Namibia trip

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Bruce Turner

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Sep 27, 2016, 2:06:21 AM9/27/16
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Hi All,

after all the advice and info and listening to the boss at home we have come up with the following basic itinerary which may change en route, for our first trip to Namibia. This trip works out to around 4500kms and we have left 2 days open for unplanned visits. What do you think?
 
Day 1 JHB to Kalahari Rest Lodge
Day 2 Kalahari Rest Lodge to Windhoek
Day 3 Windhoek to Swartkopmund
Day 4 Swartkopmund  
Day 5 Swartkopmund
Day 6 Swartkopmund to Sesriem 
Day 7 Sesriem 
Day 8 Sesriem to Klein Aus Vista Camping
Day 9 Klein Aus to Shark Island Camping
Day 10 Shark Island Camping 
Day 11 Shark Island Camping to Hobas Rest Camp
Day 12 Hobas Rest Camp
Day 13 Hobas Rest Camp
Day 14 ?
Day 15 ?
Day 16 JHB


Thank you

Rgds
BruceT

Deon Lourens

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Sep 27, 2016, 2:16:33 AM9/27/16
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Bruce,
Camping in Luderitz can be a very windy affair! Thick fog also in night and morning sometimes. Maybe you should consider a B&B there? 
Why two days in Hobas and not Ai-Ais? Hobas has nothing to offer....however in May I was there and they are building new ablution blocks and chalets....but I would not stay there. Ai-Ais is so close to Hobas and you can do daily drives from there to the canyon etc.
Only my opinion.....
Deon

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Johan Havenga

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Sep 27, 2016, 2:17:08 AM9/27/16
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Hi Bruce.

Find an alternative for Shark Island!

Johan

On Tue, Sep 27, 2016 at 8:06 AM, Bruce Turner <bjtu...@gmail.com> wrote:

Pierre Radley

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Sep 27, 2016, 2:22:21 AM9/27/16
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Hi Bruce

Just incase you missed it....Shark Island is where the wind gets born....one don't let friends camp there unless you are a masochist 😎

Merwe Erasmus

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Sep 27, 2016, 2:23:47 AM9/27/16
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Ai Ais is situated between the mountains, has inside and outside pools, restaurant and a small shop. You can camp on grass. Hobas has a monkey problem and is exposed to the wind and dust.
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Brendon Muller

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Sep 27, 2016, 2:35:00 AM9/27/16
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Agree with them all, we had to do Shark Island just to experience it but won't do it again, we stayed 2 nights, the second night we took down

trailer tents and slept in the car an rooftops, an experience but not fun!

Hobas you need a couple of hours for the view point and maybe time to visit Canyon Roadhouse for a meal then head to Ais-Ais, the perfect place

to end off a trip, there we were booked for 2 days and I think ended up staying 3 or 4, not much to do beside spend hours in their heated pools

fair amount of walking to do but other than that chill and and drink beer in the pool :-)

 
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Christo Pietersen

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Sep 27, 2016, 3:13:35 AM9/27/16
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Bruce

 

Canyon Roadhouse also has a decent campsite, when I was there a few years ago, I would rather stay there than at Hobas and have a nice dinner in the very memorable restuarant.

 

Also I would rather stay longer at Klein Aus Vista and drive through to Luderitz for a day, do the Kolmanskoppe tour, wild horses etc, it is not that far.

 

 

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Hannes Thirion

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Sep 27, 2016, 3:16:40 AM9/27/16
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Bruce,

When are you going to Namibia?
I will be there in March next year.  Still have to fix the dates.
I normally camp only 1 night at Hobas.  Closest to the Fish River Canyon for sunset.  Nothing wrong with Hobas campsite.  
On the way to Hobas visit Canyon Roadhouse.  You can make it a lunch stop and have their famous roadhouse burger. Or just see all the old cars and memorabilia in the roadhouse.  
Ai-Ais is not one of my favourites.  Depends on what time of year you go to Ai-Ais.  Even in April it was hot, very hot.  Ai-Ais is down inside the Fish River valley with barren hot mountains around it.  Even at night it don't cool down.  Unless you go in winter.  

You got enough feedback on Sharks Island.  The recommended accommodation in Luderitz was Obelix Guest House.  But in April 2015 it was a bit run down.  I would rather try Haus Sandrose next as it come recommended.  See http://www.haussandrose.com/
To me Kolmanskop is still worth a visit.  There is a coffee shop in Kolmanskop with great coffee and cake.  
See http://kolmanskuppe.com/

Regards,


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Mike Nieuwoudt

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Sep 27, 2016, 3:24:29 AM9/27/16
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Day 3: Windhoek to Swakopmund via Khomas Hochland and Boshua Pass (will you be towing caravan? Boshua is do-able with good 4x4 towing off-road caravan, go down slowly in low range, the restriction on caravans and trailers on that road is that normal 2wd cars towing large caravans will have problems on Boshua incline), I would camp one night at Bloedkoppe or Klein Tinkas.
Day 9-11: Luderitz in general and Shark Island specifically is not a tent camping destination (but might be do-able in caravan), try guesthouse or hotel like The Nest.
Day 12: One night at Hobas, then one or two nights at Ais-Ais.
Day 14 or 15: I like staying over in Upington, preferably next to the river.

Brendon Muller

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Sep 27, 2016, 3:31:32 AM9/27/16
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Upington, I can highly recommend Oranje Rus Rest Camp, awesome setting on the river, good restaurant, camping and facilities  http://www.oranjerus.com/

it's about 20km off the main road but still find it worth the extra distance.
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Merwe Erasmus

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Sep 27, 2016, 3:36:11 AM9/27/16
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Do keep in mind that guided visits to Kolmanskop is limited to the mornings only. Access is restricted after 13:00.

 
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Mike Lauterbach

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Sep 27, 2016, 3:37:45 AM9/27/16
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Everyone has their preferences.  Our first trip into Namibia many moons ago involved a 2 or 3 night stay at Ai-Ais.  We thoroughly enjoyed it.  Went there again a few years later, and it was still nice, but by now we had gotten used to solitude, and it felt as if we were camping at Margate beach.  So definitely will not go back.  Will go to Hobas, which has less to offer, or Canyon Road House or some of the other suggestions.

We stayed at Shark Island twice - the first time the wind tried to lift the Defender off using the roof top tent as wings.  We erected all kinds of wind shelters to make it bearable. The scenery and setting won hands down for us and we went back.  The next time we had the most glorious weather.  We will be back, even if windy.  If you can't stand wind, then I agree, stay away.

Oranjerus looks awesome - will stop there next time!

Cheers
Mike

Bruce Turner

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Sep 27, 2016, 4:05:42 AM9/27/16
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Thank you all for the replies.
The dates we are looking at is from the 31st March until the 16th April.
I will be towing a Conqueror Companion.

Plan now looks like this:

Day 1 JHB to Kalahari Rest Lodge
Day 2 Kalahari Rest Lodge to Windhoek
Day 3 Windhoek to Swartkopmund
Day 4 Swartkopmund  
Day 5 Swartkopmund
Day 6 Swartkopmund to Sesriem 
Day 7 Sesriem 
Day 8 Sesriem to Klein Aus Vista Camping
Day 9 Klein Aus Vista
Day 10 Luderitz for the day (Kolmanskoppe tour, wild horses)
Day 11 Klein Aus to Ai Ais 
Day 12 Ai Ais Rest Camp
Day 13 Ai Ais Rest Camp
Day 14 Upington (next to river)
Day 15 ?
Day 16 JHB

Rgds
BruceT





Mike Nieuwoudt

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Sep 27, 2016, 4:44:36 AM9/27/16
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You're going to have a hard time reaching Swartkopmund from Windhoek in one day :-). (It is Swakopmund)
 
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Bruce Turner

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Sep 27, 2016, 4:49:06 AM9/27/16
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Oops. Thanks Mike N :) 

Rgds
BruceT

 
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Geoff Hill

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Sep 27, 2016, 4:54:20 AM9/27/16
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Hi Bruce,

 

After Seriem try Duiwisib camping and you can check the old castle there. If it doesn’t suit carry on to Klein Aus.

 

Also try the Cannon Roadhouse at the head of the canyon. A very nice campsite with a great restaurant. Then it’s just a short hop down to Ais-Ais.

 

Cheers,

Geoff

 

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Bruce Turner

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Sep 27, 2016, 4:58:04 AM9/27/16
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Thank you Geoff.

Is it advisable for us to book at all these campsites?

Rgds
BruceT

On 27 September 2016 at 10:54, Geoff Hill <hill....@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Bruce,

 

After Seriem try Duiwisib camping and you can check the old castle there. If it doesn’t suit carry on to Klein Aus.

 

Also try the Cannon Roadhouse at the head of the canyon. A very nice campsite with a great restaurant. Then it’s just a short hop down to Ais-Ais.

 

Cheers,

Geoff

 

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Geoff Hill

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Sep 27, 2016, 6:53:20 AM9/27/16
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We didn’t.

 

 

 

From: overlan...@googlegroups.com [mailto:overlan...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Bruce Turner
Sent: 27 September 2016 10:58 AM
To: overland-forum
Subject: Re: [Overland] Namibia trip

 

Thank you Geoff.

 
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Heiber...@columbus.co.za

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Sep 27, 2016, 7:10:02 AM9/27/16
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I did my Nam trip in and out of peak season in December 2012. I could hardly see any change in the amount of people at camp sites and even in Swakop that is supposed to be one of the busiest places. I my advise would be not to book

Anton Heiberg 

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From:        Bruce Turner <bjtu...@gmail.com>
To:        overland-forum <overlan...@googlegroups.com>
Date:        2016/09/27 10:58
Subject:        Re: [Overland] Namibia trip
Sent by:        overlan...@googlegroups.com



Thank you Geoff.

Is it advisable for us to book at all these campsites?

Rgds
BruceT

On 27 September 2016 at 10:54, Geoff Hill <hill....@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Bruce,

After Seriem try Duiwisib camping and you can check the old castle there. If it doesn’t suit carry on to Klein Aus.

Also try the Cannon Roadhouse at the head of the canyon. A very nice campsite with a great restaurant. Then it’s just a short hop down to Ais-Ais.

 

Cheers,

Geoff

 

 

Hi All,

 



Thank you

 

Rgds

BruceT

 

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Bruce Turner

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Sep 27, 2016, 7:15:19 AM9/27/16
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Thats perfect. Prefer not to book in case we decide on changes during the trip.

Thank you all for the advice.

Rgds
BruceT

On 27 September 2016 at 13:09, <Heiber...@columbus.co.za> wrote:
I did my Nam trip in and out of peak season in December 2012. I could hardly see any change in the amount of people at camp sites and even in Swakop that is supposed to be one of the busiest places. I my advise would be not to book

Anton Heiberg 

Hot Mill - Process Control Engineer
T: +27 13 247 2090 | F: +27 13 247 2751  |   M: +27 82 461 1827 |  heiber...@columbus.co.za
Columbus Stainless Pty Ltd | Hendrina road,  Middelburg, South Africa, 1050



From:        Bruce Turner <bjtu...@gmail.com>
To:        overland-forum <overland-forum@googlegroups.com>
Date:        2016/09/27 10:58
Subject:        Re: [Overland] Namibia trip
Sent by:        overland-forum@googlegroups.com



Thank you Geoff.

Is it advisable for us to book at all these campsites?

Rgds
BruceT

On 27 September 2016 at 10:54, Geoff Hill <hill....@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Bruce,

 

After Seriem try Duiwisib camping and you can check the old castle there. If it doesn’t suit carry on to Klein Aus.

 

Also try the Cannon Roadhouse at the head of the canyon. A very nice campsite with a great restaurant. Then it’s just a short hop down to Ais-Ais.

 

Cheers,

Geoff

 

 
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