Testimonials

Springbok Tour 2012

Trevor Collier

“I have been riding bikes for years and had an idea about doing something more exotic than another European tour for some time, then I met Alex Jackson at the Ton Up day and again at the Brackley Festival of Motorcycling in 2011. From this point on what had been a dream fast became an idea and then a plan and I have to say the tour lived up to everything I had hoped it would be. South Africa is an amazing country and Alex brings this to life with his knowledge of the area, roads, places of interest and an ability to meet people and make them feel at home.

The tour I chose included tarmac and dirt roads which was something I was very keen on as I wanted to get off the beaten track and get closer to the countryside. The Springbok tour does exactly that and we rode some amazing tarmac and dirt roads including the Montague pass and Prince Alfreds pass to name two but I could go on for a very long time listing highlights. The key to a good tour is being able to work within a framework to tailor the route and the pace to the people taking part and this is something that Alex as tour guide is very good at doing.

South Africa is full of amazing places, people and experiences, I would happily go on another tour with Alex again.”

Rolling Thunder Tour 2012

Mark and Malou Wesley

“This was our first touring holiday outside Europe, and our first trip with Mrs W as a pillion for a good ten years, so we were excited yet understandably a little apprehensive about the adventure we had let ourselves in for! Well, we need not have worried. Alex is such a knowledgeable and experienced guide, and made the whole tour an event that even “softies” such as the two of us could easily cope with.

The Harley Davidson Heritage Softail was the perfect bike for the excellent tarmac roads in this part of South Africa. We are not particular hard-core Hog aficionados, but there was something very special about the head-turning noise from the bikes at each stop, and the friendly waves, thumbs-up’s and smiles from the roadside that we kept encountering. Turn up anywhere on a “regular” bike, and people will simply look up; turn up in a convoy of Harleys, and people will look, congregate, give you admiring looks, nod knowingly, want to engage you in conversation. South Africa was no exception.

We feel we had a lot deeper an experience of the countryside and the people we encountered, than any tour in a car would ever have allowed us to have. The Rolling Thunder Tour was varied and interesting enough in its route to give you a feel that you were really getting to know this beautiful and fascinating country and its people, yet the riding never felt tiresome or unmanageable, even on the longest, hottest stage (40-plus Celsius!) through the Karoo desert on the way to Oudtshoorn.

The accommodation throughout was spot-on, from the glorious view onto Table Mountain at Pinard-on-Sea in Cape Town, to the relaxed atmosphere at Cul de Sac in Oudtshoorn and Aloe House in Hermanus, and the warm welcome and homely feel provided by Johnny and Clair at the Whale Watchers Inn in Witsand.

For someone used to holidaying in the UK and the Eurozone, South Africa also provides amazing value for money, and we can only wax lyrical about the quality of the food and drink. All in all, Alex provided us with a once in a lifetime experience, a holiday adventure that we will look back on fondly for a long long time. Having been gently introduced to SA and its charms, we have already started daydreaming about our next tour with Kaapstadmat. The Kudu tour perhaps…”

Springbok Tour 2011

Gino Lofredo

“The Springbok Tour with Kaapstad Motorcycle Adventure Tours was perfect; good people, great roads, first rate lodging, food and prudent drinking.

You may feel at times like Mark Coma or Cyril Deprés but you do not have to be one of them. You tend to feel young while riding. You don’t have to be young though. It may feel like a honeymoon but you don’t have to be married. It is not funny but you will laugh all the time.

Very serious riders will turn silly by the third day and it gets worse from then on. Adjusting back to routine can be challenging.

Only regret: I should have more disciplined filming, photo and audio of the trip. I think everyone thought someone else was doing it.”

Springbok Tour 2011

Steve and Janice Barnes

“We first bumped into Alex during the summer of 2011 at Billing Aquadrome. We had talked about doing a bike tour but never for one minute thought we would be jetting off to South Africa a couple of months later. We sorted our own flights and left the rest to Alex who sorted everything else out including our flight transfers at the end of the holiday and extra accommodation in Cape Town. Alex kept in touch regularly to make sure we were happy with all our arrangements which was very reassuring.

We had the most amazing time riding along coastal roads taking in the magnificent views of the mountains and beaches visiting Hermanus, Oudtshoorn, Knysna, Wilderness and Witsand. Riding the mountain passes took your breath away, stopping off at remote relaxing cafes to eat cake and chat to the local people who made you feel so welcome.

Alex couldn’t have made our trip any better he was fun to be round and very knowledgeable of all the areas we visited and most of all he chose all our fabulous accommodation. The other 3 members of our group were great we couldn’t have wished for nicer people to share our experience with. Thanks to Kaapstad tours and especially Alex.”

Springbok Tour 2011

Jay and Jaz Bacon

“My wife and I chose to use KaapstadMAT for our honeymoon after we wandered into their show stand at the NEC Motorcycle Show. Even before we had booked the guys there where very welcoming and willing to answer all of our questions, both at the show and via e-mail afterwards.What is on offer is a fantastic no hassle way to see the Garden route – just book your own flights, pack your riding kit and take some money for petrol and food and the rest is provided. Even then, Alex was more than happy to help with advice on the best places to look for flights.Even though we booked over a year in advance, Alex was in constant contact to make sure we were all sorted and was more than happy to take queries on things like insurance and riding kit. The advice was always good as well as it turns out!!

Everything ran like clockwork when we arrived, from airport transfers ready and waiting for you to the excellent quality of the hire bikes. The fact that my wife and I both wanted different bikes (BMW 1200GS v 800GS) was not a problem and one of each was provided. One of the other guys on the tour was a bit short in the leg and Alex organised to have his bike lowered by the mechanic with no fuss or hassle.

Accommodation throughout the tour was of an exceptional standard from start to finish, from quaint B and B’s to luxury guest houses, always clean and with a welcome that was always great at the end of a days ride. As for the riding, a good mix of main road, back road and dirt road where used so the trip never got boring by doing too much of one thing. Alex knows the route well and you are always pulling up somewhere that at first looks innocuous, but then Alex points something out which is a site you would have just missed if you didn’t know the area. There was a great group dynamic on the trip, but Alex makes it clear on day 1 that you are free to be with the group or on your own, whatever fits, and is always happy to discuss making small changes depending on the group want or for unsuspected things like weather changes. Alex felt more like a part of the group than a militant guide like you get with some other tour companies.

If you ride a bike you need to see South Africa, and your first point of call should be Kaapstad Motorcycle Adventure Tours. We both want to go back and for when we do, Kaapstad’s number is on my speed dial. Thanks to Alex, Tanya and the South Africa team along with the other great guys who where booked on the tour (Steve, Janice and Gino) for a fantastic experience.”

Self-Guided Bespoke Tour

David Hubert and Louise Wilson

“Kaapstad Motorcycle Adventure Tours made our trip to South Africa one of the best bike trips ever!

Alex is so knowledgeable of the area and recommended routes which we wouldn’t have dreamed of considering.

Meeting someone who not only suggested a fantastic tour but was able to sort bike hire, meal suggestions and accommodation out too was invaluable.

We particularly loved the Prince Alfred pass but were very glad to have been warned of how long we needed for it! South Africa is a safe and easy country to tour if a ‘local’ can help you plan. Thanks Alex!”

Bespoke Impala Tour 2011

Rick Stevenson

“I first decided to contact Kaapstad Adventure Tours when I saw a poster at Jacks Hill Café (Towcester, UK) although I did recall seeing Kaapstad at the ACE Café Adventure day last year. I first spoke to Ron in the UK Office and then Alex himself and I was excited to plan a trip. My wish was to join a Group Ride but, as their dates didn’t work for me I thought I had to either do a hire and ride on my own or look elsewhere. How wrong I was!

What set Kaapstad apart is that both Alex and Ron went out of their way to be helpful and helped me achieve my dream trip. They asked the dates I had available and they came up with a shorter 5 day bespoke guided tour just for me. Alex had a small window of time after his previous tour and Christmas break and before he was busy again in January and Hey Presto! I was sorted…

My Trip took in Cape Town – Hermanus – Oudtshoorn – Knysna – Wilderness – Witsand – and back. The Coast roads, the stunning scenery inland too and the Mountain passes all made up a stunning ride.

Alex’s business is obviously group rides but by doing a short one off guided tour for me he showed, I think, how to be really helpful to the client. I honestly thought the whole package was good value and I feel sure if a small group had asked to do such a trip it could only have been excellent value.

P.S. Top Marks to Kaapstad and you may not know but Alex is an experienced Game Ranger and has been working in South Africa for a number of years (between bike tours) so if you love South Africa like I do he has got many interesting tales to tell!

Springbok Tour 2010

John Flack

“Having ridden bikes on & off road for many years I was looking for a trip / adventure for my 50th birthday so this trip seemed to tick all the right boxes. On the holiday I loved every minute. The accomodation was first class, the food was great, the people are great they just love the bikers. I have never waved at so many people before. The KTM just soaks up all you can throw at it. Tight & twisty mountain passes on tar and dirt roads were a joy to ride. The scenery is just awesome and I would do it again tomorrow if I had the chance.”

Springbok 2009

Wendy Hartwig

“Highlight of the year 2009… Kaapstad Motorcycle Adventure Tour!! I would thoroughly recommend this experience to anyone who has ummed & arred about whether to visit Africa. Alex did an utterly fantastic job escorting us on the KTMs’ across some stunning scenery. The whole tour was expertly organised. Alex packed plenty into the 10 days and made sure we were very comfortable in our lodgings at the end of each day. If you wish to know more about the places we visited and the awesome adventures we had, you’ll have to sign up yourself… put it on your bucket list!!!”

Kevin Jeffreys

“Wonderful, brilliant, amazing this is an 11 day tour in an outstanding country, beautiful scenery, friendly people and great food. There is so much to see and do in South Africa, that 11 days just cannot do it justice. That said this tour gives you a great snap shot. We saw a lot of whale cows with their calves, mountains and spectacular caves. All sorts of wildlife and habitat including what must be some of the best beaches anywhere. We stayed in wonderful guest houses all of which looked after us very well. Some we could not believe and still can’t!

Alex looked out and after us and proved knowledgeably helpful and a very good host. I now love KTM’s! This is a great holiday and a really marvellous adventure that has to be done! Cape Town is great as well.”

Sarah Jeffreys

“This was our holiday of a life time starting and finishing in Kaapstad and all our senses received a wow factor! We whaled watched and heard the cows calling to their calves – very eerie, rode mountain passes – very scary, climbed through caves – spectacular and walked white beaches. We saw a huge variety of wild life (ostriches and baboons my favourite) and extremes of habitation from deserts to mountains. On a motorcycle you can actually smell the garden route as well as see it!”

Impala Tour 2007

Rory Kaye

“These narrow dirt road passes cut through the mountains, which then lead out into the desert the other side. Riding through such beautiful scenery on the dirt roads makes this holiday quite an adventure. It’s quite unlike any other holiday I have had. At the end of a hard day’s ride, there’s always a bar with friendly faces wanting to chat.”

Bespoke Impala 2006

Ian Summerfield

“This trip was the best riding experience of my life. It was the first time I had ridden on dirt roads, the red African trails were challenging but great fun. Riding out of Cape Town with Table Mountain behind us felt special but riding along the side of the Indian Ocean was simply amazing!

The Garden Route is beautiful with scenery ranging from the mountainous vista of the Cape, to the long deep wooded passes and on to the long flat grass plains. The accommodation was a mixture starting with the luxury of the Cape Town hotel, travellers lodges, where we socialised with other adventurers and guest-houses including the outstanding Lavender House complete with swimming pool and braai area. Food was part of the experience a mixture of European and African cuisine but always plentiful and fresh. Carrying our luggage on the bikes, riding on dirt roads, making new friends and eating great food…. just brilliant.”