Namibian Adventure tour (BMW, flight inclusive)

The First Step to a Holiday of a Lifetime

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SA - NamMap1 With a new itinerary for 2010, our Namibia Motorcycle Adventure is back with a vengeance. Our tour takes you from the fertile winelands of the Western Cape in South Africa, past the picturesque Cederberg mountains, into the near desert conditions of the Orange River. In Namibia we visit the huge and desolate Fish River Canyon and the coastal resort of Swakopmund. We save the best for last as we go game viewing in the world renowned Etosha National Park where elephant, lion, buffalo, rhino and leopard can be seen as well as many others. Finally we visit the characterful ex-German colonial capital of Windhoek with its bierstubels and fine restaurants.

We have chosen July/August for the tour as this winter in southwest Africa, dry and cold at night, warm by day - perfect weather for motorcycling. Also the long grass has wilted giving a much better chance of game viewing. We ride some 2300 km on BMW motorcycles, some days doing over 500 km per day, and there is some riding on well-maintained gravel roads, this adventure tour will appeal to strong riders.

Tour highlights

Cape Town
Cederberg mountains
The deserts of Namibia
The awe-inspiring Fish River Canyon
The Skeleton Coast
Game viewing at the Etosha Pan
Guaranteed sun with cold crisp nights and warm days in Namibia

Itinerary

DAY 1 Depart UK. We leave on our direct flight from Heathrow to Cape Town.

DAY 2 Arrive Cape Town. We meet you at the airport, transport you to our Cape Town accommodation and after you have had time to relax, bring you to our base and issue the motorbikes. During the afternoon we take you on a short ‘orientation’ tour of Cape Town to familiarise yourself with the motorbike and to see a little of this wonderful place. Dongola Lodge.

Day 3 Cape Town – Clanwilliam (235 km). We set off for an easy ride through beautiful winelands and then open wheat growing farms to Clanwilliam, nestling under the Cederberg mountains. The large dam on the Olifants (elephants) River gives rise to the last real greenery we will see for ages and is a source of irrigation for vast citrus farms. Clanwilliam Lodge.

Day 4 Clanwilliam – Springbok (320 km). Today we leave the winter rainfall area of the Western Cape and enter the typical desert climate of cold nights and warm, dry days - just perfect for biking. As we progress north the landscape gets progressively more barren, distances between towns greater. This area is known as Namaqualand (after the indigenous people) and famous for the magnificent yellow and blue desert flowers which bloom after rains. We overnight at Okiep, just outside Springbok, an old copper mining town. Okiep Hotel.

Day 5 Springbok – Ai-Ais (320 km). Today we pass through some of the driest (and in summer hottest) parts of South Africa and Namibia. Hopefully formalities do not take too long as we cross the Orange River and enter Namibia. Being an ex-German colony things seem to work particularly efficiently in Namibia, even border crossings. Only 142 km from the border we leave the tar road and head for Ai-Ais in the mighty Fish River Canyon on a good quality 72-km long gravel road. Descending the last section into the canyon takes some care. Do remember to bring a swimming costume for luxuriating in the hot springs swimming pools just behind your room. Our hotel is a welcome relief after a long day’s ride through very inhospitable country, time for a cold drink to relive the day’s achievement. Ai-Ais Hot Springs Resort.

Day 6 Fish River Canyon (free day). After a few days hard riding it’s time for a rest, and the idea is to spend it mainly viewing the majestic Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in Africa. Virtually all facets of the Namib Desert are represented here: endless sand and gravel plains as well as patches of grass savannah alternate with distant mountain ranges. We suggest you take a walk (with plenty of drinking water) along the floor of the canyon. On the other hand you may like to just spend the day in the swimming pool or warm mineral water springs. You may even have the energy to go exploring on your bike. Ai-Ais Hot Springs Resort.

Day 7 Fish River Canyon – Keetmanshoop (260 km). We retrace our ride on gravel back to the main paved road at Granau. Again, as we progress north the vegetation gets even more sparse, rock crags and dry river beds are lined with gnarled camel-thorn trees and few habitations exist. Schutzenhaus Guest House.

Day 8 Keetmanshoop – Windhoek (480 km). We stay on the same road all day today, so navigation is easy! Our route takes us through the small towns of Mariental and Rehoboth but very little in between. As we slowly climb up to Windhoek, which is 1000 m above sea level, you will notice a slight drop in temperature and an increase in vegetation. May we suggest you visit Joe's beer house and restaurant this evening where some of the finest kudu, ostrich, crocodile and warthog steaks are served, together with real German beer. Vondelhof Guest House.

Day 9 Windhoek – Swakopmund (280 km). A Namibian tour without a visit to the famous ‘Skeleton Coast’ would be a travesty, so today’s the day. We head north out of Windhoek and then due west and descend to the coast via Karibib and Usakos at Swakopmund. The sea is swept by the cold north flowing Benguela current and hence subjected to dense and cold fogs, in extraordinary contrast to the dry and clear interior. Swakopmund, with its sand pavements, desert and sea all around, traditional German architecture and salt roads, is a fascinating town, and well worth the visit. Time permitting, ride 70 km along the beach on a salt paved road with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and complete desert on the other – well worth it. Strand Hotel. SA - Nam13to14

Day 10 Swakopmund – Etosha (490 km). An early start is in order as we have a long day ahead to the outstanding feature of the tour - the Etosha National Park and associated game viewing. We retrace the route to Karibib and then cross rolling uplands, via Omaruru, Otjiwarongo and Outjo, to our destination, the Toshari Etosha Gateway Lodge, just 25 km outside the park. As we approach the park and Etosha Pan, caution is advised owing to an abundance of wildlife using the road. Toshari Etosha Gateway Lodge.

Day 11 Etosha. For obvious reasons motorcycles are not permitted in Etosha Park, with lion and elephant around. Hence we spend the day in the park in an open vehicle provided by the lodge, starting with the famous waterhole at Okaukuejo, where hopefully all the ‘Big Five’ can be seen. A picnic lunch is provided. Toshari Etosha Gateway Lodge.

Day 12 Etosha – Windhoek (355 km). Our final day’s ride brings us back to Wndhoek via Outjo, the agricultural district of Otjiwarongo, where a mixture of commercial cattle and game farming is practiced, and Okahandja. A little to the east is the Waterberg plateau, overflowing with wildlife, so again, caution is advised owing to the amount of game on the road. Perhaps a return to Joe's Beer House tonight to celebrate? Vondelhof Guest House.

Day 13 Depart Windhoek. During the morning we drop off the bikes and transfer you to Windhoek airport for your flight home. And if you want to extend your stay we can arrange that as well.

DAY 14 Arrive UK.

Total distance c. 2300 km

Ready to book? Please click here

Tour includes: Return economy flights London - Cape Town / Windhoek - London; BMW motorcycle of your choice (subject to availability); South African and Namibian insurance; guide on motorcycle; airport/hotel transfers; 11 nts accommodation, 11 breakfasts; Etosha game viewing with lunch; biker’s rucsac.

Tour excludes: Connecting flights from UK regional airports; flight upgrades; petrol; lunches and dinners on tour; park entry fees; drinks and tips; side trips; security deposit ZAR20,000-40,000.

If you wish to make your own flight arrangements, please deduct £825 from the price, and we can change travel dates.

Any questions? Please click here

Namibian Adventure

Dates

BMW F650GS

BMW F650Twin

BMW R1150GS

BMW R1200GS

Passenger

Sgl rm suppl.

23 Jul - 05 Aug 2010

£4,095

£4,225

£4,295

£4,475

£2,795

£275

23 Jul - 05 Aug 2011

£4,095

£4,225

£4,295

£4,475

£2,795

£275

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