Meet the ATS tour guide at your hotel and transfer to the ATS depot. Completion of formalities, documentation and check out of bikes. Leaving the depot, ride via Blaauwberg Strand with it’s spectacular views of Table Mountain through to the millionaire’s playgrounds of Clifton Beach and Camps Bay. Cruising right next to the sea, we crest the mountain and see before us the vibrant and arty town known as the “Republic” of Hout Bay set in a magnificent sweep of coastline. Experience the breathtaking Chapman’s Peak drive, a road literally carved out of the granite cliffs high above the Atlantic ocean-one of the worlds best cliff side rides. Smell the tangy salt air mixed with the fragrant aroma of honey bush as you pass the beautiful beaches near Misty Cliffs and Scarborough. Turn towards the wild and rocky promontory of Cape Point where the spectacle of two currents meeting far below, holds you spellbound. Then follow the coastal road via the historical naval base of Simons Town and stop to meet a colony of penguins face to face at Boulders beach. At Kalk Bay Harbour we ascend the mountain and head over the Boyes drive route with its superb aerial views of the beaches of Muizenberg as you return to the city.

Depart Cape Town central, journey past the wine country near Paarl and on to the spectacular Du Toit’s Kloof Pass with it’s breathtaking views and tumbling waterfalls. The route takes you via the awesome Hex River mountains on to Worcester. Drive through the “valley of wine and roses” as you near Robertson, and enjoy the lush vineyards, peach and apricot orchards of the Bonnievale region. Cross the imposing Langeberg mountains through the dramatic Kogmanskloof Pass. Relax in a natural hot-spring at days end in Montagu.

Depart Montagu. The Langeberg range forms a natural barrier between the fertile farmland of the Breede River valley and the sun-burnt landscape garden of the Klein Karoo. Today’s route straddles this rocky divide, passing through two rugged gorges following the ancient traditional paths of the San people. The spectacular Tradouws Pass is named after a San word meaning “the path of women”. Lunch in a roadside restaurant in Barrydale or Ladismith, maybe an afternoon stop in the tiny hamlet of Calitzdorp possibly to purchase the country’s best Port wine, before rolling into Oudtshoorn – capital of the ostrich farming industry in South Africa.

Today we head further east to the famous Addo Elephant National Park. Along the route we ride through the towns of De Rust, Willowmore, Steytlerville, Baroe, Wolwefontein and Kirkwood on to the Addo NP. Having started as a small elephant sanctuary it is now the third biggest national park in South Africa (145000 hectares), boasting all of the “Big 5”.

Game park also deserves attention for some of the smaller creatures such as the flightless dung beetle. Your ranger/guide will impart his/her extensive knowledge of the local ecology, flora and fauna as your senses relax and absorb the African bush. Herds of great elephant can be seen almost within touching distance as they drift to the waterholes. Return to the lodge where you have the option to spend the drowsy afternoon at leisure in a cool swimming pool.

After an optional early morning game drive and breakfast the morning mists of the ancient Tsitsikamma forests beckon as we drop towards the coast and the famous Garden Route on our way to Knysna; what an incredible contrast! Knysna’s enchanting multifaceted natural setting is marked by the estuary called Knysna Lagoon and the two spectacular sentinels, the Knysna Heads, that guard the narrow entrance to the bay from the sea. In this arty gem of a town, enjoy sundowners (and maybe ocean fresh oysters?) next to the vast Knysna lagoon or maybe a short ride to the view-site perched on the cliffs edge overlooking the entrance to the anchorage.

Depart Knysna and pause for a brief whale sighting search at the lookout point above the town of Wilderness. Travel on down the coastal highway, past the sunshine capital of South Africa, Mossel Bay. See the emerald green and blue surroundings gradually change to undulating fields of golden grain and mustard as we make for the historical town of Swellendam.

From Swellendam we head south at Stormsvlei for the southernmost tip of the African continent. Passing rolling fields and stands of gum and eucalyptus we reach the end of the continent, Cape Aghulas. The name is Portuguese for Cape of Needles named in dread by sailors of old who came to grief on the razor sharp rocks. Take a look at the nineteenth century lighthouse which still casts its beam across the night waters of this dangerous coast before moving on. Leaving Aghulas, we pass the hamlets of Bredasdorp, Napier and Stanford. The open flat landscape gives way to rocky cuttings and sun-bleached sand hills as we negotiate the Akkedisberg Pass. As evening draws near, we enter Hermanus, where the sound of the Whale-criers horn telling of a whale sighting, may be heard. The words best land based whale watching is right here during the months of July to November.

Depart Hermanus. We sweep through the curves of the spectacular coastal road via Betty’s Bay until we intersect the national road. At Gordon’s Bay, a quick run up and over Sir Lowry’s Pass lets us enter the famous Cape Winelands region from the east via the beautiful Theewaterskloof Dam and the wild Franschhoek Pass. Famous vineyards such as La Provence, Backsberg and Boschendal beckon to sample their vintages at low estate prices. Take time to stroll through this quaint and historic village and relax before having dinner in one of the famous restaurants.

Today our route takes us from Franschhoek via the historic towns of Paarl and Wellington on to the spectacular Bain’s Kloof Pass. Surrounded by mountains, the ride offers enthusiasts winding roads and spectacular views across the valleys. Stop off at the famous Bush Pub for an ice cold refreshment and some time to stretch your legs. The ride takes you further along the R303. Just before the town of Ceres we turn left on to the R46 and head for the quaint little town of Tulbagh, our lunch time stop. In the afternoon we ride back to Cape Town via Gouda and Hermon. Head west via the hills of Durbanville (R44) and the coast at Blaauwberg towards Cape Town and regretfully, our tours end. We return the motorcycles to base and are transferred back to the city centre.