Tour d'Afrique To Host Two Cycling Tours of Namibia, One North and One South, Beginning Late Summer 2011

TORONTO, CANADA, October 01, 2010 (Press-News.org) Spotlight on Namibia's "Rugged North" and "Scenic South" Cycling Tours Can Be Combined to Create a Comprehensive 48-Day Adventure

Tour d'Afrique (http://www.tourdafrique.com/), the company that introduced the world to multi-country, cross-continental cycling tours, announces two first-ever, 20-day tours of Namibia beginning in late August 2011. The Rugged North goes off-road from Windhoek to Etosha across rugged rolling hills to the barren Skeleton Coast. The Scenic South journeys through mountains, dunes and desert from Windhoek to Luderitz. The tours can be taken separately or combined after a short rest into one 48-day adventure.

Why Namibia for an over-the-top cycle tour? Tour d'Afrique founder and director Henry Gold had this to say, "Namibia is one of the most beautiful places on earth and in a way a hidden jewel at least as far as cycling is concerned. It has amazing and ever-changing scenery and is sparely populated. We just had to ride there."

Typical of Tour d'Afrique cycling adventures, itineraries offer 14 days of cycling with rest days for exploring natural and cultural sites. Each tour covers 1300 kilometers (808 miles) and averages 93 kilometers (58 miles) per day over off-road terrain and dirt and gravel tracks. A fat tire bicycle is required.

The Rugged North - Aug. 28 to Sept. 16, 2011 - EUR2,300 per person: The departure site for both trips, Windhoek, is the capital of Namibia. The trip heads north over the endless rolling hills of Khomas Hochland with views of the granite mountain, Spitzkoppe. It then continues through the Damaraland (think elusive desert elephants here) and on to the desolate Skeleton Coast. Along the Skeleton Coast two worlds collide between the hostile South Atlantic and coastal sand dunes harbouring some of Namibia's best wildlife. After sightings of shipwrecks the route turns inland passing through the Kunene region, home to the nomadic Himba tribe. The journey ends at the world-famous Etosha National Park for more game viewing before the transfer back to Windhoek Sept. 16. http://www.tourdafrique.com/tours/spotlightonnamibianorth/overview

The Scenic South - Sept 25 to Oct. 14, 2011 - EUR2,300 per person: From Windhoek the trip heads west through the mountain passes of Gamsberg and Kuiseb to enter Naukluft park, pedaling through the fanciful rock formations of the Tinka flats. Along with game, there will be a moon-like landscape and a look at the ancient Welwitsha plants (often described as 'unlike any known plant on earth'). Between the Atlantic and the Namib Desert is an old German town, Swakopmund, Namibia's adrenaline capital with dune sliding, skydiving and dolphin swims. Cyclists visit the highest dune in the world at Sossusvlei, a stop before the Namib Rand Nature Reserve where participants can ride with wild horses. The journey ends at the little German town of Luderitz, viewing the bay and tuning into diamond mining lore on a tour to Kolmanskop before a transfer back to Windhoek Oct. 14.
http://www.tourdafrique.com/tours/spotlightonnamibiasouth

Gold further quoted the Lonely Planet Guide Book on Namibia when describing how special this destination is, "Namibia is a photographer's dream - it boasts wild seascapes, rugged mountains, lonely deserts, stunning wildlife, colonial cities and nearly unlimited elbow room. Namibia is one of those places that make you question whether something so visually orgasmic could actually exist."

Clients who sign up for both tours receive a 10 percent discount. If payment of the Full Tour entry fee is made before March 25, 2011 a discount of 115 Euros will also apply.

Tour d'Afrique provides the tour framework and support systems, including: tour staff, nutritious meals (all breakfasts, roadside lunch on riding days & dinner on riding days except the day before a rest day), accommodations, daily routes and logistics, optional side trips (additional cost), park permits and the overland vehicles that transport the bulk of rider's baggage each day.

About Tour d'Afrique
Tour d'Afrique Ltd, (http://www.tourdafrique.com/) is named for its 2003 flagship cycling tour that annually traverses the African continent from Cairo to Cape Town (7,500 miles in four months). Directly and indirectly Tour d'Afrique benefits third world countries by organizing and staging transcontinental bicycle tours and races lasting 10 days to four months, today traversing all or part of five continents and over 30 countries.

In addition to Spotlight on Namibia - The Rugged North and The Scenic South, Tour d'Afrique will offer seven other epic cycling tours in 2011: The North American Epic from San Francisco to St. John's, Newfoundland, The Orient Express from Paris to Istanbul, Samba Tango Adventure from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires, Vuelta Sudamericana from Buenos Aires to Lima, Tour d'Afrique from Cairo to Cape Town, the Indian Adventure from Agra to Kanyakumari, and Spotlight on Turkey from Ankara to Istanbul.

Tour d'Afrique's mission is to create cycling events that appeal to amateurs and professionals alike. Participants range from ages 18 to 80 and the common thread is a spirit of high adventure and a desire for truly transformational travel experiences.

The company's new DreamTour (http://www.tourdafrique.com/dreamtours) web 2.0 concept encourages individuals to submit their own trip of a lifetime that will then be open and crowd-sourced to other riders who may want to join in. A Tour d'Afrique Foundation (http://www.tourdafrique.com/foundation) promotes giving back to the communities touched by the tours and raises consciousness about the many benefits of bicycles as a means of sustainable transportation.

For tour dates, prices and more information visit: http://www.tourdafrique.com/, call +1-416-364-8255 or email the team at info@tourdafrique.com.


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About Tour d'Afrique
Tour d'Afrique Ltd, (http://www.tourdafrique.com/) is named for its 2003 flagship cycling tour that annually traverses the African continent from Cairo to Cape Town (7,500 miles in four months). Directly and indirectly Tour d'Afrique benefits third world countries by organizing and staging transcontinental bicycle tours and races lasting 10 days to four months, today traversing all or part of five continents and over 30 countries.