South Africa motorcycle tour including rental motorcycle

Our motorcycle adventure begins in Johannesburg. From here, you’ll start your journey through South Africa on one of three “marathon stages,” riding from early morning until sunset on well-paved roads through the breadbasket of South Africa toward Botswana. At the Martins Drift border, you’ll spend the night in a cozy, typically African camp or lodge, getting ready for the adventures ahead.

A highlight of this stage is crossing the vast Kalahari savanna, one of the largest arid regions in the world. Geologically, the Kalahari is a huge inland basin that has formed over millions of years through deposits of sand and sediments. These sandy layers, often up to 200 meters deep, create the characteristic gently undulating landscape that kicks up dust during the dry season. The region is marked by fossil riverbeds known as Omuramba, which once carried large streams of water but are now mostly dry.

On this motorcycle journey, you have the option to either take the designated paved route or ride along unpaved tracks through the fascinating savanna landscape—a route that makes every enduro rider’s heart beat faster. Whether you prefer to enjoy the day’s stage as a relaxed road tour or an adventurous off-road passage, the vastness and scenery of this region are equally impressive.

An unforgettable experience on this short day’s ride! Here, we’ll encounter the last remaining African white and black rhinos up close—get ready for the exciting safari adventures that await us on this motorcycle tour.

A long day of riding lies ahead on our Africa combo tour through the central regions of Botswana. In addition to long stretches of asphalt, you also have the option to take sections with bumpy washboard tracks and loose sand if you prefer to leave the main route. Geologically, the Kalahari is a vast inland basin that has formed over millions of years through deposits of sand and sediments.

Whether you choose to ride on the road or off the road for the day’s stage, we’ll all meet again in the evening at the gateway to the Okavango Delta, in Maun. The Overland Truck team will welcome us with a true safari atmosphere and the feeling of being close to the world’s largest inland delta. This is where the real Africa adventure begins.

This stage is a must for anyone who wants to experience the freedom and spirit of adventure of a true African motorcycle journey—whether as a relaxed road tour or an exciting off-road ride.

Today, we venture deep into the Okavango Delta, which spans over 15,000 square kilometers and is considered the largest inland delta in the world. Here, the Okavango River seeps into the Kalahari, creating a unique landscape of channels, lagoons, and islands—an absolute highlight of any motorcycle journey through Africa.

For wildlife, the delta is of immeasurable value: elephants, lions, hippos, and countless bird species find water and nourishment here. You’ll explore the wilderness up close along sandy paths or by mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) before spending the night in the bush under the African starry sky.

As in the national parks, it’s not possible to ride motorcycles within the delta. However, you have the option to join an excursion to Chief’s Island—the heart of the Okavango Delta—which is the largest island within the Moremi Game Reserve and lies at the center of the delta. Originally the private hunting ground of the Batawana tribe’s chief (hence the name “Chief’s Island”), it is now a strictly protected part of the UNESCO World Heritage site.

The island is renowned for its incredible density of wildlife and remarkable biodiversity: elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, wild dogs, hippos, and a variety of antelope species are regularly seen here. During the rainy season, the island becomes partly surrounded by water, making it especially attractive for mokoro excursions (dugout canoe trips).

Back on paved roads and well-maintained tracks, your motorcycle tour continues toward Nata. Here, you’ll encounter the fascinating Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, covering around 12,000 square kilometers—among the largest salt flats in the world. These dried, dazzling white plains are the remnants of a prehistoric lake and transform during the rainy season into a paradise for flamingos and other water birds. As the sun sets, you’ll experience the endless expanse of Africa in all its magic.

Today’s stage runs mostly on paved roads, though there are still a few short but pleasantly rough sections along the way. Around midday, we reach the town of Kasane—the gateway to one of Africa’s most important nature reserves, the Chobe National Park, famous for its large elephant population.

In the afternoon, we’ll take a river safari by boat on the Chobe River, where massive herds of elephants come down to drink. This moment not only gives you goosebumps but also leaves you with countless unforgettable images.

Today, you’ll cross the border into Zimbabwe and reach the majestic Victoria Falls. Here, around 500 million liters of water plunge every minute from heights of up to 108 meters into the gorge. The mist rises up to 400 meters high and can be seen from afar—a sight that ranks among the most impressive natural wonders on Earth.

Just below the falls spans the famous Victoria Falls Bridge, a historic railway and road bridge offering spectacular views and serving as a hotspot for bungee jumping.

This combination of breathtaking natural wonders and adventurous riding stages makes this part of the journey truly unique. An added bonus: your passenger has the option to enjoy the day in the Overland Truck while you tackle the bumpy roads on your rental motorcycle.

This mix of travel options makes this motorcycle tour a true standout among Africa’s motorcycle adventures. Here, you’ll experience not only an unforgettable adventure but also maximum comfort and flexibility for your motorcycle holiday in Africa.

Whether it’s bungee jumping from the famous railway bridge, a helicopter flight, zip-lining, or white-water rafting — you have as many exciting options here as your Africa motorcycle tour itself offers. The railway bridge over the Zambezi Gorge was built in 1905 under the direction of Cecil Rhodes, with the ambitious goal of creating a railway connection “from Cape to Cairo.” Today, this historic steel structure is not only an engineering masterpiece but also a hotspot for thrill-seekers: from here, you can take a spectacular bungee jump—111 meters of pure adrenaline!

All activities, such as helicopter flights, bungee jumps, or rafting tours, can be booked directly on-site—spontaneously and according to your mood. Those who prefer a more relaxed pace can enjoy a peaceful walk along the thundering Victoria Falls and take in one of nature’s greatest wonders.

The Victoria Falls, called Mosi-oa-Tunya (“The Smoke That Thunders”) by the locals, rank among the largest waterfalls in the world. Depending on the season, up to 500 million liters of water per minute plunge over nearly two kilometers of width into the gorge—a natural spectacle that must be seen, heard, and felt to be believed.

In the evening, the day winds down with a sundowner overlooking the mighty Zambezi River, which not only impresses with its sheer power but also contributes significantly to the energy supply of southern Africa.

This rest day is perfect for recharging, relaxing, and preparing to continue your motorcycle adventure refreshed and full of new energy.

The ride continues on paved roads toward Hwange National Park, where in the afternoon you’ll have the chance to spot the “Big Five” on safari—an absolute highlight of any motorcycle holiday in Africa. You’ll reach this unique park via well-maintained roads.

Today, two safari game drives await us in Hwange National Park, the largest national park in Zimbabwe, covering an area of about 14,650 square kilometers. The park is renowned for its incredible diversity of wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinos—the famous “Big Five.” Especially during the dry season, animals gather around the waterholes, offering spectacular wildlife sightings.

On the park’s red and often sandy tracks, not only safari enthusiasts but also 4x4 drivers and motorcycle travelers visiting in the rented Overland Truck get their full share of adventure. Encounters with elephants, antelopes, and big cats in their natural habitat are truly unforgettable.

The Painted Dog Conservation Centre offers fascinating insights into species protection and efforts to preserve Africa’s wildlife population. It’s a day full of motion, wilderness, and heart, ending with a sundowner overlooking the vast savanna—and the unforgettable feeling of being part of this one-of-a-kind African adventure.

You’ll ride mostly on paved roads to Bulawayo. Here, you have the option to explore the Matobo Hills, a spiritual area known for its granite formations and ancient rock paintings—perfect for a short off-the-beaten-track motorcycle ride.

You arrive at the new border in Zimbabwe before crossing the wobbly and completely overloaded concrete bridge into South Africa. Let’s hope it holds up for you too! ;-)

Once across, you’re back in South Africa and reach the famous Kruger National Park, home to an incredible variety of wildlife. Here, breathtaking landscapes meet fascinating encounters with elephants, lions, giraffes, and much more—an unparalleled finale to your African motorcycle adventure.

The entire day is dedicated to safari. On well-maintained tracks and adventurous routes, you’ll experience the true safari feeling of Africa—the crowning highlight of your motorcycle journey.

Kruger National Park was established in 1898 and is today South Africa’s largest and oldest wildlife reserve, covering an impressive 19,485 square kilometers. The park borders Mozambique and Zimbabwe and is part of the transboundary Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, creating a continuous protected area for numerous animal species.

Here, you’ll encounter the “Big Five” in their natural habitat and can fully immerse yourself in the African wilderness on the park’s accessible roads and tracks. Whether at a waterhole, during sunset, or on an exciting game drive, Kruger Park is the grand finale of your African motorcycle tour—an unforgettable experience that will stay with you forever.

The final stage is a straightforward ride back to Johannesburg, where your African motorcycle journey on paved roads comes to an end—carrying unforgettable experiences and a deep love for Africa with you.

For these motorcycle tours through South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe back to Johannesburg, rental bikes ranging from the BMW GS to the Cobe and Co proved to be excellent travel companions. By the way, even a more affordable rental bike like the BMW 650 or 750 GS is absolutely sufficient and ideal for this tour—because here, it’s not about engine size, but about your sense of adventure and the right riding experience.