| Off-Road: 3 day tour |
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Day before departure: Meeting point is the café at Woermann & Brock supermarket, Tobias Hainyeko Str., opposite of Kücki’s Pub. A roll-call is made, vouchers are collected, the question of provisions is discussed, and information is handed out. We can jointly agree to have dinner together at one of the many restaurants, so that we get to know each other before the trip starts. Day 1: Soon after leaving Swakopmund, the adventure starts. The track winds through the lunarscape and the Khan riverbed towards the old Khan mine. From her we drive into a wide canyon, with unsurmountable mountains on both sides. Occasional stops are made to check the vehicles, and to observe the rare plants. (For example the Welwitschia Mirabilis.) This part of the stony desert is very rich in photo motives. We leave the rocky canyons at Arandis, and drive cross country over the pebblestone desert towards Spitzkoppe. Here you can enjoy grandiose vistas, typical for Namibia. We pass along pitchblack Dolorite structures and grassy plains. It is fairly easy driving, but slow progress, because you have to change gears a lot. That is why we spend more than eight hours for less that 200 km! At the Sptizkoppe, also called the Matterhorn of Namibia, we will spend a comfortabe evening at the campfire. The huge granite rocks glow in the sunset, photogaphers love it! Day 2: We take the road to the Omaruru riverbed, along abandoned farms. Our destination for today is the Brandberg, and this larbe Mountain can be seen on the horizon most of the day. During our photo-stops you can see Euphorbia and Commiphora plants. The last stretch of the track leading to the Omaruru riverbed is quite narrow and rocky, but no problem if you drive carefully. In the Riverbed we encounter deep sandy tracks, that can only be negotiated with some speed. We reach Uis, a mining town with gas station and a shop. Then it goes along a track rounding the Brandberg, reaching the Ugab riverbed. The “White Lady” campsite features running water for toilet and shower. Alternatively there is a simple but adequate lodge. This day we cover 150 km. Day 3: If possible, we round the Brandberg counterclockwise. Along the Ugab riverbed we can see the famous desert elephants. We must negotiate the steep, rocky track out of the riverbed, and take a side trip to the Messum crater, with its huge Welwitschia plants. Thereafter the track winds along the Messum riverbed to the coast. The geology is fascinating. You can sense how it all began. The banks are covered with various types of Lichens, which we will take a closer look at during our stops. We pass Cape Cross and if there is time, we can drive a stretch on the beach. This is yet another driving experience. Today's trip is 250 km. End of the Tour is Swakopmund. Cost: N$ 2400,- per Vehicle and Tour. Catering not included. Optional Catering: N$ 450,- per person (must be paid locally) You could possibly join the tour for only one of the stretches, but this must be negotiated locally, and depends on availability. In the rainy season (usually February-April): When the riverbeds are flooded, the tour needs to be rerouted. However I can promise that this will not in any way reduce your driving enjoyment. Because we have to find alternate tracks, there will be an added element of adventure. |