Challenge4ACause is a unique mountain biking expedition that raises funds for the critically endangered desert-adapted black rhino. With the breathtaking Damaraland desert in Namibia as the backdrop for this adventure, there are few who are brave enough to meet this challenge and fewer still, those who get to actually experience it.
At first glance, Challenge4ACause might seem a little extreme – cycling approximately 400km over the course of a week through some of the harshest and most barren areas in the world – but nothing worthwhile ever comes easy and all our past riders will tell you that this is one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives.
Challenge4ACasue is an annual event which has reaching benefits. Africa’s rhino population has reached critical status with a massive surge in poaching experienced in Southern Africa over the past 5 years. 3 rhinos are killed every day and only through massive, widespread intervention can these beautiful animals be pulled back from the brink of extinction.
We invite you to be a part of this incredible cause and join us on an extraordinary journey. Come brave the immense and beguiling Damaraland, conquer your fears and in the process leave a lasting legacy in Africa.
In 2022, the ride will take place from 24 June to 01 July. Our dedicated team will organize every part of your itinerary leaving you free to decide your arrival and departure dates from Walvis Bay. Namibia is a spectacular country, so should you wish to take in the dunes of Sossusvlei or the spectacular Etosha, our Rhino expert consultants will seamlessly plan your pre or post tours to coincide with the 2022 ride dates.
We have limited space. Max 22 pax.
On arrival in Walvis Bay you will be transferred to Cape Cross lodge, about 1.5 hours north of Walvis Bay for our first evening. Tonight you will have the opportunity to meet your fellow riders, while making best friends with your support team.
After an overnight at Cape Cross Lodge you will be driven 178 km, around 1.5 hours to the Messum Crater where our bikes will be waiting and we will do a “warm up” 65 km cycle to the foot of the brandberg where we will spend our first night.
An exciting new route to SRT Ugab camp. We will use this as our base for a pool party like no other. The carved mountains of this stage will have you looking left and right at every moment. Make sure you stay focused though, as it requires steady focus on this technical stage. Look out for the Flamingo!
With five to seven hours of cycling every day, our primary aim is to reach our next camp by lunch, to seek respite from the hottest part of the day. On this second day of intense cycling, we’ll cross rivers and hills.
Our 3rd day starts with a 15 km climb out of the gorge, before we turn west towards some spectacular plains. The ever-changing landscapes makes this a truly remarkable day, and the terrain conditions make for marvellous riding. The last 10 km however is largely made up of thick sand!
Another new Stage to C4AC 2022 as we traverse between the Huab and Kolgap rivers to Wereldend. This afternoon we will do some Rhino tracking as we go in search of the illusive desert adapted Rhino in the Palmwag concession.
Day 6 is many of the riders’ favourite, as it entails riding through some of the most breath-taking scenery of the trip. We ride the last 30km of off-road jeep track – downhill into the Huab River. Tonight, our stay is simply spectacular, as we camp at the base of a sheer red cliff-face, which we share with small colonies of rosy-faced lovebirds.
Tonight we will do sundowners in the Huab river as we go in search of dessert elephants.
From this point there is just a river and a short mountain pass that separates us from our final destination, Doros Nawas, where we can look back on our unbelievable trip and marvel at our incredible achievements. We’ve conquered the ride!
Riders are taken on the five hour drive back to Walvis Bay or Windhoek. Those who have chosen to fly, can go on a morning game-drive at Doro Nawas, where they will search for the elusive desert-adapted rhino and elephant.
Cycling in a completely remote wilderness area, without any contact to the outside world, while supporting wildlife conservation efforts at the same time, was the most fulfilling experience. Making sure that our children grow up in a world where endangered species enjoy the protection they deserve is the best possible reason to go through the strenuous adventure of cycling in the dry and dusty Damaraland desert. The friendships and memories made during these 7 days are invaluable and will be with me for the rest of my life.
Our primary motivation behind cycling across this spectacular desert landscape is to raise awareness and vital funding to help local Damaraland communities in the protection of their desert-adapted black rhinos. Giving back is part of our DNA, but more than this, it is an opportunity to invite our fund-raisers to experience these ancient landscapes, and meet the people who work tirelessly to ensure our wildlife remains for generations to come. It is a unique opportunity to combine a passion for mountain biking, while leaving a tangible legacy in Africa.
Experiencing the vastness of the land, the extreme, the desert in such a unique way was a lifetime experience and a true privilege. What started out with the mission to raise awareness to the issue of poaching turned out to be so much more. A journey experiencing my personal boundaries and a journey into the land where the poaching is actually is happening, experiencing the tough environment the Rhinos live in gave me a whole new perspective, understanding and respect for those amazing animals which need to be protected for generations to come. I will never forget this experience and am thankful having had the chance to contribute to this noble cause.
Ideally you should be relatively fit and have general mountain biking skills. You are in the saddle for as much as five to seven hours a day. To find the ride comfortable, we suggest that people have a relatively active lifestyle and are active at least three to four times a week, whether it is running, hiking, cycling etc.
A highly professional team from Namibia (Cycletec). They own one of the top cycling shops in the country and have been in the industry as professional cyclists and mountain bikers for many years. A back-up team as well as a technician are on hand to look after the bikes during each day of the challenge. They also maintain the bikes at the end of each day.
All accommodation during the trip is included (as well as tents and bedding). This extends to all meals, water, drinks, and snacks for each day of the challenge. Guests are expected to provide their own clothing and any extra bedding they might require. Alcohol is available, but limited in variety, so if there is anything in particular you fancy, you can either ask Dawid to ensure it is included, or bring it along in your own luggage.
See our essential and general packing list for more details.
You can do either. Bike hire is included in the cost. Guests can bring their own bikes but the additional costs for flying it to Namibia has to be managed on the rider’s own account, along with additional parts needed due to any damages that may occur during the cycle.
You can certainly do a pre or post tour. Rhino Africa will put guests in contact with a consultant who will provide options to best suit each person’s particular itineraries and interests.
Some of the areas we’re cycling through are incredibly remote and the animals are rather shy – but anything is possible. Participants may catch sight of desert elephants, lions and lots of general game such as gemsbok, zebra, springbok and other antelope. Hopefully a rhino will make an appearance, but with the vehicles and amount of noise the cyclists generate at times, the game can sometimes be scared off before we manage to see them. We will arrange a few game-drives, which will hopefully improve our chances of seeing more animals.
The total cost for Challenge4ACause is US$5, 900 per person. US$2, 900 covers all of your costs, including your bike hire. The remaining US$3, 000 is transferred to our various beneficiaries.
If you would like us to Reserve your space tentatively on next year’s Tour please e-mail Dawid@rhinoafrica.com.
Dawid will send you a Save date. We will aim to finalise all logistics, confirm costs and participation by the end Nov 2021.
Not up for the Ride but still want to leave a legacy in Africa? You can still play your part in uplifting Africa’s wildlife and people. We would greatly appreciate any and all contributions.
Cost Per Person
US$3,500
Includes: US$500 donation to beneficiaries, Bike hire, Return Road Transfers from Walvis Bay, All meals, All accommodation, All drinks – both soft and alcoholic
Excludes: International or regional flights, Charter flight return to Walvis bay, Personal purchases
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