Namibian Adv

The First Step to a Holiday of a Lifetime

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Namibian Self-Guided Adventure

SA - NamMap1 With a new itinerary for 2012, we’ve made our Namibian adventure more about the adventure. 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 recommend this self-guided adventure tour during May – October, and the tour is not available during January and February due to the extremely high temperatures. There is some riding on well-maintained gravel roads and some long days. 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
Augrabies

Please make sure you read the introductory pages on South Africa and Self-Guided Adventure Tours for important information

Itinerary

DAY 1 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 motorbike. 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 city. Dongola Guest House.

Day 2 Cape Town – Clanwilliam (215 km). Your tour starts with 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 3 Clanwilliam – Okiep (350 km). Today you 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 you 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. Around Springbok are a number of copper mines, and if time allows you can visit one. We overnight at Okiep, just outside Springbok, an old copper mining town. Okiep Hotel.

Day 4 Springbok – Ai-Ais (320 km). Today you pass through some of the driest (and in summer hottest) parts of South Africa and Namibia. Hopefully formalities do not take too long as you 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 you 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 5 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 6 Fish River Canyon – Keetmanshoep (260 km). Retrace your ride on gravel back to the main paved road at Granau. Again, as you 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 Guesthouse

Day 7 Keetmanshoep – Windhoek (485 km). As you approach Windhoek, which is 1000 m above sea level, you can feel a slight drop in temperature and an increase in vegetation. Our route takes you through the small towns of Mariental and Rehoboth but there is very little between. 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 8 Windhoek – Swakopmund (275 km). A Namibian tour without a visit to the famous ‘Skeleton Coast’ would be a travesty, so today’s the day. 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. SA - Nam13to14 Strandhotel.

Day 9 Swakopmund – Etosha (490 km). An early start is in order as you have a long day ahead to the outstanding feature of the tour - the Etosha National Park and associated game viewing. Retrace the route to Karibib and then cross rolling uplands, via Omaruru, Otjiwarongo and Outjo, to your destination, the Toshari Etosha Gateway Lodge, just 25 km outside the park. As you approach the park and Etosha Pan, caution is advised owing to an abundance of wildlife using the road. Toshari Lodge.

Day 10 Etosha. For obvious reasons motorcycles are not permitted in Etosha Park, with lion and elephant around. Hence you 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 Lodge.

Day 11 Etosha – Windhoek (420 km). Today’s ride brings you 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?! Vondelhof Guest House.

Day 12 Windhoek – Keetmanshoop (510 km). A pure riding day today as you sweep across the barren Namibian countryside, with its vibrant colours and rock formations. You stay on the same road all day today, so navigation is easy! As you slowly drop down from Windhoek, you will notice a slight increase in temperature and a decrease in vegetation. Our route takes you through the small towns of Rehoboth and Mariental but very little in between. Central Lodge.

Day 13 Keetmanshoop – Augrabies Falls (515 km). A long ride today as you cross back into South Africa and head for the wonderful Augrabies Falls. Augrabies Falls Lodge.

Day 14 Augrabies Falls – Calvinia (425 km). Continue south through the Northern Cape, past the vast dry lakes where John Cobb practiced for his World Speed Record attempts back in the 1930s. Dorphuis Country Lodge.

Day 15 Calvinia – Cape Town (375 km). Your final day’s ride brings you back through the fertile land of the Western Cape to Cape Town, via Nieuwoudville, the Vanrhyn pass, Clanwilliam, Citrusdal and Malmsbury, and your adventure is over. Dongola Guest House.

Day 16 Depart Cape Town. The day is yours to explore the delights of Cape Town until it’s time to leave this beautiful country. And if you want to extend your stay we can arrange that as well.

Total distance c. 4700 km

Ready to book? Please click here

Tour includes: BMW motorcycle of your choice (subject to availability); South African and Namibian insurance; airport/hotel transfers; 15 nts accommodation, 15 breakfasts; Etosha game viewing with lunch.

Tour excludes: Return flights (available through H-C Travel; travel insurance (available through H-C Travel); petrol; lunches and dinners on tour; park entry fees; drinks and tips; side trips; security deposit ZAR13,000-22,5000.

Any questions? Please click here.

Namibia self-guided Adventure

BMW F650GS

BMW F650Twin

BMW F800GS

BMW R1200GS

Passenger

Sgl rm suppl.

£3,295

£3,425

£3,475

£3,545

£2,075

£395

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