Welcome to the Mad or Nomad Motorcycle Travel Guide for South Africa! This detailed guide is packed with info covering everything you need to know about motorcycle travel in South Africa including paperwork, routes, safety, top tips and more. If you’re planning an overland motorcycle adventure in South Africa – start here.
This travel guide is based on our motorcycle ride through South Africa during our round the world trip. The guides on this website are constantly updated.
Contents
How to Motorcycle Travel in South Africa for Overlanders
By Andy Davidson
Mad or Nomad: Round the World Motorcycle Traveller
South Africa is known in adventure motorcycle travel circles for a few main reasons: the sweeping Garden Route, the rugged dirt tracks of the Wild Coast, the dramatic mountain passes of the Drakensberg, the legendary Swartberg Pass and of course — the vast, empty Karoo.
It’s sometimes overlooked by overlanders rushing north into Namibia or Botswana, but it shouldn’t be skipped. South Africa is also one of the best countries for shipping motorcycles in and out, making it a natural starting point or finale for an Africa ride.
If you’ve got South Africa on the brain, this guide will explain everything you need to know to travel here with a motorcycle.
READ MORE: All South Africa Motorcycle Guides
Our motorcycle ride through South Africa
We (Andy and Alissa from Mad or Nomad) are on a round the world motorcycle trip and shipped our motorcycles from Argentina to South Africa in 2025, riding through the country for three months. This guide is based on our experiences and what we learnt. However, as with all our guides, readers and fellow travellers contribute more info, which we always update our guides with so they stay current.
For more info on our ride there and what we got up to, have a read of our South Africa Blog.
READ MORE:
Our motorcycle route through South Africa
Here’s a rough waypoint map of our motorcycle route through South Africa. This map can be downloaded and saved to help you plot your own route.
Paperwork for motorcycle travellers in South Africa
To enter South Africa with a foreign registered motorcycle, you will need your passport, motorcycle registration document and driver’s licence. Dependent on whether you are shipping in or crossing a land border, you will need either a Carnet de Passage or Temporary Import Permit. Here’s the info in more detail.
Immigration
South Africa operates a visa‑exempt program for many countries including the UK, most European Union nations, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the USA. This means citizens of these countries can enter without applying for a visa in advance and will normally be granted a visitor’s permit on arrival, valid for up to 90 days.
However, this is not the case for all nationalities. Citizens of countries outside the exemption list must apply for a visa before travelling, and visas are not issued at South African ports of entry.
Check here to see whether you need a visa. And please note that visa rules and entry requirements are always subject to change.
Important note on time allowed
When you’re stamped into South Africa, you’re given a visitor’s permit — often referred to as a “90‑day stamp.” That clock starts ticking from the date of entry and runs continuously, regardless of whether you leave the country during that period.
If you exit to a neighbouring country such as Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, or Eswatini, the days don’t pause. When you return, immigration will check your original entry stamp and calculate how many days remain on your permit.
Re‑entry does not automatically reset the 90 days. Simply crossing out and back in won’t give you a fresh permit. To be granted a new 90‑day period, you would need to leave South Africa for a meaningful absence and re‑enter, but even then it’s entirely at the discretion of the immigration officer. Border runs are not guaranteed and can be refused.
A lot of overlanders get caught out by this, so plan accordingly. Note that if you ride in South Africa, exit to a neighbouring country and then want to return to South Africa even once your 90 days has expired, you may still be refused another 90-day stamp. However, if you are shipping out of South Africa, customs often grant a seven-day transit visa so you can get to your shippers.
Customs: Carnet de Passage vs Temporary Import Permit
To take a foreign registered motorcycle into South Africa you will need either a Carnet de Passage (CDP) or a Temporary Import Permit (TIP).
If you are flying your bike into South Africa – you must use a CDP. There may be a way around it, but don’t expect it to be easy.
You do not have to arrive in South Africa when your bike does, your shipper will receive your bike for you, stamp it in and store it until you’re ready to arrive.
You can also use your CDP if you already have one to cross the border into South Africa.
Or, if you do not have a CDP and are crossing a land border into South Africa, you can get a TIP instead at the border, which often lasts as long as your visa.
Note: If you do have a CDP, and you are stamped into South Africa with it, you can use the same stamp to travel between Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Botswana. Tehnically, you should be stamped out and in to each of them. But because these countries are part of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), customs officers often treat the South African stamp as sufficient and don’t insist on issuing a new one at every crossing. Zimbabwe and Mozambique are not part of that union, so if you have a CDP, use it to stamp into those. This was our experience crossing with only the South African carnet stamp, but your experience may differ depending on the border and officer.
READ MORE: Carnet de Passage Explained
Motorcycle insurance
When you enter South Africa on a foreign‑registered motorcycle, you are not legally required to purchase vehicle insurance at the border. This is because the country relies on the state‑run Road Accident Fund (RAF) to cover personal injury claims from road accidents, while property damage and liability are left to the individual.
Unlike many neighbouring countries, South Africa does not mandate compulsory third‑party liability insurance, which means you can ride without being asked for proof of cover, however, this leaves you personally liable in the event of an accident, damage, or theft. You can arrange your own private insurance if you wish.
Detailed info on motorcycle travel paperwork
If you’re planning a motorcycle trip and aren’t used to the different types of paperwork requirements, or are just trying to get your head around motorcycle paperwork in general, have a read of our packed paperwork for motorcycle travellers guide too.
READ MORE:
Getting in and out of South Africa
South Africa shares land borders with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, and Lesotho.
Border situations can change, so it’s always worth checking the iOverlander for up‑to‑date reports from other travellers to help you choose the most suitable crossing for your route.
As with most overland borders, towns on either side are rarely the nicest places to linger. Aim to arrive early, with food, water, and snacks ready, so you’re not rushing paperwork or stuck in the midday heat.
The border crossings between Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Eswatini are straight forward and commonly used. However, the border with Mozambique is not commonly used, and most overlanders cross into Eswatini first and then onto Mozambique.
Motorcycle shipping to South Africa
South Africa is one of the few main points of entry and exit to the African continent for motorcycle travellers and overlanders. Many travellers ship their bikes to Cape Town. The other two popular shipping countries are Namibia and Kenya.
We personally shipped our motorcycles from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Cape Town, South Africa in 2025 and couldn’t have been happier with the service from Adrian at Econo Trans.
We worked with Adrian to produce a dedicated and detailed guide explaining everything you need to know about shipping into South Africa. We recommend you read that next if you’re planning on shipping in or out of SA. And we suggest checking our Shipping Companies Finder for an agent in whichever country you’re shipping to or from South Africa. Links below.
READ MORE:
Motorcycle storage in South Africa
There are a few locations in South Africa for motorcycle storage. We shipped our motorcycles to Adrian at Econo Trans in Cape Town from Argentina. Adrian released the bikes from customs as soon as they landed and safely stored them in his warehouse for two months. Check the shipping section above for a link to Adrian’s guide.
The important caveat here is that when you ship to South Africa, you should use a Carnet de Passage, which must be sent to and received by Adrian before your bike arrives in the country so that he can release it from customs and store it for you.
When to ride in South Africa
The best time to ride a motorcycle in South Africa is generally from September to May, when the weather is warm and conditions are more predictable. Winter (June to August) can bring cold temperatures, especially in the high‑altitude interior and mountain regions, while the Cape provinces often see heavy rain and strong winds during this period. We rode from Cape Town east in July and it was freezing but with zero rain.
Another thing to consider is the diversity of climates across the country. The Western Cape has a Mediterranean climate with wet winters and dry summers, while the eastern regions along the Indian Ocean are hot and humid, with summer rainfall and occasional storms. If you’re heading into the Drakensberg or other mountain ranges.
In short, South Africa is rideable year‑round, but the experience depends heavily on which direction you head. Coastal routes are best in summer, while the cooler months are ideal for tackling the semi‑desert landscapes of the Karoo.
Motorcycle mechanics and repairs
Rayder Cycles: We highly recommend contacting Raymond in Cape Town. We had been riding around the world for eight years when we took our motorcycles to Raymond, and he has to be easily the best mechanic we’ve used in that entire time. So we can’t recommend his services enough.
He’s located close to Econo Trans, and he is able to collect your motorcycle from Adrian and take it to your workshop without you being there, just in case you want the work done before you arrive.
Shock Logic: Justin is a fellow Brit and runs Shock Logic suspension in Johannesburg. He’s a suspension whizz and was hugely helpful in getting our blown shock fixed and us back on the road in no time.
Money, costs and accommodation
South Africa is generally affordable for motorcycle travellers, especially when compared to Europe or North America. Fuel, food, and accommodation are reasonably priced, though costs vary depending on whether you’re in rural areas or major cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Money can easily be withdrawn at ATMs in towns and cities, and you’ll find them easily using Google Maps. Card payments are widely accepted, even in smaller shops and fuel stations, though it’s always worth carrying some cash for rural areas. Currency exchange is straightforward at banks and official bureaus, but avoid changing money at the border as the rates are usually poor.
Accommodation ranges from budget hostels and roadside guesthouses to mid‑range hotels and luxury lodges. In rural areas, you’ll often find affordable B&Bs or backpacker lodges, while camping is widely available and a popular option for riders.
Accommodation
We recommend using iOverlander and Booking.com to find cheaper accommodation options in South Africa.
Camping is possible in South Africa, but as always, use your common sense and don’t camp just anywhere. Speak to locals and make sure you have a good understanding of the area you’re planning on staying first. There is no shortage of exceptionally remote and open areas to camp.
For more info on camping, have a look at our camping guides.
READ MORE:
Hotels we recommend in South Africa
Here’s a selection of places we stayed and recommend in South Africa. Clicking the links below will take you to either Google Maps or Booking.com.
- Hermanus – Hermanus Bacpackers
- Napier – Wokini Wellness Retreat
- Malagas – Malagas Hotel
- Oudtshoorn – Shades of Grey
- Uniondale – Schulteheim Hotel
- Stormsrivier – Dijembe Backpackers
- Barrydale – 34 Steyn Street
- Addo Elephant Park – Suma’s Rest
- Hogsback – Kings Lodge
- Lady Grey – Lupela Lodge
- Clarens – Akzente
- Weenen – Imbabala Game Lodge
- Eshowe – African Dwarf Kingfisher
- Woudend – Die Windpomp Bosveld
Safety and security for motorcycle travellers in South Africa
South Africa is an incredible country to ride, but safety and security should be taken seriously. Crime rates are higher than in many other destinations, and risks vary depending on whether you’re in big cities, rural areas, or remote border regions.
- Urban areas: In cities like Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town petty crime, carjackings, and opportunistic theft are real concerns. Avoid riding after dark in urban centres, keep valuables out of sight, and be cautious at traffic lights or fuel stops. Use your common sense as you would anywhere in the world.
- Rural and remote regions: In the countryside, crime is less visible but isolation can be a risk. Plan fuel stops carefully, avoid riding alone at night, and let someone know your route if heading into remote areas like the Karoo or northern provinces.
- Road safety: South African roads vary from excellent highways to unpredictable rural tracks. Watch for livestock, potholes, and erratic driving.
- Border regions: Some areas near Mozambique and Zimbabwe can be volatile. Always check current travel advisories before crossing.
We strongly recommend checking the UK Government travel advice website for South Africa before you ride. It provides up‑to‑date safety information, including maps highlighting regions where extra caution is advised, as well as guidance on crime, road conditions, and general security.
You will, no doubt, hear a lot of worries and concerns regarding riding in South Africa. Don’t let it put you off. Use your common sense, don’t ride dangerous areas, check the safety advice in the link about for areas to avoid and have a great time.
READ MORE: How to Stay Safe on the Road
Avoiding dangerous areas
iOverlander – iOverlander is a great resource. You will find pins marked on the map where others have had trouble. But don’t take it as gospel because pins can be out of date. There were times we travelled along roads where there were pins that others had mentioned they had been robbed etc. But times change and those pins need updating. Still, it is a valuable guide.
Locals – Asking the locals is a great way to suss out a route or area. This is especially handy and useful if you’re thinking of taking a less travelled route or for off-road riding.
Don’t ride at night – This is an important one. For travellers, it’s sound advice wherever you are in the world. Livestock, wild animals, sand, gravel, potholes and speed bumps litter the roads. Always try and get to your accommodation way before it gets dark.
Common sense – Most importantly, use your common sense. If an area feels particularly dodgy or you have a lot of eyes on you without a lot of smiles accompanying them, just move on. The longer you travel the more you develop a kind of sense for these things regardless. And even if your sense is wrong, at least you avoided the potential risk.
Keeping your motorcycle and gear safe
It’s always a good idea to find accommodation that has secure parking. And if it doesn’t, then pay to put your bike in a secure carpark with security for the night.
If you’re booking via booking.com then it’ll say whether or not it has parking and you can set a filter. If you’re on iOverlander, then again it will most likely say in the description. And if it’s via Google Maps, you can either look through the pictures or call and ask (one of the reasons we recommend buying a local SIM card so you can make calls).
We tend to put our bikes in safe parking areas belonging to the hotel or more commonly inside a hotel’s courtyard. On occasion, when a hotel doesn’t have that, they just let us bring our bikes inside. We have even brought the bikes into our rooms before.
It’s common for hotels and accommodations in Africa to provide secure parking for motorcycles in a garage or behind a locked gate.
When we started our round the world trip back in 2018, we left with a big chain lock, disc lock and motorcycle cover. Now we have a small bicycle lock and very rarely use it. If you are concerned, a tatty old cover is a good idea to act as an invisibility cloak.
READ MORE: How to Keep Your Motorcycle and Gear Safe While Travelling
Health
Vaccines – When travelling abroad, it’s important to read up on the vaccine recommendations and requirements of the countries you are travelling through.
The best website we have found, that clearly explains what is needed and required is travelhealthpro.org.uk. Simply click on each country you plan on travelling through and read through the vaccine recommendations. Also check the site for malaria maps as some parts of South Africa are at risk.
Common sense – Use your common sense when travelling anywhere in the world. Ask if it’s okay to drink the tap water first, buy bottled if not. Be selective where and what you eat for example. Food and hygiene standards may not be what you are used to so a degree of caution should be taken to avoid falling sick. Have a read of our Staying Healthy guide below for more info.
READ MORE: How to Stay Healthy on the Road
Travel insurance and emergencies
We highly recommend getting decent personal travel insurance before you leave on your trip. It’s incredibly important that you’re covered in case of an accident and your medical bills will be taken care of.
If you are planning on heading into very remote regions and off-roading, then we also recommend carrying an emergency satellite GPS device so you can call for help if you have a medical emergency. There are remote sections in South Africa and some very rural parts too where help may take a long time to come, so this is an important one.
Alissa had a serious crash in Nepal years ago and we wish we had an SOS device back then. Luckily we had excellent travel insurance though, which took care of the £20,000 hospital bill. Do not risk it, make sure you are covered.
READ MORE:
The best motorcycle routes in South Africa
South Africa is a rider’s dream. It’s a big country with dramatically shifting landscapes depending on which way you point your front wheel. Head west and you’ll find arid desert stretches, endless flower fields and wine country backroads; ride east and the humidity of the Indian Ocean coast kicks in with rolling hills. The interior offers high‑altitude plateaus and rugged mountain passes, while the far north delivers bushveld and wildlife reserves. There’s huge variety, so it really depends what you want from your ride and how long you’ve got.
Below we’ve listed some of our favourites and the most popular routes in South Africa to help you plan your route.
Chapman’s Peak Drive (Western Cape)
Just outside Cape Town, Chapman’s Peak clings to the cliffs above the Atlantic. It’s a short stretch, but the sweeping views and tight bends make it one of the most memorable day rides in the country. There’s plenty of brilliant little coastal rides around the Cape.
Garden Route (Western and Eastern Cape)
Running from Mossel Bay to Storms River, the Garden Route is a classic. Expect a mix of ocean vistas, forests, and mountain passes. It’s one of South Africa’s most loved touring routes and a great option to head east.
Route 62 (Western Cape to Eastern Cape)
Often called South Africa’s version of Route 66, Route 62 winds inland through vineyards, semi‑desert landscapes, and small towns full of character. It’s a favourite for long‑distance riders looking for variety.
Sani Pass (KwaZulu‑Natal to Lesotho)
Sani Pass is legendary. This gravel climb into the Drakensberg is tough and demands an adventure bike as it’s tight and steep switchbacks on gravel. Unfortunately we didn’t get to ride this route as it was completely snowed over, so it’s weather dependent.
Swartberg Pass (Western Cape)
Near Oudtshoorn, the Swartberg Pass delivers rugged mountain scenery and dramatic hairpins. It’s a gravel road that rewards riders who enjoy technical challenges and raw landscapes. This was our favourite ride in South Africa.
Panorama Route (Mpumalanga)
The Panorama Route takes you through the Blyde River Canyon region, with waterfalls, viewpoints, and awesome mountain riding. It’s one of the most scenic stretches in the northeast.
KwaZulu‑Natal
Gentle hills, farmland, brilliant off-road routes and cool towns make the KwaZulu a great place to ride. You can find endless routes here. It’s best done with a guide or someone who knows the area. We recommend our friend Charlie at Dust Trails Africa.
Riding gear
The weather in South Africa can change dramatically depending on the region and the time of year. In the high‑altitude areas such as the Drakensberg or the interior plateau, it can get seriously cold, while the coastal regions — especially along the Indian Ocean — can be hot and humid.
We recommend wearing a lightweight, ventilated, and breathable riding suit. Remove any thermal or waterproof liners if your gear comes with them, and carry a pair of decent throw‑over waterproofs in case of rain. A compressible down jacket (or an electric heated riding jacket) is invaluable when temperatures drop. If you’re riding through the mountains, warm clothing is essential — thermals, a down jacket, and insulated gloves will make all the difference.
When we landed in Cape Town and rode southeast it was freezing cold and our heated jackets were a must
For more information and detailed guides on adventure riding gear, check out the resources below.
READ MORE:
Motorcycle rentals and tours in South Africa
South Africa is a fantastic country to rent a motorcycle or join a guided or self-guided tour. There are some fantastic, well-established and exceptionally well-run companies dotted all over the country offering everything from big adventure bike tours, to cruisers to off-road specific. Check out our South Africa directory page for some of the best companies in the country.
READ MORE: Recommended Rental and Tour Companies
Top tips
Facebook – There are lots of Facebook groups for Overlanders. For South Africa we recommend the South Africa Motorcycle Camping group. You’ll find lots of helpful riders in there.
WhatsApp – We recommend joining the Africa WhatsApp group if you’re overlanding through the country. Invite only.
iOverlander – It’s a fantastic tool for overland travellers and is free. Download it and contribute wherever you can.
Maps.Me – A free offline map and navigation app. Simply download the maps for South Africa and use it offline. The Best Free Apps for Motorcycle Travellers
SIM card – We recommend purchasing a either a local SIM card for your travels or an eSIM. We have recently switched to using eSIMs and it makes life a lot easier as we don’t have to keep chopping and changing at borders. More info here: Internet Access for Overlanders
Don’t be put off – Some parts and areas of South Africa are dangerous, especially in larger cities and you do have to be careful. But you’ll no doubt receive a lot of warnings about travelling in the country. Of course, keep your wits about you, don’t ride at night and be aware of where you’re travelling, but don’t let the negativity put you off. It’s an incredible country to travel through.
Read more on motorcycle travel in South Africa
Thanks for checking out the Motorcycle Travel Guide: South Africa. We hope you enjoyed it! Here’s a few more articles on motorcycle travel in South Africa and Africa that we recommend you read next.
Mad or Nomad is reader supported. We may receive a commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase products using affiliate links on our site. We’re not sponsored, are completely impartial and don’t run ads. So this helps us keep the site running and free. Thank you for your support.
Try these next…
Are you planning a motorcycle trip in South Africa? Do you have any questions, tips or suggestions? Let us know in the comments below.