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SAT 1602 - South Africa Tour

Saturday, November 12, 2016 | Michael Kreuzmeir | Africa

The group arrived after 14 days and 4250 km into Cape Town and the Cape of Good Hope.

Day 14 - Final Day around Cape Town

Day 14 - Final Day around Cape Town

Today we won't skip a sightseeing opportunity. The Chapman's Peak Drive was burst open into the coastal cliff in around 450 feet hight and gives an incredible view down to the ocean. Next stop will be the Nature Reserve at the Cape. The best view we get from the light house at the top of the Cape mountains but the best picture we get down at the ocean side at the Cape of Good Hope. Coming back into Cape Town our last stop will be the Signal Hill viewpoint before we have to turn our motorcycles back in after 4250 km and two weeks. What a journey through South Africa!

 

Tag 14 - Letzter Tag in und um Kapstadt

Heute lassen wir keine Sehenswürdigkeit aus. Der Chapman‘s Peak Drive wurde in ca. 150 m Höhe in den Fels gesprengt und bietet eine atemberaubende Aussicht. Weiter geht es in das Naturreservat am Kap. Die beste Sicht hat man vom Felsen, auf dem der Leuchtturm des Cape Points steht, das ultimative Erinnerungsfoto macht man jedoch am Kap der Guten Hoffnung.
 Vor den Toren der Stadt bietet sich vom Signal Hill ein grandioser Blick auf den Atlantik, auf Cape Town und den dahinter liegenden Tafelberg. Am Ende geben wir nach 2 Wochen und 4250 km unsere Motorräder zurück und blicken zurück auf eine atemberaubende Reise durch Südafrika!

Day 13 - Montagu to Cape Town

Day 13 - Montagu to Cape Town

 Today we will reach our final destination - Cape Town. This city is located at one of the most beautiful bays on this planet. The world famous Table Mountain and the Signal Hill viewpoint characterize the 'natural skyline'. Befor we reach Cape Town we will go south. Actually to the most southern point of the whole African continent: Cape Agulha.

 

Tag 13 - Montagu bis Kapstadt

Heute erreichen wir unser Ziel Kapstadt. Diese Stadt liegt an einer der schönsten Buchten
dieser Erde. Der weltberühmte Tafelberg und der Signal Hill bestimmen die "Natur-
Skyline" dieser Stadt. Bevor wir jedoch die Stadt erreichen, machen wir uns in den Süden auf. Besser gesagt an den südlichsten Punkt ganz Afrikas: das Kap Agulha.

Day 12 - Oudtshoorn to Montagu

Day 12 - Oudtshoorn to Montagu

Today we split the group. One half is visiting a typical ostrich farm and the other half is going for a scenic ride into the Swartberg Mountains and the big 'Karoo' desert. Montagu is the historical entry into the 'Little Karoo' desert. This town is a center for vineyards and fruits. Some of the best apples, grapes and peaches are growing here. Also the hot springs around Montagu helped this town to increase it's popularity. In the evening we had a lovely wine tasting.

 

Tag 12 - Oudtshoorn nach Montagu

Heute teilen wie die Gruppe. Einige bevorzugen den Besuch einer Straußenfarm, die andere Hälfte das erklimmen der Bergwelt der Swartberge und die Ebene des Karoos. Montagu ist der historische Eintritt ins Kleine Karoo. Diese Stadt ist ein Zentrum für Wein- und Früchteanbau. Einige der besten Sorten von Äpfeln, Trauben und Pfirsichen wachsen hier. Auch haben die heißen Quellen rund um Montagu zum Aufschwung und der Beliebtheit dieser Stadt beigetragen. Am Abend gab es eine vorzügliche Weinverkostung.

Day 11 - Port Elizabeth to Oudtshoorn

Day 11 - Port Elizabeth to Oudtshoorn

 Right after Port Elizabeth the famous 'Garden Route' starts. The highway takes us fast out of the town and soon we can enjoy the foothills of the Tsitsikama Mountains. Lots of forests along the road are tyical for 'Nature Valley'. And our dare devils Sara and Joe jumped of the Bloukrans Bridge, the highest Bungee Jump bridge in the world. 216 m or 708 feet down. A mountain pass over the Outeniqua Mountains brings us into the 'Kleine Karoo' desert and into our hotel in Oudtshoorn.

 

Tag 11 - Port Elizabeth nach Oudtshoorn

Bei Port Elisabeth beginnt die berühmte "Garden Route". Die Autobahn bringt uns schnell
aus der Stadt und schon von weitem sehen wir die Ausläufer der Tsitsikama Mountains.
Auf der Straße durch das Nature Valley tauchen wir in die Naturwälder der Tsitsikama
Mountains ein. Unsere wagemutigen Helden Sara und Joe haben sich von der Bungee Jump Weltrekordbrücke, der Bloukrans Bridge, 216 m in die Tiefe gestürzt. Der Pass über die Outeniqua Mountains bringt uns ins Kleine Karoo zu unserem Hotel in Oudtshoorn.

Day 10 - Mpekweni to Port Elizabeth

Day 10 - Mpekweni to Port Elizabeth

Further along the romantic coast and through the home area of the Xhosa tribe we're making our way to Port Elizabeth. The locals just call it P.E. Port Elizabeth is the 3rd biggest harbour and the 5th biggest town in South Africa.

 

Tag 10 - Mpekweni nach Port Elizabeth

Die Tour führt uns heute entlang der "romantischen Küste" und durch die Heimat des
Xhosa Stammes nach Port Elisabeth, von den Einheimischen liebevoll P.E. genannt. Port Elisabeth ist die drittgrößte Hafenstadt und die fünftgrößte Stadt von Südafrika.

Day 9 - Mthatha to Mpekweni

Day 9 - Mthatha to Mpekweni

The road is getting curvier again and at the Great Kei River bridge we're crossing the former border to South Africa. After a quick lunch in East London we're riding along the romantic coastline. Our hotel is located right at the beach of the Indian Ocean.

 

Tag 9 - Mthatha nach Mpekweni

Die Straße wird wieder kurvenreicher und beim Great Kei River überschreiten wir die
ehemalige Grenze zu Südafrika. Nach einem Mittagessen in East London fahren wir entlang der kurvigen und romantischen Küste entlang des Indischen Ozeans bis zu unserem Hotel, dass kurz vor dem Great Fish River liegt.

Day 8 - Pietermaritzburg to Mthatha

Day 8 - Pietermaritzburg to Mthatha

We are coming closer to the steep cliffs of the up to 9000 feet high Drakensberg mountains. Right after Kokstad we cross into the Transkei area, the former biggest Homeland of South Africa. Unfortunately Susanne and Matthias were once again responsible for a very high amount of humidity almost all day long. By the way they both work as rainmaker.

 

Tag 8 - Pietermaritzburg nach Mthatha

Wir nähern uns immer mehr den steilen Felsen, der bis über 3.000 m hohen
Drakensberge. Nach Kokstad überschreiten wir die ehemalige Grenze in die Transkei, dem
größten ehemaligen Homeland Südafrikas. Bedauernswerterweise haben Susanne und Matthias (von Beruf Regenmacher) erneut für einen Überschuss an hoher Luftfeuchtigkeit gesorgt.

Day 7 - Shakaland to Pietermaritzburg

Day 7 - Shakaland to Pietermaritzburg

Today we have plenty of time to enjoy the sun and the beaches along the Dolphin-Coast. Its name comes from the dolphins which are here almost all year long. The roads are small and windy and lead through sugarcane plantations. Unfortunately the weather is not that good and it is quite foggy.

 

Tag 7 - Shakaland nach Pietermaritzburg

Die heutige Route lässt uns genug Freiraum um die Sonne und Strände entlang der Küste
zu genießen, während wir auf schmalen Straßen durch Zuckerrohrfelder Richtung
Wartburg fahren. Die Küste nördlich von Durban wird Delfin-Küste genannt, in Anlehnung an die Delfine, die sich das ganze Jahr über hier an der Küste aufhalten. Leider spielt das Wetter nicht mit und es ist ziemlich neblig.

That's how a group picture looks like if the rest of the group doesn't like high humidity.
Typical for bikers - occupying tables just for the gear.
The group arriving at the lunch stop.
Delicious lunch at Siggi's German restaurant.
Marko's main course - Black Forest Cake.
Quick stop at the beach.
Unfortunately it was raining in the afternoon.

Day 6 - Mkuze to Shakaland

Day 6 - Mkuze to Shakaland

 Today's route follows the eastern coastline for the longest part. Until Richards Bay it's a rather calm area. Our first stop: St. Lucia on the Elephant Coast. Huge and wide beaches, the highest vegetated sand dunes in the world, hippos, crocodiles, many species of birds, walking trails, many restaurants and bars make you want to stay for a while. In Empangeni we turn off into the interior of the country. In the center of Kwazulu Shakaland and their warriors await us to experience the Zulu culture.

 

Tag 6 - Mkuze nach Shakaland

Die heutige Route folgt zum Großteil der südafrikanischen Ostküste. Bis Richards Bay eine
eher ruhige Gegend. Unser erster Halt: St. Lucia on the Elephant Coast. Weitläufige Strände, die höchsten bewachsenen Sanddünen der Welt, Flusspferde, Krokodile und eine artenreiche Vogelwelt, Wanderwege, zahlreiche Restaurants und Bars laden zum verweilen ein. Ab Empangeni fahren wir landeinwärts. Im Herzland von Kwazulu erwarten uns in Shakaland die Zulu Krieger, um uns ihre Kultur näher zu bringen.

Our first stop at the St. Lucia beach.
Crocodiles on a little river bench just across from us.
Quite a panorama.
We spent a little time at the beach so of course we gor rid of our warm motorcycle gear.
Tabo our support van driver is with us for most of the time so he's enjoying the beach too.
Kathi enjoying the windy but beautiful scenery.
Volodymyr doing the same. Just a different way.
Thomas and Kathrin walking along the beach.
In the afternoon we arrived at the Shakaland Zulu village.
We got an introduction from the locals into their culture.
Joe was our 'guide' for the Zulu village and culture.
David instantly joined their military forces.
Bruce tasting the home made Zulu beer.
In the evening we had a little concert going on by the traditional Zulu musicians.
Their dances were really impressive.

Day 5 - Swaziland to Mkuze

Day 5 - Swaziland to Mkuze

 In the morning we will discover the beautiful south western part of the country. Our first stop however is in a famous candle factory in Swaziland. After some more little paper work we leave Swaziland and enter back into the Republic of South Africa. The afternoons ride takes us through Kwazulu, the area of the Zulu. This is the area where many wars have been fought between indigenous tribes and you can still find many traditional huts and people living here.

 

Tag 5 - Swaziland nach Mkuze

Der Morgen führt uns durch den südwestlichen Teil des schönen Landes. Zuerst besuchen wir jedoch eine berühmte Kerzenfabrik in Swaziland. Nach einigen Grenzformalitäten bei Mahamba verlassen wir Swaziland und kehren wieder in die Republik Südafrika zurück. Die heutige Fahrt führt uns durch Kwazulu, dem Gebiet der Zulu. Im Gebiet der großen Zuluschlachten liegen heute noch verträumt traditionelle Rundhütten in der umgebenden Hügellandschaft.

Marko doing his briefing at the Royal Hotel and Spa in Swaziland.
Our first stop at the famous candle factory.
In just 5 minutes this guy created a rhino out of a block of wax.
Joe tried it too and made an awesome elephant.
Local handicraft can be seen everywhere close to their selling stands.
On the road in beautiful Swaziland.
At the boarder checking in into the Republic of South Africa again.
Jacaranda trees are all along our way.
A boot beer is when you have a beer with your boots still on.

Day 4 - Kruger Nationalpark to Swaziland

Day 4 - Kruger Nationalpark to Swaziland

 We ride through huge Banana plantations. After a short stretch on the main road we turn off to Swaziland. Over a small mountian pass and along fruit plantations we reach the border and after a little bit of paper work we can enter the kingdom of Swaziland. Many curves on Piggs Peak, mountain ranges in the background, the capital Mbabane: there are many impressions on our way to.

 

Tag 4 - Kruger Nationalpark nach Swaziland

Wir fahren mitten durch riesige Bananenplantagen. Nach einem kurzen Stück auf der Hauptstraße biegen wir Richtung Swaziland ab. Über einen kleinen Pass und durch Obstplantagen gelangen wir zur Grenze und nach dem Erledigen einiger Formalitäten dürfen wir in das Königreich Swaziland einreisen. Viele Kurven über Piggs Peak, Gebirgsketten im Hintergrund, die Hauptstadt Mbabane: Viele Eindrücke bis zum Hotel in Ezulwini warten auf uns.

Welcome to Swaziland!
The bikes at the border crossing.

Day 3 - Kruger Nationalpark

Day 3 - Kruger Nationalpark

The Kruger national park is the biggest wildlife reserve in South Africa and one of the biggest in Africa. The day starts very early! A professional park ranger takes us on a trip in an open 4x4 to go on a photo hunt for the 'Big Five' - the Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo, Lion and Leopard.

 

Tag 3 - Kruger Nationalpark

Der Kruger National Park ist das größte Wildschutzgebiet Südafrikas und einer der größten in Afrika. Der Tag beginnt früh! Ein fachkundiger Ranger führt uns im offenen Geländewagen durch die Wildnis auf der Suche nach den „Big Five“ - diese sind Nashorn, Löwe, Elefant, Büffel und Leopard.

Early in the morning at the gate to the Kruger Nationalpark.
Volodymyr and Natalya as well as Kathi spotted something.
Impalas were probably the most spotted animals in the park.
A young hyena playing around.
Because it was raining in the beginning many tortoises came onto the road to drink the water.
A leopard - our first animal of the famous big five.
This rhino walked right next to the car.
The lion in the middle of the picture didn't care about the impala looking at him.
Number 3 of the big five - an elephant herd right next to the road.

Day 2 - Misty Mountain to Kruger Nationalpark

Day 2 - Misty Mountain to Kruger Nationalpark

The Long Tom pass, Pilgrim´s Rest and God’s Windowshow us the beauty of the small Drakensberg mountains and their cut down to the Lowveld.

 

Tag 2 - Misty Mountain nach Kruger Nationalpark

Der Long Tom Pass, Pilgrim´s Rest und God’s Window zeigen uns die ganze
Schönheit der Kleinen Drakensberge und ihren Abbruch zum Lowveld. Am Abend erreichen wir den Kruger Nationalpark.

Our hotel room view in the morning.
A first group picture in the morning on the hotel terrace.
Welcome to Pilgrim's Rest. An old mining town.
Some souvenir shopping.
The road coming up from Pilgrim's Rest. What a ride!
The view from God's window.
Smiling faces all day long.
Thomas and Kathrin in front of the Three Rondavels.

Day 1 - Johannesburg to Misty Mountain

Day 1 - Johannesburg to Misty Mountain

We left Johannisburg to the east. At Belfast we're leaving the highway to enter the hill area around Dullstroom. From Lydenburg there is an awesome road over the Long Tom pass to our Hotel.

 

Tag 1 - Johannesburg nach Misty Mountain

Wir verlassen Johannesburg Richtung Osten. Bei Belfast verlassen wir die Schnellstraße und gelangen in die Hügellandschaft um Dullstroom. Von Lydenburg führt eine atemberaubende Straße über den Long Tom Pass zu unserem Hotel.

Marko giving the details for todays route.
Long and big roads as we're leaving Johannisburg.
Bernhard on his R1200R looking happy.
The people are always happy to see us on our motorcycles.
Achim and Kathi are obviously having fun on their GS.
Another road full of Jacaranda trees.
Susanne coming down the Long Tom pass.
The Long Tom pass has some pretty nice sweepers to offer.
Built by a motorcyclist for sure.
Bruce on the Long Tom cannon. Something went wrong here.
Linda and Ron in front of the cannon.
Leaving the Long Tom pass for our Hotel in the Misty Mountains hotel.
Looks like the first day was a good day.

Arrival Day

Welcome to South Africa!

South Africa’s great mountain roads provide incredible views, its safaris are full of wildlife, its brilliantly colored flora lights up the terrain and its friendly locals add to a trip brimming with memories to be made.

 

Willkommen in Südafrika!

Südafrikas großartige Bergstraßen bescheren uns unglaubliche Ausblicke, die Safaris locken mit zahlreichen Wildtieren, die farbenfrohe und abwechslungsreiche Fauna erhellt die Landschaft und die freundlichen und lebensfrohen Menschen werden diese Reise mit unzähligen Erinnerungen füllen.

Perfect timing - the Jacaranda trees in South Africa are in full blossom.
The motorcycles are waiting for the group to arrive.
On the welcome briefing Marko the tour guide told us everything we need to know about our trip through South Africa.
After the motorcycle hand-over everybody was happy and excited for the start of the trip.
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Add a comment Rate this post
Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at 16:53

Thanks, Mike, for the incredible photos. It lets us stay-at-homes share what our loved ones are doing. Seeing Jim and Bruce with all of you is so great for me! And the pictures are fantastic.
Tigger Bruenn
Marko
Saturday, November 5, 2016 at 22:04

Thanks everybody - yes, we are having a wonderful tour! South Africa is an amazing country!
Christina Wuellner
Friday, November 4, 2016 at 18:36

Was eine super Reise und Seite! Mein Vater Achim und meine Schwester Kathi machen gerade bei euch mit und haben viel Spaß. Weiterhin noch ein schönes Vergnügen
Ursula Peter
Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at 17:08

Whom do I see on tour - this firefighter from Indian Village, juhuuu
Best regards to Joe and his lovely wife
Ursula
Claudia
Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at 10:11

Hallo Ihr zwei,
TRAUMHAFT!!!
Wünsche Euch eine tolle Tour!!
Liebe Grüße aus dem grauen, nebligen Deutschland
Claudia
Doktoro Esperanto
Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at 08:50

Great Pics! Great Tour. Would love to be there. Greetings to the Edelweiss Crew.
Ted
Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at 20:17

Cool pictures guys!
Greetings feim the other end of Africa

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