Climbing onto your very own quad bike and following a tantalising track through unknown territory is one of the most popular adventure activities in South Africa. With so many diverse and beautiful landscapes to explore, quad biking offers a fun way to cover ground and see the sights. It’s easy to learn to handle these forgiving, sturdy machines with most operators offering fully automatic models.

We’ve taken some of the slog-work out of your search for which quad biking adventure will suit your interests. Are you looking for a hard-core technical track that will put your driving skills to the test? Or do you just see quad biking as an exciting way to explore- stopping regularly to game watch or learn about a rare plant? Here’s a list of some of the best quad biking experiences in South Africa. Quad bike trails vary from exciting dune riding all the way through to more sedate vineyards tours ending in wine tastings and elegant picnics.
 

Cape Town
Cape Town offers two very different types of quad biking adventure. It shouldn’t be hard to choose which one’s for you. With Twin Venture, quad biking through dunes is technically challenging, super exciting and other-worldly – think exploring on Mars. Quad biking through vineyards is a more relaxed affair and usually ends with a glass of wine! That should seal it one way or another…
 

Cape Winelands
For those who think quad biking is all about adrenaline, think again. With Wine Valley Adventures, you can enjoy a scenic ride through vineyards and fynbos-covered trails, combining technical fun with stunning landscapes. Expert guides ensure a safe and exciting experience, making it the perfect way to explore the natural beauty of the Cape Winelands on four wheels.
 

Drakensberg
All Out Adventures offers a premier quad biking experience in the rippled foothills of the Drakensberg. Comprehensive and interactive driver training goes hand in hand with excellent off-road bikes. Add exciting technical trails and stunning scenery to all this and you can’t go wrong.

Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape offers quad biking adventures as diverse as its landscapes. A quad biking safari with Areena Riverside Resort is a novel way of getting deep into the bushveld and up close to a variety of game including zebra and wildebeest.
 

Free State
Let the energetic team at Clarens Xtreme in the Free State show you the stunning Golden Gate area on a quad biking tour. Though the charming town of Clarens has earned its popularity from its wealth of original arts and craft shops and gourmet cafés, the adventure activities springing up in its nearby rivers and mountains are fast gaining an equally good reputation.
 

Garden Route
Quad biking in the Garden Route is well covered, with WildX Adventures offering excellent trails in many of the main coastal towns – Mossel Bay, George, Wilderness, Knysna, The Crags and Plettenberg Bay. Take your pick. Their routes traverse fynbos-covered hills, wild coastal corridors, bushveld and forest, giving you a true taste of the region’s diverse landscapes.
 

Gauteng
Gauteng offers quad biking close to the urban centres. Adventure Zone runs quad biking safaris just outside Pretoria, where you’ll be zooming through the bushveld in search of kudu, eland and other game. Only 35 minutes from both Pretoria and Johannesburg. For an exciting ride in the foothills of the Magaliesberg, Saddle Creek Adventures has trails that blend scenery with adrenaline.
 

Mpumalanga
Mpumalanga, the adventure province of South Africa, is a prime spot for quad biking. With Siyavaya Adventures, you can explore bushveld and river valleys near the Kruger National Park border, or zig-zag through the picturesque hills of Dullstroom. Options range from highly technical river crossings and off-road challenges to fun and easy-going tracks for all levels of riders.
 

North West
North West quad biking just got wilder! With Mankwe Gametrackers, expert guides will take you into the Letsatsing Game Park near Sun City, Pilanesberg. Exploring the wild bushveld on a quad bike is one of the best safari experiences you can have in the region.
 

South Coast
Oribi Gorge is the stunning setting for Wild Five Adventures’ quad biking trail on the South Coast. After a thorough practice ride, you’ll set off on the fun, winding 8-kilometer woodland trail. The destination? One of the spectacular viewpoints overlooking the gorge.