2009 was a closed event, but in 2010 we invited anyone brave enough to join our Challenge and contribute to our cause.
This year 18 lucky challengers will emulate the 2009 challenge, which means cycling
330km in 7 days across the dust, sand and rock of the Damaraland Desert. It's not going to be easy, but it is a challenge!
Click here to read the tale of our epic 2009 Cycling Challenge!Each participant will have to cover his/her participation fee and international flights (an estimated R20,000). In addition with the help of our challengers we hope to raise R200 000 for the
Save The Rhino Trust. This money will fund an anti-poaching unit to help save the desert-adapted and endangered black rhino. We will be striving to make a difference while experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in an amazing part of the world.
Click here to help us reach our fundraising target by making a donation. See the full itinerary for July 2010 at the bottom of this page...
Day 1- Friday, 23rd July: Windhoek Airport to Palmwag Lodge
Upon arrival at Windhoek airport we drive north past Otjiwarongo, Outjo, and Kamanjab over the Grootberg Pass and into the heart of the Damaraland Desert. Our first night is spent in tents at the Palmwag Lodge as we make preparations for the epic adventure.
Day 2- Saturday, 24th July: Palmwag circularWe begin with a 55km ride to acclimatise ourselves to the rough and tough desert conditions: dry and dusty barren landscapes, searing heat during the day and a distinct chill at night. We cycle 20km and enter the Palmwag Consession Area, hoping to spot wildlife along the way. We visit the Save the Rhino research centre and enjoy one more night at Palmwag Lodge. And then we leave civilisation behind.
Day 3- Sunday 25th July: Palmwag Wereldsend (Worlds End)
The hard work begins. We leave at first light and wheel our way into the heart of Damaraland. It seems like nothing lives here but the Springbuck, Oryx, Giraffe, Zebra, Kudu and of course the Rhino have somehow adapted to the rugged desert. We are on the lookout for these and the desert-adapted black lion! It is a long day's riding and with heavy legs we sleep under the stars in our erected camp.
Day 4- Monday 26th July: Wereldsend Overhang Rocks
We cycle along a dusty gravel road for 50km before racing downhill into the Huab River plains. We set up camp beside a huge sandstone cliff and watch the shadows lengthen over the desert landscape before falling asleep like a log.
Day 5- Tuesday 27th July: Overhang Rocks Cliff Camp
We follow the dry Huab river until it is transformed into a lush green oasis with some natural springs that support an array of wildlife, such as desert elephants. We stop at an awesome viewpoint before making our way to Cliff Camp, in the middle of the Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world.
Day 6- Wednesday 28th July: Cliff Camp Save The Rhino Ugab Camp
A hard day's cycle awaits us. We ride hard and long to the Ugab River, one of the great waterways that has given life to the Namib Desert. The heat is blistering and shade is almost non-existent but there are no shortcuts for the faint-hearted. We reach the Save the Rhino Trust research centre at Ugab Camp and the basic facilities there feel like the epitome of luxury after so long in the desert!
Day 7- Thursday 29th July: Save The Rhino Ugab Camp Guantagab Camp
We pass some amazing rock formations around the famous Brandberg Mountain a huge dolomite outcrop 10km in diameter and forming the highest point in Namibia of over 2000m. The Doros Crater looks like the moon and you really do feel as if you are on another planet. Eventually we pitch our last camp in the dry Guantagab riverbed.
Day 8- Friday 30th July: Guantagab Camp Doro Nawas
The last day is a relatively short cycle, though our rears will by now be begging for mercy! We should reach the Doro Nawas camp by midday where we enjoy a deserved lunch and sleep in a proper bed.
Day 9- Saturday 31st July: Doro Nawas Windhoek - Cape Town
After breakfast we return to Windhoek airport by car to catch our flight back to Cape Town at the end of an unforgettable adventure!
Pledge here to make a donation to help Rhino Africa achieve our goal of raising in excess of R200,000 for the
Save The Rhino trust!
