Desert Explorers Swakopmund | Quad Bike Tour Review

In this article I will review the Quad Biking Explorer Tour through the Namib Desert that I did with Desert Explorers Swakopmund.

The tour was one of the highlights of my 3-week journey from Victoria Falls to Cape Town via Botswana and Namibia. It’s an activity that I think you should not miss out on when you visit Swakopmund.

Read next: 18 Unmissable Things To Do In Namibia

About the Quad Biking Explorer Tour with Desert Explorers

Why this tour?

My two goals to achieve in Swakopmund were to:

• Explore the Namib Desert to discover the little creatures that live there; and
• Ride a quad bike through the desert for an adrenaline rush.

I thought I would have to book two separate tours to fulfill those needs. However, I discovered that Desert Explorers Swakopmund combines both these activities into one tour!

Needless to say with the limited amount of time I had in Swakopmund I pulled the trigger instantly and booked right away. Desert Explorers calls the tour the “Quad Biking Explorer Tour”.

What’s included in the Quad Biking Explorer Tour?

The Quad Biking Explorer Tour typically lasts about 3 hours. That means 3-hours on the quad bike to roam the desert. What’s also included is a pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation if you don’t have your own vehicle. During the tour some water will also be provided.

The tour is accompanied by professional guides that will tell you all about the desert and the animals living in it. They also give you instructions on how to operate the quad bike and help you in case you get stuck in the sand.

What to bring along on your quad bike adventure?

You don’t need to bring a lot on a quad biking tour, but I highly encourage you to bring the following:

• Sunscreen | Swakopmund is usually cloudy or misty, but you are in the desert after all. So, when the sun comes out you will need the sunscreen!
• Water | Again, you are in the desert so water is essential. Some water is provided during the tour and while this is sufficient on a cloudy day, certainly bring some extra when it’s sunny.
• Camera equipment (protection) | Your phone does the trick whenever you are riding the quad bike, but take your camera for some better shots of the animals. Pack your camera away to protect it from the sand when you’re riding.
• Layered clothing | Less is more when it comes to clothes in the desert? Wrong! It’s usually quite cold in Swakopmund, so layer up to be more comfortable. Strip down to fewer layers if the sun does decide to show itself.
• Travel Insurance | If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. So make sure to take out travel insurance just in case something happens. Get a quote from Heymondo with 5% off as a reader of Next Journey Ahead.

Review: Desert Explorers’ Quad Bike Explorer Tour

Arrival at Desert Explorers Adventure Centre

Included in your tour price is a pick up and drop off at your accommodation. For me the pick up was exactly on time and a perfect indication of the professionalism of this company. This becomes even more apparent when you arrive at the Desert Explorers Adventure Centre. This is the place where all quad bike tours begin.

The Equipment

Upon arrival you’ll be welcomed and introduced to your tour guides. They will help you with a helmet that fits your head. While waiting for the others in your group you can have a chat with the parrots, or the other participants of course.

Everyone done? Then you’ll be taken outside to where all the quad bikes are stationed. Hop on your designated quad bike, and then pay attention to the guide’s instructions. The quad bikes are pretty simple to operate, so no need to worry.

I thought the quad bikes were in perfect condition, at least from what I could tell anyway. Also none of them broke down during the tour which I guess is another testament to the equipment’s excellent condition.

Tour through the Namib Desert

All set? Then go! From the Desert Explorers Adventure Centre you ride right into the desert. It’s super exciting to drive on a quad bike, especially if like me, you’ve never ridden one before. At first it takes some getting used to, but when you get the hang of it then let that engine rev!

The guides know exactly where to go and for your safety one guide is driving in front and the other at the back of the group. So no worries, you won’t get lost in the desert.

Find ‘The Little 5’

Of course riding that quad bike through the desert is a lot of fun, but what makes it even better is some animal encounters. Of course there is no guarantee that you will see animals, but the Desert Explorers’ guides usually know where and how to find them.

The animals in the desert here are referred to as ‘The Little 5’. Will you find all of them?

• Namaqua Chameleon | Changes colour when it’s eating while pointing it’s eyes in every imaginable direction.
• Shovel Snouted Lizard | This southern African lizard was not happy to see any humans and continuously made a run for it when we approached.
• Web Footed Gecko | This little gecko gives a lion cub a run for its money in the cuteness department. And I can only describe this gecko’s temperament as feisty. Love it!
• Sidewinder Puff Adder | We found a baby sidewinder that only showed it’s eyes from underneath the sand.
• Wheel Spider | This creepy crawler takes up an important role in the circle of life.

Our group consisted of about 12 people, and was lucky enough to find all of the little 5. But because the animals are so small it was sometimes hard to properly see them. Especially when another group joined us to also have a look. So do keep that in mind.

Enjoy the views from the top of the sand dunes

Another experience on this tour, apart from the quad biking and the animals is the Namib Desert itself. The rolling sand dunes and the views of the dunes ending in Atlantic Ocean are stunning. Also the clouds and mist of Swakopmund add a certain eeriness to this part of the Namib Desert. So, when you get the chance to park the quad, certainly head up to the top of the sand dunes!

Value for money at Desert Explorers Swakopmund

Desert Explorers advertises that the tour takes up to about 3 hours. However in total the tour lasted at least an extra hour for my group. The guides went out of their way to find all the animals, which is probably why the tour took a little longer.

The price of the tour is about USD 45. Even without the extra time we got I found the tour to be of excellent value for money.

Where to stay in Swakopmund

You don’t have to stay close to the Desert Explorers Adventure Centre to enjoy this tour, because they will pick you up for free anywhere in Swakopmund.

These are my recommendations:

• Just outside of the center you can stay at Stay @ Swakop where the owner runs a tight ship. Rooms on the top floor are the best.
• Stay at Swakopmund Luxury Suites for tastefully decorated rooms at a more central location.
• If you want a room with ocean view, then stay at At The Sea Boutique Guesthouse.

Final Thoughts on Desert Explorers Swakopmund

Thanks for reading all the way to the end. Well almost anyway, because you can find the review summary and verdict a little further down. I hope to have given you a clear idea of what to expect on this tour with Desert Explorers in Swakopmund. You’ll have an amazing time in the Namib Desert on your quad bike experience.

Have you been to Swakopmund, or do you have any questions? Then please leave a comment below, or send me a message on Instragram. And sign up to my newsletter to get regular updates about my travel blog.

Planning your trip to Namibia? Check out my other Namibia articles for more inspiration to help you plan your next adventure.

Desert Explorers Swakopmund Review Summary and Verdict