12
24 277
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*
Leaving Windhoek behind, 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 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 we transfer up Gemsberg Pass and past the 3rd highest mountain in Namibia, from where we 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 our camp for the evening. *Rooisand Desert Ranch or similar*
Distance in Km: 45
Distance in Miles: 28
Leaving the camp on our bikes we continue along gravel roads up and down rolling hills. We will cycle all the way to a T-junction, where we will start to see the red sand dunes, and then transfer the rest of the way to Solitaire via the Guab Pass. We aim to get to Solitaire for lunch and will hopefully have the opportunity to try the local apple crumble which has been called the best in the whole southern hemisphere. After lunch, we transfer to Sesriem and then there is an optional bike ride to Elim Dune in the late afternoon (8km). *Sesriem Camp or similar*
Distance in Km: 35
Distance in Miles: 22
Getting up early we drive 40km 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 we have ‘breakfast with a view’ before taking to our 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 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 and see the cheetah at this conservation project (depending on time we may go tomorrow morning). *Solitaire Camp or similar*
Distance in Km: 25
Distance in Miles: 15
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 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. *Prost Hotel or similar*
Distance in Km: 50
Distance in Miles: 31
This morning we are introduced to our 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. Our 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 our return to Swakopmund we 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. *Prost Hotel or similar*
Distance in Km: 35
Distance in Miles: 22
We 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 we can take a refreshing dip. Later in the afternoon we can go on an optional bike ride or short hike in the area. *Spitzkoppe Camp or similar*
Distance in Km: 35
Distance in Miles: 22
After a relaxing start to the morning, we transfer to Etosha N.P, one of Southern Africa's best game viewing parks. Here we go on a late afternoon game drive in search of the various wildlife in the park which includes elephants, rhino and lions. When in camp we have the opportunity to sit by the watering hole which is flood lit at night and enjoy the ‘living theatre’ which unfolds as animals come down to the water to drink. *Okaukuejo Camp or similar*
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*
We leave Etosha N.P. behind and transfer approximately 120km to Otjiwa, the oldest safari lodge in Namibia. After lunch we go on an afternoon ride along on the jeep tracks and hopefully see some of the local wildlife. For our last night camping, we will enjoy a delicious braai under the African night sky. *Otjiwa Safari Camp or similar*
Distance in Km: 25
Distance in Miles: 15
This morning we will cycle from camp along the jeep tracks of Otjiwa Lodge for about 3 hours while looking out 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 in a comfortable room. This afternoon we will also have the opportunity to go for a walk on the Waterberg Plateau. *Waterberg Lodge or similar*
Distance in Km: 35
Distance in Miles: 22
This morning we transfer back to Windhoek where the tour ends. *Please note: *Clients must not book flights leaving before 3PM.
* 8 days cycling (including a morning fat biking) with full vehicle support
* 90% off road/gravel roads, 10% tarmac roads
* Some gentle hills and mostly along quiet roads
* Group normally 4 to 12. Min age 16
* 7 nights full-service camping, 4 nights hotels/lodges
All breakfasts, 2 lunches, 5 dinners are included in the trip price.
When staying at campsites our guides will cook for you. These will be hearty
meals cooked over an open fire and you can expect Braai, Potjie, and stir
fries for dinner. Breakfasts will be continental style and usually consist of
cereals, coffee, yogurt, muesli, fresh fruit or the occasional fried
breakfast. For lunch you can expect a good selection of sandwich ingredients
like cheese and cold meats plus pasta and salads. Our support vehicle carries
a good selection of snacks and drinks which will be available to access every
15km or so when the group stops.
Vegetarians can be catered for but please inform us before departure of any
special dietary requests.
* 8 days cycling (including a morning fat biking) with full vehicle support
* 90% off road/gravel roads, 10% tarmac roads
* Some gentle hills and mostly along quiet roads
* Group normally 4 to 12. Min age 16
* 7 nights full-service camping, 4 nights hotels/lodges
Average daily distance: 39km (24 miles)
No. of days cycling: 8 days cycling (including a morning fat biking)
Vehicle support: Fully supported with the exception of the fat biking
excursion.
The cycling is approximately 90% on gravel/dirt roads or off road and 10% on
tarmac roads. There is a mix of terrain, including some undulating rides,
flat, downhill and uphill sections. The support vehicle will be on hand,
especially for the more challenging sections. Most of the rides will be on
roads with little traffic though there may be some busier sections.
The fat biking on sand dunes will be with a specialist guide and on modified
bikes. You will receive a tutorial before setting off but no previous
experience is necessary. The terrain will be undulating and you will have
opportunity to do cycle some steep gradients down the dunes. However, there
will always be the option of cycling down a gentler slope.
On all days we may do less or more cycling than stated in the trip notes.
This will depend on the ability and preference of the group as well as the
local conditions at the time.
It can get hot in Namibia and shade is not common on most of the rides.
Helmets must be worn by all cyclists in Namibia.
*Please note: *Clients booking their own flights must not book flights
leaving before 3pm on the day of departure.
Camps, Hotels & Lodges
We use a mixture of camping, lodges and hotels on this trip. By staying in
tents for 7 nights we can sleep in some stunning and remote locations away
from the crowds and busy tourist areas. Most of the places we stay have
swimming pools available and all of the hotels and lodges have en suite
facilities (please note you will need to bring a sleeping bag for the nights
spent camping).
Please note that due to the limited amount of accommodation within Etosha
National Park, it may be necessary to sleep outside the park on some or all
of the nights that we are there. This will not impact on the number of game
drives that we have within the park.
Single accommodation (available on request).
The trip is lead by an experienced cycling guide and accompanied by a driver
and camp assistant. You can expect the group to be between 4 to 12 cyclists.
All breakfasts, 2 lunches, 5 dinners are included in the trip price.
When staying at campsites our guides will cook for you. These will be hearty
meals cooked over an open fire and you can expect Braai, Potjie, and stir
fries for dinner. Breakfasts will be continental style and usually consist of
cereals, coffee, yogurt, muesli, fresh fruit or the occasional fried
breakfast. For lunch you can expect a good selection of sandwich ingredients
like cheese and cold meats plus pasta and salads. Our support vehicle carries
a good selection of snacks and drinks which will be available to access every
15km or so when the group stops.
Vegetarians can be catered for but please inform us before departure of any
special dietary requests.
The support vehicle normally used for trip is a specially modified safari
truck with ten to twelve seats for clients. Seating is forward facing and the
windows are large and easy to open. Smaller groups may be in a Hilux/Land
Cruiser. People are expected to move around to permit everyone a chance to
have a window seat. There is plenty of legroom and packing space as well as a
reference library and icebox. Please note, it is not safe to stand when the
vehicle is moving, please remain seated until the vehicle stops, even on game
drives. The bikes are stored in or on top of a trailer towed by the vehicle.
*Travelling flight inclusive from London: 15 days*
The group flight from London is an overnight flight departing the day before
Day 1 of the itinerary.
*Flights from London*
We normally use the scheduled services of South African Airways or British
Airways (depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change
regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your
agent to confirm up-to-date timings. Please note timings may change at a
later date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before
departure.
*Travelling land only: 13 days starting and ending in Windhoek*
Your trip normally starts at our accommodation in Windhoek in the morning of
Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided
in the Final Joining Instructions - sent approximately two weeks before
departure.
Exodus offers FREE airport arrival transfers on any flight for this trip, for
both Land Only and Flight Inclusive clients, so no matter which flight you
choose to arrive on you will be met and transferred to your hotel. All those
taking advantage of the free airport transfers must provide full flight
details for both arrival and departure in advance; unless specified
otherwise, the transfer will be to the Exodus start (or pre-tour) hotel;
transfers to other hotels in the same city may attract an extra charge;
transfers may be shared with other Exodus customers on the same flight, or on
a flight with similar arrival times.
The last night of the trip will be spent in the Waterberg Plateau Park and
the tour finishes in Windhoek. If your return flight home departs before the
group flight you may have to get a private transfer from Waterberg to
Windhoek. Please ask a member of our sales team for more details. FREE
airport departure transfers are only available for return flights departing
after the group flight - from our Windhoek hotel to the airport.
Namibia is in the Southern Hemisphere, therefore essentially has the opposite
seasonality to the UK. The months of June, July and August, whilst clear and
warm during the day, can drop down to single figures and even freezing at
night. Between September and May it is considerably warmer with the time
between October and March being the hottest, getting up to the high 30°c.
However it is always a dry heat and the temperature does drop at night. The
wet season is between November and February, but this is not a bad time to go
as the desert blooms after rainfall, there is plenty of birdlife to see and,
it never rains for very long.
You will need to bring the following essential items:
Travel pillow
Sleeping bag (3/4 season if travelling in July/August - otherwise 2 season)
for camping
Normal daily clothes
Cycling specific helmet (compulsory on all Exodus cycling tours)
Sunglasses / eye protection
Several pairs of padded cycling shorts
Several cycling jerseys
Warm base layers
Lightweight waterproof jacket
Gloves
Cleated shoes and pedals (if you use them)
Small day pack (for camera and snacks)
Torch / head torch for nights camping
Towel
Plastic bottles are a big issue in many countries where recycling isn't yet
widely available; they often end up in landfill sites or get burnt, both
processes are harmful to the environment and we would like to reduce our
impact here. On your trip the tap water is safe to drink and the vehicle has
a water tank. This means that safe drinking water will be available
throughout and all you need to do is bring a bottle to re‐fill along the
way. If you prefer the taste of bottled water, it is possible to purchase and
re-fill from 5l bottles throughout the itinerary.
If while packing you find a spare bit of space in your bag please be sure to
check out our partner 'Pack for a Purpose' to identify items that are needed
locally by schools and medical clinics. Your Tour Leader can assist with
donating the items.
"http://www.packforapurpose.org/
Please note that whilst day time temperatures in July and August can be warm
or even hot, night time temperatures can drop to close to freezing.
*Local Bike Details: *Silverback Comp or Sport
You can expect to spend an average of GB$13/US$20 a day for non included
meals and snacks.
*Optional Excursions (approximate costs, depending on group sizes)*
There are several optional activities in Swakopmund, such as ocean fishing
and quad-biking but there's plenty to occupy you if you don't participate.
These prices are subject to change...
Quad-biking N$650 (for 2hrs); N$450 (for 1hr)
Flight over Sossousvlei N$4200
Township Tour N$650
Desert Night drive (Day 3) N$200
This is entirely optional but we would recommend approximately £1-2
(US$1.5-3) per person per day.
* Travel insurance
* Single accommodation (available on request)
* Visas or vaccinations
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.