Adventure motorcycling is about more than the ride. It’s the freedom to explore awe-inspiring destinations, to experience new cultures, and marvel at stunning landscapes from the saddle, all while pushing beyond the limits of an ordinary road trip. At Motor Adventures, we specialise in guided adventure motorbike tours through breathtaking regions in some of the world’s most captivating countries — Morocco and South Africa.
Our expert trip planners have carefully crafted routes for riders who want to combine the thrill of riding with the beauty of travel. Whether it’s carving through the High Atlas Mountains or cruising along South Africa’s coastal roads, we provide everything you need for the journey of a lifetime.
This guide is your complete introduction to our adventure motorcycle tours in Morocco and South Africa. It’s designed to inspire, inform, and help you prepare for your own two-wheeled adventure. Scroll down to get started! And if you have any questions as we go, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
What is an Adventure Motorcycle Tour?
Adventure motorcycle touring blends the freedom of the open road with light off-tarmac riding and deep cultural immersion. It’s not off-road enduro, where riders use lightweight, agile bikes to tackle technical terrain, high-impact routes, and even sand dunes in the Sahara. Instead, adventure tours favour long scenic days in the saddle, comfortable accommodation, and an appreciation for both landscape and lifestyle.
Expect a combination of quiet tarmac roads, flowing gravel tracks, and the occasional mountain pass. You’ll ride on well-equipped, robust adventure bikes (more on these below) and stay in welcoming local lodges. Unlike hard enduro, where the bike is part of your challenge, here the motorcycle is your passport to exploration.
Our tours are built for riders who want to go far, see more, and experience the true spirit of motorcycle touring in Africa.
Still tempted by the thought of an enduro experience? We’ve got you covered! Don’t miss our Off-Road Motorbike & Buggy Tours in Morocco: The Ultimate Guide. Like this guide, it’s filled with unbeatable insights and advice for planning an unforgettable ride.
Morocco Adventure Motorcycle Tours: Ride into the Spectacular South
Morocco is a dreamland for adventure riders, where mountain switchbacks, red rock canyons, and palm-lined valleys come together in a truly cinematic landscape. Our Morocco adventure motorbike tours focus on the heart of this beauty: the Central High Atlas Mountains.
Our Happy Valley Adventure Motorbike Tour takes you into the peaceful, rugged Aït Bouguemez Valley — known locally as Happy Valley. This is undoubtedly one of Morocco’s best-kept secrets. The cool, rich soil here is ideal for growing barley and wheat, both of which glow golden in the sun, olive groves, and colourful fruits in orchards, the delicious aromas of which drift in the air.
You’ll ride winding roads that connect hidden Berber villages, traverse open plateaus surrounded by snow-capped peaks, and enjoy meals prepared by locals who live in complete harmony with the landscape. In fact, some of the hotels here grow many of their own ingredients for the authentic, mouthwatering Moroccan dishes they serve.
The terrain is a mix of smooth tarmac and firm gravel pistes, perfect for confident riders looking to explore without the strain of off-road enduro. Along the way, you’ll encounter some of Morocco’s most famous sights and lesser-known gems, including Ait Ben Haddou, the Dades Gorge, and the M’Goun UNESCO Global Geopark.
Adventure riding in Morocco is about space, serenity, and the sense that you’re not just passing through a country, but immersing yourself in it.
South Africa Adventure Bike Tours: From Ocean Roads to Mountain Kingdoms
South Africa offers one of the most diverse riding environments on the continent. Coastal highways, high-altitude mountain passes, and vast semi-desert landscapes combine into a single, unforgettable journey.
Our flagship South African experience, the Sea to Summit 10-Day Tour, starts on the coast overlooking the mighty South Atlantic Ocean and gradually climbs into the mighty Drakensberg Mountains. You’ll experience some of the country’s most jaw-dropping scenery, iconic wildlife on a private game reserve, traditional Zulu homelands, and spectacular riding, including the world-famous Garden Route and Lesotho’s Sani Pass. Our journey even includes a visit to Rhodes, a charming enclave known as the only village in South Africa that still doesn’t have asphalt roads.
Prefer a more exclusive experience? Our 10-Day Kingdom of Lesotho Tour is a fully customisable private adventure that starts and ends in Bloemfontein, South Africa. But after setting off, we spend most of the 10 riding days exploring Lesotho, or “the Kingdom in the Sky”, where high-altitude riding, remote lodges, and unique cultural encounters await. Lesotho is a true hidden gem: rugged, isolated, and utterly magnificent from the saddle.
Both of these South Africa and Lesotho tours are built for seasoned riders who want to explore at pace while enjoying the comfort of full support, excellent accommodation, and enriching cultural experiences.
Our Adventure Motorcycles: Built for the Long Road
We have chosen our adventure motorcycles with comfort, reliability, and performance over long distances in mind. These are not off-road bikes — they are purpose-built for adventure touring.
We use leading models known for their ease of handling both sealed and gravel roads.
Our team has used decades of knowledge and experience to find the perfect adventure bikes for the unique challenges posed by the terrains of Morocco and South Africa. That’s why we use different bikes in each country.
- In Morocco, we offer a variety of dual-sport BMW GS bikes renowned for their reliability. However, we can also provide a bike with a smaller engine on request.
- In South Africa, we provide Triumph Tiger 900 Pro bikes. They are designed for tackling diverse terrains while offering reliability and exceptional performance.
When it comes to the quality of our bikes, we spare no expense. Our fleet consists of recent, top-of-the-range models with low mileage. We also prioritise regular servicing to manufacturer guidelines and perform frequent inspections to ensure maximum safety and reliability on the road.
These bikes are more than machines — they’re your companions across mountains, deserts, and coastlines. We select them not just for power, but for their ability to keep you focused on the journey, not the bike.
Who Are Adventure Motorcycle Tours in Morocco & South Africa for?
If you have a full biking licence and a sense of adventure, you already meet most of the criteria! Our adventure bike tours in Morocco and South Africa are open to:
- Intermediate and experienced riders comfortable with full-day riding.
- Travellers who prefer a cultural and scenic experience over technical challenges.
- Solo riders, couples, and small groups seeking authentic, supported motorcycle travel.
You don’t need off-road expertise. Confidence with light gravel is helpful but not required on all tours. What’s essential is an open mindset, a thirst for adventure, and a willingness to explore remote parts of the world from the saddle.
Are you curious about safety? You can rest assured that your well-being is our priority. Find out more about safety on our Morocco and South Africa adventure tours and make your booking with complete confidence.
What to Expect on Morocco & South Africa Adventure Tours: Long Rides, Lodging, and Logistics
A typical day on a Motor Adventures tour starts with a hearty breakfast and a morning briefing about the ride ahead. While we stick to the expertly curated itinerary designed by our route planners, each day’s ride has an element of flexibility too, allowing us to adapt to unique factors like individual groups, the weather, and the terrain.
But what about those long days? On our Happy Valley Adventure Tour in Morocco, the shortest day of riding is 150 km, with the longest clocking in at 190 km. For the Sea to Summit 10-Day Tour in South Africa, these numbers tick up. There are easier days of 50 km and 100 km, but every other day is at least 250+ km, with some passing the 300 km mark with ease. The longest day falls just shy of 400 km!
And it’s a similar story on the 10-Day Kingdom of Lesotho Tour, with multiple 200+ km days, the longest of which is a touch under 300 km.
Of course, no matter where we ride, we intersperse the scenic journey with fuel breaks, food stops, cultural experiences, and photo opportunities!
The tour’s support vehicle will carry your luggage along with spare tyres, tools, and medical supplies. Our guides ride with you, offering assistance, insight, and expert knowledge throughout the day.
At night, you’ll stay in carefully selected lodges, guesthouses, and boutique hotels. These aren’t just places to sleep, they’re integral to the experience, providing comfort, character, and warm hospitality.
Food is a big part of every journey, with regional dishes served fresh each evening. From tajines under the stars in Morocco to hearty South African braais in the mountains, you’ll eat well, rest well, and wake up ready to ride again. If you have any allergies — both food and medical — please inform us when booking your tour!
What to Pack and How to Prepare for Adventure Bike Tours in Morocco & South Africa
While we provide the bikes, route planning, and mechanical support, a little preparation goes a long way. There’s no one-size-fits-all guide to packing for every rider — we’re all different! But there are some essentials that everyone will need to bring for a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable adventure:
- Breathable off-road rally style trousers and jacket with inbuilt armour and protection.
- Lightweight thermal clothing for protection against chafing and higher mountain areas.
- A tough pair of riding boots and MX or enduro gloves.
- Lightweight, waterproof Pac-Jac combo, but only if your gear is not waterproof.
- Rucksack and hydration system, ideally with a 1.5- to 2-litre water capacity.
- An MX off-road type helmet with a chin bar and visor.
- Comfortable everyday clothes for use at hotels.
- Sunscreen, plasters, and lip salve…and don’t forget a dust scarf!
We also recommend brushing up on basic maintenance and becoming comfortable with GPS navigation, especially if you plan to ride at the front of the group at any point. Most importantly, arrive with an open heart and a flexible mindset — adventure travel rewards those who embrace the unexpected.
Remember, this is just the start! You can find a list of recommended clothing and accessories on each of our individual tour pages. So, for the most complete insight, we advise reading through this information for your preferred tour(s).
If you’re taking medication or have an ongoing health condition, you must seek advice from your doctor or GP.
Why Choose Motor Adventures?
At Motor Adventures, we live and breathe motorcycle touring. Our tours are built by riders, for riders, with a deep knowledge of the terrain, cultures, and logistics involved. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Decades of experience designing motorcycle tours across North and Southern Africa.
- Expert guides who speak multiple languages and ride every kilometre with you.
- Carefully selected routes that balance scenic joy with cultural depth.
- Comfortable, characterful lodgings that enrich the travel experience.
- Support teams and backup vehicles on every trip.
Whether you’re exploring Morocco’s fabled mountain valleys or traversing South Africa’s diverse regions, you’ll benefit from our obsessive attention to detail, safety-first mindset, and genuine love for life on two wheels.
Your Morocco or South Africa Adventure Bike Tour Starts Here
The road is calling. Whether you’re drawn to the high passes of Morocco or the dramatic coastlines of South Africa, Motor Adventures offers curated, fully supported motorcycle journeys you’ll never forget.
Our Morocco and South Africa adventure tours are for those who believe the journey matters as much as the destination. Explore our Happy Valley, Atlas Mountains, and Sahara Desert Tour and our Sea to Summit South African Motorcycle Adventure Tour to find out which one is best for you.
Remember, you can always get in touch with our team if you have any questions. We’re here to help however we can.
