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Cycling to the Highlights of Namibia
offered by supplier M16394 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 17
day(s)
Group Size: 6
- 15
people
Destination(s):
Namibia
Specialty Categories:
Bicycle Touring
Sightseeing
Season: July - September
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 3490 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 3490 US Dollar (USD)
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Namibia is renowned for its game parks and resorts, an abundance of wildlife, a stark but unique landscape and adapted flora. Experience the German colonial atmosphere in Swakopmund then head for the enormous granite boulders of the Spitzkoppe. Marvel at the many Bushman engravings at Twyfelfontein before searching for the "big four" in the Etosha National Park.
This 17 day tour on a mountain bike offers a unique opportunity to personally experience the incomparable scenic highlights of Namibia on the routes specially selected by us. We will always have our bicycles with us and are therefore very flexible with the route and distances to be covered are concerned. In order to make the nature experience complete, we will also be going on a number of walks. Our accommodation will consist of carefully selected, at times even luxurious guest houses, chalets and lodges (3 star rating) and most of them are situated close to the highlights we visit. A fantastic way of "experiencing" Namibia, not from a car, but the active way!
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: You arrive in Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia, which is famous for its blend of German colonial and modern buildings, traditional German dishes and of course, its beer! We pass by the city to Rehoboth. This Town was founded by migrants from South Africa in the 19th century. Nearby is the Lake Oanob Resort situated on a water dam – a rare occasion in a mainly desert country. A swim or a kayak trip is recommended. We stay in comfortable reed thatched houses. Lodge 3*.
Day 2: We transfer to Keetmanshoop; the business center of Southern Namibia. Close by is a collection of large Quiver trees an Aloe species adapted to this low rainfall area. We start cycling in the Gondwana Nature Park towards the second largest canyon on earth. The vista from the Hobas viewpoint is really impressive. We stay in the beautiful Canyon Lodge/Village surrounded by giant granite boulders. Lodge 3* (30 km, 100 am, gravel). Includes: (B).
Day 3: We start biking from our lodge along the plateau edges. The rock formations we pass have dykes filled with hard dolerite doted with more quiver trees. The last 10 km lead gently onto the canyon floor. At the hot springs of Ai-Ais you can relax and ease your tired muscles and have a walk along the fish river looking for rock dassies, springbok and klip springer. We return to our comfortable lodge in the afternoon. Lodge 3* (65 km, 400 am, gravel). Includes: (B).
Day 4: We transfer to the old Mission station of Bethanie and visit a little Museum which informs us about the harsh circumstances and challenges Europeans faced in the 1830’s. We transfer to the top of the Zarishoogte Pass. Here the Southern African Escarpment makes way into the low lying area of the sandy and rocky Namib Desert more than 6 million years old. We pass some ostrich and sheep farms en route to the charming Hammerstein guest farm. Guest farm 2-3* (40 km, 300 am, gravel). Includes: (B).
Day 5: Early in the morning, we travel through the Namib Naukluft Park into the Sossusvlei dunes, which first turns pink and then red in the early morning light. We go for a hike passing some of the amazing dunes to the dry Sossus pan. Camel thorn trees, Nara melons, desert mice and lizards and for those with sharp eyes - ostrich, gemsbok and springbok - will be seen. On the way out we have a short walk in the Sesriem Canyon, a little oasis in the desert. We shuttle along the Naukluft Mountains to a guest lodge at Solitaire. The name Solitaire derives from solitude, a fitting description regarding the isolated spot at the edge of the Namib Desert. If hanging around the pool is not your thing, a nice sunset trail on foot into the grass savanna is a good alternative. Guest lodge 3*. Includes: (B).
Day 6: Today’s cycle lead along the valley floor of the Buellsport gorge towards Solitaire. The camel thorn covered ravine offers food and shade for many species such as baboon, gemsbok and springbok. With luck Hartmann mountain zebra and the elegant kudu antelope can be found too. The steep rocky walls are 500-700 above us. At the end we are back at our lodge where the pool is welcoming refreshment after the warm ride and the oven fresh apple strudel a delicacy. Lodge 3* (53 km, 200 am, gravel). Includes: (B).
Day 7: From the lodge we cycle towards the Gaub and Kuiseb Canyons always along the border of the Namib Naukluft Park. We pass a camel thorn tree with a giant nest woven by the social weaver bird. The mountains we pass have hardly any vegetation so the composition of the rocks is easy to see. The animals adapted to the desert conditions like springbok and ostrich cross our path. We load on and transfer to Walvis Bay where we stop at the lagoon to visit the massive flamingo swarm. At nearby Swakopmund you see remnants of the colonial past.
Many buildings dating back to the late 19th and early 20th century bear witness to the rule by the Germans. There is a lot to do in Swakopmund like shopping, visiting the interesting local museum, take a scenic flight up the Skeleton Coast, a visit to the Crystal Gallery where the world’s largest crystal and many other gemstones are exhibited or a recommendable quad bike ride outing into the sandy desert around the town. We stay in town close to some great pastry places. Hotel Adler 3* (45 km, 200 am, gravel). Includes: (B).
Day 8: We spend the day in Swakopmund: African art markets, city museum, the crystal gallery with the largest crystal in the world, an excursion to Cape Cross seal colony or a flight along the skeleton coast are some of the options. Includes: (B)
Day 9: In the morning shuttle to Usakos. Our cycling route takes us towards one of the most impressive mountains of Namibia, the 1728m high Spitzkoppe Mountain. It largely consists of giant granite boulders. We visit a special San rock painting called the coral snake, the only painting known with that motive. We transfer to Uis, the old mining town close to the Brandberg Mountain, and stay in a charming lodge. Lodge 3* (35 km, 200 am, gravel, jeep track). Includes: (B).
Day 10: With the huge Brandberg Mountain on the left of us we cycle further away from the coast – and the desert. More vegetation like camphor and mopane trees appear. We pass a village inhabited by the local Damara people. Women like to sell their crafts such as dolls made out of left over cotton textile. With luck we might spot some desert elephants. At Sorris Sorris we load our bikes and shuttle to Khorixas where we are accommodated in thatch-roofed cottages of a beautiful lodge. You can meet the resident ostrich and springbok!(50 km, 600 am, gravel road). Includes (B).
Day 11: Today we cycle through a beautiful landscape dotted with colorful granite boulders downhill into the stone desert of Damara land. In the shade of big camel thorn acacia trees we do a picnic lunch. The soft sand in the Ugab valley will make for a challenging stretch before reaching the majestic Twyfelfontein lodge. (65 km, 300 am, gravel road). Includes: (B).
Day 12: In the morning we cycle through a landscapes of fascinating rock formations altered with grass plains. With luck we can spot desert elephants, rhinos and giraffes. Lunchtime we spend around the pool, before we visit the famous rock-engraving site at Twyfelfontein, recently awarded cultural world heritage site status, in the afternoon. For a few thousand years ancient hunters and gatherers enjoyed the fountain in the area. While living and resting, members of the clan who connected with the ancestors and their God engraved and painted the sandstone rocks. (45 km, gravel road) Includes: (B).
Day 13: After breakfast we leave for the famous Etosha National Park. We pass a site with petrified wooden logs, called the Petrified Forest. Here we also find the Welwitschi Miabilis. Two hours later we enter the primary game reserve of Namibia and one of the most spectacular ones in Africa, the Etosha National Park. The tale told is that this name was derived from a mother whose baby died prematurely and her tears of grief created the pan. In the local Mbo language Etosha means the great white plain. 4 of the Big 5 live here, buffaloes are not present due to the lack of water. Cheetah, jackal, many giraffe and vast herd of various antelope and zebra also call it their home. We overnight in bungalows in Halali safari camp. Black rhino are frequent visitors to the waterhole at this camp. Bungalows 3*. Includes: (B).
Day 14: We are doing safaris the whole day in our vehicle and will pass numerous waterholes. Have a walk into the endless salt pan. We are accommodated again in bungalows in a safari camp. Bungalows 3*. Includes: (B).
Day 15: After doing another morning safari we leave the national park for Tsumeb and pass by Lake Otjikoto, where the German "Schutztruppe" disposed of its weapons after surrendering. In Tsumeb the Mine Museum is well worth a visit. We stop over at the lively woodcraft market in Okahandja, before arriving in Windhoek, where we are accommodated in a cozy guest house for the last two nights. Guest House 3*. Includes: (B).
Day 16: In the morning we do a city tour of Windhoek by foot and bus. We visit the Christ Church, the colorful pedestrian mall and The "Alte Feste" fort. Here you will also find documentation about the development of democracy in Namibia. In the afternoon we cycle through the beautiful Khomas Highlands to the Dan Viljoen Nature Park. Before we bid farewell to Africa we can see baboons and various species of antelopes for a last time. (40 km, 500 am, gravel road). Includes: (B).
Day 17: With our transfer to Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport this amazing vacation ends. Includes: (B).
Notes: We offer various extensions and services such as car rental, hotel/ guest house accommodation, Kruger National Park, Botswana and Victoria Falls which will be tailored to your needs.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Qualified English-speaking tour guide
- All accommodation in double/twin rooms with shower/toilet as above including breakfast (2-3*)
- Meals as mentioned - vegetarians welcome
- Transport of bikes on trailer
- Permanent back-up
- Entrance fees and activities mentioned
- All transfers and travel in air-conditioned minibus
Price does not include flights to and from Namibia.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Namibia
Bicycle Touring
Sightseeing
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