Choosing between a road tour and a gravel tour is the first decision for most riders planning a motorcycle tour in South Africa. We run one of each through the same part of the country, the Western Cape and the Garden Route, so I get asked this question every week.
The short answer: if you love sweeping tar, long lunches and a relaxed pace, or you're riding with a pillion, choose Simba. If you already ride gravel and want the legendary dirt passes, choose Mufasa. The rest of this guide helps you decide if you're somewhere in between.
Simba and Mufasa side by side
| Simba | Mufasa | |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | 100% tar | About 75% gravel |
| Length | 9 days, 7 riding | 11 days: 8 riding + 1 rest day |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate | Moderate |
| Signature roads | Chapman's Peak, Clarence Drive, Route 62, Tradouw Pass, Outeniqua Pass, Bainskloof | Swartberg Pass, Prince Alfred Pass, Rooiberg Pass, R323 across the Karoo |
| Safari | Aquila Private Game Reserve | Inverdoorn Big Five reserve |
| Rest day | — | Knysna, on the lagoon |
| Pillion | Yes | Single rider only |
| Best for | Road riders, couples with a pillion, riders new to Africa | Riders with gravel experience who want the dirt passes |
| Bikes | CFMOTO 450MT to BMW R 1300 GS Adventure, plus the BMW R 1250 RT tourer | CFMOTO 450MT to BMW R 1300 GS Adventure |
Both tours run with a lead guide on a motorcycle, a support vehicle carrying luggage and a spare bike, and boutique lodges every night.
Choose Simba if…
- You love the flow of a good tar road. Simba is built around corners: the cliff edge of Chapman's Peak, the ocean bends of Clarence Drive, the sandstone gorge of the Tradouw Pass and the long, open sweepers of Route 62.
- You're riding with a pillion. A full tar route is far more comfortable for a passenger, and Simba was designed with couples in mind.
- You've never ridden gravel, or don't want to. No dirt, no surprises. Your riding skill stays where it is comfortable all day.
- Africa is new to you. Riding on the left, new traffic habits, wildlife near the road: Simba lets you get used to it without adding loose surfaces on top.
- The evenings matter as much as the riding. Simba has more time for long lunches, wine country and the Big Five at Aquila.
- You have 9 days, not 11. Simba fits a shorter trip.
Choose Mufasa if…
- You already ride gravel and want more of it. About 75% of Mufasa is dirt. It's built for riders who already enjoy it, not for those trying it for the first time.
- You want the legendary passes. Swartberg and Prince Alfred are two of South Africa's most famous gravel roads, and you can only reach them on dirt. Read our Swartberg Pass guide and Prince Alfred Pass guide to see what you'd be riding.
- You want empty roads. On the R323 across the Karoo and on the passes, you can ride for an hour without seeing another vehicle.
- You want a real challenge, with backup. Steep switchbacks and long gravel days, with a guide in front and a support vehicle behind you.
- You want a rest day in the middle. Mufasa includes a full day off on the Knysna lagoon.
What both tours share
The difference is the road surface, not the standard. On both tours you get:
- A lead guide riding with the group, and a support vehicle with your luggage, tools, water and a spare motorcycle.
- A choice of more than ten adventure bikes, from the light CFMOTO 450MT to the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure, matched to you before the tour.
- Small groups, boutique lodges and a Big Five safari.
- The same stretches of coastline. Both tours visit Hermanus and Arniston, both spend time on the Garden Route (Simba in Wilderness, Mufasa in Knysna), and both ride into Cape Town at the end.
If you pick Simba this year and fall in love with the Western Cape, Mufasa is the natural next tour. Many riders come back for the gravel once they've seen the country from the tar. You can also compare all our guided motorcycle tours.
Still not sure? Three questions to ask yourself
- 1.When did you last ride gravel, and did you enjoy it? If the answer is "never" or "I survived it," choose Simba.
- 2.Is someone riding on the back? If yes, choose Simba. Mufasa is for single riders only.
- 3.What do you want to tell people when you get home? "The best roads and food I've ever had" sounds like Simba. "I rode the Swartberg" sounds like Mufasa.
Still between the two? Send me a message about how you ride and what you're hoping for, and I'll tell you honestly which tour fits. Email me or use the contact button on this page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need off-road experience for Mufasa?
Yes. Mufasa is about 75% gravel, with steep passes, so you should already be comfortable riding graded dirt. We check every rider's experience before confirming a seat.
Is Simba really 100% tar?
Yes. Every kilometre of Simba is on paved road.
Can I bring a pillion?
On Simba, yes: it offers rider and pillion bookings, and a full tar route is far more comfortable for a passenger. Mufasa is for single riders only.
Do both tours use the same motorcycles?
Yes. Both tours offer the same fleet of adventure bikes, from the CFMOTO 450MT to the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure. Simba also offers the BMW R 1250 RT tourer.
Which tour is better for a first time in Africa?
Simba. Riding on the left and getting used to local traffic is easier without gravel added on top.
Do both tours include a safari?
Yes. Simba visits Aquila Private Game Reserve and Mufasa visits Inverdoorn. Both are Big Five reserves.
About the author
Kerren Wolfin is the founder and lead guide of Africa Moto Tours. He personally leads every South Africa departure, both Simba and Mufasa, and films each tour himself. He built AMT to give riders the African adventure he wanted to find as a new guide, and to create a home for guides who meet the same standard.
