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Level of fitness   Grading of accommodation

Dates and rates
Booking code: RHN
09.06.11 - 25.06.11	USD 3295
14.07.11 - 30.07.11	USD 3295

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Namibia

Cycling to the highlights of Namibia

Cycling tour through the second least populated country on the planet. Discover Namiba with us, from a cyclists perspective. Magnificant landscapes, the open African sky, unique desert adapted animals, the friendly locals... – Individual and group travel

Tour highlights: Gondwana Nature Park is famous for its desert adapted succulents. Cycle along the edge of the Fish River Canyon the second largest canyon in the world. Namib Naukluft Park and the Sossusvlei Dunes: Discover the world oldest desert on foot and per bike in Africa’s largest game park. Swakopmund: Experience the colonial past and do some shopping. Twyfelfontein rock engravings: Witness ancient San culture a few thousand years old. Etosha National Park: One of Southern Africa’s finest and most important game parks with excellent game viewing opportunity, such as elephant, black rhino, honey badger, giraffe, lion, cheetah, ostrich, springbok, kudu, eland and leopard.

Tour schedule:

Day 1 Arrival in Namibia and relaxing at lake Oanob

You arrive in Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia, which is famous for its blend of German colonial and modern buildings, traditional German dishes and of course, its beer! We will drive to Rehoboth. Migrants from South Africa founded this town in the 19th century. Nearby is the Lake Oanob Resort situated on a water dam – a rare occasion in a mainly desert country. A swim or a kayak trip is recommended. We stay in comfortable reed thatched houses.

Day 2 Cycle to the second largest canyon on earth

We transfer to Keetmanshoop; the business centre of Southern Namibia. Close by is a collection of large Quiver trees an Aloe species adapted to this low rainfall area and flowering in June and July. We also cycle to some impressive dolerite rock formations called Giants Playground. After another transfer we cycle into the Gondwana Nature Park towards the second largest canyon on earth. We might spot some Hartman mountain zebra and oryx antelope. For 2 nights we stay in a cozy lodge. (25 miles, gravel road) (B)

Day 3 Ride between rocks some 1 billion years old

We start biking from our lodge along the plateau edges. The rock formations we pass have dykes filled with hard dolerite doted with more quiver trees. The last 10 km lead gently onto the canyon floor. At the hot springs of Ai-Ais you can relax and ease your tired muscles and have a walk along the fish river looking for rock dassies, springbok and klipspringer. In late afternoon we visit Hobas viewpoint. The vista into the canyon is really impressive. We return to our comfortable lodge in the afternoon. (45 miles, gravel road) (B)

Day 4 Colonial history and wild animals

We transfer to the old Mission station of Bethanie and visit a little Museum, which informs us about the harsh circumstances, and challenges Europeans faced in the 1830’s. Along the Schwarzrand mountain range we cycle to Helmeringhausen. This is Africa’s wild west village. By bike we cycle on a game farm and with a bit of luck we can see kudu, ostrich, steenbok and bat eared fox. (35 miles, gravel road) (B)

Day 5 Cycle down the great escarpment

We transfer near the top of the Zarishoogte Pass. Here the Southern African Escarpment makes way into the low-lying area of the sandy and rocky Namib Desert more than 6 million years old. We pass some ostrich and sheep farms en route to our guest farm. In the afternoon relax at the pool or join for a walk on the farm looking for ancient rock paintings. (31 – 37 miles, gravel road) (B)

Day 6 Cycling in the world oldest desert

Early in the morning, we travel through the Namib Naukluft Park into the Namib Desert. On a tarred road! we ride along the Sossus valley (15 miles). The impressive sand dunes, turn pink at first and then red in the early morning light. We hike on hidden tracks where we can experience first hand, how nature adapts to the harsh conditions of the Namib Desert. The climb to the highest dune, “Big Daddy” takes approximately 1 hour. From here we will have a breathtaking view over the unique sea of dunes. A short walk takes us to Sesriem Canyon, before we drive through the Naukluft mountains to Solitaire, where we are accommodated in a beautiful lodge with a pool for the following two nights. The apple cake, fresh from the oven is a legend! (B)

Day 7 Cycle though the Naukluft Mountains

Back on the bikes we cross the wild and rugged Namib Naukluft Mountains through the spectacular Bullspoort Gorge with steep walls rising up to 2100 feet. We can see baboons, kudu – and springbok antelopes. The afternoon is for relaxing. A sundowner walk lead to some giant nests of the social weaver bird. (33 miles, gravel road) (B)

Day 8 Cycle to the river oasis of the Kuiseb river

After breakfast we pass the geologically fascinating Gaub- and Kuiseb Canyon. Ostriches and Springbok antelopes are crossing our way and with a bit of luck we might spot the shy Hartmann Mountain Zebra! We load on and transfer to Walvis Bay where we stop at the lagoon to visit the massive flamingo swarm. At nearby Swakopmund you see remnants of the colonial past. We stay in a cosy guesthouse in town. (28 miles, gravel road) (B)

Day 9 Cycle to the moon landscape and the world largest Welwitcha

After a visit to Martin Luther steam engine we start riding in the Namib Naukluft Park. Along the Swakop river valley you can see living stones (lithops), the moon landscape and the largest Welwitcha Miralibis plant. The afternoon is at on disposal: African art markets, city museum, the crystal gallery with the largest crystal in the world, an excursion to Cape Cross seal colony or a flight along the skeleton coast are some of the options. (12 – 25 miles, gravel road) (B)

Day 10 Cycle to the Spitzkoppe Mountain and see paintings of Khoi San

We leave Swakopmund and shuttle to Usakos. Our cycling route takes us towards one of the most impressive mountains of Namibia, the 5300 feet high Spitzkoppe Mountain. It largely consists of giant granite boulders. We visit a special San rock painting site called Bushman’s paradise. We transfer to Uis, the old mining town close to the Brandberg Mountain, and stay in chalets of a lodge. (19 –51 miles, gravel road) (B)

Day 11 Cycle across Damaraland

With the huge Brandberg Mountain on the left we cycle further into Damaraland. Women like to sell their crafts such as dolls made out of left over cotton textile. With luck we might spot some desert elephants. A transfer takes us to Khorixas where we are accommodated in thatch-roofed cottages. (45 miles, gravel road) (B)

Day 12 Cycling to the Desert elephants

Today we cycle through a beautiful landscape dotted with colourful granite boulders downhill into the stone desert of Damaraland. Because of the soft sand we will cover the last section to Twyfelfontein in our vehicle. Stay in magnificant lodge of Twyfelfontein. (40 miles, gravel road). (B)

Day 13 World heritage site Twyfelfontein and Vingerklip Lodge

In the morning visit the famous rock-engraving site at Twyfelfontein. The unique ability of ancient Koi San inhabitants of carving into sandstone was recently recognized by awarding Twyfelfontein a cultural world heritage status. Transfer to the petrified forest a site with petrified wooden logs and back to Khorixas. We cycle through Mopane forest passed many Table mountain tops to unique Vingerklip Lodge. The 80 ft tall rock column is a famous landmark. (31 miles, gravel road) (B)

Day 14 Game viewing in Etosha National Park

After breakfast we leave for famous Etosha National park. In the park we can see the “Big 4”, buffalos are not present here due to the lack of water. Cheetah, Jackal, many Giraffe and vast herd of various antelope and zebra also call it their home. We overnight in bungalows in a safari camp. (B)

Day 15 More game viewing in Etosha National Park

We are doing safaris the whole day in our vehicle and pass numerous waterholes and view points into the endless saltpan. We are accommodated again in bungalows in a safari camp. (B)

Day 16 Return to Windhoek

After doing another morning safari we leave the national park for Okahandja and visit the lively woodcraft market. In Windhoek we are accommodated in a cosy guesthouse for the last night. (B)

Day 17 Sight tour of Windhoek and flight home

Depending on the return flight we do a morning city tour of Windhoek on foot. We visit the Christ Church, the colorful pedestrian mall and the “Alte Feste” fort. Here you will also find documentation about the development of democracy in Namibia. With the transfer to Windhoek Airport our cycling tour to the highlights of Namibia ends. (B)

If you have more time to spare, how about an extension to Cape Town, regarded by many as one of the most beautiful situated cities in the world and the cultivated wine lands of Stellenbosch nearby. Or 1 hour flight away a visit to one of the worlds natural wonders, the mighty Victoria Falls. A two night extension to Chobe National Park in Botswana or the famous Okavango Delta is another option. Please contact us for further information.

Services

Included:

• Qualified English/German-speaking tour guide
• All accommodation in double/twin rooms with shower/toilet as above incl. breakfast (3*)
• Transport of bikes on trailer and permanent back-up
• Entrance fees and activities mentioned
• All transfers & travel in air-conditioned minibus

Excluded:

• Fights to and from Namibia
• Gratuity

Hints

Travel Information: All cycle routes are on gravel roads. Although our carefully selected routes are generally in a good condition, the condition can vary depending on weather conditions. As far as the routing is concerned we are flexible since our back up vehicle is always around. With an average fitness these routes are easily manageable. The offered travel dates cover dry season in Namibia, during daytime the temperature is up to 82°Fahrenheit, during nighttime the temperatures in the desert can drop to just above freezing point.