Namibia - Kaokoland OOOODS / OOOOMS 2009/10

Spartan · Post by **Spartan** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 5:55 pm

Sal iets moet reel

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 9:57 pm

......sorry guys, hectic schedule lately so here on a Sat night while you are braaing, my 16y old is having a moerse party in my lapa......no comment 30+ aliens here......

So off to Walvis Bay, we had not much scheuled here other than driving through and have a quick look around!

Flamingo's wading in the water

.....funny sign at the West side of the harbor

So off we headed for Swakopmund, where we intended staying for a couple of day's Walvis Bay - Swakopmund only 35km

Post by **Mud Dog** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 10:19 pm

Lekker, Mark .... it's a start

Now where's the next episode.

.....

Hey, hey, hey....................

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 10:29 pm

Andy.....

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 10:57 pm

Pleasant drive....along the coast to Swakop

What a beautiful town, with nice buildings, but first we had to once again fill some rumbling tummy's with fresh fish. Recommended restaurant right on the beach!!!

Kiara just loving the prawns

: Namibia - swakop 080 (Small).JPG (49.34 KiB) Viewed 4036 times

Good food and company

So we decided to book in here! For two nights

The next day we decided to explore a bit and founf some beatiful restored buildings - very nice busy little town with a lot of visitors from.......ZA

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The next day we decided to drive down the Khan river, from Usakos.....certainly one of the highlights of the trip +- 75km of riverbed driving......stunning, stunning, stunning :!: :!: :!: A must do!

warthog · Post by **warthog** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 11:07 pm

Mark: more please, much, much more mate!

Fonebone is watching you!!

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 12:03 am

So early the next morning we set of in the morning fog, not exactly knowing what to expect....we had co-ords of a nice entrance to the canyon (Khan river) off the main road

And then within a couple of km the scenery started to change. This facinated me the most of the Namibian landscape

At this point Zieg calls me over the radio and says:
'Mark, I don't think you should come in here.......!!!!'
'Why not.....' thinking it was a dead end............'
.....
.....
'It too beautiful in here.......

'

Post by **Mud Dog** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 12:28 am

It is a most unusual landscape .... there's plenty evidence of volcanic activity, yet I was told that the whole area used to be sea-bed .... don't know how true that actually is, but one does find tiny fragments of sea shells in the sand in places. Most fascinating!

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 12:28 am

This was only the start of things to come, for the day

Post by **Mud Dog** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 12:51 am

Simply beautiful!

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 2:11 am

but one does find tiny fragments of sea shells in the sand in places

Andy, can't say I saw or was specifically looking for any shells as the unusual rock-formations were spectacular. But I wouldn't doubt what you are suggesting

Small little tricky obsticle ahead :D but through in no time....

Back on the planned route again....

: namibia khan river 037 (Small).JPG (49.26 KiB) Viewed 3972 times

And then for some brunch

Post by **Mud Dog** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 9:59 am

OOOOMS wrote:
but one does find tiny fragments of sea shells in the sand in places
Andy, can't say I saw or was specifically looking for any shells as the unusual rock-formations were spectacular. But I wouldn't doubt what you are suggesting

Yes, those rock formations are beautiful with the twisted veins of differing colours. That's even more suggestive of them having been formed under water, cooling quickly before they could flow and level out. The chain of mountains and formations probably grew in much the same way as the Pacific island chains.

I find this kind of thing most interesting and fascinating. Awsome stuff. I've never been to Kahn River, but would really love to go spend some time there.
Thanks for those pics, Mark!

Post by **Family_Dog** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 10:04 am

Fantastic pictures mark. Keep it up!

I spent three months in Walvis back when, sponsored by the SA Government. Misty mornings, hot days, fun dunes.

-F_D

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 10:12 am

I've never been to Kahn River

....after speaking to a number of locals from Namibia, they had no clue or even heard of this 'drive' 75km......we rather found that strage....
We gave them the co-ordinates after seeing some of the pics.

warthog · Post by **warthog** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 2:02 pm

Awesome, awesome, awesome!!!

We missed it!

Well, one more reason(not that any more is needed) to go back.

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 2:25 pm

We did not encounter any other vehicles in the riverbed the whole day, now we did see a couple of these? and lots of beezzzzz once I took out the water to wash up......lots!!!
It ain't a tok-tokkie, not sure what it is called, anyone?

Post by **Mud Dog** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 2:44 pm

Don't know him! Would'nt even venture a guess, but it looks a little like a scarab beatle.

warthog · Post by **warthog** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 3:25 pm

It's the namib desert beetle, check out wikipedia

Post by **Mud Dog** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 3:42 pm

It's the namib desert beetle, check out wikipedia

The Wikki specimen has white GT stripes, and a fatter head. Does'nt look right.

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 3:45 pm

Found em, 'pitted darkling beetle'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aloge ... ifrons.jpg

warthog · Post by **warthog** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 4:24 pm

Sorrie Andy, black desert beetle

Post by **Mud Dog** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 4:40 pm

Dadz Toy BFI · Post by **Dadz Toy BFI** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 4:51 pm

Awesome pics Mark, you've got itching to return !!

The ever changing landscapes and lack of populas is mind blowing hey, truly an awesome country

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 8:28 pm

you've got itching to return !!

....not just little itch Rich, our minds are yearning!!!

So after lunch, 1000's of bee's had come for a drink at our watertank that was dripping water op the tailgate. Was quite a job trying to convince them that we had to beeee on our way.....also

This pic (one of my favorites) you can really see how huge the rockformations are!!!

Some springbuck roaming around....

These aaarsstretches (as my mate calls them) were running over 60km/h at one stage.

From here we drove to....

...also know as the 'Welwitchia Drive' a plant only found in the Namib desert and Angola.

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 12:16 am

Once out of the Khang riverbed to the Welwitschia drive.

The easiest way to describe this place is: 'like being on the moon'
Read here more about the plant which only grows 1mm per year.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welwitschia

Plant called the 'dollar' plant because of the shape of it's leaves!

Track remains from the war, lying in the desert

Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welwitschia

Post by **Mud Dog** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:30 am

For fear of continually repeating myself, words elude me ....

Post by **Family_Dog** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 5:12 pm

Mark, was there no fear that the river might suddenly start flowing again - flash flood style?

-F_D

Post by **Mud Dog** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 5:35 pm

Family_Dog wrote:Mark, was there no fear that the river might suddenly start flowing again - flash flood style?

-F_D

They do happen, but in that sandy soil a lot of the advancing water is absorbed so it's not like a wall of water coming down a rocky gorge .... and of course one should listen to weather reports.

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 9:20 pm

Family_Dog wrote:
Mark, was there no fear that the river might suddenly start flowing again - flash flood style?
-F_D

They do happen, but in that sandy soil a lot of the advancing water is absorbed so it's not like a wall of water coming down a rocky gorge .... and of course one should listen to weather reports.

You are quite correct Andy! One has to be extremely carefull when driving in the river beds, rains from as far as 100km can catch you by surprise, but that's why I have rear view mirrors.....

So off to Spitzkoppe via Swakopmund as we had to stock up with some supplies.

We decided to take the scenic route to Swakop along the beach, and found the sand very thick & loose! A few wrecks and lots of fishermen along this route

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Once done in Swakop we headed for Spitzkoppe, road in good condition

: Swakop Brandberg Palmwag 025 (Small).JPG (20.63 KiB) Viewed 4026 times

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Tue Feb 02, 2010 6:20 am

As the sign says......1500m - 1600m high rock formations. Worth the view! Camping is also available here!

Office / entrance to the area

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To get an idea of how large these boulders are we placed some towels and OOOODS standing at the top

Solid rock

: Swakop Brandberg Palmwag 062 (Small).JPG (32.32 KiB) Viewed 4015 times

From here we would go to Brandberge

Maddoglips · Post by **Maddoglips** » Tue Feb 02, 2010 12:43 pm

TRULY AWESOME

Keep it coming.

Post by **Mud Dog** » Tue Feb 02, 2010 3:56 pm

A geological wonderland!

Post by **Family_Dog** » Tue Feb 02, 2010 6:03 pm

Wunderbar indeed!

-F_D

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 9:42 pm

From Sprizkoppe to Brandberg approx. 150km, no guessing why the name Brandberge....

So we headed for a riverbed...campsite

That night it started raining at 02h30.......OOOODS made me move the Lux to higher ground :!: :!: :!:

The next morning for some more river bed driving JUST LOVE IT

Small spiderweb along the river bed!

Even some gerry's roaming around

Map of where we are:

From here we went to Palmwag

Post by **Mud Dog** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 10:32 pm

Nice ..... obviously not a lot of rain during the night.

Niel · Post by **Niel** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 10:41 pm

Mark, please stop now you are torturing me

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Wed Feb 03, 2010 11:00 pm

obviously not a lot of rain during the night

Naw Andy, but then again suppose one does not want to take any chances....but believe me I was sopping wet after that little episode.......

Mark, please stop now you are torturing me

Not really Niel....torturing myself loading all these pic's

And of 5000 pics I have to choose every 10th one...

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 12:33 am

Back on the road again heading for Palmwag....imo....no judge from yourself....park fees heavy, but beautiful in it's own way

Quick fuel.....DIESEL Stop.....petrol finished..... :roll: :roll: :roll: Bennie, jy sou moes gesit en wag het....2 dae tot Maandag....

Stopped for some refreshments(Twyfelfontein Lodge)....nice place if you have $$$

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Here we camped at Van Zyl se Gat!

The whole day's driving was rock's, rock's......

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From here to Ongongo Hot Springs....yeehaaa, what a beautiful place

Post by **Mud Dog** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 12:57 am

Already looking forward to the next episode!

Niel · Post by **Niel** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 11:50 pm

Nice pics

moet se Van Zyl se gat is lekker groen

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 11:55 pm

moet se Van Zyl se gat is lekker groen

Die water lyk my is skaars.....maar nie skaars vir my om 'n lekker dip te vang nie, saam met 'n klomp skilpaatjies

Niel · Post by **Niel** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 12:09 am

Mark, hoeveel ander voertuie het julle in Kaokoveld tee gekom want ek wil graag volgende jaar soontoe gaan. Ek het gehoor dit is bietjie afgesonder

So n mens moet meer as 1 voertuig wees?

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 12:17 am

Niel, die roumer het dit dat dit baie warm is....maar nee wat, glad nie so nie :!: Dit is hulle off-peak seisoen. Pupa-valle was bietjie besig maar van daar af via Van Zyls, Hartmansberge, Serra Cafema, het ons vir 5 dae niemand gesien nie. So ja 2 voertuie, verkieslik :!:

Ave temp. so 32 - 34deg, maar so teen 02h00, trek jy maar die kombesie nader

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 12:35 am

Ongongo Hot Springs....yeehaaa, what a beautiful place....

The attachment Swakop Brandberg Palmwag 451 (Small).JPG is no longer available

Campsite area, rocky but beautiful!

Shower / toilets - all campsites have power points.

Tooooo beautiful

: Swakop Brandberg Palmwag 468 (Small).JPG (45.58 KiB) Viewed 4169 times

From here we would move on to Opuwo, to fill up supplies, fuel and then head to Epupa Falls!

Post by **Mud Dog** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 6:12 am

That water is quite green .... unusual for what seems to be a rather fast flowing stream .... I wonder if it's coloured by algae or by mineral deposits?

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 6:25 am

Suppose it looks worse on the pics, than what it really is, however the water is crystal clear....the pond is over 8m deep. Shucks perhaps I had my green filter on the cam..... :x

Post by **Mud Dog** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 7:40 am

Maybe the depth of the water

You did'nt go through a place called '7 mile pass' while somewhere in that area? Vague memories flashing through my mind here ....

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 12:57 pm

Not to my knowledge, but there was a pass we drove through....just ofter here! Will post some pics...

Post by **Mud Dog** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 1:24 pm

I just looked it up on Google Earth .... it's a bit to the east of Palmwag, so I doubt you would have gone through there .... does'nt look like it's along the route that you followed. If you want to check out the location you have to search it in Afrikaans ...... "7 myl pas" .....

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 1:39 pm

Yes see it, near Grootberg Pas. We went North.... next time!

Post by **Mud Dog** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 2:52 pm

I can't tell you if it's spectacular or not .... long time ago ... the name just stuck in my head for some reason.

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 7:34 pm

Off to Opuwo and then Pupa Falls.

At Opuwo, there is a Ch$ckers which is well stocked (veggies / beers and and most things) The town is dirty with lots of hawkers....pretty much reminded me of Moz....

Here you have to fill up fuel (+ jerry's) as there is other reliable fuel on route we planned to travel for the next couple of days ( Epupa, Marienfluss, Camp Syncro, Hartmansberge, Serra Cafema, Orupembe, Puros, Sesfontein) Fuel would only be available at Sesfontein again approx. 900km drive. Not sand or tar road :!: Riverbed & 4x4 low range! So ensure your vehicle is capable of driving at least 1400km It so happened that when we got to Sesfontein there was only Diesel....the petrol was finished!!!

Back on route, to Opuwo...beautiful drive though

Opuwo:

Epupa Falls Campsite:

As it was the 24 of Dec we decided to chill here along the Kunene river for 3 days

Some local visitors!

Fever-tree

True to our tradition, Xmas had to be held, in the rooftop tent this year

Even the squirell's were happy!

The Deck, overlooking the falls!

Followed by a lovely sunset

Xmas lunch, with good friends

Epupa Falls, here:

namibia epupa.jpg: (23.42 KiB) Downloaded 536 times

Then on the 26th we would leave for Van Zyl's Pass

Van Zyl's is only 150km from Epupa Falls. So we if we left at say 08h00 took our time we should be there at say....11h00...

Fat chance it took us the whole day and we only stopped at the top of Van Zyl's at 16h00 :!: :!: :!:

warthog · Post by **warthog** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 9:34 pm

Good, GOod, GOOd WONDERFUL memories brought back by your pics, Mark!!!!

Epupa must rate amongst as one of the most beautiful places on this planet.

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 10:43 pm

I would like to see it in full flood after the rain's. I can only imagine it!

Best of all the camp site was half empty

Post by **Mud Dog** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 11:03 pm

Mooi! .... funnily enough, I've never been into the north western regions of SWA / Namibia .... will have to make a trip up that way when I can spare two or three months and do the delta as well.

Spartan · Post by **Spartan** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 7:20 pm

OOOOMS wrote:I would like to see it in full flood after the rain's.

Ek was gelukkig gewees om die Ruacana waterval in vol vloed te sien toe ek daar gedraai het saam met SAW & seuns

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 9:35 pm

From Epupa to Van Zyl's 150km (road pretty bumpy single track) at Okangwati there is Diesel available butnot reliable. There is also a shop or 2 you can buy some supplies like tinfood and some cooldrinks.

About 50km from Van Zyls, I spot a Double Cab LC GP plates, pic up travelling from VZ's so I pull over and ask the gent where he is going? He tells me he was on his way to VZ's pass and had x2 flat tyres, side wall! So I ask him where he is from? He replies 'Rivonia'.....Rivonia, you come all this way by yourself, from Rivonia? And now you have to turn back 50km from Van Zyls and go home.....! No mate, you turn your vehicle around and follow us. The 70 Cruiser has x2 spare wheels! So he turnes his Cruiser around and followed us. We stopped for lunch and formaly introduced ourselves......Franken(on the forum also now), was his name and had to join us for the next 5 day's.
We have since become very good friends and will be joining us again on the next trip

On the road from Epupa / low level bridge with markers, in the rainy season this can be a problem....

Road to VZ's

This was Franken, returning home.....

Some local Himba woman along the road

Slow going over rocky sections

Rocky area on the way!

On the right track

Nice seize Boabab!

Campsite up ahead!

We arrived at the camp site at 14h00 looked around and rather decided to camp on route closer to VZ's pass.

Epupa Fall Van Zyl & Marien Fluss 300 (Small).JPG/attachment] Debbie, Zieg, Franken, Danelle [attachment=11]Epupa Fall Van Zyl & Marien Fluss 304 (Small).JPG

Beautiful sunset

Viewpoint overlooking Marienfluss....

Breathtaking view

Ha, ha, that's exactly why we are here....

Beautiful views while descending!

Tx to my co-pilot & wify Danelle / OOOODS who walked the entire VZ's removing all sharp dangerous rocks that could damage the tyres.....mwa

Made it

Post by **Mud Dog** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 9:55 pm

Always the good Samaritan, nê Mark .... what goes around, comes around .... you'll be rewarded.

Was Franken entirely alone? No passengers??

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 10:01 pm

Stoksiel allen, they were a couple of vehicles a couple of days before, but they opted to not do the route....! So he decided well, I'm here now, so might as well do it!

Niel · Post by **Niel** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 10:08 pm

OOOOMS wrote:So he decided well, I'm here now, so might as well do it!

Daai is die gesidheid