BMW The Ultimate Riding Machine

Discover South Africa and the 'Big Five'

Date: 17 – 29 October 2010
Type of Tour: Easy Riding, Adventure, Luxury, Long Distance

How do I book?

Telephone: 08446 623913 or +44 208 607 3917 if outside the UK.
Fax: 0208 607 3901
E-mail: bmw@worldofbmw.com

This 13-day tour promises to be the experience of a lifetime. Taking all the best parts of the 2009 tour, the 2010 Discover South Africa Tour will leave a lasting impression on anyone wanting to experience the warm hospitality of this multi-cultural society.

Many visitors to South Africa want to experience the luxury of a 'Big 5' Game Reserve and that is just what we have in store for you in 2010. Enjoy the diversity of South Africa with its wide open spaces and vast landscapes; almost traffic-free roads; wonderful food and wine; and warm, generous hospitality.

Day 1 (17 October) - Cape Town

On arrival, arrangements will be made for you to be collected from the airport and taken to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. The V&A Waterfront has become South Africa's most visited destination and this is where our first luxury hotel can be found. The Waterfront is in the heart of Cape Town's working harbour with Table Mountain for a backdrop. The day can be spent exploring the shopping malls and crafters sheds, or visiting some of Cape Town’s well known local attractions. We will enjoy a group dinner in the Waterfront after a tour briefing.

Day 2 (18 October) - Local ride to Cape Point

After picking up the bikes at the BMW Pavilion, located in the Waterfront, we will take a circular tour of the Cape Peninsula, riding through Simonstown - once home to the Royal Navy - and the Boulders, to see the resident colony of African Penguins, before continuing along the magnificent coastline to Cape Point for lunch. The Tour will continue with a ride to Chapman’s Peak, Hout Bay and the Atlantic Seaboard, after which we will return to our hotel in the Waterfront. Choose from a large selection of restaurants to suit every taste. (Mileage; 95)

Day 3 (19 October) - Cape Town to Franschhoek

The scenic ride to Franschhoek takes us along a breathtaking coastal road through Gordon’s Bay, Kleinmond, passing though the deciduous farming area of Grabouw, and finally over the Franschhoek Pass to the food and wine capital of South Africa - Franschhoek. The village is surrounded by award winning wine farms and boasts some of South Africa’s finest restaurants, many of them offering a wide range of fine-dining. (Mileage; 155)

Day 4 (20 October) - Franschhoek to Robertson

Leaving Franschhoek we will take the majestic and craggy Du Toits Kloof Pass and head out through the Slanghoek valley to the historic village of Tulbagh, rich with Cape Dutch architecture. This village was totally destroyed in an earthquake in the late 1960’s and has been beautifully restored. After lunch we head out through Ceres and the Koo Valley to the Robertson region. Here we will stay on a small boutique wine farm where we will enjoy a group dinner and the chance to try some of the local wines. (Mileage; 225)

Day 5 (21 October) - Robertson to De Rust

Leaving the farm we will travel through Swellendam, which is the third oldest magisterial town in South Africa, and is famous for its architecture. The ride then continues through the picturesque village of Suurbraak, an old mission station, and over the Tradouw Pass to Barrydale. After lunch in Barrydale we will continue through Calitzdorp – a quaint little town nestled in the heart of the Klein Karoo, also known as the Port-Wine capital of South Africa. Then on through the Klein Karoo and Oudtshoorn, to our destination for the next two nights in the village of De Rust. (Mileage; 200)

Day 6 (22 October) - Free day

A free day to spend either at leisure or visiting local attractions including the Cango Caves, an Ostrich Farm or a Cheetah Sanctuary. The more adventurous can ride the Swartberg Pass to Prince Albert.

The 27 km Swartberg Pass is considered one of the most impressive mountain passes in South Africa - an unsealed road that winds to the summit, 1583 meters above sea level, in steep zigzags and sudden switchbacks with breathtaking views at every turn. The road is supported in places by hand-packed dry stone walls, a trademark of Thomas Charles Bain, the brilliant road engineer of the 19th Century. Often covered in snow in winter, the mountains' unique micro-climate supports fynbos and a rich bird population.

Leaving Prince Albert after lunch we will return through Meiringspoort, a World Heritage Site. Its soaring cliff walls with spectacular rock formations line the 25km tarred road which winds along the floor of the gorge. We will return to our hotel in the afternoon.

Day 7 (23 October) - De Rust to the Addo area

...and into the lap of luxury.

Leaving De Rust we will travel through the Karoo, passing through Willowmore, Steytlerville and Wolverfontein to our five-star, all inclusive, Private Game Reserve which is the highlight of this tour. There are moments in life when you need your own space in the bush and this ‘Big Five’ private game reserve, in the malaria-free Eastern Cape, offers world class luxury accommodation in which to indulge your soul. The spacious suites, with mountain views, are designed to wrap you in luxury. We will take over the whole reserve, thus occupying both Lodges. You will be treated to two game drives per day, together with your Game Ranger and Tracker, followed by fine dining on the terrace with menus specially selected and prepared by the resident chef, in true contemporary Africa style and flavour.

Your stay is fully inclusive, with the exception of drinks and any extras. (Mileage; 200)

Day 8 (24 October) - Free day

Another day to indulge yourself and your soul in this magical place, with more game drives, wonderful cuisine and photo opportunities.

Day 9 (25 October) - Addo area to Knysna

We will depart the reserve after our last game drive and a leisurely breakfast, making our way down through Plettenberg Bay to our next location for the tour in nearby Knysna. Here we will stay in a unique establishment overlooking the Knysna lagoon on Thesen Island. (Mileage; 215)

Day 10 (26 October) - Free day

Another free day to spend at your leisure. Knysna offers many local attractions. Take a ferry trip to Featherbeds Nature Reserve on the Eastern Heads;, visit the Oyster farm or take a trip to an Elephant Sanctuary, to mention but a few. These are rescued elephants and after learning about them you are encouraged to spend time with them, take them for a walk and then feed them. A truly uplifting experience! Great shopping is also available in the town.

Day 11 (27 October) - Knysna to Arniston

Another great ride today, and the only real long day in the saddle, as we continue from Knysna, along the Garden Route via the Wilderness, before heading down to the coastal fishing village of Arniston. Having successfully tackled the mighty Swartberg Pass, you may like to venture on an unsealed road once again, taking the only hand drawn pont over the Breede River, en route to Bredasdorp and then Arniston. The hotel sits right on the beach, with impressive views out over the ocean and a good in-house restaurant. Here you should catch sight of the Southern Right whales that come to these shores annually to calf. We will also visit Cape Agulhas over the next couple of days. (Mileage; 300)

Day 12 (28 October) - Arniston to Cape Town

Leaving Arniston, on our last leg back to Cape Town, we will stop in Hermanus to enjoy some serious whale watching! After lunch at one of the many restaurants overlooking Walker Bay we will retrace our route through Kleinmond, Gordons Bay, Somerset West and Stellenbosch to pick up the N1 route into Cape Town. Here we will spend our final night at the Waterfront. After returning the bikes we will have a closing dinner in the hotel. (Mileage; 200)

Day 13 (29 October) - Extend your stay or flights return to the UK

Today the choice is yours - return to the UK, stay in Cape Town, or discover more of Africa. Whatever your decision, you will retain your memories of an incredible World of BMW Tour around the southern part of South Africa.

Rider Price: £3,895
Couple Price: £4,295

Tour includes: hire of an R 1200 GS; back up vehicle / luggage van and trailer with spare bike; all accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis (except the Game Lodge which is all inclusive); dinner on the first and last night; the programme as outlined; all the necessary maps and route details; travel pack; World of BMW Tour Leaders to accompany the group; and VAT.

Not included are: air fares; fuel; meals other than those specified; wine & drinks; local entertainments not included in the programme; any admissions, tolls or travel insurance.