Discover the country’s highlights and hidden secrets on two wheels, watch the sun rise over the tallest sand dunes in the world and experience game drives in one of southern Africa’s best game reserves, Etosha National Park.
12 Days with prices from $3,999 CAD per person, based on double occupancy
Windhoek, Namibia
Windhoek, Namibia
Namibia is a vast country with wide open spaces and endless skies. Sand dunes gradually turn into granite hills, whilst rocky outcrops give way to vast plains where elephants, giraffes and lions roam. Travelling through the wilderness by bike is undoubtedly one of the best ways to experience the varied landscape of this desert nation and there is also the unique experience of cycling over sand dunes on a modified ‘fat’ bike.
Average daily distance: 39km (24 miles)
No. of days cycling: 8 days cycling (including a morning fat biking)
Vehicle support: Fully supported with the exception of the fat biking excursion.
The cycling is approximately 90% on gravel/dirt roads or off road and 10% on tarmac roads. There is a mix of terrain, including some undulating rides, flat, downhill and uphill sections. The support vehicle will be on hand, especially for the more challenging sections. Most of the rides will be on roads with little traffic though there may be some busier sections.
The fat biking on sand dunes will be with a specialist guide and on modified bikes. You will receive a tutorial before setting off but no previous experience is necessary. The terrain will be undulating and you will have opportunity to do cycle some steep gradients down the dunes. However, there will always be the option of cycling down a gentler slope.
On all days we may do less or more cycling than stated in the trip notes. This will depend on the ability and preference of the group as well as the local conditions at the time.
It can get hot in Namibia and shade is not common on most of the rides.
Helmets must be worn by all cyclists in Namibia.
Depending o your arrival time at the hotel; there is time today to go into Windhoek and explore the city at your own pace, or you can relax at the lodge.
Arebbusch Lodge or similar
Leaving Windhoek behid, we start with a short transfer towards to Khomas Hochland and the top of the Kupferberg Pass. From here we get our first taste of cycling through Namibia’s amazing landscapes as we descend along the winding roads past private farms and local wildlife, getting used to the terrain for about 45km while stopping regularly for snacks and pictures. After lunch we transfer up Gemsberg Pass and past the 3rd highest mountain in Namibia, from where we have views stretching 100km. On the way down the pass and past the dry river beds, we should hopefully see troops of baboons as well as Hartmann’s mountain zebra before reaching our camp for the evening.
Rooisand Desert Ranch or similar
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, & dinner
Leaving the camp on our bikes we continue along gravel roads up and down rolling hills. We will cycle all the way to a T-junctions, where we will start to see the red sand dunes, and then transfer the rest of the way to Solitaire via the Guab Pass. We aim to get to Solitaire for lunch and will hopefully have the opportunity to try the local apple crumble which has been called the best in the whole southern hemisphere. After lunch, we transfer to Sesriem and then there is an optional bike ride to Elim Dune in the late aftermoon. (8km).
Sesriem Camp or similar
Meals included: breakfast
Getting up early we drive 40km into the heart of the highest sand dunes in the world before climbing Dune 40 as the sun rays peak over the horizon and hit the red-ochre sand. After descending, we have breakfast “with a view”, before taking our bikes for a ride back to Sesriem along a tarmac road with cuts through the towering dunes. Depending on the weather it may also be possible to do a short ride (25km) to Sossusvlei and have a quick walk. After lunch at camp we transfer to Solitaire, arriving in time for an optional stroll or gentle ride before sunset. In the afternoon, we can visit the Namib Carnivore Conservation Centre and see the Cheetah at this conservation project (depending on time we may go tomorrow evening).
Solitaire Camp or similar
Meals included: breakfast, dinner
After a short transfer, we continue on our journey north cycling towards the Tropic of Capricorn. If conditions allow, we have the option of cycling over the Kuiseb Pass or a different route towards the coast. With luck we should see ostrich, springbok, gemsbok and mountain zebras. Once again we end our ride in the shadow of Guab Pass before transferring to Walvis Bay known for its flamingos. From here we continue to Swakopmund driving along with the ocean on the right and the sand dunes on the left.
Prost Hotel or similar
Meals included: breakfast
This morning we are introduced to our modified ‘fat’ bikes and cycle into the vast expanse of sand dunes surrounding Swakopmund. Fat bikes have very wide tyres that make it possible to cycle over sand and explore areas that regular mountain bikes are unable to reach. Our ride will take approximately 3.5 hours and will also include the nearby moon valley landscape as well a section of the coastline if the tide is in our favour. On our return to Swakopmund we will have a free afternoon to enjoy one of the many activities available nearby, such as sandboarding or quad biking. For those feeling like relaxing a little, the Germanic town is famous for its cake and coffee shops.
Prost Hotel or similar
Meals included: breakfast
We leave Swakopmund this morning for Spitzkoppe, an impressive granite structure that rises up from the surrounding gravel planes and that is sometimes known as the Matterhorn of Africa. We will explore the area by bike and on foot in the late afternoon. When there have been good rains, it may be possible to find rock pools where we can take a refreshing dip. Later in the afternoon we can go on an optional bike ride or short hike in the area.
Spitzkoppe Camp or similar
Meals included: breakfast dinner
After a relaxing start to the morning, we transfer to Etosha N.P, one of Southern Africa’s best game viewing parks. Here we go on a late afternoon game drive in search of the various wildlife in the park which includes elephants, rhino and lions. When in camp we have the opportunity to sit by the watering hole which is flood lit at night and enjoy the ‘living theatre’ which unfolds as animals come down to the water to drink.
Okaukuejo Camp or similar
Meals included: breakfast
Today is dedicated to going on safari. We will go on morning and afternoon game drives and will have the opportunity to relax back in camp during the heat of the day when the wildlife hides from the hot Namibian sun.
Okaukuejo Camp or similar
Meals included: breakfast lunch dinner
We leave Etosha N.P. behind and transfer approximately 120km to Otjiwa, the oldest safari lodge in Namibia. After lunch we go on an afternoon ride along on the jeep tracks and hopefully see some of the local wildlife. For our last night camping, we will enjoy a delicious braai under the African night sky.
Otjiwa Safari Camp or similar
Meals included: breakfast dinner
This morning we will cycle from camp along the jeep tracks of Otjiwa Lodge for about 3 hours while looking out for wildlife. We then transfer to our accommodation at the impressive red table mountain formation of the Waterberg Plateau, where we can cool off in the pool and enjoy our last night in a comfortable room. This afternoon we will also have the opportunity to go for a walk on the Waterberg Plateau.
Waterberg Lodge or similar
Meals included: breakfast
This morning we transfer back to Windhoek where the tour ends.
