Join us on a Great Karoo Adventure Tour (2021)
Far-flung farm roads, hidden gorges, mesmerising views, campfires, starry skies and Verneukpan: Experience it all – and more – on a 2021 Bike Routes Karoo tour.
Start and end: Carnarvon, Northern Cape
Dates: 14-18 May
Duration: Four days and five nights
Tour leader: Willem van der Berg
Group size: Between 5 and 8 riders
The route
Day 1: Carnarvon (guesthouse accommodation)
Very few people know Carnarvon is the centre of the universe. We’ll spend the evening in the jovial Lord’s Kitchen restaurant, where we will share more detail about the tour with you. (The best pizzas in the universe and exquisite Karoo lamb dishes are on the menu.) Tonight, we rest our heads in the Lord Carnarvon guesthouse. Enjoy the lord’s luxury, because tomorrow night we sleep under the stars. If you’ve trailered your motorcycle here, you can leave your tow car and trailer in the guesthouse’s secure parking area.
Day 2: Carnarvon to Tankwa (camping accommodation)
After an early breakfast, we head for Fraserburg. We ride scenic private roads for which we have obtained special permission. From Fraserburg we ride the Rantepad to Sutherland. This path winds through the Nuweveldberge before ascending the Roggeveld mountains. If it has rained in the area, we’ll splash through streams and cross a river or two. From Sutherland we head to Ouberg Pass. This impressive gravel pass drops dramatically into the Tankwa Karoo. A final stretch of rough jeep track brings us to our campsite. Prepare yourself for a stirring sunset, dazzling stars and a delicious braai.
Day 3: Tankwa to Williston (guesthouse)
After packing up, we ride the beautiful Gannaga Pass up to the plateau, and swing by Gannaga Lodge for a royal breakfast and coffee. Recharge your muscles and reflexes here, because after breakfast we carve up the mountains en route to Middelpos. We will ride along challenging paths only accessible through pre-arranged permission from local farmers. From here to Williston we ride another remote twin-spoor, punctuated by a series of farm gates. In Williston we settle into cosy guesthouses and enjoy dinner at the splendid Manna restaurant.
Day 4: Williston to Verneukpan (camping)
Today is a big day for those who have never experienced Verneukpan’s wide open spaces. To get there, we ride the western half of the beautiful Perdekloof. This piece of the Karoo is fairly unknown, and it is pure motorcycle pleasure. We stop by the remote Swartkop community and then it’s twin-spoor shenanigans all the way to Verneukpan. There’s plenty of time to test your top speed, pop wheelies and take photographs at sunset. A professional photographer will be at the ready to capture your antics. We’ll spend the evening around a campfire, and sleep in the Milky Way’s embrace.
Day 5: Verneukpan to Carnarvon (guesthouse)
This is our last day, but we will suck the marrow out of it. The eastern half of Perdekloof is waiting for us. If we have enough time and energy left, we’ll follow a few interesting farm roads back to Carnarvon. At the Lord’s Kitchen we dine together for the last time, before we go our separate ways, following breakfast the next morning.
What to bring
- Tent, mattress and sleeping bag
- An adventure bike shod with off-road tyres
- Warm clothes for the evenings
- Card or cash for fuel
A bakkie (towing a bike trailer) will transport all your luggage while on tour, if you wish. A large cooler box will be available to keep your day’s drinks icy cold.
Breakfast and dinner are provided. Bring snacks if you want to eat something on the go. Please let us know if you have specific dietary preferences.
Price: R11 500 per person
To check availability or get more info, please e-mail wn.vanderberg@gmail.com or justus@bikeroutes.co.za. You can also call or message Willem at tel: +27 82 906 5784.
To reserve your place, please pay a 50 percent deposit or the full amount to Bike Routes by 30 April 2021. Please use your name as reference and e-mail proof of payment to wn.vanderberg@gmail.com. Bank account number to be supplied via e-mail.
Get in touch now, to make sure you can accompany Willem on this unique tour.
