Tracks in Namibian lands

This morning, we climb on our bikes for an exceptional day’s riding. We spend the first few miles heading southwest on a superb tarmacked road before attacking the track to the Fish River Canyon, a must-see geological attraction. The second largest canyon in the world (after the American Grand Canyon), this natural wonder is more than 550 m deep, almost 100 miles long and 12 miles wide and is in the southernmost point of the country. We arrive at our lodge late in the afternoon, located on the western side of the canyon. The sun setting puts on a spectacular show.

We leave this impressive plateau behind us and make our way to the Atlantic Coast. We stop for lunch in a small town, Aus, before heading west on a tarmacked road to Lüderitz. This arid region is home to a wealth of local wildlife: ostrich, oryx and some wild horses. The last 60-odd miles take us through a moon-like landscape that’s so unreal, you’ll think you’re dreaming. We end the day surrounded by completely different scenery: sand dunes and the fresh Atlantic breeze! Late afternoon, we arrive in the port town Lüderitz – a piece of Germany in the middle of Africa – surrounded by rugged coasts.

You can spend the day resting and exploring Lüderitz and its surroundings. This colonial town, founded by the German merchant after whom it was named at the end of the 19th century, boasts fascinating historic buildings and colorful houses. We ride around this wild peninsula to Diaz Point, where the Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu Dias erected a cross in 1488. We may be lucky enough to see a colony of seals, cormorants and flamingos. Back in town, we enjoy seafood and fish fresh from the Atlantic for dinner!

This morning, we turn back and leave the Atlantic to venture into the Namib Desert. We take a detour to visit the ghost town, Kolmanskop, discover the history of this abandoned mining town and walk around the houses and buildings engulfed in sand. We have lunch in Aus before heading north on tracks where the arid landscapes display an extraordinary array of colors. We arrive at our lodge by the end of the day.

Today, we delve a little deeper into the Namib Desert skirting the Naukluft Mountains. Far from being monotonous, the oldest desert in the world reveals its multiple facets with colours that change as the day progresses. We have lunch in an intriguing spot that is the legacy of Germany’s colonial history. By the end of the day we arrive in Sesriem, which is the gateway to the famous Sossusvlei Dunes. We enjoy the evening under Namibia’s huge starry sky.

“Wow” will be the word of the day! We set off at dawn in a 4x4 in the Namib-Naukluft National Park to admire Sossusvlei, the tallest sand dunes in the world. The more energetic among us can climb Big Daddy, standing proud at more than 300 m, and will be rewarded for their efforts with an unreal view from the top. Below, the Dead Vlei clay pan and dead camel thorn trees make up Namibia’s most beautiful landscape and are, without a doubt, one of the most remarkable places on the planet. We return to the lodge early afternoon and take our Royal Enfields for a short spin towards the north. We spend our last night in the desert, away from the C19 road.

It’s already our last riding day, but what a day it will be! Just some miles from our lodge, we take a short morning break in Solitaire, a tiny village nicknamed the Namibian Bagdad Café. After crossing the Tropic of Capricorn and the Gaub Pass, we take the remarkable C26 track, a sublime section that takes us to the capital, Windhoek. We have a picnic lunch in an idyllic spot before returning to civilization. In the evening, we celebrate the end of our Namibian adventure altogether.

Depending on your flight times, you may have the time to visit Windhoek and do some souvenir shopping. You’re transferred to the airport.