Cycle, Safari and Stargaze in Namibia: The 2026 Edition

It's no secret that we love cycling and many of us at HQ think it's the best way to see a country, however, we realise that organising your own trip can be a total faff. On our cycling trips, we've found a local guide who has put together a perfect route and will navigate for you all the way. We even send a van that transports your overnight luggage and provide high-quality bikes and delicious snacks to keep you going. Faff eliminated! All you have to do is turn up, pedal and take in the landscape with your fellow tourers. You don't need to be a lycra-clad 'roadie' although they're welcome too!

You will typically be riding Silverback or GT 29ers hardtail entry level mountain bikes for the majority of the trip. These are light hardtail aluminium mountain bikes - perfect for riding on road and tracks. The bikes are equipped with two water bottle cages. You are also welcome to bring your own bike, but make sure its well serviced and please note it will need to have tubeless tyres.

For your time on the sand dunes you will be provided with a fat bike - these are mountain bikes fitted with extra large tyres that make them perfect for riding on sand. The super fat tyres distribute the rider’s mass across a larger area, so that you don't sink in and can gain more traction than with a standard tyre size. You can ride easily and with stability over firm packed sand. No previous experience is needed.

For a more comfortable ride, you can rent a Full Suspension Mountain Bike (S-Works/Specialised) locally. Please see the 'Optional Extras' section for more details.

In Etosha, your host uses the main trip vehicle for the game drives, which we feel offers the best experience and value for money. The main trip vehicle is specially adapted to offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities from large windows and a pop-up roof hatch. These vehicles also provide shelter from the dust and elements which can be uncomfortable for some depending on the weather in Etosha.

For those who wish to have a different experience, there is also sometimes the option to go on a game drive in an open 4x4 Jeep with a park ranger (if time allows). This option is bookable locally and costs 1600 Namibian Dollars (around £70 per person).

There will be one driver and one cycling guide.

All your accommodation is pre-booked, and your luggage is transferred from one point to the next. As everything will be transported by the support vehicle which there will be access to throughout the day you can cycle completely unburdened if you wish to. We do suggest bringing a small bumbag for carrying essential items like money, phone, sun cream and a snack. The van also carries tools and spare bike bits if needed.

Your host will often be able to provide you with clean, safe drinking water from large containers. At certain times of the year, the tap water can have a slightly strange (brackish) taste to it, and on these trips, the guide will advise and help you to pick up large containers of drinking water at the start of the trip in order to refill your smaller bottle as you go. This will be at your own expense. Therefore, bring a refillable bottle, it will be used well.

In the event of poor weather such as heavy rain, strong winds and/or storms, it is possible that conditions may become unsafe to complete the planned rides on this trip. Your guide will assess the conditions and weather forecasts and make a decision with your safety in mind. If it becomes necessary to make a change to the planned itinerary, an alternative route or activity will be offered.

Most places in Namibia will accept both the Namibian Dollar and the South African Rand. Money can be exchanged on arrival at the airport or withdrawn from ATMs during the trip. Many local purchases can be made by card. Plan ahead before you travel to avoid paying unnecessary charges and fees.

Visa requirements often change, and you are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. The following advice may be subject to change. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice.

From 1 April 2025, UK citizens, US citizens (and most EU citizens) will need a visa to visit Namibia. This can generally be done on arrival, and costs 1600 Namibian Dollars for citizens from non-African countries. As the system is relatively new, we would advise applying in advance to ensure a smooth process on arrival.

For more information and to apply for the visa, please visit the website for Namibia's [Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security.] (https://eservices.mhaiss.gov.na)

This trip visits locations where daytime temperatures can be extremely high during the times of year when this trip operates. High humidity and limited access to shade can also be factors, and warm temperatures can continue into the nighttime, which additionally influences the body’s ability to cool down. Personal care should be taken to keep cool as best possible in the conditions, such as wearing appropriate clothing and proper hydration. Very high temperatures can impair an individual’s physical abilities to perform an activity that they may otherwise be able to do competently at cooler temperatures. People may experience symptoms associated with dehydration and heat stroke. Your guide(s) are trained to mitigate the risks associated with high temperatures, by carefully managing the intensity of the activity, and to provide the appropriate support response should someone feel ill during the trip. Should you experience health issues during your trip you should inform your guide immediately so the proper care can be provided.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.