Tours and Destinations
Tour Profile: Graded gravel roads, easy Enduro terrain, daily distances between 250 and 350 km, particularly suitable for less experienced riders and first-time visitors to Namibia.
This tour covers approx. 2.500 km and takes in the central highlands, the Namib desert and Swakopmund on the Atlantic coast. Arrival into Swakopmund marks the beginning of the northern part of the route. Near Skeleton Coast Park the tour will head inland and pass the mystical Brandberg Mountain and drive through the awe-inspiring mountains of Damaraland until you reach the fringes of Kaokoveld. There is plenty of fantastic game viewing opportunities at Hobatere and Mount Etjo Safari Lodge.
This route is compiled of all the main highlights of other Gravel Travel tours.
Day 1 London Gatwick - Windhoek
Today you will depart from London Gatwick, North Terminal on Air Namibia flight SW386 at 21h15. Please allow three hours for check-in.
Day 2 : Windhoek Mountain Lodge
Today you will arrive at 09h30. Upon arrival into Windhoek you will be met and transferred to the comfortable Windhoek Mountain Lodge. The Windhoek Mountain Lodge is located in the southern foothills of the Auas Mountains and is the home base of all Gravel Travel Tours. Here you can relax, get accustomed to the change of climate and relax around the pool which offers magnificent views of the surrounding mountain ranges. In the afternoon, we meet to discuss the details of the tour programme and for an introduction of how to use the motorbikes and the road book, followed by a test drive on a 30 hectare farm bordering the lodge grounds. In the evening, you can look forward to an entertaining braii.
Day 3: Khomas Highlands - Namib Naukluft
Even though it is your first day you will soon be left with life long memories of this vast yet scarcely populated country. The gravel road which you will begin to follow shortly after departure from Windhoek winds its way through bends and dry river beds up to the heights of the Central Khomas highlands. Only farm fences along the road and the occasional homestead are reminders of the presence of civilisation. Breathtaking views await you when you reach the summit at 2,000m. The giant rock formations appear to resemble giant waves. The climate conditions are extreme in this area in the centre of the country and therefore the vegetation poor, with gnarled thorn bushes and acacia. Although you will stay in the Namib area for the entire drive, the variation of landscapes and mountainous backdrops could not be more dramatic. The only settlement along our route is Solitaire, where you will have the chance to re-fuel and to take a lunch break. Here, you are not far from your destination for the evening; the Namib Naukluft Lodge. The Namib Naukluft lodge is situated in the Naukluft Mountains. The rooms are modern rooms with en suite showers and WCs. Each room has its own veranda and there are plenty of spacious areas to relax in and absorb the views of the surrounding desert landscapes. The swimming pool and shady terraces provide a welcome retreat after a day of riding. There is an optional guided excursion in the late afternoon followed by sundowners and dinner under the stars.
Day 4: Namib Naukluft - Sossusvlei - Rostock Mountains
If you would like to go an early morning guided tour in a 4 x 4 you will have to get up at dawn. In the early morning hours, you will travel to the Sesriem Gate of the Namib Naukluft Park for sunrise. Following the ancient Tsauchab River you will arrive at it’s source which us located in the famous Sossusvlei. This clay pan is surrounded by some of the highest sand dunes on earth. If you wish to climb one of these dunes then the views are spectacular. A short visit to the Sesriem Canyon with its vertical cliffs and permanent water reservoirs rounds off the sightseeing for the early morning.
After this early morning start you will return to the Namib Naukluft lodge to prepare for the rest of the day’s riding. Today the tour will take you across two pass roads: Remhoogte and Spreetshoogte. Both passes have steep gradients, narrow bends, sandy river beds and gravel surfaces of varying quality this combined with the fantastic views are every biker's dream… and sometimes even make the heart skip a beat. In the course of the afternoon, you will reach the Rostock Mountains. Further north of these mountains is the comfortable Rostock Ritz Lodge. This lodge has been built in an unusual style, which blends perfectly with the landscapes of the surrounding desert. Tonight you will stay in Igloo-type bungalows with en suite shower and W/C. There is also a swimming pool in which you can relax.
Day 5: Rostock - Swakopmund
Immediately after breakfast, you will be taken on a spectacular off-road excursion through the barren landscapes of the Rostock Mountains. You will also visit an extraordinary site of rock paintings with our knowledgeable guide who will be able to answer any questions you might have about the paintings. After midday, your journey will continue north through the impressive Gaub and Kuiseb Canyons into the Namib-Naukluft-Park, one of Africa's largest nature conservation areas. For the last 100 km, the road runs almost straight ahead towards the horizon through the vast gravel plains of the central Namib Desert towards Swakopmund. Swakopmund is a small town with colonial German roots. There are many attractions as well as good restaurants and cosy pubs. Your accommodation for the next two days is the Europahof Guesthouse which is situated within walking distance of the town centre and its many attractions. The views of the ocean and sunset whilst enjoying sundowners on one of the dune crests between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay is an unforgettable experience.
Day 6: Swakopmund
Today you will have the day to spend as you wish. Swakopmund has plenty of shops which offer a variety of attractive souvenirs. The Jewellery shops sell high quality items using the unusual Namibian gemstones and normally prove to be very popular. The Crystal Gallery, the Aquarium and the Natural History Museum all offer interesting sight seeing opportunities and all are situated near the beaches. We also recommend a stroll to the historic jetty and through the town centre, where numerous well-maintained buildings in the typical colonial style can be found. One of these is the tower of the Woerman House. There is also the opportunity to go a Quad Bike excursion into the sand dunes near Swakopmund (optional cost of £35). In the evening you will dine in a pre-booked restaurant in town.
Day 7: Swakopmund - Uis
After breakfast, you will begin your journey northwards along the salt-covered coastal road. You will ride past Wlotzka's Baken and Henties Bay until you arrive at the Cape Cross Seal Reserve, home of the largest colony of Cape Fur Seals in the southern hemisphere. Depending on the season, up to 100.000 of these animals may gather here to feed on the rich fish supplies of the arctic Benguela Current. After the sightseeing visit and a short drive further north, you will turn off and head inland along the particularly scenic route past the mysterious Brandberg Mountain with its height of nearly 2.000 metres to the former tin-mining village of Uis. Tonight you will stay overnight in the White Lady Guesthouse.
Day 8: Uis - Grootberg
If you do not find it difficult to get up very early in the morning then there is an opportunity to discover the landscapes around Uis by an ultra-light airplane. The rest of the day is dedicated to the exploration of the rugged landscapes and exceptional attractions of Damaraland. We start off the sightseeing programme with a visit of the gemstone cutters in Uis. The further north you travel, the more interesting the driving becomes. Hidden in the remote Huab River Valley are the Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes, all of which are explored en route to Grootberg. In the course of the afternoon, you will cross the demanding Grootberg pass in order to reach the rustic reed-chalets of the Grootberg Lodge which offers a fantastic view of the gorge along the Klip River.
Day 9: Grootberg - Opuwo
Today you will leave Grootberg after breakfast and travel north. Today’s riding will provide you with the odd driving challenge and lots of sightseeing opportunities. Today you will leave Damaraland and ride towards the outskirts of Kaokoland, you will also pay a short visit to "Black Africa". The final destination is the Ohakane Lodge, situated in the centre of Opuwo. Opuwa is a lively market town, quite different to all of the other towns which you might have come across up until this point. On the way to Opuwo the tour will stop at Ongongo. Ongongo is a natural spring with warm water. The natural spring provides a welcome rest bite after driving in dry and dusty conditions. Today’s riding offers a wide range of beautiful scenery and there a lot of small Himba villages which line the roads.
Day 10: Opuwo - Hobatere
Today will be slightly more relaxed. Leaving in Opuwo in southeasterly direction you will pass by the Etosha National Park and reach the Hobatere Lodge in the early afternoon. Hobatere Lodge is located 80 km north of Kamanjab on the western side of Etosha and situated in a concession area which extends over 32,000 hectares. The concession is home to a wide selection of game: Elephant, Giraffe, Eland and Hartmann’s Zebra - there is also a reptile house full of different varieties of snakes! There is a swimming pool overlooking a waterhole with wooden walkways between them and here you will be able to go on day and night game drives with an expert guide or watch the game come to drink at the waterhole from the hide.
Day 11: Hobatere - Twyfelfontein
Today the gravel roads will start taking you back south. Leaving the scenic Grootberg pass behind us, you will enter Damaraland again, where the awe-inspiring table mountains are situated. Today's destination is the Twyfelfontein Country Lodge, which is quite luxurious accommodation surrounded by a breathtaking landscape. Nearby, you will find the famous rock art galleries of Twyfelfontein. In the evening, a delicious dinner will be prepared and eaten on the rustic terrace.
Day 12: Twyfelfontein - Mount Etjo
For those who are very keen on game viewing today’s stop will provide plenty of opportunities. The Mount Etjo Safari Lodge is situated within the private game reserve of Mount Etjo near the table mountain of the same name. Accommodation will either be in the comfortable rooms of the "Safari Lodge" surrounding a large lawn area or in the rustic and cosy chalets of the "Rhino Lodge" situated in the middle of the bushveld (both have ensuite showers and WCs) In the afternoon you can take a guided excursion in an open game drive vehicle in order to track down lions, elephants, rhinos and many other species which make up Mount Etjo's rich wildlife population. There will be lots of opportunities to take some fantastic photos. As in all lodges along our tour, you will find a beautiful pool in which you can relax and soothing aching muscles!
Day 13: Mount Etjo - Windhoek Mountain Lodge
The last big leg of our journey will take you back to Namibia's central highlands along winding roads and through vast farmland. The Herero village of Okahandja is situated along this route. Okahandja is home to the famous "carving market" where you can buy some souvenirs – but be prepared to haggle over the price... Today you will return to the Windhoek Mountain Lodge, and dinner table is booked at "Joes Beer house" in Windhoek. This restaurant really is fantastic, due to it’s furnishings, it resembles a museum. Sitting on rustic wooden benches, you can enjoy delicious draught beer and huge Kudu or Oryx steaks.
Day 14: WIndhoek Mountain Lodge - Windhoek Airport
Today you will be able to spend your last day in Windhoek as you wish. There is plenty to see and do in Windhoek or you might just prefer to wile away the odd hour sitting in one of the many sidewalk cafes which alloy you to take in the hustle and bustle of the city. An early evening transfer will take you back to Windhoek for you return Air Namibia flight SW385 at 20h40.
Day 15: Arrive London Gatwick, North Terminal
Today you will arrive back into Gatwick at 04h55.