Namibia - Kaokoland OOOODS / OOOOMS 2009/10

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 9:47 pm

Well here goes another trip report, but with a difference....

Our journey started in Jhb, unplanned as we only decided 5 days before departing to go, while visiting some friends in Pta. They (Zieg and Debbie Bokkelman) were going to travel alone and asked us again to come along, So OOOODS convinced me within 30mins and ya, time was short.

As we are 75% packed at all times, I only had a few alterations to do to the van(Sweetie), as we usually take the off-road trailer along, but not on this trip.

OOOODS went shopping with a list and I attended to the alterations to the van.

Our plan was to drive off the beaten track, riverbed driving as many as possible, many not on general maps.

- Time for the trip: 24 days
- Total round trip 6551km
- Average fuel consumption Tar / Sand road 9.4km/l (2.5 D4D DC)
- Average fuel consumption Riverbed driving 7.3km/l
- Fuel, accommodation and permit costs R9300.00 (excluding food and drinks...)

Here is a map of our route as we went along:

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 9:59 pm

Day 1: Left home and popped @ Bosfark 4x4 track in Noordheuwel where the other Hilux members were playing for the day, just to say cheers.

We slept over at my BIL's farm near Koster and would meet up with Zieg and Debbie in the morning and head for Zeerust. The border was quiet and their insurance department computer was down so we left with a signed piece of paper and a stamp from the Botswana officials.
Coffee 25km before the border post:

We drove through to Kang 624km from home and camped near the town as there are many places to choose from.

Day2: Road Trans Kalahari road / highway in very good condition, with lots of cows, goats, sheep, donkey's and horses on the side or crossing the road, so you have to be quite cautious!

But quite a boring drive so I decided to take a nap....and OOOODS took advantage of this photo opportunity....

From Kang(Bots) to the Namibia border post 430km Buitepos. The border quite busy with quite a few SA residents going to Henties Bay or Sakopmund.

From the border, we decided to go through to Windhoek as there is a camp site on the outskirt of town(Arebbusch Travel Lodge(R120p/p children u12 free.

That evening we dicided to visit the famous Joe's Beer House in Windhoek before the fun began....

Zieg tucking into some meat

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 11:46 pm

Day3: We went shopping in Windhoek and found some interesting buildings here. People were very friendly, most people speak Afrikaans and German. What struck me the most was the country was very tourist friendly and very organised.

Off we headed to Spreedshoogte where we saw the last of tar road for many, many km

Post by **Mud Dog** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 1:04 am

so far .... waiting for the next episode.

Bosfebok · Post by **Bosfebok** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 7:06 am

Lekkelekke

Ek lees die met 'n hart vol poefies!! Erg jaloers...

Lalie4x4 · Post by **Lalie4x4** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 2:49 pm

My skoonouers het die vakansie baie dieselfde roete gery. Hulle se dit was iets uit die wereld uit. Ek wil so graag saam gegaan het maar kon nie my verlof uitsorteer nie. Ek wag met trane in my oe vir die volgende episode.

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 11:11 pm

From Windhoek we decided to go South West to see Spreetzhoogte Pass, well what a beautiful drive not even to mention the scenary! Only 154km very good Namibian sand roads.

As our tyres were at 2.5 - 3.0bar, we quickly stopped and deflated to 1.7 - 1.8bar

Beautiful mountains in the distance with a taste of things to come

Drove past this donkey cart at 100km/h, saw the sign on the back and reversed 100m to take this pic for the forum! Classic

One see's 100's of these trees with huge and small bird nests along the road, so I decided to take a pic!

Good condition of the roads, always a pleasure to drive on.

Then finally we got to our long awaited sign-board!

Thabogrobler · Post by **Thabogrobler** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 11:40 pm

Oooooooohhhhhhhhhhh sounds lekker!!!

Keep the story coming Mark!

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 11:45 pm

The pass has a number of viewpoints that took our breath's away....one of those places you could sit / camp at, for days just staring at the beauty of the valley's and mountains :!:

The road after the 2nd view point becomes very steep, and 1st gear low range is required, as you decend into the valley!

From Spreetzhoogte Pass we travelled to a beautiful little town called Solitaire only 60km. Well I fell in love and so much wanted to spend a day or two there, at the camp site :!:

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 12:32 am

Solitaire's entrance to the town just made me feel at home

With old classics parked all around the one horse town, embedded in the sand.

The town consists of a.....

....inside.....

.... a bakery which is famous for it's apple strudle(so get some for desert), garage / bar and a camp site. This is the last reliable fuel station in the area, so be sure you fill up here in Solitaire

before you head for Sossusvlei our next destination

Niel · Post by **Niel** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 12:41 am

OOOOMS wrote:The town consists of a.....

what town

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 12:45 am

Yanee, as small as it may be, it's on the map, not sure which map though....!

Post by **Mud Dog** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 8:14 am

Niel wrote:
OOOOMS wrote:The town consists of a.....
what town

Population?

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 11:21 am

Andy the population of Namibia is 1.8million

My guess the population of Solitaire is no more than 15 :!: The town is owned by the Baker

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 10:40 pm

From Solitaire to Sossusvlei about 90km through the Namib Naukluft Park. This was certainly one of our highlites of the trip! You stay / camp at Sesriem which provides easy access to the dunes, there are a couple of places you can camp at. Many tour operators also camp here, as the best time of the day to visit sthe dunes is at sunrise.

The road is in very good condition, whith beatiful mountains!

All the camp sites have 220v power and running water.

: Namibia South 2009 183 (Small).JPG (51.72 KiB) Viewed 6874 times

We were there quite early so Kiara(4) quickly did some clothes washing

We all got to bed early as we had to get up at 04h30 and head into Sossusvlei a 45km drive

Niel · Post by **Niel** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 10:48 pm

Mark, do they still have the pool (small 8x4) and the bar? Did they fix the potholes in the tar road? Did you visit sesriem canyon?

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 11:08 pm

By 05h00 we were all packed up and headed for the dunes :!: :!: :!: :!: About a 45 minute drive!

Sunrise, always spectacular

The drive to the dunes is amazing as the mountains transform into huge dunes

Within 20 minutes you are surrounded by monster dunes

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 11:38 pm

Mark, do they still have the pool (small 8x4) and the bar? Did they fix the potholes in the tar road? Did you visit sesriem canyon?

They had x2 round 4m swimming pools.....not very clean though.

The tar road was in very good condition, I must say. It must have been repaired.
Unfortunately we did not visit the canyon

as we spent almost the hole day at the dunes.....next time though!
Some more pics of the dunes

At about 11h00 we had a nice breakkie under some shady tree's!

As they say: A MUST see place, before you die!

Niel · Post by **Niel** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 12:01 am

Yes, the sunrise is awsome and the sand is soft

getting to the top - pitty I was there before I had a digital camera.

they changed the pool area but then I was told they upgraded all the parks in NAM. Is there still only the one gate into the park or is there private land owner/s that has a gate to allow access to the vlei?

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 12:15 am

The drive back after breakkie was also spectacular.....

These are really 'monster dunes', walking up them is quite a challenge!!! Onece the sun is up, you will notice how the dunes transform.

Leaving the area was almost sad :!: But glad to have been there :!:

Next we headed back to Sesriem, through Solitaire and then through the Naukluft Namib (restricted area, permit required)

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 12:21 am

Niel, there is only one entrance to the dunes still! Controlled by Namibian conservation.

Permit must be obtained in Windhoek / Walvisbay or Swakopmund at their offices prior to entering the area.

.....almost forgot to mention we also had x2 punctures here(x1 with the Cruiser and x1 with the Lux). The only two on the entire 6551km trip. Managed to plug them with the tyre plug kits. So remember to pack and take it along!

Post by **Mud Dog** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 8:15 am

Lekker! .... the best is still to come, nê ....

Zaan · Post by **Zaan** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 10:46 am

Lyk alles flippen nice Markie, ek laaik die foto, waar julle skuins teen die duine op is, met die voetspore...very niccceeeee!!!

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 10:51 am

Tx Zaan, hoop om jou meer op die forum te sien. Ek het sommer my plakkies onder by die duin gelos want dit is maar styl en moerse ver.....

Post by **CasKru** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 11:04 am

OOOOMS wrote:Tx Zaan, hoop om jou meer op die forum te sien. Ek het sommer my plakkies onder by die duin gelos want dit is maar styl en hengse ver.....

Ek sien julle het die maklike pad op gevat :)

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 11:08 am

Zaan, ons het dit so geniet, ons het al besluit ons gaan weer die jaar, gaan julle ons join?

Dadz Toy BFI · Post by **Dadz Toy BFI** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 4:59 pm

Fantastic route Mark we almost mirrored that route BC (before kids) and before Toyota, it wasn't as much fun in a Nassin

Just a question; what's the co-ords of Dadz current resting place please??,

I'd really like it back nou, the horses are getting restless nê :roll:

R

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Mon Jan 11, 2010 11:56 pm

Just a question; what's the co-ords of Dadz current resting place please??,

Will have to find the back-track facility on my GPS first

Feed those horses in the meantime......

Post by **Mud Dog** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 12:07 am

OOOOMS wrote:
Just a question; what's the co-ords of Dadz current resting place please??,
Will have to find the back-track facility on my GPS first

Feed those horses in the meantime......

Donkeys! .... It was donkeys!

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 1:29 am

Donkeys! .... It was donkeys!

Andy, and still is. We found lots and lots of donkey carts on our travels

Some with x1 donkey and some with as many as x4 donkeys!

Have not quite figured out why they use donkey's, why not horses? Perhaps horses need more care / food and water?
Donkey's seem pretty brain dead.....

We saw lots of horsed besides the road, grazing freely quite happy. While the donkey's stand in the middle of the road, during the day and at night(not that we drove at night) only the remains.....will not go there.....

Post by **Mud Dog** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 1:49 am

Have not quite figured out why they use donkey's, why not horses? Perhaps horses need more care / food and water?

I believe that's right ..... I also think they're a lot tougher and less susceptible to illnesses than horses.

Donkey's seem pretty brain dead.....

Don't be fooled ... they're pretty damn clever!

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 10:44 am

Don't be fooled ... they're pretty damn clever!

They obviously all failed the road rule test and stand in the middle of the road day-dreaming and night-dreaming

Now, I also wonder where the song comes from... die donkie is 'n wonderlike ding :!:

Must have some merit

Post by **Family_Dog** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 5:09 pm

Now, I also wonder where the song comes from... die donkie is 'n wonderlike ding :!:

It comes from die Sonbrilletjies man, Al Debbo. Now go drink some coffee, man!

-F_D

hentey · Post by **hentey** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 5:47 pm

Lekker Mark,wil ook die roete doen wat julle gedoen het.Ek sal net my tydgleuf bietjie aanpas want julle was seker kaaiings toe julle terug kom.Daai hitte is niemand se pel nie.Vertel bietjie van die Naukluft,het julle n gids gehad?

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:00 pm

Nee, geen gids nie maar net deur gery, met permit. Ons het wel die consErvation officer raakgeloop. Hy was, meer as behulpsaam, en het saam met ons om die vuur gesit by...., Vegelvogel... nee...Vogelvegel...nee...VOGELFEDERBERG

Nie net het hy baie kennis gehad oor sy area nie, maar oor die hele en ek bedoel die hele land! Sulke informasie kry jy nie in boek van die rak af nie....so het ons ook met baie locals gesels, en hulle uitgevra.

Volgende op ons roete is toevallig Vogelfederberg.....more!

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 5:45 am

Donkey's aside for now....

Next we headed back to Sesriem

, Solitaire and then North West in the direction of Walvisbaai. From Solitaire to Walvisbaai is approx. 230km, through the Naukluft Namib, but you drive through the Gaub Pass, small, but beautiful

On route to Gaub Pass saw this entrance board to a farm:

Flat straight road, still before you enter Naukluft

And then in the distance you spot something interesting up ahead:

Literally from nowhere, the little Gaub Pass

In the middle of the pass there is a very nice picnic spot, so if you have not had breakkie, here is a good place to stop and if you have had breakkie, you can stop for some road-side coffee

....and admire the beauty

The rock formations, abselutely magnificant! Ok, so I had 3 cups just incase we did not rush hings toooo much

Our next stop Vogelfederberg where decided to sleep over approx. 57km from Walvisbaai. (incidently, this is where Andy, MD spotted me with my, pink PJ's in the middle of the desert....

)

Vogel......whatever from a 600m distance. (permit required)

Post by **Mud Dog** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 10:55 am

Keep them coming!

Hilux01 · Post by **Hilux01** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 3:29 pm

Great TR

Thanks for sharing OOOMS

Marty · Post by **Marty** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 4:46 pm

dit lyk na 'n lekker trip wat julle gehaad het.
Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen dag as ek groot is sal ek ook deur Namibia wil toer..

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Thu Jan 14, 2010 1:13 am

Vogelfederberg is approx. 57km from Walvis Bay, it is a solid rock formation in the middle of no where, I and I mean no where. Not much from the distance, but when you get closer.....

So we decided to camp right here for the night, without a doubt. 4x4 is required to park on the overhang, but that's the reason we have!!!

The view, abserlutely spectacular!

And time for some Namibian lamb ribbetjie

Kiara enjoying the camera....

Sunset...

The following morning we went exploring behind the boulders.

I spotted a nice incline and headed straight there. OOOODS said 'Nee man, is jy nou (&*@$$#*) mal?'! But toooooo tempting...

1st gear low range....all the way up! May not seem that high in the pics, but are 480m High!

So we explored a little more and there were also some camping sites behind.

Off to Walvis bay!

Post by **Mud Dog** » Thu Jan 14, 2010 1:54 am

Pics that will re-kindle the memories of that trip for decades to come!. Very nice Mark! ... I see that they have the cement picnic tables dotted about here and there, but what is the pole structure in pic #052 .... Long-drop?

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Thu Jan 14, 2010 2:08 am

but what is the pole structure in pic #052 .... Long-drop?

Indeed! 4x4 one

Long walk down.....if you can hold

4m x 4m!

andrevt · Post by **andrevt** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 3:25 pm

hi mark
if you do this again we want to go with it looks awesome

Post by **Mud Dog** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 3:56 pm

BTW .... where are the rest of the pics, swaer Mark!!

warthog · Post by **warthog** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 6:28 pm

Hey, HEy, HEY!!!! What's happenin? Where's the rest??? OOOODS, what did you say to me last time? Bump????

C'mon guys, I'm waitin for Van Zyl's!!!!!

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 11:05 pm

Tyd, tyd, tyd......tx Warthog, I need no reminder....

sorry you will have to wait for Van Zyls. We are only on day 6/7 of 24....

diafine · Post by **diafine** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 11:08 pm

Fantastico, thanks for the visual stimulation, it's enough to get me excited to plan my next trip to Namibia

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 11:10 pm

You bet, I am packing while we speak

Uys · Post by **Uys** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 8:23 am

Nog Nog Nog!!!

Maddoglips · Post by **Maddoglips** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 10:17 am

OOMS

You weren't mistaken when you told me it's beautifull out that way.

I must say it looks awesome and some really great pics.

So when's your next trip? With this kind of report I'm sure you'll have plenty vehicles wanting to join next time.

Oh, WHERE"S MORE PICTURES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't read LOL I just look at the pritty pics as I'm sure many do LOL

Post by **Mud Dog** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 6:54 pm

Solly, please arrange the next GTG without letting Mark get involved or attending till he's completed this trip report. Thanks.

warthog · Post by **warthog** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 6:55 pm

Geez, Andy, why did it take you (or another mod) so long?

Post by **Mud Dog** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 7:30 pm

I was stalled with vague promises and the like .... no more Mr. Nice guy ... Mark, get it done, sommer this weekend!

wim · Post by **wim** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 9:00 pm

Thanks mark for the picks all great,I cant hardly wait for my turn to visit Namibia.We are leaving Vryheid on the 11/02/10 in a convoy of 15 L/cruisers to Namibia.We are going to drive via Luderitz to Zwakopmund.I have always wanted to go to Namibia and now Im counting the days.I will make sure that I take a lot of picks also.

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 5:16 pm

warthog · Post by **warthog** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 5:31 pm

NNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Waar lodge 'n ou 'n formal complaint teen a mod???? Die OOOO-ou maak nie net sy trip report klaar nie, hy remove sommer net my posts daaroor???????!!!!!!!

Sommer net so

Spartan · Post by **Spartan** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 5:33 pm

grapgat

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 5:41 pm

Spartan · Post by **Spartan** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 5:46 pm

Lyk my ons sal jou ook moet begin omkoop soos ek met my dogter doen om haar book report klaar te maak vir skool

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 5:50 pm

...net 'n paar koffies sal werk!!!!