In January 2023 Diverge Tours will be taking a select group of riders into the very deep south. Off the beaten track and across sandy trails to some of South Africa’s best kept secret spots. Saddle up and join the ride…
In 2022 rode to Hell and Back. In 2021 we climbed Gysmanshoek Pass. In 2020 we did an Overberg circuit. In 2023 it will be shorter and wilder, with a night spent camping on the beach and another in Africa’s southernmost official campsite. Starting from Stanford the tour takes in 226 kilometres with 2 550 metres of accumulated elevation gain. While no big mountains will be conquered there some sandy dual tracks and a stretch on the beach to master. But we’ve checked the tides and they’re in our favour.

Wild camp under the stars on a private beach.
The Diverge Tour Basics
Dates: 4 – 6 January 2023
Distances: 67km, 65km and 94km
Costs: R750 per person
Start Point: Birkenhead Brewery, Stanford
Finish Point: Birkenhead Brewery, Stanford
Overnight Spots: A secret beach & L’Agulhas Caravan Park
Day 1
67km with 1 050m of climbing
Day 1 of the Diverge Tours Wild Camping trip will start at the Bikenhead Brewery, just outside Stanford. There won’t be time for beers though, but a coffee could kick the trip off with a well-caffeinated start. Meet at 10:00 and be ready to ride by 11:00 as we have a short but fun day’s riding ahead. We’ll loop through the farmlands of Papiesvlei and Baardskeerdersbos before making our way to the coast along a fisherman’s dual track. On a secret beach, known only to local surfers and fishermen we’ll braai and camp under the stars. If the weather plays ball there will be no need to pitch a tent.

Camping on a secret beach is sure to be the highlight of the trip.
Day 2
65km with 500m of climbing
The second day features a 4×4 section through the dunes to Die Dam, where the route joins a gravel road past some of Elim’s most famous cool-climate vineyards. Classic strandveld vegetation lines a dusty gravel road and ostriches could be our companions as we ride towards the Southern Most Tip of Africa. Passing through Struisbaai en route to L’Agulhas we could stop for a beer at the harbour before making our way to the municipal campsite in the shadow of the lighthouse.

The night of Day 2 will be spent in the shadow of the L’Agulhas lighthouse, in Africa’s southern most campsite. Photo by Wiki Commons.
Day 3
94km with 1 000m of climbing
The longest day of the Wild Camping Diverge Tour will take us from the Southern Most Tip back to Birkenhead Brewery. But it follows a scenic route past the point where the Indian and Altantic Oceans meet and along a sandy back road, before crossing a beach to Brandfontein and rejoining a good gravel road. The first 20 kilometres will be undertaken without the presence of a support vehicle, so prepare accordingly. From there we’ll be rolling through the historic mission village of Elim and passing Belofebos on the road to Stanford.

The early morning low tide means the Diverge Tour will have a hard-packed beach to cycle across en route to Brandfontein.

The Agulhas MTB Classic has followed the first 20km of this route most Decembers since 2013. Photo by Chris Hitchcock.
What to Pack?
Bring your bike and cycling kit, obviously as well as a swimming costume. As in 2022, pack everything into a plastic box, like this one, and make sure you pack a tent, sleeping bag and mattress. We will once again be supplying braai wood, braai grids, coffee paraphernalia and a gas stove. Download the full gear check-list and route files here.

Pack light, it all has to fit in one bakkie. Photo by David le Roux.
Meals
- Brunch Day 1: Coffee and a snack at Birkenhead Brewery (own account).
- Supper Day 1: Pack meat/protein to braai (We will be supplying salad and garlic breads).
- Breakfast Day 2: We will be supplying coffee, tea, rusks and ProNutro.
- Lunch Day 2: Lunch at Catch Cook in the Struisbaai harbour (own account).
- Supper Day 2: Purchase/pack meat/protein in Agulhas (We will be supplying roast vegetables).
- Breakfast Day 3: We will be supplying coffee, tea, rusks and ProNutro.
- Lunch Day 3: Snack stop in Elim (own account).
- Late Lunch Day 3: Lunch and post-tour beers at Birkenhead Brewery (own account).

Snack stops are essential. Photo by David le Roux.
Drinks
- We’ll be supplying ample drinking water
- And beers!
If you have any questions don’t hesitate to get in touch. Drop us an email to info@diverge.info.

Don’t miss out. The Diverge Tours have been an absolute blast. Photo by Andrew Robb.