Northwest Namibia in Style – 12 Days / 11 Nights

Northwestern Namibia is one of the last great wilderness areas in southern Africa. Vast open landscapes, volcanic mountains, dry river valleys and the desolate Skeleton Coast make this a very special area to explore by mountain bike. On this exclusive journey, we fly from Windhoek directly into the wilderness of the Palmwag Concession, where our bike team and e-bikes are waiting for us. Over the following days, we explore the volcanic landscapes of the Etendeka Mountains and Palmwag Concession, the remote Hoanib and Hoarusib ephemeral rivers, and the wilderness around Puros. This is home to desert-adapted elephants, black rhino, giraffe and even desert-adapted lions. One of the great highlights is our ride through the restricted Skeleton Coast National Park, following the Hoarusib towards the Atlantic Ocean and the remarkable Shipwreck Lodge. Mountain Bike Namibia was among the first, and possibly the first organised bike group, to cycle this extraordinary route through the national park to Shipwreck Lodge. We spend two nights at each of our wilderness lodges, giving us enough time not only to bike but also to experience the wildlife, landscapes and people of this remote part of Namibia. From the Skeleton Coast, we fly by private charter to Ongava Private Game Reserve, where we end our adventure with two nights of classic African safari and wildlife viewing before flying back to Windhoek. We recommend this tour on full-suspension e-mountain bikes. The e-bike allows us to explore greater distances through this enormous wilderness while still having time to stop, enjoy the scenery and experience the wildlife.

Trip Enquiry

Highlights
Day by Day

Scenic flight from Windhoek into remote northwestern Namibia
E-biking through the Palmwag Concession and Etendeka landscape
Desert-adapted black rhino tracking
Hoanib River and desert-adapted elephants, giraffe and possibly desert lions
Remote wilderness riding through Kaokoveld
Puros and the beautiful Hoarusib River
Visit to a traditional Himba community
Unique bike ride through the restricted Skeleton Coast National Park
Reach the Atlantic Ocean by bike
Two nights at the extraordinary Shipwreck Lodge
Private charter flight from the Skeleton Coast to Ongava
Wildlife safari at Ongava Private Game Reserve and Etosha National Park
Two-night stays throughout the main journey – no rushed one-night stops

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Itineraries

Day 1

Arrival in Windhoek

On arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport, we are met and transferred to Windhoek.
Once everyone has arrived, we meet for our tour briefing and discuss the adventure ahead. Depending on arrival times, there may also be time to explore some of Windhoek.
In the evening, we enjoy dinner overlooking the city.

Day 2 & 3

Palmwag Concession & Desert Rhino Camp

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport and fly by light aircraft directly into northwestern Namibia and the Palmwag Concession.
Our Mountain Bike Namibia team has travelled ahead with our vehicles and bikes and will be waiting for us in the northwest.
After fitting and adjusting our bikes, we set off on our first ride into this spectacular wilderness.
Palmwag borders the Skeleton Coast National Park and protects a vast area of volcanic mountains, open plains and dry river valleys. Much of the landscape was shaped by ancient volcanic activity, and the Etendeka Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop to our rides.
This is also one of the most important areas for free-ranging desert-adapted black rhino.
During our two-night stay, we explore the area by bike and join experienced conservation guides in search of rhino and other desert wildlife. Depending on conditions and arrangements, activities can be combined with biking, walking and safari vehicles.

Day 4 & 5

Hoanib River Wilderness

Today we set off on one of our great wilderness rides, biking north through the Palmwag Concession.
We follow remote jeep tracks through volcanic hills, valleys and enormous open landscapes. There is almost no settlement here, and we can ride for hours surrounded only by wilderness.
The biking distance can be adapted according to the group and conditions. Our support vehicles are always available, so nobody has to ride the entire distance.
We continue towards the Hoanib River, one of Namibia’s great ephemeral rivers.
Although the Hoanib only flows after good rains, underground water supports large trees and vegetation along the river system. This creates an important corridor for wildlife through one of the driest parts of Africa.
We have two nights here, giving us a full day to explore the Hoanib wilderness in search of desert-adapted elephants, giraffe, oryx and possibly desert-adapted lions.

Day 6 & 7

Puros & the Hoarusib River

We continue north through increasingly remote Kaokoveld.
After driving towards the watershed, we unload our bikes and ride through spectacular valleys and mountain landscapes towards Puros and the Hoarusib River.
This is wonderful biking country. The tracks take us through a vast, open landscape where we may encounter oryx, mountain zebra, giraffe and other desert-adapted wildlife.
Puros is a small and isolated settlement situated near the Hoarusib River and surrounded by beautiful mountains.
During our second day, we explore the Hoarusib River in search of the famous desert-adapted elephants that move through this wilderness.
We also have an opportunity to visit a local Himba community and learn something about the traditions and way of life of the people who have lived in this remote region for generations.

Day 8 & 9

Ride Through the Skeleton Coast to Shipwreck Lodge

Today we experience one of the most extraordinary rides in Namibia.
We follow the Hoarusib River westwards through the restricted Skeleton Coast National Park towards the Atlantic Ocean.
Very few visitors are permitted into this part of the national park, and cycling through this wilderness is a unique experience.
We ride approximately 65 km, watching the landscape slowly change from the rugged mountains and river valleys of Kaokoveld to increasingly barren desert, dunes and finally the cool Atlantic coast.
Mountain Bike Namibia pioneered this route and was among the first, and possibly the first organised bike group, to ride through this part of the Skeleton Coast National Park to Shipwreck Lodge.
Arriving at the Atlantic Ocean by bike is one of the great moments of the tour.
We spend two nights at Shipwreck Lodge, giving us a full day to explore the Skeleton Coast. Depending on conditions, we can visit shipwrecks, explore the enormous dunes and beaches and experience one of the most desolate and fascinating coastlines in Africa.

Day 10 & 11

Etosha National Park

After breakfast, we leave the Skeleton Coast in style.
We transfer for our private charter flight from the Skeleton Coast to the Ongava/Etosha area.
Flying across Namibia gives us another perspective of the enormous wilderness we have just explored by bike.
We spend our final two nights at Ongava Private Game Reserve, situated along the southern boundary of Etosha National Park.
Here we leave our bikes behind and enjoy a classic African safari.
During our stay, we explore Ongava and Etosha with experienced safari guides. We have excellent opportunities to see elephant, lion, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and numerous antelope species.
Ongava is also particularly well known for its conservation of black and white rhino.
After our adventure through the deserts and mountains of northwestern Namibia, these two days provide a wonderful wildlife finale.

Day 12

Departure

After breakfast, we transfer to the airstrip and fly back towards Windhoek and Hosea Kutako International Airport.
From here, guests connect with their international flight home or continue with further arrangements in Namibia.