Before You Ride
Requirements
Everything you need to have in place before joining an Akiiki Moto expedition. Read this before booking.
Quick Checklist
Valid motorcycle licence (+ IDP if non-English)
Travel insurance with medical evacuation
Minimum riding experience for your chosen tour
CE-certified safety gear (see Safety Gear page)
Good general health & physical fitness
18 years of age or older
Valid passport (30+ days beyond travel dates)
30% deposit to secure your booking
01 Valid Motorcycle Licence
Required A current, valid motorcycle licence from your country of residence.
Valid Motorcycle Licence
RequiredA current, valid motorcycle licence from your country of residence.
- Your licence must be valid for motorcycle use (not just a car licence) and must be in date.
- South African law requires that any licence not printed in English must be accompanied by a certified International Driving Permit (IDP). We recommend carrying an IDP regardless — it simplifies any roadside interaction.
- We require a minimum of 12 months of active motorcycle riding experience for all gravel tours. If you're new to adventure riding, the Peninsula Loop is a great introduction and has no minimum experience requirement.
02 Travel & Medical Insurance
Required Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is mandatory on all tours.
Travel & Medical Insurance
RequiredComprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is mandatory on all tours.
- Your policy must include medical coverage, emergency evacuation, and ideally adventure sports/motorcycling activity cover. Standard travel insurance often excludes motorcycle riding — check your policy wording carefully.
- We recommend providers like World Nomads, SafetyWing, or Battleface, all of which offer explicit adventure sports cover. Bring your policy number and emergency contact details in printed form.
- In the event of an accident requiring medical evacuation from a remote area like the Tankwa, costs can be significant without adequate cover. This requirement is non-negotiable.
03 Riding Experience
Required Minimum experience requirements vary by tour difficulty.
Riding Experience
RequiredMinimum experience requirements vary by tour difficulty.
- Peninsula Loop (Beginner/Intermediate): No minimum gravel experience required. Confidence on tarmac at road speeds is sufficient.
- Garden Route (Easy/Scenic): Basic gravel experience helpful but not required. This tour is largely tarmac.
- Cederberg Escape (Intermediate/Advanced): At least 1 year of active riding with some gravel or off-road experience required. You will encounter technical rocky sections.
- Karoo Dust (Intermediate+): Solid off-road experience required. Comfortable with high-speed gravel, loose surfaces, and technical rocky climbs. If in doubt, talk to us — we'd rather assess you properly than have you struggle in the field.
04 Physical Fitness
Required Adventure riding is physically demanding. A reasonable level of fitness is required.
Physical Fitness
RequiredAdventure riding is physically demanding. A reasonable level of fitness is required.
- Picking up a dropped motorcycle, managing the bike on loose technical terrain, and riding for 6–8 hours in heat or cold all require physical and mental stamina.
- You do not need to be an athlete, but you must be in good general health with no conditions that would be seriously aggravated by sustained physical exertion, heat, or altitude.
- Please disclose any relevant medical conditions when booking. This stays confidential between you and your guide and helps us plan for emergencies.
05 Minimum Age
Required All riders must be 18 years or older.
Minimum Age
RequiredAll riders must be 18 years or older.
- South African law requires all motorcycle operators on public roads to be a minimum of 18 years of age.
- There is no upper age limit — we've ridden with guests well into their 70s. Fitness and experience matter far more than age.
06 Passport & Visa
Good to Know Check your country's visa requirements for South Africa well ahead of travel.
Passport & Visa
Good to KnowCheck your country's visa requirements for South Africa well ahead of travel.
- Many nationalities enjoy visa-free entry to South Africa for up to 90 days. Check the South African Department of Home Affairs website or your nearest SA embassy for the current requirements for your nationality.
- Your passport must be valid for at least 30 days beyond your intended departure date, and must have at least two blank pages for entry/exit stamps.
- If you are transiting through another country en route to Cape Town, check the transit visa requirements for that country too.
07 Deposit & Booking
Good to Know A 30% deposit secures your place. Full payment is due 30 days before departure.
Deposit & Booking
Good to KnowA 30% deposit secures your place. Full payment is due 30 days before departure.
- Deposits are payable by bank transfer (EFT) in ZAR, or by arrangement in USD/EUR for international guests.
- Your place on a tour is only confirmed once we have received your deposit and confirmed availability in writing.
- Full balance is due 30 days prior to the tour departure date. For bookings made within 30 days of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking.
- Our cancellation policy: cancellations more than 30 days before departure receive a full refund less the deposit. Cancellations within 30 days are non-refundable, but we will work with you to transfer your booking to a future date where possible.
Not Sure You Qualify?
Talk to us before booking. We would rather have an honest conversation about whether a tour is right for you than have someone struggle in the field. There's no pressure — we'll find the right route for your experience level.