Damaraland: a whole new meaning of wild
Six day cycle tour through one of the world’s most stunning and unique gravel road desitinations
Wilderness is a word that’s easy to throw around, but there’s a reason that ‘Namibia’ translates as ‘vast place’ - cycling across this stunning region will make you reconsider everything you ever thought wild.
This epic and deeply rewarding six-day ride will take you through some of the world's most breath-taking, otherworldly scenery, with a good chance of spotting giraffes, zebra, and antelopes from the saddle.
We’ll carry your kit, prep your meals and make sure you’re well watered, leaving you to focus on traversing between silver sand dunes, rocky canyons, and cliff-crowned peaks, before camping out under humbling starscapes, finishing at the ‘Matterhorn of Africa’, Spitzkoppe.
What to expect?
Six days of continuous riding through some of the world’s most stunning desert scenery, with no mid-tour vehicle transfers: this is a genuine, A to B adventure cycle tour
Glorious African sunsets and starlit campsites
A good chance of spotting giraffes, zebra, and antelope from the saddle
A half-day safari at Etosha National Park: lions, elephants and much more
Overnight at Spitzkoppe, the ‘Matterhorn of Africa’
Breakfast, mid-morning/afternoon snacks, lunch, and dinner included (except where specified) - hearty camp-food classics and southern African specials
Damaraland, Namibia
21-31 March 2024 - fully booked!
9 nights
(6 days annual leave)
~70km, 550m / day
£1250
6 guests
We’re not fans of faceless booking forms, so get in touch and we’ll arrange a time to discuss the tour and arrange your booking. With just six spaces available, don’t miss the adventure of a lifetime.
If you’re just after a little more information, don’t hesitate to get in touch, and we’ll happily give you a call to chat through the wonders of Namibia.
Why cycle Namibia?
Namibia isn’t on many cyclists’ radar, and until we stumbled upon this glorious country when cycling from Kenya to Cape Town, it wasn’t on ours.
After cycling 30,000km across four continents, Namibia remains an absolute highlight - ever-changing scenery, genuine wilderness, alien landscapes, dazzling sunsets, and glorious starscapes.
This is cycle touring like nothing you’ve ever known.
But the secret is spreading, with tourist numbers growing rapidly after the pandemic - so now is the time to visit.
Tour itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Africa
Arrive in Windhoek and make your way to the hotel. If you’re flying in on Day 1, we’ll collect you from the airport. Rebuild your bike (or get acquainted with your hire) and get settled in.
Day 2: Safari
It wouldn’t be Africa without a safari. Leave bright and early for a 4-hour transfer to Etosha National Park for an afternoon safari drive. Then onwards to the frontier town of Kamanjab (2-hour transfer).
Day 3: Into the wilderness ~ 65km, 450m
This is what you’ve been waiting for: riding into the desert, passing monumental, wind-sculpted rock formations to get your first taste of Damaraland. Overnight at a remote but comfortable campsite, easing you into the desert.
Day 4: The Palmwag Mountains ~ 75km, 800m
Take on Grootberg Pass as we head into the cliff-crowned Palmwag Mountains. A good chance of spotting giraffes and a night of wildcamping for epic stargazing.
Day 5: Deep into Damaraland ~ 75km, 450m
Heading south and out of the Palmwag mountains, enjoy a mind-blowing descent with views across Damaraland and your first glimpse of the Brandberg Massif, before camping near the Twyfeifontein rock paintings.
Day 6: The Brandberg Massif ~ 85km, 600m
As you head south, passing Himba villages, the 25km wide Brandberg Massif - Namibia’s highest mountain - will grow on the horizon, glowing in the ever-changing desert light.
Day 7: R&R in Uis ~ 45km, 400m
A short ride to Uis for some rest and recuperation: draft beer, a dip in the pool, and a traditional Namibian braii (BBQ)
Day 8: The Matterhorn of Africa, ~ 90km, 800m
Leave early and ride south to Spitzkoppe, one of the world’s most dramatic sights. Camp beneath the sandstone monoliths and watch them glow orange as the sun sets. Reflect on the week’s journey, and decide you never want to leave Namibia.
Day 9: Return to civilization
Transfer back to Windhoek and celebrate your return to civilisation with a night back in the hotel. Take advantage of Windhoek’s restaurant scene, or enjoy the local wines and beers in the city’s lively and friendly bars.
Day 10: Head home
We’ll return you to the airport for your trip home, or you can continue your Namibian adventure.
Windhoek, Etosha, and Damaraland
Our route through Damaraland
Continuing your Namibian adventure
We are conscious of guests’ annual leave limitations, so we’ve kept our trip to 9 nights, using 6 days of annual leave if you work Monday to Friday.
However, if you’ve come all the way to Namibia and have time to spare, then we would be delighted to help you plan the rest of your adventure in this magnificent country.
We can’t make bookings for you, but we can suggest itineraries to visit yourself or local tour operators who will pick you up straight from the hotel at the end of your time with us, helping you seamlessly continue your Namibian adventure.
Get in touch and we’ll help you find the perfect follow-up to your wild Damaraland adventure.
9 nights accommodation - 7 nights camping, with a hotel on the first and last night
A half-day safari at Etosha National Park, including entry fees and a local safari guide
6 days of supported riding through Damaraland. We set the route, make sure you don't miss the turns, keep you fuelled and watered, but let you go at your own pace
All meals, snacks, and drinks, excluding alcohol and extra drinks from restaurants, and excluding dinner on your first and last nights in Windhoek, so that you can explore the local restaurant scene
All camping equipment, excluding sleeping bags. If you have camping equipment (e.g. a mat) you find particularly comfortable, then you're very welcome to bring it along - please let us know in advance, after booking
Transfer of your tent and equipment from campsite to campsite, so you don’t have to carry heavy gear
We will have at least one qualified mechanic, with common spare parts, but there are no bike shops in Damaraland - so make sure your bike is fully serviced to avoid a disappointing early end. We cannot be responsible for mechanical failures on your bike
Bike hire as an optional extra - details below
Storage of bike boxes or other equipment or luggage in Windhoek for you to collect after your tour
Need to know
What’s included
What’s not
Transport to/from Namibia:
Your flights or other transport to Windhoek before and after the tour aren’t included - please only book these once the tour is confirmed.
Kit
We'll send you a full kit list in advance of the tour, along with some recommended extras, but the key things you’ll need to bring are:
Your bike (unless you’re renting from us), and any unusual spare parts, such as a spare derailleur hangar
A day bag - e.g. a saddle, frame, or handlebar bag to carry what you need between pit stops - sun cream, sunglasses, any clothing changes you might want, and of course binoculars and a camera
Simple tools such as a puncture repair kit and multitool. We’ll be happy to help with punctures and minor fixes, and will have a qualified mechanic on tour, but we can’t be everywhere at once, so you may want to fix punctures or minor issues yourself
A sleeping bag rated to 5° - desert nights can be chilly!
Comfy clothes, sun cream and sunglasses, water bottles and cages (plenty!), and anything else you'd normally take on a cycle tour
Your travel insurance
As per our booking terms and conditions, you must purchase your own valid travel insurance.
Full details of what’s included and what to expect can be found in our booking terms and conditions, but please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.
Fitness and technical abilities
Our daily distances and elevation aren’t huge but don't underestimate the challenges of the rough Namibian roads and the sapping desert sun. We will leave early each morning to allow time to rest in the shade during the peak afternoon heat, but you need to make sure you are fit enough to cover the distances and cope with the heat. If you’re unsure, drop us a line and we can chat it through in more detail.
Namibian roads are often sandy and washboarded, but provided you have the right bike then you don't need to worry about technical riding skills.
The support van will be on hand if you ever need a lift - but who wants to come all the way to Namibia just to sit in a van!
You must inform us in advance of any health conditions you have that may impact your ability to complete the tour safely.
Ride at your pace
We know that everyone likes riding differently - whether you want to blast out the miles then put your feet up, or go slow and steady with plenty of breaks, it's up to you, and whether you want to ride alongside others or head off solo - we want you to ride the way you enjoy.
We'll give you a recommended start time (nice and early to beat the sun) and be as flexible as possible to ensure you can ride at the pace you want, with a sweeper van in case anyone is really struggling. However, our distances aren't huge, and the route is designed to be enjoyed, not feel like a sprint.
You’ll be provided with a simple map with clear directions, along with a GPX route, to make sure you don't miss any turns (there aren't many!). Pit stops along the way will ensure you can keep your water and energy topped up.
Food and drink
Dinners, lunches, and breakfasts will predominantly be a mix of restaurant and lodge dinners provided by the accommodation, camp food and cyclists’ classics, and a few southern African specials, including a traditional Braii (a BBQ for those unfamiliar, but don't let a Namibian hear you call it that!).
We'll make sure you always have plenty of water, although sadly we can't promise it'll be ice cold - this is the desert, after all. Beers and other alcoholic drinks are not included, but are highly affordable.
Vegetarian, vegan, and intolerances are all catered for - just let us know.
Your two evening meals in Windhoek on the first and last nights are not included, allowing you to take advantage of the local restaurant scene.
Accommodation
Camping out in the wild is an absolute highlight of cycling in Damaraland.
As per the itinerary, most nights on the road will be spent at formal campsites, which will vary from basic to more luxurious, ensuring you can enjoy the wilderness but wash off the desert dust.
On one night, we’ll be wild camping, where you’ll enjoy incredible starscapes if the skies are clear, but will naturally have basic facilities: a toilet tent will be set up, but there will be no showers or running water.
Hotels will be provided for the first and last night in Windhoek - these will be comfortable but are not intended to be luxury experiences.
Shared rooms and tents
Twin rooms will be booked for hotels: if you’re travelling solo, you’ll be matched with someone of the same sex. If you prefer a private room, this can be arranged, but you’ll have to cover the extra cost - just let us know before booking.
Solo travellers will have their own tent. If you’re travelling with a partner, friend, or family member, you will have to share a (spacious) tent to ensure our equipment load is manageable.
Don’t forget the sense of adventure!
Damaraland is a remote and rugged region, and while we'll do everything within our power to ensure you're as comfortable as possible, with some lovely campsites along the way, Wild Rides adventures are just that - wild.
We want you to feel immersed in the incredible landscapes you'll be riding through, so we won't mollycoddle you - so that means leaving some home comforts behind:
If you're not comfortable with camping, dust, dirt, heat, and some bugs, then that's totally cool, but perhaps this isn't the tour for you.
The right bike
Bringing your own bike
Namibia's gravel roads are notoriously rough and sandy, and regardless of the bike, you will at times have to push across sandy, dried-up river beds. If you have a suitable bike you find comfortable, we’d recommend you bring it - we can give you pointers on packing it for flying.
To make the going as smooth as possible, we'd recommend a wide-tyre (50mm/2" minimum) gravel, mountain, or cross-country bike, ideally one that you already find comfortable for multiple days of riding.
Please ensure your bike has been recently serviced before the trip - there will be at least one qualified mechanic on tour, but bike shops don't exist in Damaraland, and if you have a mechanical failure that can’t be fixed safely or easily during the tour, you’ll have to finish off in the van.
If you've any queries, then please just get in touch and we'll give you a call - we're always happy to talk bikes, and can give you some pointers on how best to pack bikes for flying - we've got plenty of experience.
Make sure your bike has the capacity to carry at least 3 litres of water. Namibia is HOT, and while we'll provide regular pit stops for refills, you don't want to be caught out running low on water or feel you have to ration what you have - dehydration is no joke! You can use electrical tape to easily add extra bottle cages to your bike.
Bike hire
We can offer hired mountain bikes for around £30 per day - £300 for the whole trip - which will be suitable for the roads. Please get in touch in advance of booking for more information on options and prices.
If you choose to rent, please consider bringing your own saddle that you find comfortable. We all have different body shapes, and there’s no such thing as a universally comfortable saddle - don’t risk an uncomfortable ride!
Ready to join the adventure?
Why ride with Wild Rides?
Routes led and developed by passionate cycle tourers
We are a small and independent operator, passionate about sharing the world’s wildest places with people who may not have the time, experience, or desire to plan their own trip, but who don’t want to reduce the sense of adventure.
For us, cycling touring isn't about trying to squeeze everything in - it’s about slowing down and appreciating the little things, as well as the big.
We intend for our tours to offer the closest thing to independent cycle touring, without the faff.
Our Namibian cycle tour is led by Wild Rides’ founder, Keir Gallagher. Check out our About Us page for more information.
Any questions?
If you’re unsure about anything at all, or just want a little more information, then please don’t hesitate to drop us a line and we’ll be happy to answer any questions or just chat through the tour in more detail.