A REACH TOO FAR

This is not the story I thought I’d be writing when I began my motorcycling adventure on Namibia’s gravel roads.

- Judith Macaluso

If I’d imagined an opening paragraph then, it would have been universally encouraging, definitely including the concept, “I’m 68 and if I can do it so can you!”

This trip was, without question, the motorcycling experience of a lifetime, but it was not “soft adventure” travel, and I was about to push my off-road skills beyond their limits.

Why ride Namibia? Famously, Namibia has the highest and most beautiful sand dunes on the planet, as well as the world’s oldest desert. It is an off-roader’s fantasy— 80% of the roads are unpaved. The country is just north of South Africa and has the same iconic animals as the other southern Africa safari countries, including more cheetahs than anywhere else. In fact, in Namibia’s far north is one of the most famous safari destinations, Etosha National Park.

Not only that, but Namibia’s official language is English, and it’s a safe, well-organized country. You’d be hard pressed to find a more enticing motorcycling destination.

Several companies feature motorcycle tours through Namibia, including experienced and reliable stateside outfits. My preference is for local companies, and after researching Gravel Travel I signed up for their “Namibia Special Tour,” which ended up being a perfect choice.

After landing at the airport in Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, I was greeted by a guy who was way too cool to be holding a greeting sign in the arrivals area. Andi was to be our guide, and he immediately used his gametracking skills to identify the other 12 Gravel Travel riders among the scores of folks leaving baggage claim after our flight from Frankfurt, Germany.