Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The sunsets... Watching the sun go down in Etosha sitting by the water-hole, with drinks and ice with new friends I'd made on the trip, will never be forgotten.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sven, the group leader was fantastic, he used local knowledge and experience to get the most out of each day. The two helpers were amazing too, producing meals each end of the day on a wood fire, putting up and taking down our tents whilst we relaxed, deserves special mention.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is an amazing trip and you will not regret going. There are a few things which I found helped: take some sports eletrolyte tablets or powder to add to your cycling water, I got through more than I thought I would. There are some electricity recharging opportunities, but a couple of multi purpose usb spare battery packs worked a treat to keep cameras/phones topped up until you get to a lodge. Not all sinks have plugs so taking a camping one is useful! The electric socket in Namibia is the same as South Africa, it's fairly unique with large pins..a universal adapted won't fit, but you can get a SA one in Jo'berg airport. Be prepared to improvise a pillow for camping

Suggestions

Don't hesitate to book this trip!

Most Inspirational Moment

There were two great moments for me. Climbing the giant sand dune for sunrise was brilliant. The colours and shapes and shadows are awesome. The camp site in the Etosha NP was great but watching the wildlife at the water hole late into the evening was pure theatre.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sven and his team were brilliant. So flexible and attentive. They worked so hard to make this trip a success for each of us in the group and the food in camp was terrific. How they manage to produce such great food is beyond me. Fantastic.

Advice for Potential Travellers

In November, be prepared for high day time temperatures. By noon temperatures were reaching close to 40C and Sven, our guide, quite rightly would end our rides by then each day. So do not expect to ride all day. There are also some lengthy transfers but these are needed to ensure we saw as much of the country as possible. We used these to catch up on sleep after early starts. Don't expect to see many village people. The cycling and transfer routes do not really take you through many villages.

Suggestions

This trip really needs a leader who is knowledgeable about wild life, the country's history, and its geology because of the huge amount of ground covered during the trip. This is were the benefit of having a local guide, Sven, and his team is so important to the success of the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to single out because the variety was enormous: the animal drama of an evening at the waterhole in Etosha; the beauty of the dunes; the sheer joy of the boat trip off Walvis Bay.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sven led the trip but the team work between him, Benson and Jonas was excellent. They combined very well - manhandling the bikes repeatedly, making and breaking camp with great efficiency, cooking great food in no time, and being really good, informative travelling companions. I can't speak too highly of them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Above all, if you like the look of the cycling, book! Of the options on the day off in Swakopmund/Walvis Bay, all our group opted for the boat trip and were delighted we chose that. Our November trip saw no rain at all. Everywhere we stayed had places you could hand wash kit easily, and in the conditions we had it dried very quickly.

Suggestions

The itinerary and structure of the trip were really well judged. The day started early so we could avoid the (greatest) heat when cycling, and the truck journeys mostly happened when it would have been too hot to do much else. Excellent way to enjoy the cycling, yet see a good bit of this vast and beautiful country.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sunrise on the Sand Dunes. Incredible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was okay. Very organised, very safety and environmental conscious.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack a pillow! The accommodation is very budget. Even the last night in the Superior Hotel was not Superior. They were basic 2 star hotels. The camping equipment was great. Tents were spacious and put up and down for us - easy camping in my book! We were there in March and didn't really need a sleeping bag or any wet weather gear.

Suggestions

If you want a cycle trip that has lots of villages and locals enroute - don't cycle in Namibia! We didn't come across many children or people on the cycle days. It was not at all like cycling the Cape Town Garden Route or Vietnam/Croatia that I have done with Exodus. We didn't really have much interaction with locals. Also all the accommodation used is Government funded which personally didn't have much character! I am glad I did it and the scenery was spectacular and much nicer to see Namibia on a bike than stuck in a vehicle. Also the kilometres on the itinerary were not what we rode. We rode much less which was disappointing. The cycling is definitely not challenging ie hills, but the gravel can take a bit of getting used too and the heat of course.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many, I cannot decide between sossousvlei sand dunes, sipping wine at the watering hole watching lions, cycling through the moon landscape, or watching dolphins and seals in a boat trip. Then their were the many beautiful sunsets.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great leader, flexed the trip to fit around the weather (scorching sunshine). They worked all hours to fix the bikes as they get a battering and cook us delicious meals.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared there may be some flex on the trip notes to account for the weather and also some early starts. Be prepared for some long transfers, although the early starts meant we slept through some of them. Take in the scenery, racing through it you will miss so much.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many moments I couldn't name a single one, but watching the sunrise from the top of Dune 45, many sunsets enjoying drinks and views, and so many breathtaking views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I simply can't praise Roger enough - he was incredibly enthusiastic, bursting with energy and information, sociable, and attentive to our needs and problems. Nothing was too much trouble for him, and he was always on hand to fix bikes, answer questions and crack jokes. He dealt with any situations calmly and effectively. His support team of Ronney and Freddey were excellent and always on hand to help, cooking up fantastic food, assisting with the bikes and camp duties.

Advice for Potential Travellers

In winter the sun is very strong - most of us got burnt at some point through inattention to detail with the sunblock. You also really don't need to pack much on this trip - you stop at plenty of supermarkets to top up with snacks, wine and anything else. A washing line is handy for drying stuff around the tents. Bring plenty of reading material/music to entertain you during the long hours in the bus and evenings. Binoculars for spotting game are really worthwhile. And do take the time to learn a little bit about the animals and country before you go. While you don't have to do anything around the camp if you don't want to, the support team will always appreciate a little bit of help with packing up tents, washing up and so on. And finally, do listen to the guides - they really do know what they're talking about even if you think you know better.

Suggestions

I didn't know much about Namibia before I went, but I completely fell in love with it. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Most Inspirational Moment

Watching wildlife while sipping on red wine at the floodlit waterhole in Etosha. Sandboarding in Swakopmund. Climbing up the sand dune at dawn.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sven was great leader. Very good local knowledge both in terms of culture and wildlife. And his sidekicks Rocky and Jonas were brilliant too in keeping us well fed during the rides and while camping. A special thanks from my partner, who is on a restricted diet (gluten & dairy allergy). He was very well catered for during the whole trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I'm a coffee addict and thanks to reading a previous review I took my own fresh coffee with me (with a travel cafetiere mug). It made all the difference on early morning breakfasts on campsites. Most of the cycling is on bumpy gravel roads so take your own saddle or saddle cover unless you're a seasoned mountain biker used to it.

Suggestions

It's not the most relaxing trip though as early mornings and long transfers in the heat can make it a bit tiring. And cycling on long dead straight roads did get a bit boring towards the end of week two... But a trip well worth doing though - came back with memories that will stay with me forever.

Most Inspirational Moment

'Inspirational' would be too strong a word - the sand dunes are capitivating from the air and ground - even better when climbing or sandboarding. The wildlife is surprisingly plentiful - the waterholes at Etosha attracted almost everything worth seeing and at close quarters - so even my minature camera captured some worthwhile shots..............those with paparazzi lenses had a field day. The Namib desert in all its guises dominates...........a variable landscape and amazing that it can support this quantity of wildlife.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Swen was excellent as were his support team of Shane and Happy - they did all the tent erection/dismantling, cooking, transfers, bike maintenance - the meals prepared by Shane and Happy were first class for a camping holiday. The bikes were high quality, but the constant blowing sand made gear maintenace difficult - a number needed changing during the 12 days cycling.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You might want to bring your own saddle, or a gel seat cover..............the dirt roads are pretty bumpy.There is no humidity and it is easy to under-estimate the amount you sweat (you effectively don't while cycling as it dries immediately).  I don't drink much water normally, so really struggled to maintain intake - if like me then take some tasty additives to help you drink more.  I ate a lot of the fruit provided - but this is no where near enough.  The Namibian instant coffee is rank - take your own. 

Suggestions

If you only ever do one sub Saharan African trip, then this cycle trip would be a good one to do - reasonable amount of physical exercise, a lot of animals to see from a two day safari and a cheetah reserve visit in a very safe country with occasional oasis of western style comforts.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sunrise over the dunes at Soussevlei, seeing a zebra gallop across the road as we cycled along, the amazing night skies, hearing jackals wandering through the camp at night... too many to list

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sven, Roger & Ronnie were all very organised, patient & worked their socks off to make sure we had an excellent trip. Incredibly knowledgable about Namibia, great cooking skills, supportive during the cycling, and so enthusiastic about showing us their country. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ladies, take your own saddle - all the hire bikes have men's saddles. Don't underestimate the difficulty - distances quoted are not huge, but it's a lot more tiring cycling on untarred roads than on tarmac. On the plus side, you will definitely bond with your fellow travellers as you compare notes re sore backsides! May be worth bringing energy bars, if you have favourites - fruit & snacks are supplied regularly during the cycling, but you may want to supplement them. They also provided isotonic mix for adding to water, but again, may not be what you're used to, so if you have a favourite electrolyte powder mix, bring that. Make sure you check what adaptor you need for Namibian electrical sockets (chunky 2 or 3 pin plugs, not part of most "universal" adaptors - same as South Africa) It was unusually hot for April when we went, but just in case, bring a long-sleeved lightweight top you are happy cycling in, and possibly longish shorts.  

Suggestions

Don't be put off - provided you're looking for adventure & not luxury, you'll almost certainly love this trip. Namibia is fascinating, and every day was different. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing dunes at sunrise and being able to wander around and photograph them . Cycling down Gemsberg pass with its wonderful views. Sitting watching the theatre of action as the animals perform at the water hole in the evenings.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Swen , Roger and Rob were amazing and worked so well as a team. The camp was run very efficientantly . The food was excellent cooked over the fire on the evenings. Roger was always on hand to help with bike problems or animal tracks. Also all were so knowledgeable about the area and Namibia in General.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Train hard for tough cycling on loose gravel and sand. The heat and long gravel roads are hard going . Take lots of sun sceen, your own saddle and binoculars if you want to see animals closer when on safari.

Suggestions

Well worth the tough going as the scenery kept your mind off the gravel! If you enjoy camping but want the luxury of having the tents put up for. Enjoy a challenging cycle ride and want to see wild animals then this is the trip.