From Durban to Namibia and Back

We’re back!

We’ve just returned from the most incredible holiday ever! 

Our journey started on Friday, 22 August 2008.  The first night was spent in Virginia in the Free State, which allowed me a few hours with Tristan.  I’d like to say thank you to Marco and Annemarie for letting us spend the night at their house.

The following day we went through a couple of towns such as Theunissen, a little mecca in the middle of nowhere.  This was followed by a village called Brandfort and it surprised us that people still live in such isolation from the rest of the world.  Dealesville, which boasted a quaint NG church, came after Brandfort and then we drove past a gathering of houses known as Soutpan.  At this point I got nostalgic as we entered the farming community of Boshoff.  As a child, I spent many a Sunday morning on the front verandah of my Ouma’s (Afrikaans for Granny) home.  We stopped off in Boshoff to visit family of mine, whom I haven’t seen in 15 years.  The visit lasted an hour and then we set off for the next town called Kimberley.  Kimberley boasts the largest man made hole in the world, where they found one of the largest diamonds in the world.

 Our destination was Upington, which was still 300kms from Kimberley.  We finally got to a our campsite, Katakoeroe in Upington just before sunset.  After a long day in the car we were soon all in bed and fast asleep.  We set off the next morning for our next destination which was Keetmanshoop.  We reached the border at approximately lunch time and managed to get through without any hitches.  The first town we reached was Karasburg.  It being a Sunday, the town seemed desserted, but we managed to find a little shop to get some coldrinks.  The countryside started changing rapidly.  Although it was stark, the landscape held an incredible beauty of its own – needless to say that I was clicking away at the camera with great enthusiasm.  Finally we pulled into the quaint town, called Keetmanshoop.  I was beaming from ear to ear when we pulled up to our camp site at the Quiver Tree Forest Rest Camp.  We were nestled right next to the Quiver Tree Forest and my favourite part of this campsite, was the natural tables provided – slabs of stone from the area were balanced on each other to form tables.  We spent that night huddled around a warm fire singing with Kyra as she looked up into the sky singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

The following morning was freezing cold and we set off as soon as we could.  It was a long, yet interesting day as we made our way north towards Windhoek, bypassing the town of Mariental which marked the halfway point (250kms) between Keetmanshoop and Windhoek.  Once again the landscape had me blown away and the camera was being put to full use.  That night we finally pulled into the thriving metropolis of Windhoek, nestled between the mountains and with the help of Jane’s directions we were at their front door in no time.  That night we enjoyed a hearty meal prepared by Jane.  The next couple of days were spent in Windhoek taking in the city, shopping malls, flea markets, sights and scenery.

Friday, 29 August we took to the road once again, en route to Etosha.  This time we were in two cars – Jane and Rob in their 4 x 4, with Pete, the kids and I in our car behind them.  We stopped off in the town of Okahandja at a thriving little shop called Piet’s Biltong.  We stocked up on biltong (SA for beef jerky) and cooldrinks and set off again.  Our next stop was at Outjo (pronounced OO-Cho) where we took some photos of the local Himba ladies in their traditional make up.  It wasn’t long after Outjo, before we pulled into the Etosha Safari Park where we camped for 3 nights.  The days were spent driving through the Etosha Game Reserve and we managed to see literally hundreds of animals.  Our sights included dozens of bird species, a snake, lions, springbok, wildebeest, gemsbok, kudu, hartebees, rhino, elephant, jackal, giraffe and not to forget a little Squirrel that would give Ron Jeremy a run for his money. 

Pete hit the nail on the head when he said that even though Kyra had not been in school for a couple days, this was still the most educational experience of her life.

Our stay at Etosha Safari Park came to an end and the morning of Monday, 1 September we said our farewells to Rob as he returned to Windhoek in our car and we continued on our journey with Jane in the 4 x 4.  The first place Jane took us to was a farm (Otjihaenamaparero and good luck to anyone who can pronounce that), where 200 million year old dinosaur footprints had been found.  (www.dinosaurstracks.com)  After a walk around the place and many more photos, we were on our way again.  We stopped off for some provisions in a town called Omaruru (O-ma-ROO-ROO) and soon we were driving through the river beds of the Kahn river (notice I say river beds and not actual rivers…), right before we reached the gates of Ameib Ranch, our next camp site.

Ameib Ranch is definitely one of our favourite spots.  (http://www.natron.net/tour/ameib/) The boulders were extraordinary – dwarfing us like we were ants.  The scenery was breathtaking and the whole experience, just out of this world.  I came across a jackall and I don’t know who got the bigger fright.  We went to an old Bushman cave, did some hiking and took some of the most amazing photos – which included a pic of a baby scorpion who took it upon itself to crawl into our clothing bag!

Unfortunately our stay ended too soon and we were on our way to Swakopmund.  At this point of our journey I was speechless to see the endless dunes and the dramtic landscape.  It was also mind boggling to find that one moment we were in the blazing heat and the next moment when we got out the car at Swakopmund, it was freezing cold.  We did not stay at the original campsite, at Longbeach, Jane had had in mind, as the weather was too awful.  However, the alternative campsite, Alte Bruche, Jane booked us into was wonderful and totally different to all our other campsites.  This particular place had a toilet and shower dedicated to each camp site.  The following day we took a drive around Swakopmund, spent some money at the flea market, went to Walvis Bay and drove around there.  We got to see the salt works in Walvis Bay and Dune 7.

We eventually retuned to Windhoek from Swakopmund - Wow Civilisation! 

We allowed ourselves a day to recooperate and then we bid farewell to the Children, Rob and Jane.  Our drive south would now lead us to the Fish River Canyon and back into South Africa.  We arrived at our campsite called the Cañon Roadhouse much later than expected.  This had us racing to the Fish River Canyon Lookout point which caused us to burst a left rear tyre just one hundred metres from the view point.   It was a rush against time as the sun was setting and as such Pete managed to change our tyre in record time.  Attention all formula one pit crews, you have competition out here.  Thanks to Pete’s efforts we managed to enjoy a nice cool sundowner at a spectacular view point overlooking the canyon.  That evening was concluded with a nice hot cup of coffee after Pete managed to create a fire from the six logs that simply would not burn.

 The next morning we left early for our next campsite, Kamkirri, at Augrabies Falls in South Africa.  This day would take us to a town which would be the perfect setting for any number of Stephen King Horror Movies…  Not only had the town’s one horse died but the locals had probably eaten it as well and to elaborate any further on the dreariness of this small village nestled in the middle of the desert where anything can happen (and no-one would know … or hear you scream for that matter) would probably cause you and I to spend more time in therapy than is fiscally viable.  Name of town omitted for safety reasons!    To our relief, the next spot we drove into was the delightful village of Kakamas.  With Sloping wine vineyards as far as the eye could see.  Kamkirri, our next campsite, was roughly 23 kilometres from the town.  This was my favourite campsite of the trip and we had our tent pitched literally on the banks of the Orange River.  As can be seen in the photo album the sunset was a sight to behold and had us clicking away relentlessly at the camera. 

Our final day on holiday started with a breath taking tour of the Augrabies Falls.  Unfortunately the photo’s we took just do not do the area justice and the sites left one speechless at the wonder of such incredible natural landscaping.  Whilst it was not the rainy season the flow of water was immense and the mind boggles when one sees the photographs in the rest area of the river in full flood.  

Our holiday was supposed to conclude in Kimberley where we were to view the big hole and the numerous museums in the town.    As we drove into Kimberley that evening we realised a few hours would not do the town justice and decided to push through to Durban.  A drive of some 800 kilometres.  A fuel stop for some vital supplies (A Red Bull and a Roll of Bio plus tablets) and we hit the road.  Completely knackered and flat bummed, Pete put his mind to the task at hand and drove us safely home, pulling into our drive way the following morning, Tuesday 9 September,  at 4am.

We would like to say a huge Thank You to Jane and Rob for making this holiday possible for us.  God knows we could not have done it ourselves.  We rated this holiday as our best ever and for those of you who are prepared to put the 5600 kilometers of mileage on your cars, we would recommend it to you in a heart beat.  Namibia is a country that enriches the soul and pleases the eye all at the same time.  Stark beauty combined with dramatic scenery - I am only too happy to have left a part of me behind.