Over three thousand kilometers, 13 days, powerful motorcycles that purr through the desert, magnificent landscapes like nowhere else in the world, and nights around the fire marvelling at the stars. When you are on a motorcycle tour in Namibia with us, you are on an adventure of a lifetime. Wide open spaces, clear blue skies, and powerful engines, along with good riding companions, an excellent guide who knows the 'off the path' attractions, and a comfortable place to end each day - this is some of what you can expect from one of our most popular tours.
Leaving Cape Town for the Cederberg and Karoo
Our first day of riding out from The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town is filled with coastal roads, vineyards and four breathtaking mountain passes. Beginning along the east side of False Bay with great views of the ocean, we turn inland towards Franschhoek, a beautiful fruit farming region, before heading over the famous Franschhoek pass. We get to enjoy three more mountain passes that day - a spectacular start to a tour that contrasts from mountainous wonders to moon-like desert sands.
As we leave the cosy farm cottages where we stay for our first night, we explore the rugged Cederberg mountains on good gravel roads. There are caves and ancient San paintings to see amidst rock formations and wilderness landscapes. After passing through Clanwilliam we cross over the mountains on a fun, winding tar-road pass before connecting with the gravel roads again through the Great Karoo, and on to our overnight stop in quaint stone cottages on a working sheep farm.
Over the Orange River and into Namibia
South Africa's Northern Cape region is fascinating and on this part of the tour we get to explore some local canyons carved out by ancient glaciers, and a fun ride down the famous Van Rhyns pass. The semi-desert landscapes lead us across the border and to our overnight stop on the banks of the Orange River. After the tar roads of the ride before, we switch back to some good gravel roads as we encounter Namibia's breathtaking landscapes. Lush vineyards on the banks of the Orange River on the left and dry rocky formations on the right, this is one of our most captivating stretches to ride a motorcycle in all of Africa. Then we head north through vast open landscapes towards the Fish River Canyon - second only to the Grand Canyon in size. One of the highlights of this part of the trip as we head for the coast town of Luderitz is Namibia’s famous wild horses. We have seen them every trip! Some are not so lucky though.
An Abandoned Diamond Mining Town
Imagine stepping back in time to the strangeness of a once-opulent small mining town in the desert sands, made habitable by wealth and fortitude,where time has stood still and the desert is slowly claiming back its rule. The last people left Kolmanskop in 1956, although the population began thinning long before that as diamonds were discovered in larger quantities elsewhere. Today it is visited by thousands who are intrigued by its eerie feel and history. This is one of the most fascinating places you will ever visit, and you will get some great shots if photography is your thing. There is also the option of a detour to visit Duwisib Castle built in the early 1900s by a German settler. On our way to Sesriem we descend an escarpment with beautiful views on some more challenging gravel roads before arriving at our comfortable lodge for the next two nights.
Explore the dunes at Sossusvlei
Whilst it is a 13-day bike trip through Namibia, two of those days are ‘rest’ or ‘explore’ days with the opportunity of an early morning drive to see the famous dunes and dry lakes with ancient dead trees at Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. After a good night of rest in a comfortable lodge with pool, bar and outdoor restaurant, we get back on the bikes for a ride across the Namib desert to the coastal resort town of Swakopmund. On the way we stop for gas and possibly the best apple pie in Namibia at the historic settlement of Solitaire, before setting out across the scenic Kuiseb Canyon and across the desert. The air is cooler as we approach the coast and enjoy a fun, smooth ride on a compacted salt road to Walvis Bay. The day ends with a short ride along the breaking waves of the Atlantic Ocean as we head north to Swakopmund, a scenic and historical, coastal town. A morning tour of Sandwich Harbour, a spectacular, unique place where the dunes and ocean meet, is followed by rest and delicious supper at one of our favourite restaurant spots.
The Skeleton Coast, Shipwrecks and Spitzkoppe
One of the highlights of this motorbike adventure is exploring the southern part of the famous Skeleton Coast. Riding next to the cold Atlantic waters past a shipwreck before turning east into the desert at the coastal town of Henties Bay, is a memory that will stay with you for years. Soon we'll see the outline of the iconic Spitzkoppe rock formations appear and grow more imposing the closer we get. In the afternoon we'll ride and walk around and up these beautiful rocks, 'Pondoks', and watch the sunset through the famous arch. The next day holds a treat of a completely different kind! We leave Spitzkoppe behind, after an obligatory photo shoot in the arch, and ride along gravel and tar roads to Erindi Private Game Reserve. This is where we stay for a night at the luxurious Old Traders Lodge where you can watch the wildlife visit the waterhole. There are evening and morning guided game safaris where you'll have the chance to see all the Big 5 game and many other stunning African creatures in this top-rated reserve. It is a short ride from here to Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia, where we unpack the bikes and get ready to leave after enjoying our last dinner together at the famous Joe’s Beerhouse.
One of our riders, Ted Abraham, said, “It was possibly the most memorable trip of my life. The riding itself, a blast, the landscape was like nothing I have ever seen and logistically the trip went off without a hitch.” Dan Callear called this trip “One of the best adventures I've done.”
Join us as we explore Namibia's breathtaking desert landscapes and rich wildlife on this 13-day motorcycle adventure.
