South Africa South Africa: The Wild Escape

Transcription

1 South Africa South Africa: The Wild Escape Elisabeth Fieujan

2 TRAVEL DESIGNER Stephane Gautronneau FRANCIS Francis is a biker always venturing out on the road to uncover new routes with as much passion as he has telling stories. And stories, he has collected a whole lot of them since he joined Vintage Rides team around a decade ago. He is an enthusiast and knows our itineraries like the back of his hand. To be done once in a lifetime! Great roads and breathtaking landscapes in a country with a multi-cultural society, which cannot be missed. 1

3 MAP A TRIP WITH UNIQUE SENSATIONS Starting from Cape Town, get on the legendary Royal Enfield for a 2000 km road trip in one of the most beautiful regions of South Africa. The fabulous coastline of the Western Cape will captivate you upto the confluence of the Atlantic and Indian oceans. From Route 62 to the Karoo desert, let your monocylindre glide over spectacular tracks, through mountain passes, canyons and vast wild stretches. Discover a region with a rich history, a land of internationally renowned vineyards, savour an expansive way of life and finally, at the end of a tough itinerary for both the bikers and their machines, tread on the rocks of the mythical Cape of Good Hope. The South African adventure is an unforgettable chapter in the life of a traveller! 3

4 AT A GLANCE 200 Km Legendary regions Period November / January to March Duration 12 days including 10 days riding Level Demanding English-speaking tour leader Accommodation Standard/Comfort From

5 YOUR TRIP IN 12 STAGES STAGE 1 Cape Town international airport You are received at the airport and taken to your hotel in Cape Town s city center. First contact with this mythical, dynamic and cosmopolitan city. Lying at the curve of a sheltered bay, the city is dominated by the majestic Table Mountain, which is accessible with a panoramic cable car. Walk around the historic city center upto Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, from where you can find boats for Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner for nearly twenty years. Meeting and dinner with your motorcycle tour leader. Cape Town Hermanus [150 km* 3/4h riding] STAGE 2 This is the big day! We will kick-start our Royal Enfield motorcycles and soon leave Cape Town behind us to head along the coastline for the southeast. The coastal road, which is in perfect condition, offers beautiful panoramas over the opal waters of False Bay. We will take lunch at Betty s Bay, where a colony of penguins have taken up residence. 50 km further on, we reach the charming seaside resort of Hermanus, which is known for its traditional houses with black thatched roofs and its splendid little routes, a must at sunset. 4

6 YOUR TRIP IN 12 STAGES Hermanus Swellendam [240 km* including 120 km on trail 5/6h riding] We leave in the morning and after first few kilometers off the road on good smooth tracks we head for Cap Agulhas, the most austral point of the African continent. The sea air filled with iodine gives an end of the world feeling and the chef at the local restaurant delights us with the fresh fish of the day. In the afternoon, the track takes us up north towards the mountains of Langeberg. We reach the small atypical village of Swellendam at the end of the day. STAGE 3 Swellendam Volmoed [240 km* including 140 km on trail 6/7h riding] STAGE 4 An intense day ahead of us! We climb up to Tradouw Pass, which opens us the gates of Klein Karoo, the antechamber of the great Karoo desert, covering practically one-third of the country. For a few kilometers, we ride on the famous Route 62, popular with the bikers whose German and American-made machines swallow unending straight lines. After a coffee at the Ronnie Sex Shop, a not-to-be-missed picturesque haunt on the 62, we get back quickly to our monocylinders favourite terrain: the track! The changing landscape of the mountains can be seen flashing past in the horizon just like in a western film setting. Overnight in a guesthouse in the countryside. 5

7 YOUR TRIP IN 12 STAGES Volmoed Knysna [150 km* including 70 km on trail 4h riding] STAGE 5 This morning, we set off due South towards the ocean, on a beautiful path winding through the vast domains of ostrich farms in the region. Outeniqua Pass is a beautiful place with savage nature, especially if the baboons are there! The last few kilometers on the Garden Route along the coast takes us to the lagoon of Knysna whose first european inhabitants logged the surrounding forest wood. We admire The Heads, the steep estuary of the lagoon feared by sailors since centuries, before reaching our hotel nearby. STAGE 6 Knysna Oudtshoorn [200 km* including 130 km on trail 5/6h riding] For a change in the arid province of Western Cape, we ride the whole morning deep in the forest! The intense vegetation with some of the trees several centuries old, the sounds of the forest: an environment which is in stark contrast with the first stages of our journey. Lunch on the banks of an enchanting river and we gradually get back to the vast stretches of Little Karoo to finally reach the city of Oudtshoorn, self-proclaimed as the ostrich capital of the world. This is the moment to visit an ostrich farm and learn a bit more about this impressive bird. We take a break at Oudtshoorn for two nights. 6

8 YOUR TRIP IN 12 STAGES STAGE 7 Oudtshoorn [220 km* including 60 km on trail 5/6h riding] We leave in the morning to explore Cango caves, at the foot of Swartberg mountain range. Thereafter, we fork off to a little-used trail which leads us straight to Meiringsproot gorges, a pass to the North in the direction of Great Karoo. The landscape is now clearly more arid and the temperature goes up a notch. When we reach the bucolic village of Prince Albert, we enjoy the coolness of a garden to taste the local cuisine. The weather permitting, we get set to attack Swartberg Pass (1600m), where the trail carved out of side of a mountain holds up even today, after more than 140 years. Return to the hotel late afternoon. Elisabeth Fieujan STAGE 8 Oudtshoorn Matjiesfontein [230 km* including 135 km on trail 5/6h riding] We head for the aurores for an unrelenting stage! A lovely track along the mountains leads to the small town of Calitzdorp, known for its production of porto wine. We get back to Route 62 for around thirty kilometers before entering the splendid canyon of Seweweekspoort. Towards the end, the increasingly deserted landscapes are magnificent! We stop off at Matjiesfontein, a hamlet which was established in the late 19th century and is remarkably preserved. 4

9 YOUR TRIP IN 12 STAGES Matjiesfontein Montagu [145 km* including 85 km on trail 3/4h riding] This morning, we ride for about an hour on Highway 1, the longest road in South Africa connecting Cape Town to Johannesberg, before heading off south towards the mysterious stretches of Anysberg. A deserted track takes us to Oubergs Pass and we arrive at our stopover for the day, a wild reserve nested in the hollow of a lost valley. After a dip in the pool, we leave by jeep in search of wild animals. At dusk, we share a braai, the local barbecue, a true institution in this country. STAGE 9 Montagu Franschhoek [180 km* including 80 km on trail 4H riding] Elisabeth Fieujan STAGE 10 After approximately thirty kilometers of trails, we go through the Montagu village known for its hot water springs. We then continue southwards in the direction of Breede River Valley, which marks our entry into the region of vineyards. We enjoy a pastoral picnic before heading for the magnificent Fanschhoek Pass. Franschhoek, the French corner, established in the 13th century by a community of Huguenots, is among the best vineyards of the region. Wine tasting and gastronomy on the horizon! 5

10 YOUR TRIP IN 12 STAGES Franschhoek Cape Town [200 km* 4/5h riding] Elisabeth Fieujan STAGE 11 Last day of biking with the discovery of the wild Cape Town peninsula. After about sixty kilometers on a fast road, we reach the ocean and stop off at the charming historical port called Simon s Town, an old base for the Royal Navy in the 19th century. The splendid coastal road then crosses a national park swept by wind from the sea, where the wild flora and fauna prosper to reach the mythical Cape of Good Hope! Return to Cape Town via the fabulous road of Chapman s Peak, carved out of the side of a cliff. STAGE 12 Cape Town international airport Depending on your flight timings, you have the time to enjoy the numerous charms of the Cape Town for a few more hours. Transfer to the international airport. *riding distances are indicative. 6

11 YOUR FORMULA Join a fixed departure 4190 / pilot* 3090 / pillion* Book at 4 and more: 3980 / pilot* To know the dates of our upcoming fixed departures. go to - tab "Our Trips", or contact one of our travel advisors at: contact@vintagerides.com. *These rates are indicative, please refer to our General Terms & Conditions. Want to leave in a closed group? Ask us for a quote for a private tour. And enjoy 5% off your second trip 10% off your third trip and more Always in the limit of

12 MORE INFO PRICE INCLUDES A Royal Enfield 500cc motorcycle is provided with full mechanical assistance and all spare parts Domestic transfers as appearing in the program, by private vehicle An English speaking Tour Leader (from day 2 to day 11) Fuel expenses An expert mechanic of Royal Enfield motorcycles A support vehicle with driver for groups with 4 or more participants; side luggage carrier for groups of less than 4 participants Lodging in standard/comfort hotels, in double bed rooms or on a twin-sharing basis. If you wish to stay in a single room (extra), please inform your travel advisor at the time of registration. Meals: Half-board meals during riding days (except during days of transfer) Third party motorcycle insurance PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE Compulsory insurances, including repatriation assistance which covers you in case of a motorbike accident in South Africa and legal assistance International flights and airport taxes to Cape Town Visa fees A refundable security deposit of 400 for every motorcycle Dinners and meals during days of transfers (day 1 and day 12) Admission fees to various monuments, temples etc. Souvenirs and personal expenses Drinks Tips 12

13 MY CHECKLIST Appropriate equipment is a component of a successful journey! Travel lightly, TRY TO STAY UNDER 45LBS (20 KGS) BAGS: A sailor bag would be perfect, a walker's bag too (without steel bar). You can close it with a padlock if you want to. Don t forget to tag it before leaving with your address. Also with the address of Vintage Rides in India. A small backpack of 20 litres is advised for daily necessities such as camera, sunscreen lotion, etc. SPECIAL MOTORCYCLE EQUIPMENT: Motorcycle boots are strongly advised or trekking shoes (waterproof) Light motorbike jacket (synthetic preferred) A rain suit (just in case!) Summer gloves Helmet Bandana PERSONAL MEDICINE: CLOTHES AND PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: 2 light pants 4 shirts (including some with long sleeves, to protect yourself from the sun) 1 warm sweater or jacket 1 bathing suit, and longi for women Sunglasses Hat Light shoes Flip flops 1 liter canteen (flask) and a flashlight (don t forget the battery) Some sweets and cereal bars Sunscreen lotion Lip balm Broad-spectrum antibiotic Paracetamol Anti-diarrhoea Elastoplast Skin disinfectant Bandages and special blisters bandage 13

14 CONTACT US Copyright photos : François Combes, Sophie Squillace VINTAGE RIDES INDIA C-65 Okhla phase 1 New Delhi Tel: VINTAGE RIDES FRANCE 98 Rue Baudin Levallois-Perret By appointment only Tel: CONTACT@VINTAGERIDES.COM 14