Overview

2024 Dates & Rates to be confirmed.

Cape Town – Tankwa Karoo – Cape Aghulas

“The Karoo is not as much a place as a feeling, it enters through your bloodstream taking its time to unfold until its time to leave then you realise its taken a hold of your soul…”

A bucket list tour for many.  But due to the remoteness keeps it just there. Well now’s your chance to tick it off and join us to this magic ancient landscape of beauty & desolation, space & silence, called the Tankwa Karoo.

Meet us in Cape Town and we’ll take you on a tour to remember.

Day 1: Cape Town International Airport | Langebaan | Paternoster

We head to the West Coast stopping en-route for a seafood lunch at the Strandloper, Langebaan. Tonight we overnight in one of the oldest fishing villages, with its rows of authentic white-washed buildings, on the West Coast – Paternoster. Kicking off with a couple of cold ones in the famous ‘Panty Bar’ and followed by sea front dinning at the newly revamped Paternoster Waterfront.

Day 2: Paternoster | Lambert’s Baai | The Baths, Citrusdal

Leaving Paternoster we take the coastal route where one can spot gannets & seals. Stopping for a delicious harbour-side lunch in Lambert’s Baai at Isabella’s, then clambering back on our bikes and make our way to The Baths Natural Hot Springs near Citrusdal to wallow in the hot & cold mountain rock pools. Tonight we’ll have an informal and light poolside snack. (If you can manage it!!)

Day 3/4: The Baths | Traveller’s Rest | Tankwa Tented Camp

We head to the tour’s namesake – the Tankwa Karoo – but first on route we visit the Engelsman Graf and Traveller’s Rest (now famous amongst motorcyclists for their Rooibos Malva Pudding.) On to Thomas Bain’s Pakhuis Pass and up Botterkloof to the Tankwa Tented Camp. Here for 2 nights in Deon’s wild & capable hands we will experience the ‘beauty & desolation, the space & silence’ plus visit the artscape installations, drum in the ‘Onverklaarbar’, swim in the reservoir and take an epic truck trip to Sunset Hill where wearing a tie to show respect is compulsory – so don’t forget to pack a tie. We’ll remind you on our tour tips and should we forget or you don’t happen to own a tie Deon has a selection for you behind the bar.

Day 5: Tankwa Tented Camp | Ceres | Matjiesfontein

We make our way to Matjiesfontein, a Victorian-style settlement in the heartland of the Karoo, but first we will be stopping at another of the Tankwa Karoo institutions – The Tankwa Padstal. . .  if they open? Making our way over Michell’s Pass to our lunch stop in the Ceres Valley. Thereafter we step back in time to overnight at the historical Lord Milner Hotel making sure not to miss the ‘shortest town tour’ on an authentic London Red Bus with Johnny … its SHOW-TIME!!

Day 6: Matjiesfontein | Seveweekspoort | Matjiesvlei Cottages

After a hearty breakfast we travel through Laingsburg, the friendly modern Karoo town that was almost entirely wiped out in the huge floods of 1981, and on to Seweweekspoort.  Rated by many as the most stunning pass in the country. Also in Laingsburg we will be picking up roosterkoek from Tannie Poppie, who famously taught JAN to make bread. Her famous roosterkoeks will be for our braai that evening. Talking about braaiing…. tonight & tomorrow night we will be staying at Matjiesvlei Cottages on Middelplaas – the home of South African Braai Master – Jan Braai! But what about lunch? We’re starving! We will be stopping in SA’s Port Capital – Calitzdorp at De Krans Wines Cellar for refreshments and to stock up on award winning homegrown red & white, fortified & port-style wines to enjoy with our braais at Matjiesvlei Cottages over the next 2 nights.

Day 7: Swartberg Pass| Prince Albert / Meiringspoort

Light brekkie then off to do a couple of must do passes when in the area.  Stopping for lunch in Prince Albert – a delightful, historic town in the Great Karoo which lies at the foot of the awe-inspiring Swartberg Pass. Returning by way of Meiringspoort which offers gentle gradients, 63 bends, corners and curves back to Matjiesvlei Cottages where a braai on the banks of the Gamka River awaits us. If weather permits, we swim!

Day 8: Matjiesvlei | Montagu | Malgas

Sadly its good bye Matjiesvlei Cottages. Off early, so just coffee & rusks this morning, as we need to be in Montagu for an unforgettable tractor trip (weather permitting) to the top of the mountains to see South Africa’s national flower, the King Protea. Where we will enjoy a Mascadel & some dried friut producted in the very valley below you.  Once suitably thrilled from the tractor trip we make our way to Malgas crossing the Breede River on the new diesel powered (no more chains – how sad) Malagas Pont, you can tick this off that bucket list as well! Then to the Malagas Hotel where we’ll check in and for those who feel for a midday snack we’ll head out to the local Boathouse, a locals hang-out on the banks of the Breede River. Tonight marks the second to last night of the tour.

Day 9: Malgas | Birkenhead Brewery | Pringle Bay

Leaving Malgas for the southernmost tip of Africa – Cape Agulhas: Bucket list – tick! Of course we’ll do the must-have  photo shoot. And on to coastal gravel roads via Elim to Stanford and the Birkenhead Brewery for refreshments before heading to our final night’s stop on the outskirts of  Pringle Bay. The luxury Kapensis Guesthouse is situated on a nature reserve in the heart of the Western Cape’s uniquely rich fynbos region. Here we will have sundowners around the pool while soaking up the breathtaking mountain and distant ocean views, before dinner and our traditional ‘Straf or Prestasie Dop’ ceremony.

Day 10: Pringle Bay | Cape Town International Airport

After a light breakfast – because by now we having trouble fitting into our riding gear we depart for Cape Town.  Once in Cape Town we bid our fond farewells until we ride together again.

MAKE LIFE A RIDE.