Namibian Mountain Bike Safari
6 day scheduled departure itinerary
Here's a special interest safari for reasonably fit individuals who would like to experience the wilds of Namibia on mountain bikes. It is a good add-on to a Botswana safari or South Africa itinerary.
Relish that sense of achievement that is a part of pedaling one's way through the vast, changing landscapes off the main tourist routes. The journey highlights spectacular geology, desert game and scenery in the open air. A support vehicle is in accompaniment whenever cycling becomes too strenuous.
The entire safari is guided and hosted by professional guides who share their in-depth knowledge and experience of Namibia and mountain biking with you. At day's end you'll relax at your private camp with sundowners and await the arrival of a multitude of stars.
The trail camps are set in remote wilderness areas and specifically outfitted to provide essential comforts, a warm atmosphere and a maximum wilderness experience. Spacious dome tents have GI stretchers topped with canvas bedrolls, crisp cotton sheets and duvets. Shared toilets and bucket shower enclosures are open to the sky.
Damaraland Camp offers tented rooms, with en-suite facilities including flush toilets and showers with hot and cold running water. Palmwag Rhino Camp has East African-styled "Meru" tents each with en-suite bathroom comprising hand basin, flush toilet and a classic bucket shower that is filled with hot water whenever needed.
This safari features an innovative combination of cross-country drives and cycling, providing the opportunity to view the changing scenery and landscapes throughout a rather large region.
Brief Itinerary
| Days 1 & 2 | Drive to Save the Rhino Camp, Ugab |
| Day 3 | Cycle to Damaraland Camp, Damaraland |
| Day 4 | Cycle to Palmwag Campsite, Damaraland |
| Day 5 | Cycle to Palmwag Rhino Camp, Damaraland |
| Day 6 | Transfer by road back to Windhoek |
Namibian Mountain Bike Safari - Price
Contact Duffle & Compass for the current cost of this itinerary.
If a guest is willing to share and we can match with another guest of the same gender, the single supplement will not be charged. However, if there is no suitable match, the single supplement surcharge will apply.
Prices include all transportation as specified in the itinerary, driver/guide services, park fees, accommodation on a shared basis, all meals from lunch on Day 1 through the end of the scheduled safari, soft drinks, house wine, beer and alcoholic beverages (except premium brands) at meal times.
Prices exclude airfare (other than what is specified in the safari itinerary), gratuities, travel insurance, visa fees, entry and departure taxes, any personal purchases, telephone calls, laundry, optional extra activities or meals, any pre or post safari plans.
Namibian Mountain Bike Safari - Departure Dates
This safari is no longer being operated with set departure dates. However we will be happy to arrange a custom-tailored version of this itinerary for small private groups of four to eight people. Contact Duffle & Compass for details. This safari begins and ends in Windhoek, Namibia.
Namibian Mountain Bike Safari - Safari Detailed Itinerary
Days 1 & 2
After arrival in Windhoek, you are met by your guides who will drive you to the stunning monolith of Brandberg, on the banks of the Ugab River. You'll enjoy a warm-up ride of 40 kilometers to the Save the Rhino campsite where you'll camp under the shade of immense Acacia trees.
The next day you cycle to the old zinc mine, enjoying steep climbs, thrilling downhills and exhilarating challenges on the route. The afternoon is spent relaxing at the camp and exploring the wildlife-rich Ugab riverbed.
Day 3
Today you embark on the longest leg - a route of 90km through changing habitats to Damaraland Camp. This also creates a wonderful opportunity to find elephant and rhino en-route, as well as to view gemsbok, springbok and giraffe.
Situated on the northern face of the Huab River valley and looking south toward the imposing Brandberg Mountains, Damaraland Camp offers its guests endless vistas. Early morning mists generated by the clash between the icy Atlantic Ocean and the warm desert air of the Skeleton Coast, drift inland along the river sand canyon, providing sustenance to the flora and fauna of the region. This comfortable and friendly camp offers walks and drives in one of the best wilderness areas in Namibia. Although wildlife is not concentrated, Damaraland Camp is situated where the rare desert-adapted elephant roams, alongside gemsbok, springbok, ostrich and other hardy desert animals. Rare succulent plants somehow manage to eke out an existence in this harsh environment. Damaraland Camp accommodates guests in 10 comfortable tented rooms, with en-suite facilities including flush toilets and showers with hot and cold running water. Due to the dry desert environment, it is unfortunately not possible to offer a laundry service.
Day 4
Damaraland has a desolate, volcanic landscape with small rock-strewn plains where long-ago glaciers once moved. The 80km ride traverses this incredible panorama and is the heart of black rhino country, creating a highly rewarding ride that has the possibility of seeing this endangered animal.
Day 5
After a short exciting ride of 40 km through black rhino country, you can enjoy an afternoon tracking rhino on foot with the specialist Save the Rhino trackers. End the day with sundowners, taking in the isolated beauty of Damaraland.
Palmwag Rhino Camp is situated in the one million-acre private Palmwag Reserve between Etosha and the Skeleton Coast. Few places on the planet can offer this level of privacy and wilderness experience. This desert reserve has a number of freshwater springs that support healthy populations of animals including desert-adapted black rhino and elephants as well as large populations of the Hartmann's mountain zebra, giraffe, gemsbok, springbok and kudu. The predator population is the largest outside of the Etosha National Park with large lion population, cheetah, leopard, and brown and spotted hyena. Bird life is prolific and diverse, with most of Namibia's endemics present.
Palmwag Rhino Camp has eight large East African-styled "Meru" tents each with an en-suite bathroom. The tented dining room offers uninterrupted views of the desert and mountains. Welwitschia (ancient desert-adapted plants) dot the plain in front of the camp. Guests can also enjoy full day outings, with a picnic lunch, on the reserve.
Day 6
After breakfast you transfer by road to Windhoek for your onward journey.
Namibian Mountain Bike Safari - Additional Information
* A contribution is made to the "Save the Rhino Trust" from guest fees. Palmwag Rhino Camp is a joint venture between Wilderness Safaris and the Save the Rhino Trust - a non-profit conservation organization that has been working in this area for 20 years. The Trust has been singly responsible for helping to ensure that these rare, desert-adapted black rhino survived the slaughter that went on throughout other parts of Africa in the late 20th century. Today this population of black rhino is growing in numbers and the area boasts the largest concentration of rhino anywhere on the planet outside of a national park. Some of the community game scouts who were initially employed by the Trust to help with patrolling and monitoring are now working at the camp as trackers and guides.
Arrivals - If you have an international arrival into Windhoek, you must arrive by 9:30 a.m. on Day 1 of the safari to avoid additional transfer fees. We suggest arriving the day prior and overnighting in Windhoek.
Departures - If you have an international departure from Windhoek, please insure that your flight leaves after 3:30 p.m. to avoid additional transfer fees.
* There is a limit of eight travelers on this safari.
- * There is a limit of two single tents, and a maximum of five double accommodation tents at any site on this safari.
Contact Duffle & Compass to begin planning your Africa adventure.
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