Cycle Namibia

Depending on 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.

Leaving Windhoek behind, we start with a short transfer towards the 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 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.

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-junction, 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 afternoon

(8km).

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 to our bikes for a ride back to Sesriem along a tarmac road

which 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 morning).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This morning we transfer back to Windhoek where the tour ends. 



*Please note: *Clients must not book flights leaving before 3PM.