Cycling
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Cycling to the highlights of Namibia (17 days) 6-15
guests
Highlights
Gondwana
Nature Park: Famous for its desert adapted succulents
Fish River Canyon: Cycle
along the edge of 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
(B = Breakfast, L
= Lunch, D = Dinner) (km = kilometer,
am = altitude meters)
Day
1
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
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. We start cycling in the Gondwana Nature Park
towards the second largest canyon on earth. The vista from the Hobas viewpoint
is really impressive. We stay in the beautiful Canyon Lodge/Village surrounded
by giant granite boulders. (20-45 km, gravel road) (B)
Day 3
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. We
return to our comfortable lodge in the afternoon. (65 km, gravel road)
(B)
Day
4
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. We transfer to 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. (40 km,
gravel road) (B)
Day 5
Early in the morning, we travel through the Namib Naukluft Park into the
Sossusvlei dunes, which first turn pink 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
6
Back on the bikes we cross the wild and rugged Namib Naukluft Mountains
through the spectacular Bullspoort Gorge with steep walls rising up to
700 m. We can see baboons, kudu - and springbok antelopes. (B)
Day 7
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. (45 km, gravel road) (B)
Day
8
We spend the day in Swakopmund: 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. (B)
Day 9
We leave Swakopmund and shuttle to Usakos. Our cycling route takes us
towards one of the most impressive mountains of Namibia, the 1728m high
Spitzkoppe Mountain. It largely consists of giant granite boulders. We
visit a special San rock painting called the coral snake, the only painting
known with that motive. We transfer to Uis, the old mining town close
to the Brandberg Mountain, and stay in a charming lodge. (35 km, gravel
road) (B)
Day
10
With the huge Brandberg Mountain on the left of us 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. (50 km, gravel road) (B)
Day 11
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.
(65 km, gravel road). (B)
Day 12
In the morning we cycle through a landscapes of fascinating rock formations.
With a bit of luck we can spot desert elephants and rhinos. Lunchtime
we spend around the pool, before we visit the famous rock-engraving site
at Twyfelfontein in the afternoon. (45 km, gravel road) (B)
Day
13
After breakfast we leave for the famous Etosha National park. We pass
a site with petrified wooden logs, called the Petrified Forest. Here we
also find the Welwitscha Mirabilis. In Etosha National 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 14
We are doing safaris the whole day in our vehicle and will pass numerous
waterholes and view points into the endless saltpan. We are accommodated
again in bungalows in a safari camp. (B)
Day
15
After doing a morning safari we leave the national park for Tsumeb and
pass by Lake Otjikoto, where the German “Schutztruppe” disposed
of its weapons after surrendering. In Tsumeb the Mine Museum is well worth
a visit. We visit the lively woodcraft market in Okahandja, before arriving
in Windhoek, where we are accommodated in a cosy guesthouse for the last
two nights. (B)
Day 16
In the morning we do a city tour of Windhoek by foot. We visit the Christ
Church, the colourful pedestrian mall and the “Alte Feste”
fort. Here you will also find documentation about the development of democracy
in Namibia. In the afternoon we cycle through the beautiful Khomas Highlands
to the Dan Viljoen Nature Park. Before we bid farewell to Africa we can
see baboons and various species of antelopes for a last time. (40 km,
gravel road) (B)
Day 17
With our transfer to Windhoek Airport our cycling tour to the highlights
of Namibia ends. (B)
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 28°C, during nighttime the temperatures in the desert
can drop to just above freezing point.
Included: qualified
English-speaking tour guide all
accommodation in double/twin rooms with shower/toilet as above incl. breakfast
(2-4*) meals
as mentioned - vegetarians welcome! transport
of bikes on trailer permanent
back-up entrance
fees and activities mentioned all
transfers & travel in air-conditioned minibus
Excluded: flights
to and from Namibia gratuity
Abreviations:
B - Breakfast, L - Lunch packets, D - Dinner
Giant
mountain bikes We offer Giant Mountain Bikes with 27 gears, front shocks, water-bottle
holder and a small carrier for an additional charge on loan.
Book this tour
If our fixed departure doesn't
suit you, don't despair! Contact
us for exclusive itineraries for small groups or individual travelers,
we will be happy to put together a special tour for you.
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