Welcome to Namibia! Upon arrival in Windhoek International Airport, the group will be met and transferred to the Capbon Guesthouse. At 4pm this afternoon, your guides will meet you at the hotel for a full trip briefing and sizing up for your bike before a test ride around the guesthouse. Tonight we head out for our first group dinner at Joe's Beerhouse (own expense). * Includes group airport transfer for flight arriving Windhoek from Johannesburg Overnight: Capbon Guesthouse (with swimming pool) Drive: 50km Airport to Guesthouse Cycle: 1km

Meals:  Nil

After breakfast, transfer to Katutura Township for a guided cycle tour, including a visit to the Family Hope Services bicycle workshop and, time permitting, the King's Daughter bicycle project. Following the township visit, travel into the dramatic desert landscapes of the Khomas Highlands towards Gamsberg Pass. After a late lunch, descend the spectacular Gamsberg Pass by bike, enjoying sweeping views across the surrounding wilderness before arriving at Hakos Astro Guest Farm in the late afternoon. Nestled on the edge of the Namibian Highlands, Hakos provides a peaceful and scenic base for the night. There will be time to relax and enjoy the tranquil setting, with optional activities available including stargazing, guided walks and wildlife viewing, making the most of the property's spectacular mountain setting and some of the darkest skies in the world. Overnight: Hakos Astro Guest Farm Drive distance: 150km, 2.5-hour drive OPTIONAL CYCLE distance: 45km, 2-3 hours + 3.5 hours (Katutura cycle tour)

Meals:  B,D

After an early breakfast, we set off by bike in the cool of the morning, cycling through the vast desert landscapes from our lodge. Today’s ride covers approximately 72km, taking us along quiet roads and down the dramatic Gamsberg Pass toward the T-junction. The first section is relatively fast-paced, before settling into a more relaxed rhythm where you can ride at your own pace. A support vehicle will accompany the group throughout, so you can cycle as much or as little as you choose. As we descend from Gamsberg Pass, we cross the Tropic of Capricorn—a subtle yet symbolic milestone that marks a shift into a new geographical zone, appearing just as the intensity of the descent begins to ease. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch along the way before loading up the bikes and transferring approximately 150km to Desert Camp. On arrival, there’s time to unwind, take in the desert surroundings, and perhaps cool off with a swim in the pool. In the evening, your guides will prepare dinner for the group. Overnight: Desert Camp Sossusvlei Drive distance: 230km, approx 4 hours' drive Cycle distance: 72km, 4 hours Cycle conditions: Gravel roads, undulating in hot conditions

Meals:  B,L,D

Another early start sees us on the bikes just after breakfast, departing from Desert Camp in the cool morning. We ride to the Sesriem Gate and continue along the sealed road all the way into Sossusvlei, covering approximately 65km over around four hours. Setting off at around 7:00am allows most vehicle traffic to clear ahead, giving us quieter and more enjoyable riding conditions through this iconic desert landscape. On arrival, we’ll enjoy lunch before continuing by 4WD transfer into the heart of the dunes to visit the remarkable Dead Vlei and Sossusvlei. The afternoon is yours to explore these surreal, world-famous landscapes at your own pace. On the return journey, we’ll stop at Sesriem Canyon before heading back to the lodge in the evening. The name "Sossusvlei" is of mixed origin, and roughly means "dead end marsh". Sossusvlei owes this name to the fact that it is a drainage basin without outflows for the ephemeral Tsauchab River. The pan holds rainwater to form a lake and due to the high clay content of the ground, water is retained for long periods of time. Deadvlei is another clay pan, about 2 km from Sossusvlei. A notable feature of Deadvlei is that it used to be an oasis with several acacia trees. The pan is thus punctuated by blackened, dead acacia trees, in vivid contrast to the shiny white of the salty floor of the pan and the intense orange of the dunes. This creates a particularly fascinating and surrealistic landscape, that appears in uncountable pictures and used as a setting for films and videos. * Includes Conservation fees for the Namib Naukluft National Park Overnight: Desert Camp Sossusvlei Drive distance: 145km Cycle distance: 65km, 3 hours Cycle conditions: Tar road, flat in hot conditions

Meals:  B,L,D

The day begins with a 150km drive to start our cycle from the Gamsberg Road to the turn off to the Aruvlei campsite. This allows us to cycle 30km along the Kuiseb pass that crosses the dramatic Kuiseb Canyon, site of the famous book by Henno Martin, The Sheltering Desert. We'll visit Paulina from Bicycling Empowerment Network Namibia, where we can learn about what happens to donated bikes once they reach Namibia. From here we drive to Walvis Bay and if we are lucky, see the flamingos. The Walvis Bay wetlands - the lagoon, mudflats, shoreline and salt works - constitute the single most important coastal wetland in southern Africa for migratory birds. The wetland therefore serves mainly as a dry-season and drought refuge for migrating species like the Greater and Lesser Flamingos, Plover, Grebe and African Black Oystercatcher. We arrive in Swakopmund, a quaint beach town with a strong German influence and with a sizable part of its population still German-speaking today. Founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South-West Africa, Swakopmund is German for "Mouth of the Swakop" as it is at the mouth of the Swakop River. Overnight: Hotel A Le Mer Drive distance: 350km, 5 hours Cycle distance: 30km, 2-3 hours Cycle conditions: Gravel roads with sandy sections, in hot conditions

Meals:  B,L

Morning free for optional activities. In the afternoon, we will cycle to the DRC Community to visit Mr Elephant's bike shop and Mondesa Youth Opportunities, a non-profit dedicated to providing education support to youth from underprivileged backgrounds. Overnight: Hotel A Le Mer Cycle distance: Approx 10km, 1 hour Cycle conditions: Gravel roads

Meals:  B

Leaving Swakopmund we drive along the coastal road to Hentiesbaai, stopping to see one of the shipwrecks from which the coastline as named. We drive on the desert gravel road before returning to your bikes to cycle the last 55km to the Spitzkoppe. Northeast of Swakopmund is the stark grandeur of The Spitzkoppe (sharp head), one of Namibia's most recognizable landmarks. The summit of this imposing granite rock formation (1,728m) was first scaled only in 1946, and its shape has inspired its nickname, The Matterhorn of Africa. After lunch, we explore this stunning area on foot, visiting the San/Bushman's Paradise Cave to see the ancient rock paintings. The San/Bushmen people have lived in this area for approximately 20,000 years as nomadic, hunter-gatherers in small cluster groups, stretching across Southern Africa. The rock art caves provide cultural living museums, where much of this ancient knowledge of the land, its plants, and its animals, is still being preserved. You can gain an insight into these fascinating and remarkable people and learn about their customs and traditions. In the late afternoon transfer the last 60km to our lodge. The spectacular setting is sure to leave a lasting impression! * Includes entrance fees and guided walk in the Spitzkoppe Overnight: Hohenstein Lodge Drive distance: 230km, 4 hours Cycle distance: 55km, 3-4 hours Cycle conditions: Hard packed gravel road, in hot conditions

Meals:  B,L,D

After an early breakfast and an optional 10km cycle on Hakos' private gravel and mountain bike trails, offering the chance to explore the spectacular highland scenery and spot wildlife such as mountain zebra, oryx and kudu, we board the vehicle and drive 370km, entering Etosha National Park via the western corridor and travelling through to Okaukuejo Camp. The park was first established in 1907, when Namibia was a German colony known as South West Africa. At the time, its original 100,000km² made it the largest game reserve in the world. While political changes have reduced its size to less than a quarter of its original area, Etosha remains one of Africa's most important wildlife reserves and game sanctuaries. Thousands of animals call the park home, including blue wildebeest, springbok, zebra, kudu, giraffe, cheetah, leopard, lion and elephant. The floodlit waterholes at Okaukuejo and Namutoni camps attract an abundance of wildlife throughout the evening, providing many memorable wildlife-viewing opportunities. * Includes entrance fees into Etosha National Park Overnight: Okaukuejo Chalets Drive distance: 370km, 6 hours Cycle distance: Optional 10km on the lodge property, 1 hour Cycle conditions: Gravel roads with sandy sections, in hot conditions

Meals:  B,L,D

Early morning game drive and return to camp for breakfast. We check out of camp and game drive all the way to Namutoni via Halali, our lunch stop. Full day game drives. * Includes entrance fees into Etosha National Park Overnight: Namutoni Chalets Drive distance: 200km, 7 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

Today is a long but rewarding transfer day as we journey approximately 450km through the scenic Caprivi Strip. Along the way, we stop in Rundu to visit the House of Love Bicycle Shop, a community initiative supported through local cycling programs. Continuing east, we arrive at our lodge, set amongst lush vegetation overlooking the tranquil Kavango River. Time permitting, there is the opportunity to join an optional sundowner boat cruise and enjoy the river's abundant birdlife and peaceful atmosphere (at own expense). Overnight: N’Kwazi Lodge Drive distance: 450km, 7 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

Enjoy a more relaxed start this morning as we journey further along the Caprivi Strip to Shametu Lodge. En route, we’ll visit a local village, offering a glimpse into daily life in this remote region, before arriving at the lodge around lunchtime. After check-in, there’s time to unwind before heading out in the afternoon for a tranquil mokoro excursion along the Kavango River, a peaceful way to experience the surrounding landscape and wildlife. * Includes Mokoro excursion and village visit Overnight: Shametu Camp Drive distance: 200km, 3 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

Another long drive as we make our way east along the length of the Caprivi strip into northern Botswana and the town of Kasane. Enroute, drive through Katimo Mulilo and visit the Sepo Bike Shop and pre-school. Overnight: Kwalape Safari Lodge Drive distance: 450km, 7 hours with the border crossing

Meals:  B,L,D

Chobe is famous for its beautiful scenery, magnificent sunsets and abundance of wildlife and birdlife. We start the day with an early morning open game drive into Chobe National Park, before returning to the lodge for breakfast. You have time to relax and enjoy the lodge facilities before heading out on the afternoon game viewing cruise on the Chobe River. * Includes entrance fees into Chobe National Park, open game drive and boat cruise Overnight: Kwalape Safari Lodge Drive/cruise: 2 x 3 hour excursions

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we travel across the border into Zambia via the new bridge across the Zambezi and on to Livingstone, the gateway to Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls, without doubt one of the greatest and most spectacular sights in Africa. Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (otherwise known as Victoria Falls) is a UNESCO world heritage site. The Park covers 66 km2 from the Songwe Gorge below the falls in a northwest arc along about 20 km of the Zambian riverbank. Two countries - Zambia and Zimbabwe, share the magnificent falls. Nothing can compare to viewing the awesome power of 'The Smoke that thunders" for the first time. There will be plenty of opportunity to view the Falls 'up close and personal' by traversing the many walkways in and around the rain forest that surrounds the many view points. In the wet season, be sure to wear a raincoat as the spray can give you a thorough drenching! Victoria Falls is also the "adventure capital" of Southern Africa and there are many optional activities on offer to whet your appetite. These range from game drives in the nearby national park, scenic micro light or helicopter flights, or for the more adventurous white water rafting or bungi jumping. Victoria Falls also has many markets where you can browse for African curios. After viewing the Falls we continue to our lodge on the banks of the Zambesi. In the late afternoon we'll take a sundowner boat cruise on the river and celebrate the end of an unforgettable African experience! * Includes entrance fees to Victoria Falls, Zambia side and sundowner boat cruise Overnight: Victoria Falls Waterfront Garden Chalets Drive distance: 80km, 1 hour and a border crossing

Meals:  B

Enjoy a free morning before transferring to Livingstone Airport (Zambia) for your onward flight. Those wishing to extend their stay can take advantage of Livingstone's many adventure and wildlife experiences, including scenic helicopter flights over Victoria Falls, Zambezi River cruises, game drives, walking safaris, white-water rafting (seasonal) and cultural tours. These optional activities can be arranged directly through the accommodation provider. * Includes group airport transfer for flight departing Livingstone for Johannesburg (6 August) Drive: 50km Lodge to Airport

Meals:  B