Namakwa, Namakwa.........Northern Cape!

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Wed May 02, 2012 2:20 pm

Well, I might as well share this quick 10 day trip to the Namakwa..... :wink2:

Frans aka Hou da nou da from Groblersdal contacted me (as he does every holiday.....

) for a quick trip he has been looking forward to for some time.....

So we agreed and quickly made bookings for April 2012 with Namakwa District Municipality (Tourism Office) Email: marikag@namakwa-dm.gov.za
Website http://www.northerncape.org.za" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Private Bag X 20
Springbok
8240
Tel.027 712 8035
Fax.027 712 1421

Cost of the 5 day trail is R150.00 per vehicle (bargain.... :!: ) however you need to be self sufficient during this period :!:
Map info:

Appendix 1.doc: (151.5 KiB) Downloaded 291 times

Vehicle / occupants:
Myself / wife (Danelle 0000DS) - Hilux Vigo DC 2.5 D4D - Crysten (14) & Kiara (6)
Frans / wife Denise - Hilux Vigo 3.0 D4D - x4 kids - 2, 9, 11, 13y

Round trip Jhb / Jhb 2746km's

Day 1 was to push through to Upington approx. 800km's via Koster, LIchtenburg, Vryburg, Kuruman and then Upington. There Cobus aka Kaspaas recommended we stay over at Oranjerus Camp site (S28 38.350 E21 07.107) and we were not disappointed one bit

Nice green grass with shaded camping area, pool, bar, restaurant, braai facilities and immaculate bathrooms. (Rate 80.00pp kids U13 R40.00) And on the bank of the Orange river :wink2:

That afternoon Khalahari Seun & Kaspaas came to visit as we had not met before.....What nice guys

Please do contact them if you are in the area, they know it well and will gladly to assist

GI Jane · Post by **GI Jane** » Wed May 02, 2012 3:44 pm

Looks great... So maybe next time you go some of the Kaapernaars might join you..

Johannes van die See · Wed May 02, 2012 3:57 pm

Mark jy maak my naar!
Nog een wat ek amper kon bywoon, en nou is my kaanse daarmee heen.
Swambo het mos loop job vat :evil:

Racing snake · Post by **Racing snake** » Wed May 02, 2012 4:00 pm

You spent 9 days in Oranjerus? Where's the rest? We really want more. Pleeeeeze!

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Wed May 02, 2012 4:26 pm

GI Jane wrote:Looks great... So maybe next time you go some of the Kaapernaars might join you..

Perhaps that will still happen this year....who know's.... :wink2:

Johannes van die See wrote:Mark jy maak my naar!
Nog een wat ek amper kon bywoon, en nou is my kaanse daarmee heen.
Swambo het mos loop job vat :evil:

Ag nee JVDS......tyd dat jy op pension gaan soos almal....

Racing snake wrote:You spent 9 days in Oranjerus? Where's the rest? We really want more. Pleeeeeze!

On it's way......Mr Brian, actually I enjoyed it there at Oranjerus, could have stayed for another 2 day's or so

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Wed May 02, 2012 6:47 pm

The following day (Sunday) we took some time to explore the area Kanoneiland and some of it's attractions.....no much but pleasant

Cobus had kindly invited us on a tour of Oranjerivier Wine Cellers which we obviously agreed to just before Keimoes

Was an interesting tour to say the least and some......wine was drunk......only a little

And obviously we had to take some home

After a nice tour we had to say our goodbuy's and headed for Kakamas. But first lunch @ Vergelegen Restaurant, also recommended and not disappointed at all

S28 45.105 E20 38.626
Expect some of these on route......

Post by **george** » Wed May 02, 2012 6:50 pm

Lekker man.hoes die wyn

Niel · Post by **Niel** » Wed May 02, 2012 8:45 pm

daai goete is soeterig

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Wed May 02, 2012 10:12 pm

george wrote:Lekker man.hoes die wyn

Hoes die wyn......

Nayman hy gesels te lekker.....

In Kakamas we stopped traditionally at 'Die Pienk Padstal' for some snacks.....

From here we headed to the recommended farm Raapenskraap S28 37.454 E19 30.550 (via the Onseepkrans road) and the campsite was wonderful and rustic!!! We were the only people there and had the place to ourselves

Bit of a bush camp, next to the Orange river, with a donkey, nice fireplace and wood for Africa

What more could we ask for :wink2: For R100 per vehicle per night, not bad !

There are also a few guest houses available, should you not want to camp.

The campsite

Oh yes carefull the thorns......

Supper, hamburgers and chips on the fire, kids favourite :wink2:

They farm here mainly with grapes and lemon's and is part of Karstens Boerdery !

The following day we headed S/E towards Pofadder S29 07.509 E19 23.796

Here we would have to fill up all tanks and supplies as it is the last main town before entering the Namakwa 4x4 route :!:

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Wed May 02, 2012 11:01 pm

When in Pofadder main spar or whatever they call it, make sure to get some delicious billies......don't forget to share......

Anyway from there we moved to Klein Pella farm (S29 00.343 E19 00.705) also mainly farming grapes and dates (export) and part of Karstens Boerdery. Camping here was R150.00 per vehicle, swimming pool, braai facilities, clean ablutions and friendly staff

There are also some rooms available for those who do not wish to camp and a small restaurant and bar facilities.
Pella here:

Campsite view

Kids enjoying the pool....

Afternoon nap for some...... :roll:

Such a relaxing place we decided to stay for 2 nights

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Thu May 03, 2012 8:18 am

For the next day which is actually part of the Namakwa4x4 route we left most of our goods at Klein Pella camp site as we would do the circle route to Pella about a 6 hour drive.

Type in these co-ordinates S29 00.902 E19 01.166 which will take you from Klein Pella to Pella viaa very scenic route

Once you get to Pella follow these co-ordinates which will take you through Charlies Pass

Ask the locals for directions should you get lost, absolutely worth the drive :!: :!: :!: Folloe there co-ordinates S29 01.319 E19 10.432

Stunning scenery

The pass eventually takes you to the banks of the Orange river :wink2:

Witblits · Post by **Witblits** » Thu May 03, 2012 8:44 am

Thanks Mark. You write the best reports, as always. Am somewhat confused trying to follow you on the Appendix 1 maps downloaded above, but will probably become clear as you go on.

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Thu May 03, 2012 8:50 am

Then along the route we spotted this road.....on the Namibian side.....and 'other' thoughts were going through my mind. Where does it come from, why and leading down to the river?

Anyone driven this road before

T4A shows no road there...... :roll:

Clearer view of the road.

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Thu May 03, 2012 8:53 am

Witblits wrote:Thanks Mark. You write the best reports, as always. Am somewhat confused trying to follow you on the Appendix 1 maps downloaded above, but will probably become clear as you go on.

Sorry, prob. should have placed it further along the report......

It is part 1 of the Namakwa4x4 trail which starts about here

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Thu May 03, 2012 11:38 am

So along the river just North of Pella heading East (oh yes....forgot to mention, for those that don't know the trail can only accommodate 10 vehicles per day so bookings are essential as well as the 'permit' for the Namakwa4x4 trail! The trai can also only be driven from East to West, thus eliminating traffic I suppose

Found a nice spot in a dry riverbed

Time to cool down

Frans almost getting into a bit of a situation.....

Luckily he managed to get out......but later it would be my turn.....

From there it's another hour drive to the farm Klein Pella, where we would overnight again

Break :!:

Some more date plantations

Pickers still at work at the end of the season

Back to he Klein Pella camp site

Racing snake · Post by **Racing snake** » Thu May 03, 2012 11:44 am

Eish Mark. I just want to pack up and go. Looks absolutely awesome.

Mikie · Post by **Mikie** » Thu May 03, 2012 2:07 pm

Another lekka part of the world.

From your photos that 4x4 route doesnt look too hairy

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Thu May 03, 2012 4:50 pm

Mikie wrote:Another lekka part of the world.

From your photos that 4x4 route doesnt look too hairy

Lekka.....ice-cream is lekka......this place is paradise

No, the route is not major 4x4 stuff in fact it's mild, but you will require 4x4 as you will read further on in some sandy sections :wink2:

Hou da nou da · Post by **Hou da nou da** » Thu May 03, 2012 5:50 pm

Racing snake wrote:Eish Mark. I just want to pack up and go. Looks absolutely awesome.

Brian can you understand why i ask Mark if we could go and visit namakwa, after reading his trip report of Des 2011

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Thu May 03, 2012 6:51 pm

O....K, where was I.....

The older girls slept outside as the weather is still pleasant

While the younger one's felt better in the tent

We left Klein Pella or shall I say the kids left KP with heavy hearts, towards Grootmelkhoutboom

Witbank, a small settlement on route

Ruins

Almost at Groothoutmelkboom and I was getting hungry......

For a sarmie and some coffee......However when we got there the group ahead of us were still chilling there.....

So we stopped and said our hello's...just passing through...won't stay long and disturb the peace......

Danelle said 'lets leave rather....' Me not happy agreed and pulled away in a huff....not far and........damm, STUCK :!:

Front wheel....

Back wheel....

All wheels.....

Frans quickly deflated his tyres and came to assist with a tug

Tx Frans :wink2:

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Thu May 03, 2012 9:15 pm

So off we headed to out favourite camping spot, Ramansdrift

And that was that :!: We decided as we have no further bookings we would stay here, no further

What more can one ask for

HennieJ2 · Post by **HennieJ2** » Thu May 03, 2012 9:55 pm

Very Hocken Nice - and we have to slave us all at work......

HJ

ROOFER · Post by **ROOFER** » Thu May 03, 2012 11:53 pm

Wow thanks Mark ,nice trip report

Post by **FIRSTGEER** » Fri May 04, 2012 4:37 am

Mark thanks for the awsome trip report

Racing snake · Post by **Racing snake** » Fri May 04, 2012 8:47 am

Thanks Mark. Like you said icecream is lekker but....................

Enrico · Post by **Enrico** » Fri May 04, 2012 4:36 pm

Baie nice report Mark. Dis jammer ons kon nie saam nie ... miskien volgende keer. Enrico

Gideonvanzyl · Post by **Gideonvanzyl** » Fri May 04, 2012 10:27 pm

dis 'n mooi wereld daai Mark en 'n nice trip report. Nou hoe kry mens dit reg om so lekker in te grawe, OOOMS was tot op sy pens in die sand.

jgduvenage · Post by **jgduvenage** » Fri May 04, 2012 11:20 pm

Very nice!

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sat May 05, 2012 5:21 am

Gideonvanzyl wrote:dis 'n mooi wereld daai Mark en 'n nice trip report. Nou hoe kry mens dit reg om so lekker in te grawe, OOOMS was tot op sy pens in die sand.

Sal later pics laai van my 'pens' dan sal jy beter verstaan......

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sun May 06, 2012 8:01 am

We really had an awsome time here and the ladies even remembered to pack easter eggs for the kids

Some more pics

Kids even managed to catch some fish, this entertained them quite somewhat

If you like loud music, malls and crowds....this is def. not for you....

Here I must add the awnings came in pretty handy, there is little shade in this area :wink2:

Sunrise

Easter some easter eggs for the kids, which they enjoyed! Another advantage of having x2 fridges - they come in quite handy

legend35 · Post by **legend35** » Sun May 06, 2012 9:17 am

Very nice.Lekker trip report

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sun May 06, 2012 9:36 am

The following day/s we just spent chilling next to the river. Kids loved the riding the small rapids with the tubes.....& kept them occupied

Frans trying for the big one....

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sun May 06, 2012 10:57 am

And this is what I live for

It doesn't get better than this... :!:

The following morning waking up to this was awsome, pic from RRT

Packed and ready to rumble......

We could not exit the way we came in as the water was rising, so found an alternative

Back on the road again

We found this fella crossing the road....3 inches long!

From here we headed towards Augrabies, Khamkirri

http://www.khamkirri.co.za/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

oom dan · Post by **oom dan** » Sun May 06, 2012 11:46 am

good stuff mark great report what a place for a family holiday, your girls and frans kids having a jol in our great country beats malling and TV any day. how do you find those folding camp chairs with the arm rests we seam to have to buy new chairs for every trip!! cheers deane

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sun May 06, 2012 8:24 pm

oom dan wrote:good stuff mark great report what a place for a family holiday, your girls and frans kids having a jol in our great country beats malling and TV any day. how do you find those folding camp chairs with the arm rests we seam to have to buy new chairs for every trip!! cheers deane

Oom Dan, you referring to the balck one's FR that fold up small?

If so.....here is my opinion on them having had them for 3 years now.

Pro's:
Fold up small, really small
They are rather sturdy, sturdier than what they look
Strong construction
Breath nicely

Con's:
They are pretty pricey
Slide in and out when folding so could become a problem when in sand if used ie. at the beach.
Not a comfy as a loafer

My overall feeling:
Yes I would buy them again should they have to be replaced, due to the "pro's" mentioned 8/10

Tokkie · Post by **Tokkie** » Mon May 07, 2012 8:18 am

Daai laaste kamp van julle lyk darem baie dieselfde as onder in die Ritcherveldt

oom dan · Post by **oom dan** » Mon May 07, 2012 9:10 am

thanks mark will PM you for the make and were to get them. the namakwa route is becoming so popular people will have to book in advance for a permit we are going to try for october cheers

Post by **Haboob** » Mon May 07, 2012 8:51 pm

Thanks for a great trip report....again.

Brand · Post by **Brand** » Tue May 08, 2012 5:45 pm

Kan nie glo ek sien dit nou eers nie???

Soooooooooo lekker trip report. Die sand was omtrent lekker dik!

Lekker baie fotos - sal die trippie nog self eendag wil doen. Dankie Mark!

Post by **PAUL NEL** » Sat May 12, 2012 10:14 pm

Baie dankie dat julle ons deel van die land so adverteer.
Wanneer julle weer hierdie kant toe kom en julle ry deur Springbok,kontak my asb vbir 'n koppie koffie of iets sterkers

groetnis

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sun May 13, 2012 7:20 am

PAUL NEL wrote:Baie dankie dat julle ons deel van die land so adverteer.
Wanneer julle weer hierdie kant toe kom en julle ry deur Springbok,kontak my asb vbir 'n koppie koffie of iets sterkers

groetnis

....man Paul.....die plek is vir ons wondelik, ons sal beslis 'n draai maak as on weer...binnekort in die omgewing is

The Legend · Post by **The Legend** » Sun May 13, 2012 12:38 pm

Hi Mark

Daai laaste kamp by die water is awesome.Waar kan jy nou meer rustigheid kry?
Lekker man lekker

Johannes van die See · Sun May 13, 2012 1:26 pm

Nou wanneer gaan ons weer?

Mooi fotos Mark

Johannes van die See · Sun May 13, 2012 6:34 pm

Mark

Daar waar julle deur die rivier ry, het julle oor gegaan na die Namibiese kant toe af wat?

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sun May 13, 2012 6:49 pm

Johannes van die See wrote:Mark

Daar waar julle deur die rivier ry, het julle oor gegaan na die Namibiese kant toe af wat?

Nee, die is net so systroom van die rivier

Doom · Post by **Doom** » Sun May 13, 2012 9:43 pm

Mark, baie interessant en mooi en lekker en en en.....! (nou's ek jaloers!)

Se my bietjie, daar toe jy so bietjie in die sand vasgesit het - was die sand nie bietjie warm en toe dun nie? Op die oog af het jou bande ook bietjie styf gelyk vir so 'n affere. Of was dit nou maar net die moermetertjie wat so in die rooi was?

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sun May 13, 2012 9:48 pm

Doom wrote:Mark, baie interessant en mooi en lekker en en en.....! (nou's ek jaloers!)

Se my bietjie, daar toe jy so bietjie in die sand vasgesit het - was die sand nie bietjie warm en toe dun nie? Op die oog af het jou bande ook bietjie styf gelyk vir so 'n affere. Of was dit nou maar net die moermetertjie wat so in die rooi was?

Um....ja.....dit wat 13h00 en die bandjies was op 3.0bar.......so 'n goeie resep vir 'n vassit

Doom · Post by **Doom** » Sun May 13, 2012 10:39 pm

OOOOMS wrote:
Doom wrote:Mark, baie interessant en mooi en lekker en en en.....! (nou's ek jaloers!)

Se my bietjie, daar toe jy so bietjie in die sand vasgesit het - was die sand nie bietjie warm en toe dun nie? Op die oog af het jou bande ook bietjie styf gelyk vir so 'n affere. Of was dit nou maar net die moermetertjie wat so in die rooi was?
Um....ja.....dit wat 13h00 en die bandjies was op 3.0bar.......so 'n goeie resep vir 'n vassit