Karoo Highlights tour for Adventure motorcyclists led by Nick Yell.

Figure 1: The view over the escarpment from Blesfontein guest farm.

Package 3 Karoo Highlights for Adventure motorcyclists (6 nights/7 days ride only)

Background: In total, the proposed trip entails eight nights, the first and the last of which is spent at an upmarket hotel (optional) on Cape Towns eastern seaboard The Ambassador in Bantry Bay. The plan would be for guests to collect their bikes and gear GS Africa have a dedicated shuttle to their depot in Bloubergstrand on Day 1 and for riders to familiarise themselves with their mounts with a short ride around the beautiful Cape Peninsula. The Karoo Highlights ride itself, starts on Day 2 and lasts until Day 8 (inclusive) making a total of 7 days and six nights in the saddle. The ride has been carefully planned to take riders to some of the Karoos most sought-after riding destinations (sleeping in comfortable accommodation) over a variety of surfaces and difficulty although average difficulty is beginner to moderately experienced. The route entails a ratio of 67% dirt tracks to tar, averages around 315 kilometres a day and covers a total of 2205 kilometres in seven days.

Figure 2: Donkey carts are often the only other transport you see on the back roads of the Karoo.

Figure 3: A puff-adder gets a riders attention in the Tankwa Karoo

Day 1: Guests arrive in Cape Town and make their way to the Ambassador Hotel in Cape Town by pre-arranged hotel shuttle or Taxi. Guests will then, by prior arrangement, be transported by GS Africas or Motorrad Rentals shuttle to collect their pre-booked motor bikes and other equipment in Bloubergstrand or the V&A Waterfront and then ride them back to the Ambassador Hotel, parking them in the pre-arranged undercover parking.

Figure 4: The epic Gannaga Pass near Middelpos.

Day 2: Depart 7 a.m. from Bantry Bay to meet up with Nick Yell and team at the Bot River Hotel (90 kms from Cape Town on the N2 motorway) and after a short briefing, depart for Blesfontein Guest Farm in Sutherland riders will be able to stargaze from an amateur observatory here. The first part of the trip entails a fair amount of tar (175 kms in total) but also boasts wonderful dirt track riding over the plains of the Ceres and Tankwa Karoos, culminating in a mildly challenging dirt track (difficulty is rain dependant) pass up onto the beautiful roggeveld escarpment. Distance: 360 kms 185 kms on dirt (51%). Difficulty Beginner (Grade 1) to moderately experienced (Grade 2).

Figure 5: The mind-expanding dirt tracks of the Bo-Karoo near Loxton.

Figure 6: The view from the top of Ouberg Pass towards the Ceres Karoo

Day 3: Depart 8.30 a.m. from Blesfontein Farm for Meltonwold Country Hotel (between Loxton and Victoria West) a true old-style country hotel with a cosy pub, some plains game, great views, and traditional Karoo food. The route takes us via a stunning, and reasonably challenging dirt track (via Hondefontein) to Fraserburg, then Loxton and onto Meltonwold for the evening. Along the way we hope to find a lonesome koppie (ancient hillock) and soak up the view while eating our road snacks, meditating, or just relaxing in whatever way you prefer. Distance: 350 kms, 289 kms (83%) on dirt. Difficulty: Beginner to moderately experienced.

Figure 7: Finding a lonely koppie (ancient hillock) with a view is a favourite pastime near Fraserburg.

Day 4: Depart 8.30 a.m. from Meltonwold for Nieu-Bethesda (near Graaff-Reinet) a quaint old village with charismatic townsfolk situated in a beautiful valley; it showcases the famous Owl House (sculptures) and Kitching Fossil centre which you should be able to visit early the next morning before we depart. The trip to get here entails mostly back roads from Victoria West, to Richmond and then culminates in the engaging Owl route dirt track. Distance: 285 kms, 235 kms on dirt (82%). Difficulty: Beginner to moderately experienced.

Figure 8: There are always a couple of unexpected little challenges along the way near Richmond.

Day 5: Depart 9.30 a.m. from NieuBethesda for Steytlervilles Karroo Theatrical Hotel a must stay, cabaret venue with a difference! The routing will take us via the plains of Camdeboo and Kendrew on back roads to Aberdeen Road (a small, deserted station with a history) and then onto Klipplaat and Mount Steward to Steytlerville. Distance: 250 kms, 166 kms on dirt (66%). Difficulty: Beginner with some mildly challenging spots rain dependant.

Figure 9: The Baviaans Kloof is the most scenic and also the most challenging option of the trip.

Day 6: Option day either a late checkout and easy ride from Steytlerville 90kms on a tar and concrete strip to Willowmore (R329) with an early check-in to the Willowmore Historical Hotel and the balance of the day at your leisure OR, for the more adventurous, the most challenging ride of the trip: braving the Elandsrivier Road to Patensie and then through the testing (a number of reasonably deep water crossings [+-.4-.5 metre rain dependant] and some other rough-ish stuff about a grade 2.5-3, 4x4 track overall) Baviaanskloof to Wilowmore. This is an epic route which will give riders a chance to test their skills in one of the most beautiful valleys in SA, but its long, (will require an early start -7.30 a.m.) arduous and not for the faint-hearted. Distance: 294 kms, 269 kms on dirt (90%). Duration with stops: about 9 hours. Difficulty Beginner to Experienced (Grade 3).

Figure 10: Aloes and sugar lump hills near Willowmore.

Day 7: Depart 8.30 a.m. from Willowmore for Ladismith Country House a large, traditional farm house converted into a guest house: comfortable accommodation, great food and wine, plus a beautifully kept garden with spectacular Klein Karoo views. The days route starts out with a fairly easy dirt track and tar mix to Prince Albert and then we take on the SA equivalent, some say, to the spectacular Darjeeling Pass that leads into Tibet the dirt track Swartberg Pass to Oudtshoorn. Once on the other side we track towards the hamlet of Kruisrivier and onto Calitzdorp, and then via the tar to Ladismith. Distance: 300 kms, 192 kms on dirt (64%). Difficulty: Beginner to moderately experienced.

Figure 11: Karoo sunsets are extra special Merweville.

Day 8: Depart 8 a.m. from Ladismith for the Ambassador Hotel in Bantry Bay some riders may prefer, for an extra fee, to have their bikes collected from the hotel, alternatively they will need to be dropped back in Bloubergstrand with GS Africa (or at the V&A waterfront with Motorrad Rentals), who will then shuttle folk back to the hotel once all payments have been finalised. The days route takes in an absorbing and beautiful stretch of gravel from Ladismith to Montagu and then its a tar trip, via Stormsvlei and the N2, back to Cape Town. Distance: 366 kms, 140 kms on dirt (38%). Difficulty: Beginner to moderately experienced.

Figure 12: Exiting the tame end of Baviaanskloof through the Nuwekloof Pass.

Costs involved Bike hire: based on a BMW GS1200 over the seven day period, with around 300 free kms per day, the total bike hire charge, excluding the standard deposits/insurance excess/knobbly tire swap-outs/shuttle and fuel, will be around R1, 600 per day. (160 per day - for own account) Subtotal per person for eight days (picked up a day before trip starts): R 12,800 (1,280) Projected fuel and oil costs: R 2,000 per person for the trip (200 - for own account) Guiding and back up fee: Nicks guiding and tour management fees are R750 per day, for the first person and then R150 per person per day thereafter (up to a maximum of 6 guest riders), while the amount for the back-up vehicle, trailer and replacement motor bike, comes at an additional flat fee of R1, 200 per day regardless of the size of the group. Subtotal per person (based on three riders) for seven days: R 5,250 (525) with back up vehicle etc. or R 2,450 (245) for Nick alone. Cape Town Hotel Accommodation (Ambassador see www.newmarkhotels.com ) for two nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis: +-R1, 750 (175) per person per night (single rates) Subtotal per person for two nights: +- R3, 500 (350) per person (dependant on sea views etc.) Accommodation and food on the Karoo road trip, based on comfortable B&B, GuestHouse and Hotel accommodation on a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast basis calculated on an average of R600 (60) per person per night. Subtotal per person for six nights: R 3,600 ( 360) Road snacks for light lunches and in-betweeners, drinks and refreshments estimated at around R150 (15) per person per day (For own account) Estimated subtotal per person for seven days: R1, 050 (105) TOTAL ESTIMATED COST PER PERSON (including back-up vehicle): TOTAL ESTIMATED COST PER PERSON (excluding back-up vehicle): ESTIMATE FOR RETURN FLIGHTS FROM EUROPE TO CAPE TOWN Making a booking and conditions All arrangements, bar the booking and payment of deposits for the motor bike, gear hire and transfers (you do this directly through GS Africa or Motorrad Rentals), are made via Nick Yell by emailing him at: yell@telkomsa.net or by contacting him on +27 (0) 82 453 1804. R 28, 200 (2,820) R 25, 400 (2,540) R 10, 000 (1,000)

Bookings will need to be made and finalised at least 6 weeks in advance, with 50% of the above amount paid into the account (detailed below) by such time. Due to the upfront payment requirements of our suppliers we will unfortunately not be able to refund deposits once bookings have been made. You will also be required to sign an indemnity form. Bank details Bank: ABSA Branch: Sandton Branch code: 631005 Swift code (only if required) absajjza Account name: N.H.Yell Account number: 712 684 801 Type: Cheque Email payment notification to: yell@telkomsa.net What to bring with you All riding clothes, casual wear (nothing fancy required) protective gear, neck scarf, sunblock, prescription medicines and other personal effects required for the trip. Camera, cell phone (although reception is limited) and fold-up eating utensil. Cash in Rands as card facilities are limited in the Karoo hinterland Good sunglasses A sense of humour

Other general notes If you want to check out the proposed route on the net, either use Google Earth or visit: http://www.southafrica.co.za/about-south-africa/at-a-glance/map-of-southafrica/ or similar. To check out the overnight stay venues, simply Google the names and places provided. Good background reading: Timeless Karoo by Jonathan Deal; Karoo Keepsakes by Chris Marais and Julienne du Toit; The Great Karoo by Leon Nel; Discovering Southern Africa by T.V. Bulpin, Karoo by Lawrence Green, The Plains of Camdeboo by Eve Palmer and Circling the Great Karoo by Nicholas Yell.

Copyright: Nick Yell, P.O. Box 252, Bot River, 7185, South Africa. Cell +27 (0) 82 453 1804