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Namibia
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Higgers
 


Member Since: 07 Oct 2010
Location: Kent
Posts: 127

United Kingdom 
Namibia

Well at last we've booked a 15 day trip to Namibia. We'd originally wanted to do it through a proper guiding company, however its eyewateringly expensive Shocked and anyway, half the excitment is exploring for yourself.

Flights booked for October into Windhoek, currenlty looking at a Defender 110 fully kitted out for camping (Defenders are twice the price to hire than Toyota Hilux's) but the whole point for me is to explore the country by Land Rover. Mr. Green

We're thinking of Etosha National Park, Walvis Bay, Sand Dunes etc.

Has anyone been, have any tips, known campsites, nice lodges or general advice?

Thanks

Ian Thumbs Up
  
Post #82560714th Aug 2011 6:08 am
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RLD
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well done will be a very interesting trip for you i am sure some of our forum members out that way will answer your questions Thumbs Up wish i could go there Big Cry
 Home of RLD Hidden winch mounts Spare wheel Locks Trailer Body Fabrication ray@rld-tech.co.uk D3/4 sump plates MY 14 sump plates and the Discovery Sport wheel protectors Discovery 5 wheel locks
more Helsport tents and other things for camping Law of Mechanical Repair:
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Post #82561914th Aug 2011 7:36 am
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heine
 


Member Since: 07 Feb 2007
Location: Midrand
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South Africa 2009 Discovery 3 4.4 V8 HSE Auto Alaska WhiteDiscovery 3

You need to get to the Caprivi Strip and stay at Ngepi camp http://www.ngepicamp.com/
Also if you have the time get into Khaudum Reserve http://www.namibian.org/travel/namibia/khaudum.html

Depending when you you have booked we might even bump into each other. We have a trip planned for a 50th birthday in Etosha amongst other things
  
Post #82562114th Aug 2011 7:58 am
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heine
 


Member Since: 07 Feb 2007
Location: Midrand
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South Africa 2009 Discovery 3 4.4 V8 HSE Auto Alaska WhiteDiscovery 3
Herewith a short trip report from a friend of mine .

Herewith a short trip report from a friend of mine . Not a bad trip to copy

As the short reports I sent regularly from my cellphone from Namibia did not all reach you guys I have complied a complete report as follows:

Arrived Ai Ai Sunday for 2 nights, roads great, very little traffic, campsite half full. Visited Hobas, campsite good. Viewed canyon. Visited Canyon Roadhouse, very nice, a must see, great campsite too. Next, Aus via the Northen bank of the Orange River through the R'veld and Rosh Pinah, great. Camped at Klein Aus Vista at Aus. Very good.

Left there next morning for Luderitz and saw about 200 wild horses en route. No wind at Shark Island. Tomorrow Kolmaskop.

After a cool and windless night at Shark Island we did the interesting Kolmanskop tour then left for Duwisib via the scenic D707, a secondary road in need of grading. We camped at Duwiseb the night, very nice campsite with good ablutions.
Then we drove to Tsauchab River Camp. Excellent private campsites on the river with the best bathrooms yet seen at a campsite. Left there and on the way to Sesriem, visited their Wild Fig forest which also has a very nice campsite. Arrived at Sossus Oasis where we are camping the next two days. It's very windy and hot here. Campsites nice. Woke up to a completely overcast and cold day, very bad for photography. Went to the Vlei however which still has a lot of water. Very nice. A lot of water in the depression across the dune from the Deadvlei as well.

From Sesriem we went to the Namib Naukluft Mountain Zebta Park. Campsites reasonable. Nice mountain scenery with lots of mountain Zebras, Kudu, Klipsringer, birds korhaan etc.

Next day a very scenic drive to Solitaire where we had a huge chunk of apple pie, right out of the oven. Very nice. Then the busy road to Windhoek until we turned of to Mirabeb. This is a group of huge rocks in the middle of the flat desert, all covered in yellow grass after the good rains. There are a number of campsites around the rocky hills with longdrops only. Then we carried on to the D2186, which runs along the Kuiseb to Windhoek. There are huge dunes all along the SW side of the river and flat desert on the other side. Amazing and beautiful to see. This road is a bit rough, about 60km/h travelling.

We slept at Langstrand that night, rather disappointing. There doesn’t seem to have been any upkeep the last years and there were contractors staying there and using the bathrooms of course. The traffic was also very noisy. The bar at the end of the jetty was closed. We had supper at a good restaurant called Burning Shore.

Spent the next three nights at Sophia dale campsite, 12 km outside Swakop. It is a good enough place, but very dusty. Visted Walvis, rode quads over the dunes and did Swakop. A new Food lovers Market opened there that day and has the same good food at the same prices as Pretoria. Meat is cheaper. Cymot/Greensports has all the camping stuff as well.

Left Sophia Dale on Saturday morning in a terrible duststorm. Drove to Spitzkoppe against the howling east wind and climbing a thousand meters. Bad for fuel consumption. Spitzkoppe was very nice, camped under big trees against the huge rocks out of the wind. Only facilities are a lot of longdrops. Many flies, probably breeding in the open longdrops. Campsites all full by evening.
Left Sunday morning for Aba Huab against the wind again with dust storms predicted over the Namib and 35 degrees at Swakop.
Halfway to Uis we were met by a 'Road closed' sign, where the D1931 joins the D1930, so we had to take the 1931 detour of about 50 km. A quite rough road through some nice landscapes though
At Uis we heard that the bridge over the Omaruru was damaged therefore the closed road. Four wheel drives were however reported to be able to cross. The garage at Uis marked on t4a as out of service has been rebuilt and is back in service.
Arriving at Aba Huab we got the 'exclusive' camp site. Own bathroom, huge trees on river bank. Very nice. Very noisy African disco nearby in the evenings.
Monday, very hot, reached 32, did Twyfelfontein, organ pipes & burnt mountain.

Left Aba-Huab Tuesday and drove the Petrified Forest route. Visited the official site and saw huge petrified trees, a worthwhile place to see. Bought nice cake at the German bakery in Outjo
Camped at Etosha Safari Camp just before Anderson gate. Very nice camping, thick green lawns, good bathrooms etc. At sunset Overlander trucks/busses arrived as usual with the passengers overrunning the place.

Next morning entered Etosha and drove to the Moringa forest (Sprokieswoud) to find most of the trees flattened, presumably by elephants, as a camped off piece of the forest is ok. Saw black Rhino, lions and hundreds of other animals at Okondeka.
Saw 8 lions and lots of game at Nebrowni.
Next two nights camped at Halali, campsites very small, very dusty and overcrowded.
This morning saw lots of water, game and lions at Goas. Elephant herd came to drink at Nuamses.
The pan is still full of water at Etosha Llookout with big flocks of Pied Avochet and Lesser Flamingo. A very nice place.
Thursday evevening two herds of elephants at Halali's waterhole. Sunset over the ellies. Very beautiful. Friday, Namutoni. Campsite more or less grassed, no fine powdery soil like Halali, ablutions in poor state. Saw lots of Damara dikdik on the Dikdik drive.
Saturday left for Waterberg, had great cake and coffee at Sindano Court Cafe in Tsumeb, then to Hobas meteorite via the Grootfontein road. It's an amazing chunk of approx 80% iron and 15% nickel. Well worth seeing. Carried on to Waterberg via Rietfontein on the D2512, a good gravel road travelling through bushveld and cattle farms approaching Waterberg from the N East.
Some of W’berg's campsites are grassed under huge trees with good refurbished bathrooms. Spent the morning botanizing and birding and lazed about in the afternoon.

As we prefer the roads less travelled we left Waterberg for Windhoek via the C30 to Hochfeld where we had the best capuccinos in Namibia at the local lodge/restaurant/store/filling station. From there we turned onto the D2166 then the M53 to Arebbusch in Windhoek. Nice quiet roads through cattle country. The camp sites at Arebbush are fine powdery soil with shadeports and the ablutions are good. The traffic is very noisy though. That night went to Joe's for supper. A remarkable place for a great meal. Next morning saw the sights of Windhoek, then packed up left for Gobabis. Nice campsites here at Goba Goba Lodge. Next night slept at Kalahari Rest camp, nice place then home to Pretoria.
Mike Bands.
 

Last edited by heine on 16th Aug 2011 11:56 am. Edited 1 time in total 
Post #82562514th Aug 2011 8:11 am
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Higgers
 


Member Since: 07 Oct 2010
Location: Kent
Posts: 127

United Kingdom 

Thanks Heine - certainly food for thought.

We're camping for the majority and will stay in a few lodges for a bit of luxury - Just trying to steer the wife away from the £350 a night lodges Big Cry
 Ian

2014 Defender 110 XS 
 
Post #82579215th Aug 2011 4:00 am
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heine
 


Member Since: 07 Feb 2007
Location: Midrand
Posts: 4054

South Africa 2009 Discovery 3 4.4 V8 HSE Auto Alaska WhiteDiscovery 3

Pics to go with the trip report

https://picasaweb.google.com/1110271290234...feat=email
  
Post #82620416th Aug 2011 11:49 am
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D4JWW
 


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Good pics Heine Mr. Green how did the D4 do on 19" tires?
 A few mods... and keeping it all running...Faultmate MSV2
MY09EGR's blanked Thanks Bellautos, BAS 
 
Post #82620816th Aug 2011 11:54 am
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heine
 


Member Since: 07 Feb 2007
Location: Midrand
Posts: 4054

South Africa 2009 Discovery 3 4.4 V8 HSE Auto Alaska WhiteDiscovery 3

I wasn't on the trip , so I don't know first hand , but apparently no dramas Thumbs Up
  
Post #82621016th Aug 2011 11:55 am
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Hammilo
 


Member Since: 04 Aug 2011
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Germany 

Click image to enlarge

Stunning picture. Looks like it was an awesome trip!! Only a little bit jealous!!Wink
 "On the road to nowhere"  
Post #82621116th Aug 2011 11:56 am
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ZacSmith
 


Member Since: 26 Aug 2010
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Higgers

I did this in 2008 with Safari Drive:

Quote:
Feb 8 Fri Depart London Gatwick, North Terminal
You will depart from London Gatwick for your flight to Windhoek
on SW386 at 21h30. Please allow at least two hours to check in.
Feb 9 Sat Arrive in Windhoek, The Elegant
You arrive in Windhoek at 0845. On arrival you will be met and
taken to The Elegant, here you will stay in one of the six luxurious
double rooms. The Elegant provides a perfect base from which to
relax and discover Windhoek. When you have had a rest and
freshened up we will take you to our base where you will be
briefed on the vehicle, equipment, route and safety issues. This
thorough briefing can take up to two hours. You will also be asked
to sign the safety affirmation form to confirm that you have read
and understood all the contents of the trip book. We will then help
direct you to the best places to buy your fresh food stocks and
other items you may need. You will have plenty of time to do
your fresh food shopping in the afternoon. You will stay here on
a bed and breakfast basis.
Feb 10 Sun Sesriem Campsite, Sossusvlei
Leaving Windhoek Mountain Lodge in the morning, you drive
south to Sesriem. You camp near colassal sand dunes at
Sossusvlei in the Namib Naukluft Desert, the world’s oldest desert.
The dunes reach 300m high and extend as far as the eye can see.
They look stunning at dawn and dusk. The system of pans, which
fill with water during a good rainy season, attract a variety of
aquatic birds. In the dry season, the dunes are patterned by the
progress of the sidewinding snake, springbok, gemsbok and
mountain zebra. The camp has excellent facilities with hot showers,
flush loos and stone grills to cook on. Here you will be camping
in a prebooked and paid campsite. Allow for a 6 hour drive.
MORE INFORMATION ON SOSSUSVLEI
Situated in the Namib-Naukluft Park, the dunes of Sossusvlei are one of
Namibia's most spectacular sights. No matter how many pictures you have
seen of these colossal forms, seeing them with your own eyes is a wonderful
experience. Sunrise and sunset are definitely the best times to see this
beautiful landscape. The dunes look even more magnificent as the enormous
shadows accentuate their troughs and peaks and their amazing terracotta
hues intensify. They are positively mountainous in their dimensions as they
tower several hundred feet above the valley floor.
Feb 11 Mon Sesriem Campsite Sossusvlei
You spend a second night at Sesriem, giving you further
opportunity to explore your magnificent surroundings.
Feb 12 Tue Beach Lodge , Swakopmund
Drive through Namib Naukluft Desert to Swakopmund, a quaint
oasis town on the Skeleton Coast, which has some great
restaurants. You stay at Beach Lodge which is situated up the
beach and away from the town. Beach Lodge was built to
resemble a ship and many of the rooms have port hole windows.
It’s a simple but very comfortable lodge with everything you could
need whilst staying here as there is so much to do in this town;
quad biking, fishing, dune boarding, dolphin cruising and so much
more. The self-catering cottages are located right on the beach with
huge windows to absorb the mighty seascape and each cottage has
its own outdoor braai facility. You stay here on a bed and
breakfast basis in a pre-booked and prepaid room. This stop
gives you a good chance to stock up on fuel and fresh food and
provisions. Allow for a 6 hour drive.
Feb 13 Wed Beach Lodge Swakopmund
Remain based at Beach Lodge. There is plenty to do in
Swakopmund: you can take a morning cruise around Walvis Bay
and see the seals and dolphins at close range, an afternoon flight up
(or down) the skeleton coast.
MORE INFORMATION ON THE SKELETON COAST
The Skeleton Coast is one of the most inhospitable places on earth yet
amazingly alluring to those eager to experience first hand its bleak beauty and
desolate loneliness. Its name relates to the many shipwrecks that have
occurred along this part of the coast; where the cold waters of the Atlantic
Ocean meet the warm shores of the Namibian coastline, a dense fog is formed.
This natural phenomenon has been the downfall of many a sailor over the
years and if you visit the Skeleton Coast today, you will see that there is
nothing to interrupt the smoothness of the rolling dunes except the occasional
trace of a shipwreck, ancient and sand-blown, left stranded and soon to be
swallowed by the shifting sands. The fear that sailors had of becoming
shipwrecked along this bit of coastline was compounded by the knowledge that
if they did make it ashore, their survival would be virtually impossible owing
to the merciless conditions that would await them. The name 'Skeleton Coast'
actually only refers to the bit of coastline between the rivers Ugab and Kunene
although it has also become a generic term for Namibia's entire desert coast.
Despite its desert-like conditions, the Skeleton Coast is home to flourishing
populations of seals, penguins, flamingos, dolphins and brown hyena - an
extraordinary contrast supported by icy cold seas and scorching hot desert.
Feb 14 Thu Brandberg Wilderness Camp
Take the longish drive to Brandberg - the atmosphere is charming
and you camp amongst the acacia trees, with a lovely contrast
between the trees and the towering russet tones of the Brandberg.
It is a very picturesque place. Hospitable guides offer walks to see
the desert elephant when they are in the area. The camp is well
signed off the main Brandberg road. If you wish to visit the
“White Lady of Brandberg” you will need to leave Swakopmund
early as its not a quick walk! You stay here in a pre-paid and
pre-booked campsite. Allow 5 hours drive.
Feb 15 Fri Brandberg Wilderness Camp
Stay at Brandberg and explore the area.
Feb 16 Sat Etosha National Park, Ongava Tented Camp
Today you drive into Etosha National Park. The wide open spaces
and the abundant wildlife make a visit to this park unforgettable. At
the heart of the park is the Etosha Pan; a place of mirages and
plumes of sand whipped up by the wind. It is dry for most of the
year but the perennial springs and waterholes attract great
concentrations of birds and game even during the dry winter
months. Birdlife in Etosha is prolific, Lion are frequently seen but
cheetah and leopard are spotted less often. Elephant, gemsbok,
springbok, kudu, eland, dik dik, giraffe, zebra, hyenas are all found
in Etosha along with many other species! Tonight you will be
staying at the Ongava Tented Camp. This stunning, newly
refurbished, tented camp is extremely comfortable and a good
place from which to drive to Etosha. You will stay in an ensuite
tent with a well appointed bathroom and a private balcony with
panoramic views over the surrounding savannah and woodland.
Dinner will be served under the stars overlooking the floodlit
waterhole and you can be sure to have a real bush experience in
this peaceful camp where activities include game drives on the
30000 hectare private game reserve and walking in the area. You
stay here on a fully inclusive basis. Drinks extra. Allow for a 5
hour drive. There are fuel pumps at the camps in Etosha.Note that
the evening game drive normally departs around 4 pm returning to camp
around 7-8 pm.
MT - 11/1/08
Feb 17 Sun Etosha National Park, Ongava Tented Camp
Stay at Okaukuejo for a second night allowing you to spend more
time exploring the wonderful Etosha National Park.
MORE INFORMATION ON ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
Etosha National Park is probably one of the best game-viewing regions in the
world. Its name (meaning 'great white place of dry water') comes from the
Etosha Pan, a vast, flat, saline desert. When a good rainy season happens, the
normally dry river channels carry water to this gentle depression turning it
into a shallow lagoon. This unusual oasis then becomes a busy watering hole
as it draws in a variety of animals and, for a few days each year, thousands of
flamingos and pelicans. About 80% of Etosha National Park is covered by
mopane woodland. Scrubby savannah, umbrella thorn acacias and other trees
enjoyed by browsers are also part of Etosha's landscape. The park protects
over 100 species of mammal, 16 species of reptile and amphibian and an
incredible 340 species of bird. As well as elephant, Burchell's zebra, giraffe,
cheetah, lion and leopard, Etosha is home to the protected black-faced impala
and black rhino. Here you are also likely to encounter springbok, red
hartebeest, blue wildebeest, gemsbok, eland, kudu, roan, jackals and hyena.
The abundant birdlife includes korhaans, marabou, yellow-billed hornbills,
ostrich, white-backed vultures and the enormous kori bustard, which can
exceed 15kg in weight.
Feb 18 Mon Onguma Bush Campsite, East Etosha
You travel through Etosha to spend the night at Onguma Camp at
the eastern end of the park. Situated just outside the Von
Lindequist Gate, East Etosha, is the newly renovated privately
owned campsite has all the facilities you could ask for. There are
just 5 sites, each with individual braai areas, private bathroom and
washing area, all wonderfully shaded under the acacia trees. This a
perfect place to base yourself for a few days away from the
madding crowds while wanting to visit Etosha National Park and
you will be given a key for your bathroom where you can store
your belongings during the day when you are in the park. There is
also a bar, very large swimming pool and restaurant at the
neighbouring Onguma Guest House which you can make full use
of and they will also provide firewood for cooking.Here you will
be camping in a pre-booked and prepaid campsite. Allow for
a long game drive.
Feb 19 Tue Onguma Bush Campsite, East Etosha
You stay another night aat Onguma Campsite.
Feb 20 Wed Okonjima Bush Camp
Today you drive to Okonjima, in the Omboroko Mountains. Here
you can enjoy walks, scenic drives, great food and a friendly
atmosphere. You can also see the wonderful work your hosts, the
Hanssen family, are doing with AfriCat. AfriCat was set up to
relocate cheetah and leopard and other trapped or injured animals
MT - 11/1/08
back into the wild. Although the foundation has a slightly zoo-like
quality (as some of the animals are very tame and thus are not able
to be released into the wild) it is important to remember that for
the few kept in captivity there are many released. The work of
AfriCat has done a huge amount of good to the wildlife of
Southern Africa. Please be sure to be there by 1500 to enjoy the
afternoon activities which will involve tracking the cheetah or
leopard on the farm. The Bush Camp is extremely comfortable
and you stay in a private ensuite cottage with views to a waterhole
and the professional team will look after you very well and make
sure that you have a lot of fun whilst staying in this beautiful camp.
The Camp is around 3 kms from the Main Lodge and far nicer.
Your stay here is on a fully inclusive basis with two activities
daily. Drinks are extra. Allow for a 5 hour drive.
Feb 21 Thu Depart
You drive back to Windhoek to return the vehicle (at a
prearranged time and place) and transfer to the airport for your
flight to London on SW385 departing at 2040. Allow for a 4 hour
drive back to Windhoek plus time to hand back the vehicle, 45
minute transfer to the airport and 2 hours for check in.


The whole thing was awesome. A couple of comments:

Make sure you are in Dead Vlei at dawn in Sesriem

I would add a night at the Cape Cross seal colony north of Swakop

http://www.capecross.org/accom.htm

I don't think that Walvis Bay is worth the detour unless you need to visit Walvis Bay Land Rover (who were outstanding) or are well into flamingoes and it's in season.
 VIN: A175A328***  
Post #82628516th Aug 2011 4:38 pm
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Landy_Mad_Foreigner
 


Member Since: 26 Aug 2010
Location: Somewhere between a rock and a hard place
Posts: 411

United Kingdom 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 S Manual Zambezi SilverDiscovery 3

A must stop is Joe's Beer House in Windhoek!

Excellent food (although it's a while since I was there)
 One Wife.......Livid

BAS Remap, RLD Sumpguard Side Steps, A-Bar and LR Driving Lights - Just a start but more to come

1984 Series III SWB on the mend and getting better 
 
Post #82636616th Aug 2011 7:45 pm
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Higgers
 


Member Since: 07 Oct 2010
Location: Kent
Posts: 127

United Kingdom 

Report and photo's can be found here:

http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic7116.html


Cheers

Ian Thumbs Up
 Ian

2014 Defender 110 XS 
 
Post #85814112th Nov 2011 6:28 pm
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heine
 


Member Since: 07 Feb 2007
Location: Midrand
Posts: 4054

South Africa 2009 Discovery 3 4.4 V8 HSE Auto Alaska WhiteDiscovery 3

Our recent trip to Namibia

http://heine9999.wordpress.com/2011/11/09/...mber-2011/
  
Post #86054718th Nov 2011 5:56 pm
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