveling with a wealthy and experienced older brother, one committed to showing you a great time. Once you’ve joined them, you don’t have to worry about a thing beyond paying for a bit of beer or wine on occasion." - Chase Hinderstein
Corey submitted an article about her trip with us. The article was published in Between the Spokes - the magazine of the BMW Club. Click here to see Corey's article.
Chase and Corey's Adventures include:
African Call of the Wild Adventure
Burke, Virginia
Overall, it was a wonderful experience!
Overall, it was a wonderful experience.
I expect to tour with Ayres again, and would highly recommend Ayres Adventures to anyone interested in motorcycle touring.
Burt's Adventures include:
South American Splendors
Call of the Wild
Machu Picchu Excursion
Richmond, Virginia
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)
White Salmon, Washington
The professionalism of your organization is outstanding!
What a time we had in Africa, and the professionalism of your operation is outstanding. The routes, people, sights, hotels, food and animals all exceeded our expectations.
When you come back from any holiday there are usually a few things that stand out as being special. However regarding our tour it all blended into what can only be described as "Boys Own Stuff". It was truly the adventure we all dream about growing up as children. However to experience it later on in your life, is a dream come true.
We really want to participate in the South American Adventure next October!
Bill and Carolina's Adventures include:
Call of the Wild
Namibian Splendors
Bogota, Columbia
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.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey
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.