Windhoek - Capetown Tour

 

Tour Profile: Grated gravel roads, winding pass roads, some sandy stretches, easy Enduro terrain, some very remote areas, daily distances between 250 and 350 km

The enormous variety of attractions offered by this tour can hardly be beaten by other tours of our programme: Nearly 3.000 km are distributed on 12 wonderful driving days, leaving the impression of having travelled around the world: Discover Windhoek, the central Highland of Namibia, the Namib Desert, the small town Luderitzbucht at the Atlantik coast, the intriguing gorges of the Fish River Canyon, Richtersveld and the diamond mines at the west coast. The next leg of the journey takes us through the Namaqualand into the Cedarberg Mountains with their remote secondary roads and awe-inspiring views. Expect to be fascinated by further attractions such as the orchards and scenic Winelands of the Western Cape, Cape Agulhas at the Indian Ocean, the legendary Cape of Good Hope and finally reach the destination of our journey: Capetown, possibly the most beautiful town in the world, invites you to spend some entertaining hours - this tour offers so many varieties and contrasts that you will live on it for a long time after...

Gravel pads, farm roads, passes and coastal routes and a detailed roadbook are combined with dreamlike accommodations and culinary delicacies, all contributing to this unique und unforgettable experience.

This tour is not suitable for absolute beginners but less trained Enduro-drivers will be able to meet its demands.

Day 01: FLIGHT UK – NAMIBIA

Departure from Gatwick on a scheduled over-night flight with Air Namibia, which takes you directly to Windhoek.

Day 02: WINDHOEK – AUAS MOUNTAINS

Arrival at Windhoek's Hosea Kutako International Airport in the early morning hours where you meet your local tour guide. A road transfer of about one hour takes you to the comfortable "Windhoek Mountain Lodge" in the southern foothills of the Auas Mountains, the home base of all Gravel Travel Tours. Enjoy the opportunity to get accustomed to the change of climate and to relax around the pool offering magnificent views of the surrounding mountain ranges. In the afternoon, we meet to discuss details of the tour programme and for an introduction of how to use the motorcycles and the road book, followed by a test drive on a 30 ha farm bordering the lodge grounds. In the evening, you are invited to our legendary "bushman fondue" or 'braai' – as we call it in Namibia.
Dinner/Bed/Breakfast – Windhoek Mountain Lodge

Day 03: AUAS MOUNTAINS – NAMIB DESERT

Your journey starts off not too early in the morning. As soon as Windhoek lies behind us, we travel in south-eastern direction on broad, well maintained gravel pads through the southern extents of the scenic Khomas Highlands. Passing Speetshoogte Pass with its tremendous viewpoint, we reach the Namib Desert. Situated at its fringe lies our accomodation, the "Desert Homestead", for an overnight stay. At sunset, we enjoy sundowner drinks on the terrace offering fascinating views across the seemingly endless expanse of the barren plains of the Namib Desert.
Dinner/Bed/Breakfast – Desert Homestead Lodge

Day 04: NAMIB DESERT – HELMERINGHAUSEN

Today's step is dedicated to the outstanding landscapes of the Namib Desert. The main part of the route takes us right along the border between desert and central highlands of Namibia: On one side, you will find the red desert dunes, on the other side, the bizarre mountain ranges of Naukluft and Tiras line the road. Our destination is the tiny desert town Helmeringhausen whose scenery seems to be taken right out of a wild west movie...
Dinner/Bed/Breakfast – Helmeringhausen Hotel

Day 05: HELMERINGHAUSEN – LÜDERITZ

Today, we visit the small sleepy harbour Lüderitz. Times seem to stand still here. A lot of Lüderitz' buildings date from past times when it was a german colony. Abandoned towns like Kolmanskoop, formerly a centre of the booming diamond mining business, with their completely reserved buildings now buried in sand dunes also remind of the past. We stay overnight in the "Nesthotel" situated right at the Atlantic coast. Because of the icy Benguela stream coming from the Antarctis the coastal climate is often much cooler than in the inland.
Dinner/Bed/Breakfast – Nesthotel Lüderitz

Day 06: LÜDERITZ – ORANGE RIVER

Our route takes us from Lüderitz to Noordoewer at the namibian frontier. First we travel nearly 120 km on tarred roads through the desert towards Aus. Then we follow the gravel pad along the western side of the Fish River Canyon further south through landscapes of almost overwhelming vastness. On the road, though, there will be some traffic, for it leads us towards Rosh Pinah which is at present a booming mining centre in southern Namibia. Here we have the opportunity to re-fuel our motorcycles. Then one of the most scenic steps running along the banks of the Orange River awaits us before we reach the frontier town Noordoewer. Here we stay in cosy reed-chalets at the river banks.
Dinner/Bed/Breakfast – Noordoewer Lodge

Day 07: ORANGE RIVER – NAMAQUALAND

Today we leave Namibia and enter South Africa. The immigration formalities are usually done quite quickly. We continue the journey by driving in western direction on the south-african side of the Orange. One of South Africa's most unusual areas awaits us, one that has hardly been touched by civilisation. The Richtersveld offers almost unreal desert dominated landscapes and fascinating motorcycle drives along narrow tracks which lead us towards the west and the Atlantic Ocean Coast. Ancient diamond mines, most of them abandoned, are to be found along our route until we reach the fishing village Port Nolloth in the course of the afternoon. After a short coffee break, we proceed on seldom used tracks along the Atlantic coastline passing through the diamond mining area. Our very remote destination "Die Houthoop" (The Woodpile) at the fringe of the Namaqualand expects us for an overnight visit. Enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the Atlantic and a seafood dinner prepared on the open fire whose ingredients cannot be found fresher and more tasty anywhere on the West Coast.
Dinner/Bed/Breakfast – Die Houthoop Guest Farm

Day 08: NAMAQUALAND – STRANDFONTEIN

The gentle and seemingly endless hill ranges of Namaqualand dominate the landscapes at today's leg of the journey. This part of South Africa falls into the winter rainfall area of the country, which stretches in a broad strip for about 1000 km along the southern and western coast of the sub-continent towards the north and still influences the climate conditions in Namibia's south-western areas. In the east and south, this strip of land is separated from the inland by high mountain ranges, which makes for clearly defined climate zones. Beyond the mountains lies the semi-arid Great Karoo, which belongs together with most of Namibia into the summer rainfall area. We proceed in southern direction on narrow, bending and less maintained tracks passing abandoned farms and seemingly deserted villages. Only at the end of the leg, we finally find some signs of civilisation. The Olifant river feeds huge irrigation plants which allow fertile orchards as well as fruit and vegetable farming in this region. At the river's atlantic mouth lies the small holiday resort Standfontein. Here we stay in the guesthouse "Seabreeze". You will enjoy the fantastic ocean view offered by your guest room, and the kitchen cannot really deny the fact that the Atlantic Ocean is only a stone's throw away...
Dinner/Bed/Breakfast – Seabreeze Hotel

Day 09: STRANDFONTEIN – CLANWILLIAM

Today, we leave the coast and turn inland in eastern direction. After a short time, we reach the extended winelands at the banks of the Olifants River, South Africa's most northern wine farming area apart from that in the Orange River Valley. The further leg takes us on winding gravel pads along a magnificent mountainous route through the rugged Cedarberg Mountains whose gorgeous views make us stop again and again to take a deep breath. In the late afternoon, we reach Clanwilliam, a small town in the foothills of the Cedarberg Mountains which is known for its large roiboos and fruit plantations. We stay overnight in the "St du Barry's Country Lodge", a lovely guesthouse built in the traditional colonial style. In the evening an unforgettable dinner awaits us.
Dinner/Bed/Breakfast – St du Barry's Country Lodge

Day 10: CLANWILLIAM – STELLENBOSCH

Off we go southwards, passing the huge "Clanwilliam Dam“ and the extended fruit plantations of Ceres until we reach the world-famous winelands of Stellenbosch. Today's route is very winding, and you really will have to decide between "drive" and "gaze" during the whole time since the surrounding landscape is extremely stunning. Our destination is a small private wine-growing estate near Stellenbosch. The home-made Chardonnay fits perfectly to the splendid view over the vineyards.
Dinner/Bed/Breakfast – Stellenbosch

Day 11: STELLENBOSCH – HERMANUS

Today' s leg of the tour leads us across the "Franchhoek Pass" towards eastern direction. We pass the "Theewaterkloof-Dam" which supplies a huge water reservoir for Capetown and stop for a welcomed coffee break in the small dreamy town Greyton. Its houses and old trees remind of past times. From here, we proceed straight towards the "Cape Agulhas", being the most southern spot of the African continent. The Cape also marks the geographic border between the Indian and the Atlantic Ocean. Narrow gravel pads lead us along the scenic coastal line until in the evening we reach our destination: the sought after seaside resort Hermanus. Its atlantic bay is known for the whales who come in sight regularily. Our hotel is situated at the coast, thus offering a great ocean view.
Dinner/Bed/Breakfast – Hermanus Hotel

Day 12: HERMANUS – CAPETOWN

More pass roads await you today along the south coast of the African continent. When the land levels out, we have reached the Cape Peninsula and soon also a nature reserve with rare antelope and plant species. The Cape is one of the seven floral kingdoms on earth mainly because of its richness in so-called Fynbos, represented amongst countless others by colourful Protea species and many variations of Erica. Before we reach our longed-for destination Capetown, we stop at the "Cape of Good Hope". Here, you certainly will not fail to overlook the marks left by the growing tourism... but what would be a journey through the Cape Region without a memento photo at the Cape Point? The legendary Cape of Good Hope was feared by the first European sailors because of its dangerous currents and winds as much as it was a reason to celebrate the prospect of going on land and refilling supplies. More highlights await us en route to the "Mother City" as Cape Town is lovingly called by its inhabitants. Approx. 230 km dreamlike coastal road including the world-famous "Chapmans Peak" makes for a well-deserved culmination of this bike tour. Cape Town justly counts amongst the most beautiful cities in the world, not only because of its fascinating scenery, which is dominated by the famous Table Mountain, the 12 Apostles Mountains and the sea but also because of its impressive architecture, its cultural diversity and last but not least because of the mentality of its people who are generally more lucky-go-easy than those in the remainder of South Africa and make for an almost Mediterranean flair. Our luxury hotel in colonial style situated on the beach front is a particularly attractive example of this special atmosphere. Of course we explore the pub scene of Cape Town afterwards, which could hardly be more colourful and contrasting.
Dinner/Bed/Breakfast– Winchester Mansions Hotel

Day 13: CAPETOWN & SURROUNDINGS

Another day to enjoy Cape Town and its many attractions whether you opt for relaxation or individual activities. A trip to the top of the well-known table mountain or a walk around the competely restored Waterfront with its numerous shops and bars, a visit at the colorful Green Market with its many african traders or to infamous Robben Island, being the jail island where Nelson Mandela had been arrrested for 20 years - the choice is yours and there will be much to discover until we meet again in the evening to enjoy our delicious dinner in a first class restaurant and another exhilarating pub crawl.
Bed/Breakfast – Winchester Mansions Hotel

Day 14: CAPETOWN – AIRPORT

After a good sleep and a breakfast together with your tour companions we relunctantly leave the hotel until midday and prepare for our departure. Our flight is scheduled in the afternoon and takes us back via Windhoek to Gatwick.

Day 15: ARRIVAL UK

The flight reaches Gatwick in the early morning hours.