Most visitors see South Africa through a windscreen.
You'll see it through a visor — on gravel passes, remote valleys and mountain roads that don't appear on tourist maps.
On Cape2Karoo, ride from the Kouga mountains through the Baviaanskloof wilderness, across the open Karoo and over the Swartberg, before returning through the forests of the Garden Route.
On Frontier & Mist, climb into the Eastern Cape Highlands through Lady Grey and Rhodes, cross Naude’s Nek and explore the wide-open Stormberg country. Then trade mountain horizons for the misty forests of Hogsback on your way home.
Everything is organised for you: the route, the lodges, the bike and the backup. The one thing we leave out is the guide, so you ride at your own pace, with professional support on call 24/7.
Choose your ride
Two routes. A different kind of escape.
Seven days, a prepared bike and the freedom to ride at your own pace. Cape2Karoo pairs Baviaanskloof farms and Karoo villages with Garden Route forest stays. Frontier & Mist takes you through the Addo valley and highland villages to the forests of Hogsback. Choose the landscapes that call to you.
Wilderness · Karoo · Coast
Cape2Karoo
Through the Baviaanskloof, into the open Karoo and over the Swartberg. Return through Garden Route forests and the Tsitsikamma.
Duration
7 days
Distance
~1,306 km
Start & finish
St Francis Bay
Best suited to: experienced gravel riders seeking their first adventure tour in South Africa. Technical demand: moderate, with sustained gravel and a more manageable difficulty curve.
Head into the Eastern Cape Highlands: Lady Grey, Rhodes and Naude’s Nek. Ride through Stormberg country and return via Hogsback.
Duration
7 days
Distance
~1,811 km
Start & finish
St Francis Bay
Best suited to: confident adventure riders seeking altitude, technical passes and mountain country. Technical demand: higher, including Ben10 passes on days four and five.
Both routes require previous gravel-riding experience. Routes may be adapted for weather and road conditions; Willem can help you choose the right fit.
A professionally curated route, delivered as a GPX file and preloaded on the Garmin GPS fitted to your bike.
Everything Arranged.
Your airport arrival transfer and accommodation are booked in advance. Your motorcycle is fully prepared, with pannier luggage fitted. You arrive, switch off, and focus on the ride.
Support On Standby.
A standby motorcycle and recovery vehicle are on call 24/7. If something goes wrong, we come to you — so your journey continues.
What's Included
Everything you need. Nothing you don't.
Arrive with your riding gear — everything else is taken care of.
Included in the Package
Airport arrival transfer from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
KTM 790 Adventure motorcycle
Garmin zūmo XT2 GPS with the route preloaded
Pannier bags fitted for the full tour — 60 litres across three 20-litre compartments
Tyre plug kit and pressure pump supplied
6 nights accommodation — a private room for each rider
Breakfast at each overnight stop
Secure storage of additional luggage at base for the tour duration
Standby motorcycle and 24/7 recovery vehicle on call
Mechanical breakdown recovery at no charge — genuine mechanical faults only
Pre-departure route briefing and bike familiarisation
For our first riders from Europe: groups of two or more who book direct by 31 December 2026 get 20% off the published rate. Your ride date can be later, in 2027 or beyond.
2 riders €2,600 · 3 riders €2,480 · 4 riders €2,360 per rider, 7 days (instead of €3,250 / €3,100 / €2,950)
Applies to direct bookings for 2 or more riders. On the 14-day trip the 20% replaces the usual 10%. Cannot be combined with other discounts.
Per rider for either standard seven-day route. Custom tours and additional nights are quoted separately.
For context: self-organising the equivalent trip — 7-day adventure motorcycle hire alone runs €1,200–€1,800 in the region, before accommodation, GPX preparation or backup logistics. This covers everything, in one enquiry.
Solo Rider
2 Riders
3 Riders
4 Riders
€3,450
per rider
€3,250
per rider
€3,100
per rider
€2,950
per rider
Included in the package price
Airport arrival transfer from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), motorcycle for 7 days, Garmin GPS with the route preloaded, pannier bags, 6 nights in a private room with breakfast, standby motorcycle and 24/7 breakdown support, and a pre-departure briefing.
Willem Pienaar spent thirty years in the defence electronics industry — managing specialist development teams where the consequences of poor planning are not optional. That instinct for precision, preparation and anticipating what can go wrong is now the foundation of every Outbound Moto departure.
Motorcycles were never a career move. They were always a way of life — on and off road, in all conditions. Outbound Moto is where those two worlds converge: the professional rigour of an engineering background and a lifetime spent in the saddle.
As a director of a 4×4 off-road hire and tour-planning operation, Willem already understands what it takes to run a vehicle-based adventure in remote terrain. The same operational standards apply here — just on two wheels.
"Every route I hand over has been ridden or confirmed by me first. Every overnight stop is personally checked to make sure it delivers what we promise. And every enquiry receives a personal response — because that is how I would expect to be treated."
“The weather had damaged parts of our original plan, but Willem adapted the route calmly and knowledgeably.”
NetVenturer · Tripadvisor · Written 10 September 2026
The reviewer is a friend of Willem’s who joined a shared-cost reconnaissance ride in August 2026. They state that they received no compensation for the review.
You've been riding for years. Gravel doesn't unsettle you. You've done the Alps, maybe Morocco, maybe Iceland — and you want something more remote. If that's you, this tour was built for you. Review the checklist below to confirm you're good to go.
Riding Licence
Riders must be at least 25 and have held an appropriate unrestricted motorcycle licence for at least two years. Carry the original licence and an International Driving Permit where required. Pillion passengers are not permitted.
Gravel Experience
Riders must be comfortable on unpaved roads. Around 70% of the route is gravel. Prior adventure riding experience is essential.
Riding Gear
Full protective gear is mandatory — jacket, trousers, gloves, boots and an approved helmet. Gear is not supplied and must be brought by the rider.
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel and medical insurance — including motorcycle riding cover — is required. This is non-negotiable.
Physical Fitness
Six hours of riding daily on technical terrain requires stamina. Riders with relevant medical conditions should consult a physician before booking.
Group Size
Solo riders, pairs and small groups are all welcome. Every tour runs privately, from a single rider upwards. Each rider receives the same professional preparation and support.
Questions
Frequently asked.
If your question isn't answered here, include it in your enquiry and Willem will respond personally.
Yes. This tour is not suitable for beginners. ~70% of the route is unpaved mountain and Karoo tracks. You should be comfortable on loose surfaces and capable of managing a 203 kg motorcycle off-road.
This tour is designed for experienced riders who are comfortable on unpaved roads. You don't need to be a trials champion, but ~70% of the route is gravel and some sections are technically demanding. When you enquire, Willem will have a direct conversation with you about your experience to make sure the tour is right for you.
The route runs through rural and remote parts of the Eastern Cape — the Baviaanskloof, the Karoo, the Garden Route — which are among the safest regions in the country. You will have a loaded GPX route, a 24/7 emergency contact, and a recovery vehicle that can reach you anywhere on the route.
A standby motorcycle and recovery vehicle are available 24/7 for the full duration of the tour. If your bike suffers a genuine mechanical fault, we will come to you and replace it with a spare — at no charge. Every bike also carries a tyre repair kit, so most punctures you can sort yourself out on the road. Free recovery doesn't cover punctures or damage caused by rider error or misuse, but you're never without the means to fix a flat. Your tour continues.
It's fully organised, but not guided. Your route, accommodation, airport arrival transfer, prepared motorcycle and 24/7 backup are all arranged before you arrive. What you won't have is a guide riding with you, so you set the pace, choose your stops and ride each day your way.
Absolutely — solo riders are very welcome. Every tour runs privately, from a single rider upwards. There are no fixed group departures and no minimum numbers. Our rates are published for up to four riders, and larger groups are quoted on request.
Breakfast is included at every overnight stop. Dinners, lunches and all drinks are for the rider's own account. Fuel is not included but fuel stops are planned into the GPX route.
Tours run all year round. October to April is the premium riding season, with conditions varying along each route. The Karoo can exceed 40°C in summer, so winter can suit riders who prefer cooler temperatures. Highland weather and road conditions remain important when planning Frontier & Mist. Tell Willem when you can travel and he’ll advise on the route and conditions.
Normally a 30% deposit is required, followed by written booking confirmation. The balance is due 60 days before you collect the motorcycle; bookings within 60 days require full payment unless agreed otherwise. See Planning your trip for the payment and cancellation summary.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is strongly recommended for all non-South African riders. We'll confirm what's needed based on your country of origin when you enquire.
Any additional bags you don't need on the road can be securely stored at our base in St Francis Bay for the full duration of the tour. Your stored luggage will be ready and waiting when you return.
Although the planned route has been carefully curated to ensure you ride the best of the region, it can be changed or adapted should you wish to do so. The trip duration can also be increased to suit your requirements — just mention this in your enquiry and Willem will discuss the options with you.
Yes. The two routes join into a single 14-day trip with 13 nights, each in a different place. They are linked without returning to St Francis Bay, so you don’t retrace your route, and you can start with either one. Booked as one trip, you save 10% on the combined rate. We put the itinerary together with you and quote it to suit your dates.
The published route is the plan — but gravel roads, river crossings and mountain passes are subject to weather and repairs. Where a section is closed or unsafe, we substitute equivalent riding of the same character and brief you on the confirmed route before departure. Two independent routes also mean there's always a fully planned alternative.
Request Availability
Ready to ride?
Send your enquiry and receive a personal response within 48 hours with availability, pricing and next steps. No obligation. No automated replies.
No obligation — this is an information request, not a booking
Personal response from Willem within 48 hours
Tours available year round, on dates to suit you
Private tours · from one rider
30% booking deposit · balance normally due 60 days before you collect the motorcycle
Tours run all year round. October to April is the premium riding season. Summer in the Karoo can exceed 40°C; winter may suit riders who prefer cooler conditions. Ask Willem about the best route for your dates.
Arrival, accommodation and the practical details to consider before confirming your adventure.
Arrival and airport transfers
Fly into Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport in Gqeberha / Port Elizabeth, approximately 100 km from St Francis Bay. We arrange a complimentary arrival transfer to St Francis through a third-party provider. Return airport transfers, onward travel and car hire are at your own expense; we can arrange them and include them in your quotation.
Your room and extra nights
Each rider has their own room during the tour, with breakfast included. We recommend one night in St Francis before motorcycle handover and one night after returning the bike. These additional nights are charged separately. Ask us to arrange them during the quotation process.
Booking, payment and date changes
Unless agreed otherwise in writing, a 30% deposit is required, and your booking is confirmed when we issue written confirmation. The balance is due 60 calendar days before you collect the motorcycle. Bookings made within 60 days require full payment unless otherwise agreed. Date changes must be requested in writing and are subject to availability, written approval and any additional charges.
Cancellations
Under our Booking & Participation Agreement, cancellations must be received in writing. More than 60 days before departure, the deposit is retained and additional payments are refunded less permitted deductions. At 60 days or less, the full tour price remains payable and payments are non-refundable. Different provisions apply to cancellations by Outbound Moto: if a motorcycle is unavailable and alternative dates cannot be agreed, all payments, including the deposit, are refunded. The full agreement sets out other circumstances and preserves rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.
Motorcycle insurance and security deposit
Every rental motorcycle is covered by our commercial motorcycle insurance policy. This does not remove your contractual responsibility for damage. A refundable R25,000 (about €1,340 at current rates) security deposit is charged to your card by secure payment link, due 48 hours before handover. Credit and debit cards are both accepted, provided the card is in your own name. If no damage is recorded, the deposit is refunded in full within three working days of return, less any refuelling charge. The deposit is charged and refunded in rand, so exchange differences and bank fees are for your account.
Damage responsibility and recovery
Where the contractual damage limit applies, you pay the lesser of the repair cost or R20,000 (about €1,070), plus a R1,800 (about €95) administration fee, per motorcycle. A replacement motorcycle is assessed separately. The limit does not apply in the exceptions listed in the Rental Agreement: riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs, riding without a valid motorcycle licence, carrying a pillion, allowing anyone else to ride, racing or other unlawful use, taking the motorcycle outside South Africa without our written consent, riding on prohibited roads, leaving the motorcycle unsecured or the key unattended, criminal or deliberate acts, and fraud or misrepresentation.
Recovery caused by a rider’s act or omission is charged separately at R4.95 (about €0.27) per kilometre for the return journey from the handover point, plus specialised third-party recovery charges where necessary. These costs are outside the damage limit, and amounts exceeding the deposit remain payable. Recovery for mechanical failure not caused by the rider is at Outbound Moto’s cost.
Your travel and medical insurance
Travel insurance is a condition of booking. Your policy must cover medical treatment, emergency evacuation and repatriation, and riding a motorcycle above 750 cc as the rider on unsealed (gravel) roads. Provide your insurer’s name, policy number and 24-hour emergency assistance number by the balance-payment deadline. Cancellation and interruption cover is also recommended.
How a custom tour is prepared
Tell Willem which places or routes interest you and how many days you have available. He’ll research adventure tracks and overnight stops, contact accommodation providers, and prepare a proposed itinerary and personalised quote. Once agreed, the arrangements are made in advance and the GPX route updated. Custom tours, additional nights and onward travel are quoted individually.
These are summaries of our booking and rental terms. Ask Willem for the full Booking & Participation Agreement and Motorcycle Rental Agreement before payment; the agreements set out the complete conditions and exceptions.
Beyond the Route
Make more of your trip?
A few optional add-ons, booked separately.
Staying longer? Add a fishing charter or safari to your quotation.
Pre-Booked Add-On · Select at Enquiry
Deep Sea Fishing Charter
Port St Francis sits on the Agulhas Current — one of the richest fishing grounds on the South African coast. Charter a boat for a half or full day targeting Yellowfin Tuna, Marlin, Dorado and Cape Salmon. The charter supplies everything — skipper, rods, reels, tackle, lures and bait.
Half Day — approx 5 hrsFull Day — approx 8 hrsPort St Francis Harbour
Must be selected at time of enquiry. Pricing on request.
Pre-Booked Add-On · Select at Enquiry
Addo Elephant Park — Big Five Safari
Just two hours from St Francis Bay, Addo Elephant National Park is home to over 600 elephants — the largest concentration on earth — as well as lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino. A world-class malaria-free Big Five safari on your doorstep.
1 or 2 night stayGuided game drivesBig Five · Malaria free2 hrs from St Francis Bay
Must be selected at time of enquiry. Pricing on request.
The Machine
KTM 790 Adventure.
The benchmark mid-weight adventure bike — light enough for technical gravel, powerful enough for the Karoo. It's the right tool for exactly this kind of riding.
