After a whirlwind two days of flight cancellations and delays, I’ve finally made it to Johannesburg! I was supposed to arrive the day earlier, but as you know, travel doesn’t always go as planned. Thankfully, my amazing riding buddies waited for me, and we were finally able to kick off our South African adventure.

Mark greeting at JNB Airport

A Delayed Start, But We Hit the Road!

We were scheduled to start riding at 9:00 AM, but with my late arrival, we got going a little after noon. After a quick meet and greet with the team – Mark (our guide and owner of Wild Hog Adventures), Faisal from Southern California, and Anette from Norway – we hit the road! We were four motorcyclists and a support vehicle that Terry drove, for carrying our luggage and towing the spare motorcycle.

First Impressions of Johannesburg

Driving through Johannesburg, I was immediately struck by how clean, modern, and well-developed it is. The beautiful homes and well-maintained roads could easily be mistaken for a city in the United States. It really challenged my preconceived notions based on media portrayals. The air was fresh after a night of rain, and the sky was clearing up, promising a good day for riding. There were interesting sights of someone replacing car tires on the side of the road and people selling wood furniture, colorful beanbags and gifts. And of course, no big city is complete without the usual suspects like McDonalds and KFCs.

On the Road to Pretoria

Our route took us between Johannesburg and Pretoria, where we encountered a bit of traffic, but the scenery was breathtaking. Everywhere we looked, beautiful homes dotted the hillsides. We made a pit stop at a clean and modern petrol station (yes, I’m learning the local lingo!), complete with a Nando’s, steakhouse, and coffee shop.

Exploring Rural South Africa

Leaving the highway behind, we ventured onto rural roads, and I was amazed by the immaculate condition of the roads – not a single pothole! The landscape was stunning, with iconic umbrella thorn brush trees starting to appear. We passed through densely populated areas, even in remote locations, and I noticed many homes being built over time, with residents moving in as soon as the basic structure was complete.

Unexpected Roadblocks and Beautiful Scenery

We even had a brief encounter with a cow blocking the road, a common sight in rural areas, as evidenced by the “watch out for stray animals” signs. As we continued, we passed by fruit and vegetable stands and finally hit some winding roads with lush green scenery. The weather took a quick turn, becoming foggy and chilly as we ascended into the hills.

Foggy Road to Magoebaskloof

Once we passed the collection of villages on beginning of R71, we started to climb up in elevation and quickly found ourselves enveloped in dense fog. At times I couldn’t even see past 30-feet. It was a lush green paradise, and perhaps fog has a lot to do with that.

Magoebaskloof Mountain Lodge: Our First Night

Our destination for the day was the Magoebaskloof Mountain Lodge. My accommodation was a charming rondavel, a traditional round hut with a kitchenette, bathroom, living area, and bedroom – a perfect end to a long day. We arrived at night, so I took these pictures next morning.

Highlights from Day One:

• Johannesburg is surprisingly modern and well-developed.
• South African roads are in excellent condition.
• The landscape is diverse and beautiful, from urban areas to rural hillsides.
• The weather can change quickly, so be prepared!
• The Rondavels are a very cool form of lodging.

10-Day Loop and Day 1 ride map