Namibia Classic - Motorbike tour

Arrive at Windhoek International Airport and be picked up by us. A one-hour transfer takes you to our own Windhoek Mountain Lodge in the southern foothills of the Auas Mountains - our base for all Gravel Travel tours in Namibia. After a good breakfast, there is an opportunity to acclimatize and relax by the pool with a restful view of the surrounding mountain ranges and the vast african "bushveld". There is also the possibility of a small driver training session on the lodge grounds to get a first feel for the "gravel". And if you like, you can enjoy a "sundowner" on the viewing platform above the lodge before the legendary "Bushman fondue" calls for dinner in the evening...

After the first "day-briefing" at morning with the tour guide, your round trip through Namibia begins with a drive on relatively flat gravel roads to the south-eastern part of the country. Thorn bush savannah and barren pastureland, where Karakul sheep graze, is typical for the region, determining the image of the peripheral area to the Kalahari. Via Uhlenhorst we drive through the charming Auob valley and finally arrive at our accommodation close to village of Mariental.

An eventful day awaits you when we have left the southern administrative and economic center of Keetmanshoop behind us after the first hour's drive. An interesting route with views of lonely mountains and seemingly endless plains leads us to our southernmost accommodation in the border town of Noordoewer. We pass the mighty Fish River Canyon with its unforgettable panoramic view, a very special attraction in Namibia. With a length of more than 100 km and its deep winding gorges, it is considered the second largest canyon in the world. We follow the gravel road south along the east rim of the canyon, which is lined with fascinating landscapes. Then we continue along the Oranje to our destination today, the "Norotshama River Resort". Our  chalets are located directly on the Orange River.

After a refreshing shower under rustic camel thorn trees and a breakfast in the wilderness, we set off again and let ourselves be accompanied by a wonderful play of colors in the seemingly endless, hostile expanses and the mountain ranges on the outskirts of the Namib Desert, as well as past the incredibly high sand dunes of the desert Sesriem, where our next accommodation near Sossusvlei is located.

From the wide Namib Desert we head towards "civilization" again today. We pass the Tropic of Capricorn and cross the Gaub River. The special feature here is the pass through the Kuiseb Canyon, another deeply furrowed river valley, in whose ecosystem two German geologists hid for two years at the time of World War II and fought for survival (their impressive book "The sheltering desert" is worth reading). From there, the rough gravel road leads us further through the huge Namib-Naukluft National Park across to the coast and the lonely expanse that seems so lifeless, but always surprises with oryx antelopes, springbok, ostriches and mountain zebras crossing scenery and road. Only just off the coast do high dune belts open up again and the air is noticeably fresher. In Swakopmund we stop at a good hotel to explore this historic coastal town and get in touch with the cold Atlantic.

From Swakopmund, the route takes us about 200 km along the Atlantic through the Dorob National Park northwards on a salt road and gives us a lasting impression of Namibia's coastal landscape. A detour to the seal colony in Cape Cross is also possible before heading back inland towards Uis, where the climate becomes much hotter again. Passing the Messum crater, we then surround the majestic Brandberg massif - the highest mountain in Namibia - with its rugged, black and red colored stone landscape. A special companion on our route is the "Welwitschia", a rare, bizarre giant plant that can live well over 1000 years. In the small mining town of Uis, warm accommodation awaits us with a refreshing pool - and a hearty namibian style "braai" (barbecue) caters for our physical well-being in the evening hour.

You should stop when it's at its best - so they say - we leave Grootberg Lodge early in the morning for another beautiful destination: Mount Etjo Safari Lodge. Over the Grootberg Pass, you go down the table mountain steps of the Etendeka Plateau on winding routes, pass the huge dry river bed of the Huab and refuel in the small village of Khorixas. Through eastern Damaraland we pass settlements to the unique landscape of the Ugab Terraces, where the Vingerklip Lodge offers the perfect stop for a short lunch break. Then we are on smaller farm roads and through typical Mopane shrub savannah we reach Kalkfeld and very soon Mount Etjo, a prominent table mountain, at the foot of which is the large game reserve of Mount Etjo Safari Lodge. All kinds of wild species can already be observed at the lodge itself, with a bit of luck even hippos! The barbecue dinner spoils comprehensively and - as a 2nd dessert - there would be a lion feeding to watch from close.

This day is at your leisure at the lodge or for a stroll in Windhoek. Depending on your individual departure time, you can plan your day freely today, as the flight often only leaves in the evening. Some of the sights can be visited in the capital and numerous street cafés as well as bazaars and shops with local handicrafts invite you to at least observe the hustle and bustle all around. Whatever the case, we'll make sure you get to the airport on time...