On my most recent visit to Namibia we had a few hairy experiences due to the unexpected flash floods from the rains.
We started our journey to Namibia in the 6th of February with 2 vehicles, 4 of us, Riaan my partner, Barry my good friend from Robertson Winery and our trusty chef and camp boy, Franco.
The idea behind the trip was to familiarize Riaan with the surroundings of some of the back roads of Namibia together with taking a small break before I started a tour with some French people to Botswana.
Myself, Barry and Franco started from Stellenbosch and met Riaan at the Engen on the N7 outside Malmesbury. There we had Franco drive with Riaan and we set off to the north. Reached Noordoewer fairly early and decided to go for Hobas on the Fish river canyon.
This was a great idea and we had a great time at the Canyon, took some great shots of the sun setting over the mountains in the West with good light on the Canyon walls.
Our journey took us to Sesriem the following day to visit Sossusvlei and the mighty dunes of the surrounds. Some took the chance at a scorching 40 ͦC and got there bare feet burned to blisters, well, as they say, “Africa is a tough country”.
We decided to make for Solitaire for the overnight stop and as always it was great to visit the Apple capital of Namibia, or shall we call it the Apfel Strudel capital of the World. If you have not done the Apfel Strudel thing in Solitaire, then you have not had apple pie yet. After a great meal and some more pie we retired to our open air accommodation of mattresses and sleeping bags. Not much after 12 that night I woke to a few rain drops falling on my face. We soon put up the large awning and went back to sleep while the thunder was threatening to wash us down to the Fish River again, but things settled and all was good for the night.
The next day took us to the best place on earth, Swakopmund, stopping at friend and colleague Jacque from Uri Adventures; we headed for the German capital for Eisbein and Jagermeister. Our journey had not been trouble free as we had one tyre blowout about 20km’s before Walvisbay, this we had replaced and was well on our way in no time thanks to the competent crowd at Quality Tyres in Walvis. We decided to do an indoor overnight at the new Municipal bungalows, which was more that adequate for our stay. We did not feel like a night under the misty stars of the West Coast and all soaked with sea salt the next day.
Filling the fridges with the great product of Namaqua Butchery and some Tafels, the type you drink and not sit by, we left for Palmwag in the north. After breakfast along the road at Cape Cross, we headed East to Dorros Crater through the Ugab Canyon to Twyfelfontein and up to Palmwag. Traversing over some of the most remote parts of this country, we had the best Welwitchia sightings I have ever seen, literarily thousands along the dry riverbeds, absolutely Welwitchia alley. An absolute must if these prehistoric plants tickle your fancy. We made good progress to the Ugab and stopped over for lunch under a big Acacia tree in the riverbed. Soon after leaving the river we started to have the first real rains and thunderstorm activity. We made and waded our way up to Twyfelfontain only to be greeted by various flooding rivers. At this time it was still easy going and we were able to cross the little streams with ease.
As we made our way to Palmwag, we started crossing deeper and deeper rivers till we got to the Uniab a short while before Palmwag.
Along the way, about 10km’s before, we picked up an American couple with a rental bakkie and a surfboard in the back. They were from California and were travelling the country. Well, needless to say, they got really worried about the water and ended following us through the streams which have now become rivers of might.
Well, the Uniab got the better of us and we were not able to cross it. With utter determination on reaching Palmwag before night fall, we decided to give it a bash, or well a splash. We tied the two vehicles together with a long Snatch rope to be on the safe side. I entered the river first with Riaan behind me tied as an anchor. At first it seemed all right and we went for it, obviously underestimating the strength of such a flowing river the water took my vehicle and turned it downstream in a flash. With a sudden jerk from behind Riaan managed to pull me back to safety as this would have been merely impossible by myself. Lesson to be learned, if you cannot walk it, don’t drive it, and if in doubt, tie yourself to another heavy vehicle.
We ended up staying with the Yanks for an hour or so and having a relaxing glass of wine watching the sun set. Only to hear from them the words…”YOU CRAZY MOTHER #%$^&*”. Well I guess that could describe our unthinkable effort. It took not more than 2 hours for the river to settle and we crossed with ease to make Palmwag by 7 and still set up camp.
We now can tell the story without having lost any equipment, but the egos were damaged a bit.
From Palmwag we drove via Kamanjab to Etosha to make camp at Namutoni. The pan had rain recently and was flocked with game. Wow, what a sight. After Namutoni we split up. Riaan going to Windhoek and myself and Barry to Vic Falls. We had picked up some trouble with our Camil shock absorber on my Toyota which we had looked at in Tsumeb. We then with very kind and generous organizing from LA Sport Windhoek had a new shock flown in to Windhoek for replacement. At absolutely no charge to the shock and only covering the labor, this was fantastic service from Piet at Camil. They are really the best there is. Thanx Piet.
We made our way to Ngepi on the Okavango River just as you enter the Caprivi Strip. We had a fantastic time there again with the most friendly staff and fantastic tree houses for accommodation.
Setting off to Vic Falls the next morning via Katima and then through Zambia to Livingston we made good progress and reached the falls with ease at about 2pm. Myself and Barry had a good walk to the falls and after getting completely soaked, booked into the Waterfront Camping site for the night. Again having a good couple of sundowners to end this absolutely great journey with fantastic friend was so fabulous. Barry had to leave for home the following day and I had to pick up my guests from Brussels for a two week trip through Botswana.
I will travel with Barry Kok to Bangkok and back anytime, with company as this, who needs a destination…………………..
Link to photo's - http://picasaweb.google.com/antonferreira0/FRIENDSTONAMIBIA#
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