Route Summary:

Our ride starts at the geographical centre of Namibia, at an elevation of 1700 metres and heads up to over 2,000m. We roll out of the city of Windhoek to the south west of the capital starting on tarmac and suddenly the tarmac turns to gravel. This warm up ride will give you plenty of time to acclimatise and get a good feel for the wide open gravel roads in Namibia, as well as the heat and the altitude.

Our route takes you directly to our peaceful camp, situated on Farm Vaalgras, in the beautiful Khomas Hochland, where wildlife such as Eland, Zebra, Gemsbok and Springbok roam freely. We’ll sit around the fire, enjoy a traditional braai and relax under the stars in the wilderness.

Ride Distance: 45km   Ride Elevation: 625m   % Off Road: 84%   Difficulty: 3.5/5

Route Summary:

We are straight onto the gravel today, and all wide open gravel roads with barely a vehicle in sight. Wonder at the array of colourful birds and game that play close to the route. Today will also be a good introduction to corrugation or washboard gravel – think Tuscany on steroids! Stay relaxed and find your line and you will soon get used to it! We have a lot of rolling terrain today as well as a fun gravel descent in the Gamsberg area.

Cycling will be through a mix of desert landscapes and rocky outcroppings, with a reward waiting for us at the end of the ride – a glorious dip in the pool at Rooisand Desert Ranch and a cold beer at the bar.

Ride Distance: 100km   Ride Elevation: 1000m   % Off Road: 98%   Difficulty: 3.5/5

Route Summary:

A shorter day today, you’ll be straight back onto the wide gravel roads again. You’ll notice the landscapes become more desert-like and the wildlife become more sparse as we ride into the Namib Desert. Pause to take a photo at the Tropic of Capricorn sign en route, just below the actual Tropic!

Then the fast rolling gravel will take us quickly onwards to Rostock, where the pool awaits. Choose to relax by the pool, take a short scenic hike, chill in the bar or in your room. Our accommodation is the very unique Rostock Ritz Desert lodge, tucked into the Namib desert. Watching the light change while soaking in the lodges pool is a highlight of many of the guests here. Ancient rock paintings, some over 1000 years old, are a testament to the rich history of ancient people living in this area.

Ride Distance: 64km   Ride Elevation: 547m   % Off Road: 98%   Difficulty: 2.5/5

Route Summary:

We are straight back onto the gravel roads again today and heading for Sesriem, just outside the Namib Naukluft Park. We will ride to Solitaire, a small settlement with one of Namibia’s many airstrips, take coffee and cake before we head deeper into the Namib Desert in the truck.

Our final destination today is Sossusvlei Lodge, where we will stay for the night. Situated at the Entrance Gate to the National Park, Sossusvlei Lodge offers direct access to the towering red sand dunes, the famous pan of Sossusvlei, the scorched black trees of Dead Vlei and the remarkable depths of the Sesriem Canyon. After lunch, we’ll take a drive up to see the dunes, hike up Big Daddy and check out Deadvlei.

Ride Distance: 51km   Ride Elevation: 235m   % Off Road: 100%   Difficulty: 3/5

Route Summary:

We start today with a transfer to Swakopmund via Walvis Bay, Namibia’s second largest city, for lunch.

Once we arrive at our guest house in Swakopmund, you can either explore town, relax at our accommodation, or join us for a short loop from town. Within just a few kilometres of town, you’re back on the gravel, but with a difference. The local mountain bikers have created some fun single track out in the sand dunes behind the town, featuring some fun “whoops” for a bit of a challenge. We’ll do a short loop including some whoops to test the skills and get the heart racing!

Ride Distance: 30km   Ride Elevation: 200m   % Off Road: 90%   Difficulty: 4/5

Route Summary:

You could take today as a rest day and explore town, or you could choose one of several loops from town. For those that want something a bit different, you can test your tekkerz on the sand dunes outside Swakopmund.

Within just a few kilometres of town, you’re back on the gravel, but with a difference. The local mountain bikers have created some fun single track out in the sand dunes behind the town, featuring some fun “whoops” for a bit of a challenge. For those that want to stick to gravel, we have a few routes of varying lengths that will take you into the dunes near town to explore the local area at a more relaxed pace.

We’ll also check out a local coffee roasters and shop on our way back into town.

Ride Distance: 52km   Ride Elevation: 325m   % Off Road: 90%   Difficulty: 4/5

Route Summary:

We start today with a transfer by road near to Spitzkoppe. Then it’s time to hit the gravel roads again as we head to the small town of Uis, an old mining settlement.

Our route today is all gravel until you hit the tarmac just outside town. You’ll notice more vegetation and wildlife again today as we head north and cross the Omaruru river and into Damaraland. The sandy riverbed is home to the elusive desert-adapted elephants.

To the north west of town, you can see the Brandberg (‘Fire Mountain’) Massif and Namibia’s highest peak, Königstein (‘King’s Stone’), standing at a mighty 2573m above sea level. Named for the vivid shade of orange it sometimes turns at sunset, the Brandberg has been sacred to the San people (one of the oldest surviving cultures of southern Africa) for centuries. The Tsisab Ravine at its base has over 45 000 ancient San rock paintings, including the famous ‘White Lady’.

Ride Distance: 93km   Ride Elevation: 557m   % Off Road: 96%   Difficulty: 3.5/5

Route Summary:

Rolling out of town on tarmac that quickly turns to gravel, our route takes us through beautiful Damaraland. The huge, untamed and ruggedly beautiful Damaraland is an exceptionally scenic landscape of open plains and spectacular rock formations. It’s easy to see why it’s a favourite area of our team.

You’ll see many more signs of life today as we pass some traditional villages and ride through a few townships. Expect to see shepherds with cattle and goats as well as more birds, game and greenery. ‘Where there is water there is life’, and we’ll be crossing multiple rivers today, albeit mostly dry riverbeds.

Our last 12km today is on smooth tarmac as we head into Khorixas. From here we will transfer by road to Etosha ready for our rest day game drive tomorrow.

Ride Distance: 118km   Ride Elevation: 852m   % Off Road: 85%   Difficulty: 3.5/5