Cycle Namibia

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Start Windhoek.

   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.

   • Arrebusch Lodge or similar
2. Day 2Transfer to Kupferberg Pass; introductory cycle past private farms and local wildlife.

   Leaving Windhoek behind, start with a short transfer towards the Khomas Hochland and the top of the Kupferberg Pass. From here you'll get your 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, transfer up Gemsberg Pass and past the 3rd highest mountain in Namibia, from where you'll 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 the camp for the evening.

   • 28 miles
   • Rooisand Desert Ranch or similar
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
3. Day 3Cycle along gravel trails towards Solitaire; transfer to Sesriem.

   Leaving the camp on bikes, continue along gravel roads up and down rolling hills. We will cycle all the way to a T-junction, where you  will start to see the red sand dunes, and then transfer the rest of the way to Solitaire via the Guab Pass. 

   The aim is to get to Solitaire for lunch and hopefully have the opportunity to try the local apple crumble which has been called the best in the whole southern hemisphere. After lunch, transfer to Sesriem and then there is an optional bike ride to Elim Dune in the late afternoon (8km).

   • 21.7 miles
   • Sesriem Camp or similar
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
4. Day 4Climb Dune 45 and cycle back to Sesriem past giant sand dunes.

   It could be a challenge but getting up early today would be worth it. Start off with a 40km drive 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, enjoy your ‘breakfast with a view’ before taking the 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, transfer to Solitaire and arrive in time for an optional stroll or gentle ride before sunset. In the afternoon, you can visit the Namib Carnivore Conservation Centre and see the cheetah at this conservation project (depending on time we may go tomorrow morning).

   • 15.5 miles
   • Solitaire Camp or similar
   • Breakfast and Dinner
5. Day 5Morning cycle through Namib Naukluft Desert; transfer to Walvis Bay then on to Swakopmund

   After a short transfer, continue on your journey north by 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.

   • 31.1 miles
   • Prost Hotel or similar
   • Breakfast

   • 

     Which way should you look?

     It's a tough call whether to look at the ocean on the right or sand dunes on the left when both are equally gorgeous

6. Day 6Fat biking on sand dunes and free afternoon for optional activities.

   This morning you'll be introduced to your 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.

   The 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 the return to Swakopmund, you 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.

   • 21.7 miles
   • Prost Hotel or similar
   • Breakfast

   • 

     Fat bike experience

     Cycle over sand dunes on fat bikes that have wider tyres

7. Day 7Spitzkoppe ride

   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 you can take a refreshing dip.

   Later in the afternoon, an optional bike ride or short hike in the area can be done.
   

   • 21.7 miles
   • Spitzkoppe Camp or similar
   • Breakfast and Dinner
8. Day 8Transfer to Etosha National Park for safari

   After a relaxing start to the morning, you'll transfer to Etosha National Park, one of Southern Africa's best game viewing parks. It's going to be a fascinating time in the late afternoon as you go on a game drive in search of the various wildlife in the park which includes elephants, rhino and lions.

   When in camp there'll be an opportunity to sit by the watering hole which is flood lit at night where you can enjoy the ‘living theatre’ which unfolds as animals come down to the water to drink.

   • Okaukuejo Camp or similar
   • Breakfast
9. Day 9Search for the 'Big five' on safari in Etosha

   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
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
10. Day 10Transfer from park; Otjiwa ride

    Etosha National Park will have to be left today as you transfer transfer approximately 120km to Otjiwa, the oldest safari lodge in Namibia.

    After a filling lunch, you can go on a ride again along the jeep tracks and hopefully see some of the local wildlife. This will be your last night camping  where you can enjoy a delicious braai under the African night sky.

    • 15.5 miles
    • Otjiwa Safari Camp or similar
    • Breakfast and Dinner
11. Day 11Cycle from Otjiwa and transfer to Waterberg Plateau for an optional walk

    This morning, cycle from camp along the jeep tracks of Otjiwa Lodge for about 3 hours while looking out for wildlife. We then transfer to the accommodation at the impressive red table mountain formation of the Waterberg Plateau, where you can cool off in the pool and enjoy the last night in a comfortable room. This afternoon you will also have the opportunity to go for a walk on the Waterberg Plateau.

    • 21.7 miles
    • Waterberg Lodge or similar
    • Breakfast
12. Day 12Transfer to Windhoek airport; trip ends here

    This morning we transfer back to Windhoek where the tour ends.
    
    Please do not not book flights which leave before 3:00PM.

    • Breakfast