Riding High - 14 Days Namibia Bicycle Itinerary

Guests and bicycles are transferred to a Guestfarm on the outskirts of Windhoek. The afternoon is spent relaxing, assembling the bicycles and testing equipment. If there is time, we do a short test ride on the single trails of Farm Windhoek, a well-maintained mountain biking area in the hills on the outskirts of Windhoek. We explore the historic and cultural highlights of the Namibian capital on a short city tour. We experience the contrasts between the architecture from colonial times and the informal settlements on the outskirts of town, where most of the people live. We enjoy dinner at the well-known Joe’s Beerhouse.

We depart from Windhoek and travel westwards into the great outdoors. We continue through the Khomas Hochland to reach the Rantberg Mountains on the edge of the Namib Desert. The road to Namibgrens and Spreetshoogte Pass is one of the lesser travelled roads and allows a scenic bike ride on a good surface, ideal as a warmup and to get used to the bikes and terrain at the start of our bike tour. We bike into this scenic farm in an area on the edge of the Namib escarpment, mountains that run south north along the Namib desert. In the afternoon we bike a jeep trail (two single trails running next to each other) and explore the farm. The route takes us through an area dotted with granite inselbergs and interesting vegetation to a viewpoint that allows us to marvel at the vast Namib desert and dunes in the distance below. It is an adventurous and slightly challenging cycle. We return to our comfortable Klipspringer chalets to enjoy a sundowner and look forward to a fine dinner.

After an early breakfast, we bike from the farm on winding road that takes us to the famous Spreetshoogte viewpoint that overlooks the wide-open plains of the Namib Desert below. The ride down the pass is a thrilling steep downhill experience, after a few kilometres we reach a quiet country road that leads us to the start of the dune sea and to Solitaire, an oasis in the desert, famous for its apple pie and wild west town character. We continue in our tour car along the Naukluft mountains to reach Tsauchab River Camp with its views of two unique Namibian mountain ranges towering above. We find our bungalows along the dry riverbed in this pristine nature area.

After a short siesta in the shade of the huge fig trees, we depart on a challenging cycle in the foothills of the Tsaris/Zebra mountains. We find ourselves alone on a trail that leads us deep into the hills. A fun and challenging ride, we should see some wild animals, including herds of Hartmann’s mountain zebra, kudu, ostrich, oryx and springbok. The area is geologically fascinating, one can clearly see the many sediment layers of an ancient sea, hence the name, Zebra mountains. We return to our camp to freshen up for a “braai” under the stars, a fine dinner on the open fire, a treat of world-famous Namibian meat, vegetables, and fresh salad.

In the morning we explore the wild and rugged fringes of the Tsaris and Zebra Mountains with our bikes on barely visible car tracks. We are alone in untouched nature and enjoy the surprising challenges and exciting downhills the trail has in store for us. Surely a few wild animals, like the endangered Hartmann's mountain zebra or antelopes like kudu, oryx or springbok cross our path. The geology is particularly fascinating, you can clearly see the sedimentary layers of an ancient sea to which the Zebra Mountains owe their name. We continue on our bikes along paths and roads towards the sea of dunes in the west. For the last few kilometres to our lodge in Sesriem we are taken by vehicle. We can consider a bike ride to the nearby Elim Dune and hike to the top to enjoy the view of the vast sea of dunes. Alternatively, we can visit the impressive and geologically interesting Sesriem Canyon.

The world famous Sossusvlei is the highlight of today. In our safari vehicle we drive deep into the dune sea and to reach various dried out lakes, which fill up with water every few years after good rains. The last few kilometres are through deep sand, a challenge for our four-wheel drive vehicle. We may also want to walk part of the way. As soon as we reach Sossusvlei proper, we can climb one of the up to 300m high dunes and enjoy the view over the clay depressions and the sea of dunes that stretches all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.

Once we return to the vehicle, we enjoy a picnic under huge camel thorn trees, which have survived here for hundreds of years. In the early afternoon we return to Sesriem and continue to our accommodation for the night. As the grand finale of the day and with the opportunity to relax and reflect on this impressive day, we enjoy the spectacular sunset in the endless expanses of the Namib with a fine sundowner.

Our bike route today takes us through the desert area of the northern Namib Naukluft Park, east of the granite island mountain of Blutkoppe. We bike on a jeep trail that takes us into a natural area that is home to a variety of desert-adapted animals, including zebra, oryx, kudu and springbok antelope, ostrich and other smaller mammals. Also breeding in this area are some of the rare Lappet-Faced vultures, which we may be lucky enough to see en route. Apart from the large camelthorn trees that follow the lines of the dried-up watercourses, the area is dotted with granite inselbergs and other interesting rock formations, the largest and most impressive of which is the Blutkoppe.

We bike to the Gemsbokwater waterhole, enjoy a picnic there while hopefully some animals come to quench their thirst. We continue our impressive ride to Tinkas Dam and Blutkoppe. It is a wonderful feeling of boundless freedom to be on the road in this vast desert area where it is very unlikely to meet other people. Arriving at the Blutkuppe, we would certainly like to take a short walk up the bare rocky slabs, because the 200 metres of altitude are quickly overcome and the far-reaching view over the surrounding scree is magnificent. On a clear day you can even see about 80km to the west, as far as Swakopmund, and to the north, the granite island mountain Spitzkoppe, 120km away. After a quick descent, we load up our bikes to drive towards the coast and ride the last few kilometres on a good road into Swakopmund on the Atlantic coast. We enjoy dinner in a fine seafood restaurant overlooking the sea.

After breakfast, we depart to Walvis Bay and undertake an adventurous morning catamaran trip on the Atlantic Ocean. This enjoyable and eco-friendly excursion takes us within metres of the seals, pelicans, two different species of dolphin and a variety of different sea birds. On our return to Swakopmund we have an afternoon to enjoy this historically interesting town with some great shops, a museum and a wide range of outdoor activities such as sightseeing flights, quad biking, dune boarding and fat biking in the dunes. The daily scenic flight over the Namib sand sea all the way to Sossusvlei, is a great way to experience the Namib Desert from above and departs every afternoon from the Swakopmund airport.

Apart from the interesting activities available, we use the time to repair bikes, do maintenance on the tour cars and our guide purchases supplies that may be needed on the northern part of the tour. Guests also have a little time to themselves to reflect on the past few days, take it easy and recharge to be fit and ready for the adventurous days ahead.

We bike out of town and within minutes find ourselves biking single trails along the Swakop river and into the Moon Landscape. This unique area, known as the “Badlands”, borders the linear coastal dunes and the gravel plains found further inland to the east. A labyrinth of bike trails in an area that feels and looks like the moon, we ride a desolate route to reach one of the farms along the river. From here we ride a route through the hills and side canyons of the Swakop river to reach Goanikontes Oasis and the comforts of a rustic restaurant and lodge under the large palm trees. The infrastructure dates back to colonial times, when the first German immigrants started farming here to provide Swakopmund with fresh produce. From Goanikontes we drive eastwards to reach the southern part of an area called Damaraland, home to the Damara tribe. The area includes three large granite inselbergs/mountains, namely the Spitzkoppe, the Erongo Mountains and the Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain. If there is time, we can bike the remaining kilometres on quiet country roads to reach our lodge at Erongo mountains.

The area around Ai-Aiba is dominated by granite rocks and inselbergs. Here we have the opportunity to ride on the single trails created by the owner of the lodge, who takes mountain biking very seriously. After an exciting trail ride in the morning, we have time to visit the nearby bushman village. It is fascinating to see how these people live in the wilderness and off the land.

We continue on an easy gravel road towards the tin mining town of Uis and the Brandberg, Namibia's highest mountain. From here the journey continues in the touring vehicle to the sandstone and granite hills of Twyfelfontein. The vegetation consists increasingly of mopane trees with mostly lush green leaves reminiscent of angel wings - a welcome change from the otherwise rather barren sight of the desert. Our destination today is also close to a dry river, the Huab, and is therefore also often visited by desert elephants. After this eventful day, we have the opportunity to relax at the pool or take a short walk into the surrounding area to enjoy the colourfulness of this unique landscape as the sun sets in the west.

The dry and rocky desert plain reaches west from Twyfelfontein to the Skeleton Coast. This remote region is home to a variety of wildlife - zebra, giraffe, oryx and kudu antelope, desert lion and the rare black rhino.We cycle through remote valleys where, after good rainfall, small herds of rare mountain zebra and giraffe can be found. The fascinating geology gives us an insight into the time of the late Carboniferous to early Jurassic age, when the supercontinent Gondwana broke apart. We take our time to explore the flora that has uniquely adapted to this arid environment. Our guide will explain the particularities of the different Commiphora, Aloe and Acacia species.

The circular route takes us close to the volcanic Doros crater, further east to areas managed by the local population and up to the Twyfelfontein sandstone mountain range. We are accompanied by the silhouette of the Brandberg in the distance. The landscape is unique - a combination of granite, sandstone and volcanic rocks. The sandstone mountains of Twyfelfontein are the remains of an ancient desert that occurred more than 280 million years ago. More than 2500 rock drawings are engraved on over 200 rock slabs, the oldest of these dates back to the Stone Age, to a time when these mountains provided protection and water to the hunters. Twyfelfontein was ideal for rock paintings and engravings due to its flat and soft rock structures. Here you will find some of the most beautiful rock paintings in the world. Twyfelfontein has therefore been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

After many days in the Namib Desert of western Namibia, our journey takes us eastwards via Khorixas to the Ugab Terraces and the Vingerklip. We bike this “Marlboro Country” along the banks of the Ugab River with views of the sedimentary rock formations created millions of years ago, one of the most unique one’s being the finger like rock protrusion called the “Finger Rock”. After lunch at the Vingerklip Lodge, we are transferred by vehicle to the entrance of the Etosha National Park. Etosha is one of the most special game parks in Southern Africa and is over 22000 km2 in size. Etosha means “great white place” and refers to the huge 5000 km2 salt pan that gives its name to the park. The park is teeming with different animal species, including lion, rhinoceros and elephant. The landscape beautiful and different to what we have experienced on our tour thus far. No visit to Namibia is complete without spending two days at Etosha. We overnight in comfortable bungalows and spend our time on game drives to find the many animals that are found here.

Etosha has so much to offer. There is still time for one last early morning game drive in the park. Who knows, we might find another pride of lions enjoying a morning feast or a leopard in search of its next meal. From Etosha we drive south via Otjiwarongo to Okahandja. We can stop for lunch at the crocodile ranch, as it is always fascinating to see these huge reptiles. We reach Okahandja in time for our afternoon single trail ride  in a nearby nature reserve. After a day of game viewing in Etosha, it is exciting to take on the final cycling challenge, this time on a well-marked single trail. At sunset we return to our lodge and prepare for our last dinner together. We celebrate our last Namibian sunset and look forward to a delicious dinner under the stars.

Unfortunately, our Namibia adventure is slowly coming to an end today. Fortunately we are not further than 70 km north of Windhoek. Depending on the flight time from Namibia, there may be time to visit Windhoek for shopping or a city tour if there was no time on the day of arrival. On the way to Windhoek we will certainly stop at the woodcarvers' market in Okahandja to look at the handmade carvings and buy small souvenirs. Windhoek, with its 350 000 inhabitants the capital of Namibia, invites us for a last, short stroll through the city before we are driven to the airport and leave Namibia with many beautiful experiences and impressions.