April 2009 Namib Desert Trip

[Skydive]

Hi, I have organised a trip through the Namib Desert from Solitaire to Walvisbay for myself and some friends. (We are going with our Hilux's). We have 4 places left (4 vehicles) if anyone would be interested.

If you are interested, you an contact Kalbas Nel (Details at the end of this post)

Below please find the detail of the trip:

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH
30 March – 03 April 2009


THE NAMIB – oldest desert in the world and rich in diamond history of times gone by. We entice you to come and experience the highest dunes in the world in our company.

DAY 1, 30 March – 17:00 your guide will be meeting up with you in Solitaire – meeting point will be specified one month before departure. You will be briefed about the adventure. (Accommodation (camping) and meals for this evening are included).

DAY 2, 31 March – Our adventure begins into the sand-sea of the Namib from Solitaire into the Namib Naukluft Park. The forever changing dunes of the Namib promises the family breathtaking experiences and for the 4x4 enthusiasts a thrill of their lives.

Travelling in the long stretches of beautiful sand dunes - the scenery changes from the typical Namib Plains change into a colourful landscape of red sand dunes with a touch of grassy plains. On the southern side massive red sand dunes and the northern side pitch black rock formations – quite a beautiful scenery to enjoy.

During our adventure through Kuiseb river bed we will end the day at Homeb – camp here overnight.

DAY 3, 01 April – The ever changing scenes of the isolated Namib keeps surprising us and the driving skills of drivers are being challenged more. The dunes are impressive and the Dune straits are massive.
Our desert camp under the beautiful African sky tonight is Olifantsbad.

DAY 4, 02 April – An early start leads the convoy along the trails of the ghost towns of the previous Diamond Area No. 2.
The remains of these little towns tell a story of hardship, endurance and eventual surrender.
En route the adrenalin rush of dune driving only gets better and better! Highlights of the trail of an era gone by are: the bird’s eye view of Conception Bay until you reach the Atlantic coastline, the freight ship wreck, the Edward Bohlen and the once small mining harbour facility of Meob Bay amazes people. The Langewand dunes - smallness of man is shown where huge dunes meet the sea.
To reach our camping point at Sandvis we have to cross a deceptive dune belt.


We camp our last night tonight in the desert.

DAY 5, 03 April – This wonderful adventure comes to soon to an end with our departure today from this Namib desert back to Walvis Bay – we cross the Roller Coaster with a series of massive slip faces and high dunes to say goodbye to this adventure. (Accommodation and meals for own arrangement the evening).

ADVENTURE BASED ON 8 VEHICLES, 16 ADULTS.

COST:
R4450.00 per Adult
R1995.00 per Child (6 – 17 years)

INCLUDED:
• Guide & Logistical vehicles
• Breakfast & Dinner
• Radio Communication
• Tent accommodation in Namib
• Preparation of meals and cutlery
• Recovery equipment
• Shower tent




EXCLUDED:
• Well serviced 4x4 vehicle with low range
• Snacks for lunch & Additional drinks
• Sleeping bag and mattress
• Sufficient petrol or diesel for adventure (approximately fuel consumption 3 km / litre petrol and 4 km / litre diesel)
Distance 750 km.
• Camping chair

IMPORTANT FOR EACH VEHICLE TO HAVE:
 60 Litres of water (20 litres for
kitchen use)
 Tyre pressure gauge
 Toilet paper & matches
 Plastic bags to carry waste
 Brake fluid
 Gear oil
 Engine oil
 Fuses
 Spare V-Belt set
 Recovery points in the front & back of vehicle (Breaking resistance of about
12 ton).
 Straps for fastening equipment and
luggage in back of vehicle.
 Large bag of firewood/charcoal
 Tyres must be in good condition – no
split rimms or inner tubes.




ADVENTURE TIPS & CODE OF CONDUCT
 Pack light for adventure
 Intensive concentration is required for dune driving – no alcohol use between sunrise and sunset. Compulsory around the campfire.
 Buckle up at all times.
 Respect must be shown to the area we are travelling through – so we must adhere at all times to convoy rules.
 Everything travelling into the desert must come all the way back out from the desert like.
 Toilet paper takes 5 years to dispose in the desert – take enough matches along for the adventure.

THE PROGRAM
Unpredictable weather conditions in the ever-changing nature of the Namib, can force us to change the tour program for safety reasons.
For this reason we hold the right to change the tour program if necessary.

ACCOMMODATION
Within the desert tent accommodation is supplied.
Within Walvis Bay accommodation and meals are for own arrangement.
Please do contact us if you are in need of reference points for accommodation.


BORDER POST PROCEDURES
Road Fund Tax, about R180
ZA sticker on the back of vehicle
Complete arrival / departure form for duration of your stay.

MONEY
Credit card and Garage credit cards should not be a problem, but always keep a bit of cash at hand.
South African Rand is accepted within Namibia.

PREPERATION LIST
1. IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
• Passport
• Identification documents
• Driver’s license
• Certified copy of the vehicles registration documents
• If vehicle is still under finance or rented, get certified approval letter (or original letter) that states permission to cross the border with vehicle.
• ZA sticker
• Medical Rescuer Insurance
• Ensure your vehicle insurance covers you outside South Africa.

2. VEHICLE PREPERATIONS
• Vehicle must have through service before the adventure.
• Fire extinguisher
• Radiator stop leak
• Air-jack (if you have one at hand)
• Spare batteries for immobiliser and electronic keys
• DOUBLE CHECK that all equipment is in perfect working condition before you depart for adventure.


IF YOUR VEHICLE BREAKS DOWN IN THE DESERT – it must be repaired at owner’s cost within the desert. So please ensure the vehicle is in good mechanical condition.
Any vehicle not prepared with the above – we have the right to refuse.

3. PERSONAL NECESSITIES
• Sleeping bags and pillows (-5 grading)
• Mattresses
• Camping chairs
• Dry-mac type windbreaker
• Swimming clothes and swim towels
• Clothing for warm, cold and possible rain weather (evening temperatures can drop at night)
• Hi-Teck type shoes for desert and for the rocks at sea, Rocky-type shoes
• Sunhat, sunglasses, suntan lotion and aftersun lotion
• Personal toiletries (towel, toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper, soap, washing cloth and shampoo (Colgate is good to use within the seawater)
• Small dish for personal washing purposes – No shower facilities
• Prescribed medication and your personal first aid kid
• Flash lights (or Petzl head light)
• Snacks and drinks for between meals
• Camera and binoculars


PAYMENTS
A deposit of R2200.00 per adult person is required to secure your reservation.

Outstanding amounts are due by 30 days (1 month) before departure.


CANCELLATIONS
Upon cancellation the deposit of R2000.00 is
NON-REFUNDABLE!

Cancellation fees apply according to time of cancellation before departure.

Nature conservation is quite strict on the area we will be entering so no fishing is allowed and we need to adhere to all the rules.

We are looking forward seeing you on this wonderful adventure.

Please contact us if you are in need of more information.




4X4 Greetings


KALBAS NELL - TOUR LEADER
AFRICAN 4X4 SAFARIS
TEL 076 934 2123
FAX (044) 2724731
EMAIL: kalbasnell@polka.co.za

[ThysdJ]

Anton this is going to be an experience of a life-time!!!!! Wish I could join you guys for this trip, it is definitely on the cards though in 2 years time. :!: :!: :!:

[Skydive]

3 places left

[dalkill]

I have been wanting to go on trip like this since Feb 2004 !!!
Everytime something crops up... first eldest son, then new house, then sold my lux, then twins.... jeesh I hope I get there someday... it's like fishing mecca up there - holy land

[Scorpion]

Sorry, Dallkill...

Nature conservation is quite strict on the area we will be entering so no fishing is allowed and we need to adhere to all the rules.

[dalkill]

na, I will be hugging the the westcoast, swartkopmond, mile 59, henties, torrabaai...
eish, how I wish.... and the best part, namibia has two filling stations that can fill me up with GAS

[Scorpion]

Namibia only has a West Coast....

[dalkill]

I got this booklet at home "don't die in the bush" and in here people are talking about carrying extra leave springs etc.
How necessary is all that , or is that overkill?

[Skydive]

I would say that depends on where and how far up in Africa you are touring and the load that you are carrying. In the desert you don't carry too much of a load as you want to travel as light as possible, so extra leave springs will be an overkill here, but if you travel up in Africa where you most probably will carry a heavy load, then it could be advisable to take extra springs.

[ecotech]

sorry. to broke for that and thats the due date for our newest addition.(hope it to be a son) count me out thats why i have to do the coastal trip from the natal coast all the way coast wise to the west coast and back.

maybe next time. damn!!!!!