Day One

Windhoek to Keetmanshoop

The journey south begins across Namibia’s open plains. As we descend into the vast landscapes of the Karas region, we visit one of Namibia’s most photographed natural wonders — the Quiver Tree Forest. These ancient aloes glow golden in the late afternoon light. Nearby, the bizarre formations of the Giant’s Playground set the tone for the surreal beauty to come.

Highlights

• Start Location: Windhoek
• Points of Interest: Quiver Tree Forest, Giant’s Playground
• Overnight: Keetmanshoop

Day Two

Into the Fish River Canyon

Today we reach the legendary Fish River Canyon, one of the world’s great natural spectacles. On arrival, we set up camp at Horseshoe Camp, overlooking a sweeping bend in the canyon. Optional mule trails test your courage and give breathtaking perspectives of this immense landscape carved by time itself.

Highlights

• Start Location: Keetmanshoop
• Points of Interest: Fish River Canyon National Park, Canyon Edge, Horseshoe Camp
• Overnight: Horseshoe Camp

Day Three

Canyon Rim & Rhino Country

65km

Our first full day of cycling takes us along the canyon rim and down hidden trails once used by mountain zebras. This is also Black Rhino country, where the species has recently been reintroduced after centuries of absence. Expect a challenging ride through side arms of dry rivers leading to secluded pools — the perfect reward after a dusty climb.

Highlights

• Start Location: Horseshoe Camp
• Points of Interest: Canyon Rim, Black Rhino Relocation Area, Mountain Zebras, Secluded Pools
• Overnight: Klipspringer Trail

Day Four

Canyon Crossing

Today’s mission: cross from the eastern rim to the western side of the canyon. This route leads through trackless wilderness where few have ventured. Our back-up crew will work hard to meet us at Black Rock Campsite, where a traditional Bushman Braai and a night under a blanket of stars await.

Highlights

• Start Location: Klipspringer Trail
• Points of Interest: Fish River Canyon, Canyon Park, Black Rock Camp
• Finish Line: Black Rock Campsite

Day Five

Camp Edge & Canyon Farewell

Our final day in the canyon begins with a steep climb to the highlands. From the aptly named Camp Edge, enjoy sweeping views over the canyon as the sun sinks below the horizon. It’s an evening to reflect on the past few days — the solitude, the challenge, and the privilege of exploring a place so few ever see.

Highlights

• Start Location: Black Rock Camp
• Points of Interest: ?
• Overnight: Wild Camping

Day Six

Rosh Pinah & the Ghost Mine

Leaving the canyon behind, we ride toward Rosh Pinah, a historic copper-mining town. If time allows, we follow the old miners’ trail — an underground ride that reveals Namibia’s industrial past. Equipped with headlights and courage, we descend into the tunnels, where stories of hard labour and haunting echoes remain.

Highlights

• Start Location: Camp Edge
• Checkpoints: 3
• Finish Line: Overnight near Rosh Pinah

Day Seven

The Orange River & the Richtersveld

We reach Namibia’s southern border and the life-giving Orange River, the only permanent river for over 2,000 km. Here, at Sendelingsdrift, desert meets water. Behind us rise the surreal peaks of the Richtersveld, home to the mythical Half-Man (Pachypodium namaquanum). The day ends with a refreshing swim in the river and a sunset framed by desert mountains.

Highlights

• Start Location: Rosh Pinah
• Points of Interest: Sendelingsdrift, Orange River, Half-Man Plant
• Overnight: Wild Camping

Day Eight

The Flower Desert & Klein Aus Vista

If the season is right, the desert awakens. After winter rains, the barren gravel plains erupt in colour as wildflowers blanket the landscape. We cycle north along the edge of the Sperrgebiet, the forbidden diamond area closed to the public for over a century. The day ends at Klein Aus Vista, surrounded by rugged mountains and scenic trails.

Highlights

• Start Location: Wild Camping
• Points of Interest: Namibia’s desert bloom, Sperrgebiet border, Klein Aus Vista, Klipspringers and Kudus.
• Overnight: Klein Aus Vista

Day Nine

The Aus Alpen Ridge & Desert Horses

Today’s ride is pure mountain biking joy. The Aus Alpen Ridge Trail, designed by Piet Swiegers, is a world-class route that rivals any Red Bull ridge ride. After conquering the trail, we visit Garub, home to Namibia’s legendary wild desert horses — resilient survivors of time and sand.

Highlights

• Start Location: Klein Aus Vista
• Points of Interest: Aus Alpen Ridge Trail, Wild Desert Horses
• Overnight: Klein Aus Vista

Day Ten

Into Lüderitz

Heading west, the landscape becomes increasingly barren — dunes, salt flats, and rugged coastal plains — until the icy Atlantic suddenly appears. We arrive in Lüderitz, a windswept harbour town built between sand and sea. Once a diamond boom port, today it’s a fascinating mix of history, culture, and wild coastline.

Highlights

• Start Location: Lüderitz
• Checkpoints: Namib Desert plains, Lüderitz, historic harbour, colonial buildings
• Finish Line: Lüderitz

Day Eleven

Diaz Point & the Edge of History

We walk in the footsteps of Bartolomeus Dias, the Portuguese explorer who landed here in 1488 and erected a stone cross that still stands at Diaz Point. The windswept bays and rocky shores here are also home to seals and the prized Cape Rock Lobster. A brave few might even take a dip in the icy Atlantic!

Highlights

• Start Location: Lüderitz
• Points of Interest: Diaz Point, Cape fur seals, Cape Rock Lobster
• Overnight: Lüderitz

Day Twelve

Kolmanskop Ghost Town

This morning we step into Namibia’s diamond past at Kolmanskop, once one of the richest towns in Africa. Abandoned to the desert, its sand-filled houses tell haunting stories of fortune and loss. It’s a photographer’s dream — light, colour, and decay frozen in time. We ride onward to Klein Aus for the night.

Highlights

• Start Location: Lüderitz
• Points of Interest: Kolmanskop Ghost Town, Namibia’s diamond rush,
• Finish Line: Klein Aus Vista

Day Thirteen

Into the Kalahari

From stone desert to red dunes — the landscape transforms as we reach the Kalahari near Mariental. This is Bushman territory, where culture and desert ecology meet. We ride along the Kalahari dune escarpment near Aranos and visit a local farm famous for its rare delicacy — the Kalahari truffle.

Highlights

• Start Location: Klein Aus Vista
• Points of Interest: Kalahari dunes, Bushman culture, Kalahari truffles, starlit skies.
• Overnight: Wild Camping