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. Stay: Arebbusch Lodge (or similar).

Leaving Windhoek, 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 the amazing landscapes of Namibia as we descend along winding roads past private farms and local wildlife, getting used to the terrain for about 28mi (45km) while stopping regularly for snacks and pictures.

After lunch, we transfer up Gamsberg Pass and pass the third-highest mountain in Namibia, from where we have views stretching 62mi (100km). On the way down the pass and past the dry riverbeds, we should hopefully see baboon troops and Hartmann's mountain zebras before reaching our camp for the evening. Stay: Rooisand Desert Ranch (or similar) (B/L/D).

Leaving camp on our bikes, we continue along gravel roads on rolling hills. We cycle all the way to the meeting of two roads, where we start to see red dunes, and then transfer the rest of the way to Solitaire via the Guab Pass. We aim 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 Southern Hemisphere. After lunch, we transfer to Sesriem and then there is an optional bike ride to Elim Dune in the late afternoon (5mi/8km). Stay: Sesriem Camp (or similar) (B).

Waking early, we drive 25mi (40km) to some of the highest dunes in the world before climbing Dune 45 as the first sunrays 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 paved road cutting through the towering dunes. Depending on the weather, we may be able to do a 15. 5mi (25km) ride 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 to see cheetahs (depending on time, we may go tomorrow morning). Stay: Solitaire Camp (or similar) (B/D).

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 ostriches, springbok, gemsbok and mountain zebras. Once again, we end our ride in the shadow of Guab Pass before transferring to Walvis Bay, which is known for its flamingos. From here, we continue to Swakopmund, driving with the ocean on the right and the dunes on the left. Stay: Prost Hotel (or similar) (B).

This morning, we are introduced to our modified fat bikes and cycle into the vast expanse of 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 takes approximately 3hr 30min and includes the nearby Moon Valley landscape plus a coastline section if the tide is in our favour. On our return to Swakopmund, we have a free afternoon to enjoy one of the many optional activities available nearby, such as sandboarding or quad biking. If you feel like relaxing, this Germanic town is renowned for its cake and coffee shops. Stay: Prost Hotel (or similar) (B).

We leave Swakopmund this morning for Spitzkoppe, the Matterhorn of Namibia, an impressive granite peak rising from the gravel plains. We 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. Stay: Spitzkoppe Camp (or similar) (B/D).

After a relaxing start to the morning, we transfer to Etosha National Park, one of the best game-viewing parks in southern Africa. We go on a late afternoon game drive in search of various wildlife, including elephants, rhinos and lions. In camp, we can sit by the watering hole, which is floodlit at night, and enjoy the living theatre that unfolds as animals come to drink the water. Stay: Okaukuejo Camp (or similar) (B).

Today is dedicated to safari. We go on morning and afternoon game drives and have the opportunity to relax in camp during the heat of the day when the wildlife hides from the Namibian sun. Stay: Okaukuejo Camp (or similar) (B/L/D).

We leave Etosha National Park and transfer approximately 75mi (120km) to Otjiwa, the oldest safari lodge in Namibia. After lunch, we go on an afternoon ride along the jeep tracks and hopefully see some of the local wildlife. For our last night of camping, we enjoy a delicious braai (barbecue) under the African night sky. Stay: Otjiwa Safari Camp (or similar) (B/D).

This morning, we cycle from camp along the jeep tracks of Otjiwa Lodge for about three hours while looking 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 of the trip in a comfortable room.

This afternoon, we can also go for a walk on the Waterberg Plateau. Stay: Waterberg Lodge (or similar) (B).

A 3hr 30min drive brings us back to Windhoek, where our adventure ends. Bid farewell to new-found friends and begin your return journey home. If you’d like the adventure to continue, speak to our sales representative about extending your stay. Please note: The group transfer back to Windhoek is scheduled to align with a chosen flight to London, UK; therefore, you should not book flights leaving before then. (B).