Distance: 200km / 120mi 4 hours) Level 2

We collect the bikes this morning and after the paperwork is done the Tread team will run through a safety briefing and the first of our daily route briefings for the ride ahead. To acclimatise and familiarise the group with their trusty ‘steed’s’ for the next two weeks we will take an introduction ride that loops through the “C” roads east of Windhoek, these are seasonally graded roads so it’s a good introduction to what we can expect over the next two weeks.

Distance: 220km / 130mi (4 hours) Level 2

It’s an early start for a long gravel ride today, 20km outside of the city we take the gravel road through the first feel of the Namib Desert where the vast desert landscape jostles with the clear blue sky on the horizon in a shimmering mirage all the way. Our support vehicle will have prepared lunch and refreshments enroute. Our lodge for the night is a truly African experience, where animals from all around the region visit the neighbouring waterhole and we refuel with a BBQ dinner under a starlit African sky.

Distance: 250km / 145mi (4 hours) Level 2

We hit the road early to get to the National Park for an afternoon/evening game drive into the Park on an open safari vehicle. The ride continues through the desert scrub, the roads are graded annually and provide a challenging but enjoyable experience. We will arrive at the National Park in time for lunch and an ice cold beverage before spending the afternoon game viewing in an open safari vehicle in search of four of the ‘Big 5’. Dinner back at the tented lodge will be a traditional African ‘Braai’ (BBQ).

Distance: 280km / 160mi (Level 3)

Gravel, gravel and more gravel. Some of the most diverse and amazing desert scenery you will ever see. It’s a full days ride and after arrival at the tented lodge it’s straight to the poolside bar and a relaxed evening once again under the starlit African sky. A friendly Bull elephant who is well acquainted with the lodge staff often arrives for an evening fill of pool water – so no swimming after sunset!

Distance: Outride option 170km / 110mi

Rest day or outride? The lodge borders a Big 5 Game Reserve and riders can choose to take a game drive in the morning or evening. For the gravel hungry, any riders wanting to test their metal against some technical sections they can choose to do a loop outride into the Anabeb Conservancy, it’s a jeep track / tweespoor route that is manageable by strong intermediate to advanced riders, alternatively those wanting to see the area are able to ride along in the back up vehicle. It is a region well worth the visit however resting up next to the pool that overlooks the National Park is an opportunity to recharge for the challenge ahead and a great way to spend the day.

Distance: 190km / 100mi (6 hours) Level 3

We head for the renowned Skeleton Coast today, the ride is mostly gravel and takes us from the Torra Conservancy to the Skeleton Coast National Park. Once you enter the park the landscape feels like you are riding on the moon. As you near the coast the landscape shifts again and as desert sands meet with the coastal sands a fine mist rises plume-like off your rear tyre as you progress through the sandy roads to Terrace Bay, rugged and remote you will feel a sense of true exploration. About 30 miles from the coast the cool sea air from the Atlantic is a well-received respite from the desert heat. Our accommodation is at the end of section of the ride that will test your sand skills and make the cold beverages even more enjoyable.

Distance: 390km / 240mi (7 hours) Level 2/3

This is a big day of riding. After leaving the overnight accommodation and retracing our steps sand gives way to a Salt Road that traces the coastline for the length of the Southern Skeleton Coast. Shipwrecks litter the coastline and seal colonies are prevalent all the way. Riding this road you will wish that it would never end and that the sun never sets – its one of those roads that you will wish you could ride to the end of the earth. We will have lunch along the way and visit a seal colony. We are in the town of Walvis Bay tonight, hotel accommodation and dinner at one of the seafood restaurants.

Distance: 300km / 180mi (5 hours) Level 3

Namibia is a vast land and today’s 180miles will show you just how big it is. After leaving the confines of Walvis Bay we head into the Namib-Naukluft National Park the curvature of the earth encircles the riders as we trace the wide open roads through landscape that seems to prove that the Earth is flat! Lunch is at a unique oasis restaurant where we can replenish and refuel. A few miles before our destination mountainous orange sand dunes rise up to the clear azure sky and time to stop for a selfie! Gin & Tonic and a sunset drive to the dunes. Our accommodation is a luxury tented lodge that sits atop a prehistoric dune with breathtaking sunsets and sunrises.

Distance: Optional Ride Out (3 hours) Level 3

We stay in Sesriem for another day and night. Early morning ride to the end of the tar road, thereafter riders get into a vehicle for the last mile of deep thick sand to the Sossusvlei Dunes and Dead Vlei – two of the most iconic places in Namibia. There is an option of an afternoon ride to the Naukluft Mountain Pass or simply chill at the lodge pool for the afternoon bringing relief from the Namibian sun. Dinner will be accompanied by an open fire and that renowned bright starlit sky.

Distance: 250km / 150mi (4 hours) Level 2/3

We ride alongside the Mt. Awasibberg mountain range all day today, the heart of the Namib-Naukluft desert region. It’s a graded gravel road all the way, watch out for errant ostriches as they race you along the desert road. We are staying in a classic Namibian German homestead for the night.

Distance: 360km / 230mi (5 hours) Level 3

It’s a fairly long route today, the first 80 miles is a continuation through the Naukluft region, almost two thirds of the ride will be on smooth tar from Aus to Luderitz and back. Along the way we will see the Wild Horses of Namib and spend a bit of time at the “ghost town” of Kolmanskop, an historic German settlement that has been consumed by the desert sands. Lunch will be a seafood fest at the port town of Luderitz. After lunch it’s a fast tar road ride to Aus where the lodge bar and pool await.

Distance: 300km / 180mi (Level 2/3)

After an 80 mile tar road ride we turn onto the Fish River Canyon gravel road that meanders through the mountainous region, it’s a peacefully slow ride up and down a series of spectacular passes. Accommodation is at a unique lodge in the desert. We will take a sunset ride (or drive) to the Canyon lookout for drinks and then dinner back at the lodge. It’s been a long day so sleep will come easily.

Distance: 200km / 120mi (Level 2/3)

We ride out of the canyon region through the same mountain passes as per the previous day, there are a few technical but easily achievable sections out of the region. We stay at a lodge near Keetmanshoop. Once again you will embrace the magnificent sunset and starlit night. We while away the evening around an open fire as a bush chef prepares yet another spectacular meal over the fire.

Distance: 280km / 170mi (Level 2/3)

With the sun barely up on the horizon we start a long day through the eastern side of the country. The road undulates and meanders through some of the most amazing desert landscapes, the quiver tree forests and red sand expanses embrace the graded gravel road all the way to the resort town of Mariental and our lodge accommodation overlooking the Hardap Dam and National Park.

Distance: 350km / 210mi (Level 2/3)

We leave the lodge soon after an early breakfast, it’s a long last day in the saddle. We ride 200 miles of gravel today, through the Namib desert landscape that changes almost every 50 miles from dunes to craggy mountains – the roads seem to go on forever. Windhoek looms large as we come to the end of a truly momentous ride. After dropping off the bikes and checking into the lodge on the outskirts of the city we will enjoy the last Namibian sunset around the open fire.