The South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, & Zambia Tour is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to undertake a motorcycle tour that is in our top 3 bucket-list experiences on the planet.
The tour covers 3,000 miles and four of the southernmost countries of Africa, while negotiating some of the most challenging motorcycle riding on earth but with daily experiences that you cannot replicate anywhere else in the world.
The tour covers the south to north of South Africa, through Namibia and the Namibian Desert, across into Botswana and to the infamous Okavanaga Delta, and finishing at the world renowned Victoria Falls in Zambia.
Just a shortened summary of some of the experiences included in this tour are:
Our accommodations are in-keeping with the local environment, and are a minimum of 3 and 4-star clean and comfortable hotels and lodges with breakfast each morning included, although one night is spent in a comfortable and modern tented camp due to its remote location, but where we can sit around a campfire together and stargaze through the evening in this amazing southern hemisphere sky.
A complimentary welcome group meal is included on the first night, and a complimentary departure group meal on the final night.
The tour is also inclusive of a morning game drive to see the Big 5 Game, in addition to multiple other excursion opportunities along the route (optional extras), such as a fly-in or drive-in 1 or 2 night safari experience in the Okavanaga Delta, or a helicopter flight over the magnificent Victoria Falls.
As a retirement bucket-list destination, a gift to a loved one of an amazing life experience, or simply realising that life is short and enjoying the ride, this tour is one that you will truly love every second of, and will never forget.
Motorcycle Options During Check-Out Process
Come and join Polaris for this experience of a lifetime, and leave with lifelong amazing memories and newfound friends.
Please see the day-by-day tour schedule below for the full details of this tour.
If you have any questions or wish to discuss this tour further, please contact Polaris today.
*Please note that the following map graphic only displays a rough guideline of the route for display purposes.
Day 1 leads the tour out of Cape Town, where before heading to Namibia we begin our adventure with a taste of some of the best motorcycle riding in Africa, and our ride north from Cape Town today is filled with coastal roads, vineyards and four breathtaking mountain passes.
We begin with a ride along the east side of False Bay with great views of the coast before turning inland towards Franschhoek through a beautiful fruit farming region, before we experience the amazing roads of the infamous Franschhoek pass (which you will probably want to go back and do again).
We continue north through the town of Wellington and then enjoy a ride on another famous pass through Bains Kloof, at which our final leg takes us up two more mountain passes as we ride through more fruit farms and enter the gentle hills of the Kouebokkeveld and our overnight stop in a lovely series of farm cottages.
Day 2 sets us on the road to explore the rugged Cederberg mountains as we ride through the heart of the backcountry on good gravel roads.
There are caves and ancient historic paintings to explore, and we take time to marvel at the rock formations and wilderness landscapes.
After passing through the town of Clanwilliam we cross over the mountains on a fun, winding tarmac road pass before connecting with the gravel roads again.
We finally ride into the Great Karoo and up an escarpment before arriving at one of our favourite places to stay, in a series of comfortable stone cottages on a working sheep farm.
Day 3 takes the tour all the way through South Africa's Northern Cape region into Namibia.
On the route we get to explore some local canyons carved out by ancient glaciers, and a really fun ride down the famous Van Rhyns pass.
We then head north through some beautiful semi-desert landscapes through the Northern Cape before crossing the border and arriving at our overnight stop on the banks of the Orange River.
Day 4 switches back to some good gravel roads as we start to encounter Namibia's breathtaking landscapes.
We ride past miles of lush vineyards before going on a ride along the banks of the Orange River - one of our favourite stretches to ride in all of Africa.
We then head north through vast and wide open landscapes towards the Fish River Canyon - second only to the Grand Canyon in size.
After a stop to take it all in and to get some photographs, we have a further short ride to our overnight stop at the iconic Canyon Roadhouse.
Day 5 provides a mix of good gravel roads and tarmac roads that take us to the coastal town of Luderitz.
Heading out from the Canyon Roadhouse we ride on some lovely and smooth gravel roads through more of Namibia's big-sky country and vast landscapes.
During this day we make sure that there's plenty of time to stop to view the breathtaking scenes that continue to unfold as we ride.
The last of the day's riding is on a good tar road that descends to the coast past Namibia's famous wild horses and through the old diamond fields, before we arrive into our evening's accommodation.
Day 6 is an early start so that so we can catch the sun casting its morning light on the old diamond mining ghost town of Kolmanskop.
We'll spend some time to walk through this fascinating settlement and to get some photos of the buildings slowly being overtaken by the drifting sand, before we then head back out on the tarmac road to Aus and a stop for lunch.
We then turn north through yet more breathtaking landscapes to our overnight stop in Helmeringhausen.
Day 7 takes us on a shorter ride to Sesriem, which is where we'll get to explore the famous dunes at Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei.
On our way we have the option of taking a detour to visit Duwisib Castle built in the early 1900's by a German settler.
On our way to Sesriem we descend an escarpment with beautiful views and ride on some more challenging gravel roads before arriving at our comfortable lodge for the next two nights.
Day 8 is our first rest day and we have the chance for an early morning drive to see the famous dunes and dry lakes with ancient dead trees at Sossusvlei and Deadvlei.
We then spend the afternoon relaxing in the comfortable lodge with a pool, bar, and outdoor restaurant with the best views you'll ever have over a dinner.
Day 9 takes the tour across the Namib desert to the coastal resort town of Swakopmund.
We'll stop for fuel and possibly the best apple pie in Namibia at the historic settlement of Solitaire before setting out across the scenic Kuisib canyon and across the desert.
You'll feel the cooler air across your face as we approach the coast and enjoy a fun, smooth ride on a compacted salt road to Walvis Bay, before ending the day with a short ride along the breaking waves of the Atlantic Ocean as we head north to Swakopmund.
Day 10 is a further rest day, but one for exploration, as we head into Swakopmund, a scenic, historical, coastal town that is one of the highlights of a visit to Namibia.
After the long ride yesterday we get a chance to enjoy and explore the town, and one of the best ways to do this is a morning tour of Sandwich Harbour - a spectacular and unique place where the dunes and ocean meet.
After returning to town there's a wide variety of restaurants and interesting places to visit in a very safe environment.
Day 11 is a short riding day as we explore the southern part of the infamous Skeleton Coast.
We'll ride next to the cold Atlantic waters past a shipwreck before turning east into the desert at the coastal town of Henties Bay.
Soon we'll see the outline of the iconic Spitzkoppe rock formations appear and grow more imposing we get near.
In the afternoon we'll have the chance to ride and walk around and up these beautiful rocks, locally called 'Pondoks', and we'll watch the sunset through the famous arch.
Day 12 leaves magnificent Spitzkoppe behind, and we ride along gravel and tar roads to Okonjima Game Reserve.
Here we'll stay for a night at the luxurious Plains Camp where you can watch the wildlife visit the waterhole from the bar and veranda.
There are evening and morning guided game safaris where you'll have the chance - included in the tour cost, to see Rhino, Leopard, Cheetah and other endangered animals at this top-rated reserve.
Day 13 starts with an early and optional early morning game safari in the park (optional extra), or some more time relaxing in front of the waterhole, before set out for the short ride to our destination, Windhoek.
We'll enjoy a dinner together at the infamous 'Joe's Beerhouse'.
Day 14 begins our two-leg journey from Namibia to the Okavango Delta.
We’ll set out due east from Windhoek on a good tarmac road as we ride through the eastern part of Namibia past a number of game lodges with the chance to spot antelope such as Eland, Giraffe and Kudu.
After we cross the Botswana border we need to be on the lookout for donkeys, cows and other wildlife on the road before we reach our overnight destination of Ghanzi.
Day 15 provides a much shorter leg after the previous long day of riding, also on good tarmac roads into Maun, the main base for exploring the Okavango Delta.
The Okavango Delta is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an absolutely unique place to experience Africa’s wildlife at its very best.
Day 16 provides the option of a two-night fly-in safari experience at Oddballs Camp or a one or two-night 4x4 safari experience into Moremi Game Reserve (optional extras).
Either one of these choices will be an unforgettable life-experience of the greatest display of African landscapes and wildlife on earth.
Day 17 provides the option of a two-night fly-in safari experience at Oddballs Camp or a one or two-night 4x4 safari experience into Moremi Game Reserve (optional extras).
Either one of these choices will be an unforgettable life-experience of the greatest display of African landscapes and wildlife on earth.
Day 18 takes us on a ride on tarmac roads of varying quality and challenge to Nata, where there are more chances to see Elephants, Giraffe, and if you’re really lucky, Leopards that like to explore the roadsides as we ride.
Day 19 is our final riding leg of the trip which takes us through Chobe Game Reserve with more chances to spot big game from the bike.
We’ll cross the border into Zambia followed by a short ride to our base at Livingstone on the banks of the Zambezi river, and we’ll aim to arrive by noon which will give you the afternoon to explore the Falls.
You’ll also have the opportunity to catch a helicopter ride in evening or early morning the next day for an incredible aerial view of the Falls (optional extra).
Day 20 sees the group exchange handshakes and hugs after a life-bonding experience together.
Transfers are included to Victoria Falls Airport where short transfers can be made to a number of international airports for respective journeys home.
Alternatively, participants can remain in Zambia or can speak with Polaris about additional motorcycle tours.
