Special: The South Africa Friendship Bike Tour

Today’s highlight is the vast Kalahari savanna. It is one of the largest arid regions in the world. The Kalahari is a huge inland basin formed over millions of years by sand and sediment deposits. These sandy layers, often up to 200 meters deep, create a gentle, rolling landscape. Dry fossil riverbeds called Omuramba mark the region.

You can choose the paved route or ride unpaved tracks through the savanna — a dream for any enduro rider. Either way, the scenery is stunning.

The big moment today: we see African white and black rhinos up close at Khama Rhino Sanctuary. Get ready for more safari thrills ahead on this tour.

We venture into the Okavango Delta. It spans over 15,000 square kilometers and is the largest inland delta in the world. The Okavango River seeps into the Kalahari and creates channels, lagoons, and islands.

Elephants, lions, hippos, and many bird species live here. Explore the wilderness on sandy paths or by mokoro (traditional dugout canoe). Spend the night under the African sky.

Motorcycles cannot enter the delta. But you can join a trip to Chief’s Island, the heart of the Okavango. This island sits inside the Moremi Game Reserve. It was once the private hunting ground of the Batawana chief. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its wildlife density.

Today’s stage runs mostly on paved roads with a few rough sections. Around midday, we reach Kasane — the gateway to Chobe National Park. The park is famous for its large elephant herds.

In the afternoon, we take a river safari on the Chobe River. Massive herds of elephants come to drink at the water’s edge. This moment gives you goosebumps and images you will never forget.

Bungee jumping, helicopter flights, zip-lining, or white-water rafting — pick your thrill. The railway bridge over the Zambezi was built in 1905 under Cecil Rhodes. Today it offers a 111-meter bungee jump.

All activities can be booked on-site. Prefer a calmer day? Walk along the thundering falls. The locals call them Mosi-oa-Tunya — “The Smoke That Thunders.” Up to 500 million liters per minute cascade over nearly two kilometers into the gorge.

The evening ends with a sundowner by the Zambezi River. A perfect day to recharge before the next riding stages.

Two safari drives today in Hwange, the largest national park in Zimbabwe. It covers about 14,650 square kilometers. The park hosts elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, and rhinos. During the dry season, animals gather at waterholes for amazing viewing.

We also visit the Painted Dog Conservation Centre. The day ends with a sundowner over the vast savanna.

We cross the border at Beitbridge back into South Africa. Then we reach the famous Kruger National Park. Elephants, lions, giraffes, and much more await — an epic finale to this African motorcycle adventure.

The last stage is a direct ride back to Johannesburg on paved roads. Your African motorcycle journey ends here — but the memories stay forever.

Rental bikes like the BMW GS, or the more affordable BMW 650 or 750 GS, work perfectly for this tour. It is not about engine size — it is about your sense of adventure.