Nam Trip April 2006
It started when I got an e-mail from my nephew: Wanna do the Naukluft hiking trail?
Without even knowing how long the hike is, I said Yes!
And so the planning for a hike began? It was gonna be an 8 day hike covering some 120km of the most beautiful landscapes, hectic climbs and rough terrain.
But then it hit me?. If I plan it, I could even do a little trip in Namibia by bike!
The funny thing about planning a trip like this one, is that you have a difficult time trying to decide on were to go and what to see in Namibia since Namibia is one of the most captivating lands in Africa.
After all is packed and checked and rechecked. It was time to GO!!
Ever had that feeling one gets just before you do something big or go on a hell of an adventure? That?s one of the best feelings in the world!
So it starts?
Day one
Head off from home to the Botswana border via the Trans-Kalahari highway all the way to Kang.
On my way there I came across this:
Nice hey? This Blimp is used to prospecting of diamonds (kimberlight pipes) using gravitational equipment (Gravi-meter). I am sure they also do some nice ballooning trips ?sponsored? by the company.
I camped in Kang and enjoyed the company and hospitality of Ben and his wife, Thanks guys!
Stats for the day:
About 700km for the day
Road = Tar
Camping cost: about R30
Petrol in Botswana R 4, 09 / l
Day 2
After a quick Breakfast I filled up and headed for the Border at buitepos. This piece of road is one of the straightest I have ever seen, I stopped counting donkeys at 400 (it?s a looooong straight road)
I like the black tar and white sand
The funny thing about boderposts sometimes are that nature also seems to agree that this side is Botswana and that side is Namibia. The moment I was across the border the scenery changed.
I made for Gobabis and found a nice camping place just outside the town and some nice chicken steak thing at the Goba-Goba lodge.
This is where I met Taliban, his son is one of the top Namibian MX riders, and there was a race near Gobabis the next day. But since I still wanted to head up to Twyfelfontein I decided not to go see them race.
Stats for the day
550km for the day
Road = tar but not a single pothole anywhere in Botswana or Namibia.
Camping at the lodge R50
Day 3
After a nice cup of oats-so-easy, I headed to Windhoek where I had a beer in Joe?s beerhouse. If you are ever in Windhoek, this is the place to go for a beer!
I got totally soaked just outside Windhoek, and it would not be the last time!
Next time I go to the desert I will pack a raincoat!
My original plan was to head up to Otjiwarongo but since Spitskop is more to the west of Okahandja I decided to head for Karibib. I stayed in Irmis B&B in Karibib, I went for the Backpackers accommodation option, Cheap and really nice!
Stats for the day
410km for the day
Still Tar
Backpacker?s accommodation: R100
Day 4
Off to Spitskop! What a beautiful place! And finally the end of tar!!! WO HOOO!
I had to cross a small stream to get in and out of spitskop reserve :!: You have to pay to get into the reserve, but these guys have the right idea, Bikes only pay 5N$ and cars 10N$.
I had a very nice lunch and I had the chance to stand in awe of this raw beauty that is Spitskop.
See the amount of water here! It?s truly amazing!
Rain on the left,
Rain on the right,
Dry in front of me!
Then I headed up to Uis via the D1930, everybody told me not to take this route since the Omaruto river was flowing ?op ?n sy? but going the other route simply seemed soooooo long and I still wanted to spent a day in the Brandberg. The roads in Namibia are a million times better than the roads in SA specially the dirt ones.
So after 5 or 6 other ?river? crossings I finally found the omaruto river (I say ?river? cos it?s more a wet sandpit) This poor chap was stuck in the sand for the last 4 hours. But these nice German guys came along and helped him out. I decided to also try this crossing while there is still people around otherwise I might have to camp here. My first fall for the trip! Sorry, No pics of my spectacular over the handlebars stunt.
Then Uis.
What a nice little Dorp that is! The name means brak water, and Yskor used to mine Tin here until it became economically unsound to continue, the mine sold the town to a south-African business man who then sold it house by house, and a tourist town was born. You can still buy homes there for 30K. I stayed at The white lady B&B, What a nice place with friendly people and the best Boboti that side of the Orange River. I decided to stay a day longer in Uis and go explore the Brandberg.
You ride along and then next to you, there is a welwitchia ?(spelling)
Man I love the Brandberg, There is just something about that place. For me it was like walking/ riding on holy ground. I gotta go there again!!! Anyone keen?
Stats for day 4
Only 210km
Road = Hectic sand at places with stretches of the best dirt ever, just watch the road, If you cant see it?. It probably is missing.
Stats for day 5
Explored the Brandberg on the southern side, about 200km or so,
Road into the brandberg is a Jeep track that has patches of rock, sand, rock and sand.
Accommodation in Uis: The White Lady B&B, Absolutely the best in Uis! They have a Pool! Let me tell you a tafel in the pool after a day of dust is REALY nice! If you ever wanna go to that part of the world stay there!
MORE TO FOLLOW SOON!
Topic: Solo Namibia (Read 19929 times)
