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. *Arrebusch Lodge or similar*

Leaving Windhoek behind we start with a short transfer towards the Khomas Hochland and the top of the Kupferberg Pass. Getting on our bikes we get our first taste of cycling through Namibia’s amazing landscape as we descend along winding roads past private farm and local wildlife. Transferring up Gemsberg Pass and past the 3rd highest mountain in Namibia, from where we have views stretching 100km, we get back on the bikes. As we cycle down we cross dry river beds and should hopefully see troops of baboons as well as Hartman’s Mountain zebras. Our ride ends at the bottom of the pass, 30km from our camp at the Rooisand Oasis where we can enjoy a refreshing dip. *Rooisand Camp or similar*

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*

Getting up early we drive 35km 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 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 meet biologists working on a cheetah tracking and conservation project (depending on time we may go cheetah tracking tomorrow morning). *Solitaire Camp or similar*

Cycling straight from camp we continue on our journey north heading 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 Swakopmund or similar*

Today is a free day to enjoy the many activities available in Swakopmund. These include sandboarding, quadbiking, dolphin watching or taking a panoramic flight over the Namib Naukluft. For those feeling like relaxing a little, the Germanic town is famous for its cake and coffee shops. *Prost Hotel Swakopmund or similar*

We leave Swakopmund and head up along the coast on a relatively smooth salt-road heading towards Henties. This 60km ride takes us along part of the skeleton coast, so called because of the number of shipwrecks strewn along the shore all the way up to Angola. We get to see one of these shipwrecks as we make our way north. After lunch at Henties we transfer to our overnight camp in the Brandberg region, home to Desert elephants and meerkats. *Brandberg Ugab Camp or similar*

This morning we have a great ride through the small towns of Himba and Herero. Here we will have the opportunity to stop and buy some locally made souvenirs from the roadside stalls before getting in the bus and transferring to our overnight accommodation in the Khorixas/Outjo area *Khorixas Lodge or similar*

After breakfast we get on the bikes and ride a lovely stretch of tarmac road towards Outjo, where we stop for lunch. After lunch 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. *Etosha 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 shys from the hot Namibian sun. *Etosha Camp or similar*

Heading out of the park we saddle up at the gate and head south past private game farms on a good sealed road towards Outjo for about 50km. After lunch we get in the bus and transfer to our accommodation in Otjiwarongwe. *Wesrand Camp or similar*

After a short transfer we ride 30km along sealed roads before continuing along 20km of dirt roads to the Waterberg National Park with its red sandstone table mountain.We end our spectacular ride up at the swimming pool area with a great view of Waterberg This afternoon we have the opportunity to go for a walk on the Waterberg Plateau in search of the local wildlife. *Waterberg Lodge or similar*

This morning we transfer back to Windhoek where the tour ends. **