Roads: 2
The “D” roads can be very bad. Corrugated, soft sand, rocky or covered cobble like surface. Riding is very tough. Local information is the only good source to find out if a “D” road is well maintained because these gravel roads change with use, wind, and rain. The locals know the roads and a few “D” roads are excellent. The paved “C” roads are very good but again local information will let you know if the dirt “C” road is well maintained. The “B” roads are very good but the shoulders are not well maintained and the traffic tends to be very fast.
Traffic: 5
Avoid riding on Fridays and Sundays on the main “B” highways especially in and around large cities because fast moving mini vans with trailers speed workers to and from their homes. The paved “C” roads are generally very quiet and most dirt “D” roads are usually quiet. Near attractions like Sossusvlei the roads are busy and dusty.
Weather: 3
We like it hot but Namibia can have blistering dry heat. In November temperatures can reach 40 c. Fluid intake is essential. By the end of November the clouds are building and that helps hold down the radiant heat. Occasionally rain was a reason to ride, not stop because it felt so refreshing.
Winds: 2
Winds are a problem and hard to predict so it’s hard to know how hard your ride will be in the Namibian heat. An unexpected head wind can really slow you down. The winds are fickle in direction and strength.
Scenery: 7
There’s a lot of nothing between spectacular scenery. Soussusvlei is mountain-like sand dunes. Areas around Aba Huah look like Utah and the Skeleton Coast seems God forsaken. There are long stretches of a “whole lot to nothing.”
Information: 3
Tokkie Bombosh at Cyletec bicycle shop in Windhoek Namibia who also runs bike tours is an excellent source of information (cycletec@iafrica.com.na). Local information is King. Tokkie directed us to highlights but locals guided us to the roads that were in the best condition. The tourist board puts out a book with “all” accommodations but there were far more than were in the book.
Road Safety: 4
In Namibia, as in all of Southern Africa, the drivers have no clue to give you some room when they pass you on the road. When they double up, you must get off the road. They will not yield. The traffic is fast moving on all the roads. You must know when a vehicle is coming up behind you. On the other hand, most “C” and “D” roads are safe simply because they are so quiet. “B1” can be treacherous, especially on Fridays and Sundays.
General Safety: 7
There were a few complaints by locals that Namibian cities were going the way of South Africa but we never felt danger. As usual the countryside is safe, but we were warned in Windhoek and Swakopmund not to wander around alone at night, especially at the end of the month when people are out of money. We did walk around in the early evening without a problem. It’s very safe by African standards.
Value: 6
Our camper was very expensive; otherwise all else is good value. Good food and accommodations are at reasonable prices. Fuel was fairly cheap. Simply because we opted (wisely) to have a vehicle it ended up to be expensive.
Fluids: 4
Most of the water comes from deep wells under the desert and it’s excellent. The problem is distances between stores. Riding without support would be problematical for fluids. Our camper with coolers was the perfect solution to having lots of cold water. Namibian breweries are excellent, and South African wines are available a reasonable prices everywhere
Food: 5
Meat, meat more meat and potatoes. It’s all very good. The big German influence is seen for breakfasts and lunches of cheese and salami on fresh rolls. It’s all very good quality. Drinkable yogurt was a favorite fast breakfast.
Accomodations: 5
We ended up camping in a 4x4 truck with a tent on top of the cab. The distances were so long we needed a car. We don’t like to camp. There are a lot of B& B’s, guesthouses, guest farms and safari lodges. There are also lots of very nice places to camp.
People: 7
There’s a post card that depicts a VW bug riding through a huge desert expanse with a cartoon caption, “Where are all the people?” There are few people but they are friendly and helpful. The locals will talk with you all day. And they are interesting and opinionated. The far north is really the only ethnically interesting area.
Culture: 5
The south is very white, South African and German influenced. In the far north there are some unique and intact cultures. Heraro, with their Victorian dress, the bare breasted Himba and the Bushmen with their subsistence and joyful lifestyles. All are unaffected by the outside world. Their music is the 4, 6 or 8 part voice harmony. There are many tribal languages including the “click” language.
History: 3
It’s a short history. Strictly from the European point of view and dating from 1890. There are a few colonial building in the cities not much else.
TOTAL SCORE 68