How 10-Year-Old Luke Gumanski Conquered the Namib100

Meet one of our younger guests, Luke Gumanski, a fearless young explorer from Johannesburg who recently achieved what few adults would dare to attempt: becoming the youngest person ever to complete the Namib100 Hike - an epic 100-kilometre trek through Namibia’s legendary Skeleton Coast and Namib Desert.

Yes, you read that right: one hundred kilometres on foot through one of the oldest and most awe-inspiring deserts on Earth!

The Namib100: A Journey Across an Ancient Desert

The Namib100 isn’t your average hiking holiday - it’s a soul-stirring expedition through a place where vast dunes meet the sea, and silence stretches as far as the horizon.

Over five unforgettable days, Luke tackled some of Namibia’s most iconic landscapes on this Live the Journey guided hike, covering terrain that tested both endurance and spirit:

Day 1 - Life at the Lagoon

The adventure began along the Sandwich Harbour Lagoon, where pelicans soared over mirror-like waters and pink jellyfish drifted beneath the surface. Luke covered around 16 km - a calm, scenic start to what would soon become a life-changing journey.

Day 2 - The Langewand Wall

Next came Langewand, one of Namibia’s natural marvels, where 100-metre dunes tumble straight into the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a breathtaking stretch - 24 km of soft sand, wild coastline, and raw beauty. Along the way, Luke passed seal colonies and the haunting Shawnee shipwreck, a reminder of how wild and untamed this landscape remains.

Day 3 - The Wind and the Waves

With 22 km of coastal terrain ahead, Luke embraced cruising along the beach, braving the Atlantic breeze and even cooling his feet in the icy surf!

Day 4 - Dunes by Day, Stars by Night

This stage tested every ounce of determination. Luke climbed deep into the blazing dunes of the Namib, where heat waves shimmered off endless sand. After a long day of 29 km, the group finished with a magical 7 km night walk beneath the Milky Way, serenaded by distant jackals calling from the darkness.

Day 5 - The Final Push to the Edward Bowen Shipwreck

The final 12 km were the hottest and most demanding, but Luke pushed through to reach the finish at the Edward Bohlen shipwreck, officially completing 100 km across one of the planet’s harshest and most beautiful environments.

Campfire Feasts and New Friendships

This journey wasn’t all sweat and sand - there was plenty of joy and good food too. Expertly guided by Stephen and Richard and their Live the Journey crew, Luke and his fellow adventurers enjoyed gourmet meals under the stars: steak braais, lamb potjies, koeksisters, and even ice cream - yes, dessert in the middle of the desert!

Around the fire, close friendships formed. Luke even joined in games of touch rugby in the dunes with new friends from Cape Town - proof that adventure brings people together in truly unforgettable ways.

Lessons from the Desert

While his classmates back in Johannesburg were learning about ecosystems and the water cycle, Luke was experiencing them firsthand.

His journey reminds us that adventure knows no age limit. With courage, curiosity, and a willingness to take the first step, even the youngest explorers can achieve the extraordinary. As for what’s next? Luke already has his sights set on bigger adventures - maybe Everest Base Camp or a jungle adventure to see the magical Gorillas. For now, his story stands as a celebration of youth, resilience, and the power of travel to shape lives.

Luke and his family would like to thank the entire Live the Journey Namib100 team and the hikers who made this desert journey so memorable.

Ready to Take on the Namib Yourself?

Follow in Luke’s footsteps and join us on the Namib100 Hike - a fully supported, slack-pack adventure across the world’s oldest desert.

Prefer something shorter? Explore our other Slack-Pack Hikes or Namibia Expeditions - each crafted to reveal the heart of this incredible region.