Motorcycle tour from Johannesburg
The bad news is that the Johannesburg to Tanzania overland safari is sold out, but the good news is that there is still place on the Tanzania to Johannesburg safari (exactly the same tour, just reverse direction). The even better news is that Chimhavira has teamed up with Samba Motorcycle Tours to bring you an epic 16 day SA motorbike expedition, running from the 16th to the 30th September 2010.
Enquiries about motorcycle safari - contact cheapflights@southafrica.to |
Day 1: Johannesburg, South Africa
On arrival in Johannesburg you will be transferred to your guesthouse. The afternoon is spent relaxing and is free for your leisure. We meet late afternoon and collect the motorcycles before returning to the guesthouse for a welcome dinner and detailed tour briefing. You’ll meet your guiding team and the rest of the group.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast + welcome dinner
Day 2: Kwa Nokeng Lodge, Botswana
Today our adventure starts. We leave Johannesburg and drive through the Northern part of South Africa entering Botswana at the border post Martin’s Drift. Your camp will be set up for you and you can relax by the fire and enjoy your dinner with a cold beer.
Accommodation: Camping with meals
Day 3: Nata Lodge, Botswana
Today we head deeper into Botswana and drive along the Makgadikgadi Pans up to Nata. The Nata River delta feeds the Sua Pan in the Nata sanctuary and forms the breeding ground for a host of water birds including pelicans and flamingo in their thousands, transforming the shore line into a pink haze blending into the western sky. Nata Lodge offers guided tours in open safari vehicles into the sanctuary, not to be missed.
Accommodation: Camping with meals
Day 4: Chobe Safari Lodge, Chobe NP, Botswana
A morning departure takes us further north. You’ll ride through the African bush to our next stop close to the Chobe National Park. On this route you’ll have a good chance of seeing some of the regions elephants crossing the road. Once we’ve reached our destination we’ll set up camp and enjoy the rest of the afternoon on a sunset cruise on the Chobe River. Here we can watch elephants, hippos, lions, crocodiles and a variety of birds and more without having to reach for our binoculars – close enough for close-up photographs of Africa’s big five.
Accommodation: Camping with meals
Day 5 - 6: Chobe National to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
We’ll leave Chobe National Park behind us and cross the border to Zimbabwe. Today and tomorrow you’ll have enough time to explore the magnificent Victoria Falls and it’s surroundings by foot and by bike.
Accommodation: Camping with meals
Day 7: Victoria Falls to Mahangu National Park
Today we leave Livingstone and follow the road to Kazungula and Katunda and cross the border into Namibia at Sesheke. We then ride through the Eastern Caprivi onto the Caprivi Strip. Our destination for the day is Mahango National Park, which lies on the western banks of the Okavango River and is one of Namibia's most captivating and species-rich conservation areas. Main features of the Mahango are enormous baobab trees, flood plains with large herds of elephant, buffalo and red lechwe.
Accommodation: Camping with meals
Day 8: Tsodilo Hills, Botswana
Today you’ll experience real adventure and real Africa. After we’ve left the Mahangu National Park we head south to the Tsodilo Hills (God’s Hills) whose rocky cliffs rise up about 400m above the surrounding plane and can be seen from the Okavango Delta. These hills are one of the most significant historical rock art sites in the world with as many as 3500 paintings. We’ll explore this site by foot. After this we’ll set up camp and spend the night in the African wilderness – camping with bush facilities, a real African adventure.
Accommodation: Camping with meals
Day 9 – 10: Okavango Delta, Botswana
Another highlight of Botswana – Early in the morning we’ll leave Tsodilo Hills and drive to the Western Delta and onto Etsha 13, from here we head into the largest inland delta in the world, the Okavango Delta. We transfer to our camp in the Delta where we’ll spend the next two nights listening to the sounds of the wilderness. Unlike other Delta’s in the world it runs into the Kalahari Desert without reaching the coast, which makes it unique. You’ll float in Mokoros through the thick vegetation of the Delta discovering a variety of birds and wildlife. You’ll stop at a secluded island and take a 1 ½ hour guided walk on one of the islands hoping to spot elephants, waterbuck or other animals living in this water filled paradise.
Accommodation: Camping with meals
Day 11: Okavango Delta to Khwai river, Botswana
We head off for Maun and onto a private concession close the Khwai River where Mankwe lodge is found. Once we’ve set up camp – we go on a night game drive in the concession. This area lies between Moremi and Chobe and we’ll have the opportunity to spot a variety of nocturnal animals.
Accommodation: Camping with meals
Day 12: Khwai River, Botswana
Today we spend a full day in the bush on a game drive. Departing after breakfast we take our 4x4 and drive through the wilderness area of the Khwai region spotting a variety of game that frequent this region that borders Moremi and Chobe. Picnic-lunch will be in the wilderness area. With some luck we’ll see all of the Big Five.
Accommodation: Camping with meals
Day 13 & 14: Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana
We leave Mankwe and the next few days will be a real adventure. We head towards Maun and from here south through the area of the Makgadikgadi Pans. Here the roads can be a bit rougher but it will allow us to drive off-road for the next 2 days. You will learn to appreciate the wide-open, uninhabited spaces under the endless canopy of blue sky. On Day 14 we’ll be back in civilization and camp at Mokolodi Game Reserve close to Gaborone.
Accommodation: Camping with meals
Day 15: Drive back to Johannesburg
On Day 15 we make our way slowly back to Johannesburg. Today is our last day of the tour and we’ll leave Mokolodi mid-morning and enter South Africa and take a few back-roads to finally reach our destination – Johannesburg. After dropping the bikes we relax at the guesthouse and enjoy a farewell dinner and look back on our amazing adventure together.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast + farewell dinner
Day 16: Departure
You will be transferred to the airport where you say goodbye to the guides and the group…
End of Services
This is a non-participation camping tour. Our route includes some of the best bike-riding roads in Botswana. The tour is run with a support vehicle with an off-trailer, which carries your luggage and all our camping equipment. The group will consist of a maximum of 12 bikes plus a professional guide whom will also be on a motorbike. Our experienced safari guide will drive the back-up vehicle and will meet up with you at the campsites in the evening and be your host.
NOTE: We will be travelling through malaria areas. Malaria prevention is a definite must!
AVOID LARIUM!!
Costs:
Rider: R 63 400.00 per person sharing
Pillion: R 35 500.00 per person sharing
Single Supplement: R 2 750.00
The Above costs include:
- Costs for any upgraded accommodation to that listed above and below.
Motorcycle Rental Terms & Conditions:
Insurance: Insurance cover is included in all rates. A deposit of R 17 500.00 will be required (held by means of a credit card authorization) on every rental. This amount covers the standard excess of R 17500.00 and will apply for each and every claim in excess of R 17 500.00. Pannier use as well as any other accessories will attract an additional deposit as well as cross border travel. Deposits will be refunded once the motorcycle has been cleaned and inspected on return.
Riders License: All riders must be in possession of a valid South African or International rider's license, valid for the class of motorcycle to be rented. Licenses are to be produced prior to the handover of the motorcycle. All riders are to be at least 25 years of age.
Cross-border Rentals: Any trips to countries beyond the borders of South Africa require prior authorization from Motorrad Executive Rentals (MER). Insurance cover will vary from time to time, country to country and as such, a detailed inventory will be required prior to departure. Cross border travel will also attract additional excess liability. Contact MER for details. – These details will be supplied at time of booking and the cross border fees are included in our price.
Rider Gear: Climatic conditions in Southern Africa are generally warm, but we do recommend that full rider gear is worn at all times. Owing to the very personal nature of this gear, riders are urged to bring their own gear with them. A limited number of helmets, gloves and jackets are available on request.
Payment Terms:
A 30% non-refundable deposit is payable on confirmation of booking with the balance payable 45 days prior to travel. We accept payments by bank transfers, Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Credit card payments will incur a 5% bank administration fee. If paying by bank transfer all bank charges are for your account.
Passport & Visa Requirements:
The onus is on the client to ensure you have a valid passport and arrange visas as required to visit South Africa, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia.
South Africa – No visa required for US & UK passport holders
Zimbabwe – Visa’s required at the border of entry and cost USD 50
Botswana – No visa required for US & UK passport holders
Namibia – No visa required for US & UK passport holders
This information is correct as of today’s date however neither Samba Tours nor Chimhavira can be held accountable should visa requirements change, please ensure you check with your country embassy prior to travel to ensure all details are still correct.
Ask our travel consultant your questions here. She would love to assist.
