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Quad Biking in Africa
Quad biking the sand dunes of Namibia - what a cool way to explore the land! Writer Marie Javins recently shared her African adventure biking tale, which sounds like loads of fun. I'm not sure which company Marie used for her excursion, but I did find this one operating in Swakopmund and it could very well be the one she went with.
Marie does mention that she realizes that quad biking might not be the best eco-friendly sport for the Namib dunes to endure. I did find this dated article about a proposed green tax for adventure companies using the bikes, but could not confirm if it is in place. These are also efforts underway to create an eco-park encompassing the coastal dunes. In many cases, there are specific areas designated for these bikes, which some say are far less damaging to the terrain than most off-road vehicles.
I still think this is a neat way to get around, but I do try to be informed about the environmental impact of activities like this before I decide to hop on board. In this case, I'd probably still do it if given the chance in my travels. Would you?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Willy Dec 18th 2005 5:34PM
I went sand boarding in Swakopmund in 2000. It was freakin' awesome (and a great hangover cure). I went with Alter-Action (http://www.africa-adventure.org/a/alteraction/). They told us that it was somewhat bad for the dunes to sand board or quad through them -- something about destroying micro-organisms that live in the sand. I'm sure that's true, but the winds whip in this area, and you can't help but think that this causes just as much damage as bikes... I saw some quads that morning, and I also saw some big 4x4's roaring through the desert. If you head to this part of Namibia and you DON'T try boarding or quadding, you've really made a huge mistake.
Moreover, I went quadding outside Durban, SA, in a huge sugar cane plantation in 2001 with Fat Traxx (http://www.whattodo.co.za/fattraxx/). Would've paid double for it.
jon Dec 18th 2005 5:34PM
At Cape Cross Lodge, up the coast at, erm, Cape Cross in Namibia, they used to loan out quad bikes to guests. Dylan, the guy who runs the lodge is a super-cool guy and knows all about the flora and fauna of the area and stopped lending them out because of all the damage people were doing to the local ecosystem.
A tyre track through a lichen field will stay there for 100 years - you can still see the cart tracks from the original pioneers in some places.
Plus, I can't ride the bloody things cos I'm too used to a motorbike and try and turn by leaning. Then crash.
Marie Dec 18th 2005 5:34PM
Hi. Marie here, the one who went quad-biking. I booked with "Outback Orange Adventure Centre" in Swakopmund. They are right across the street from Gruner Kranz/Swakop Lodge.
Most people come to Swakopmund on overland trucks or with budget camping safaris (such as "Crazy Kudu," "Wild Dog," and "Chameleon Safaris.") These book the quad-bikes or sand-boarding for you. Independent travelers can just stroll up to any travel agent in town.
As for sand-boarding, I did that once and don't forget... what goes down, must go up. You get to walk back up the dunes after sliding down.