Advice for Southern Namibia December 2013

[Senyetse]

We're planning a trip to Southern Namibia in December 2013. It will be my wife , the kids and I in a 2000 Hilux 2.7 D/C 4x4 and my brother and his wife in a diesel Hyundai Tuscon 4x4.

This is the route and itenerary I'm contemplating. Unfortunately we don't have very much time to do it in.

1) 17, 18 December - 2 nights at Augrabies and then cross over into Namibia at Onseepkans?
2) 19, 20 Decemebr - North via C10, B3, C12 - 2 nights at Canyon Roadhouse campsite
3) 21-23 December - South along C37 to C13 to Sendelingsdrif and possibly cross over to Richtersveld for 3 nights in the park at De Hoop or Potjiespram (?). Will the Tuscon handle Richtersveld and what will be border and pont cost to cross over back into SA and back into Nam again? If no then I'll look at possibly spending more time at some of teh other places or maybe including other areas on the route.
4) 24, 25 December - Up to Aus and spend 2 nights at Desert Horse Inn (Klein Aus Vista). Will visit Luderitz and Kolmanskop.
5) 26, 27 December - North via C13 and C27 to Sesriem campsite for 2 nights.
6) 28 December - Via C14, C19, C20 west to Kalahari Anib Lodge for 1 night near Stampriet
7) 29 Decmber - 2 January C15 to Mata Mata and a few days in Kgalagadi then home.

Any comments and advice would be appreciated, particularly the number of days at a place and whether the Tuscon will handle Richtersveld in December.

[Senyetse]

The route map

[Niel]

19, 20 Decemebr - North via C10, B3, C12 - 2 nights at Canyon Roadhouse campsite

some pics of the camp site

[Niel]

21-23 December - South along C37 to C13 to Sendelingsdrif and possibly cross over to Richtersveld for 3 nights in the park at De Hoop or Potjiespram (?).

I preferred de Hoop as it has open spaces where as in Potjiespram there are a lot of trees - will see if I have some pics - but it is a personal thing.

24, 25 December - Up to Aus and spend 2 nights at Desert Horse Inn (Klein Aus Vista)

Awesome place an dthe camp sites have no power and is in a kloofie away from it all with a nice view.

[Senyetse]

I think we should rather do Augrabies, then Richtersveld (via Eksteenfontein), then Canyon Roadhouse.

I'm just worried about the travel time from Augrabies to Richtersveld. Can anyone recommend a campsite between Augrabies and Richtersveld.

[Senyetse]

Thanks for the pics Niel.

[Senyetse]

OK this is the new plan:

16 December - overnight somewhere?
17, 18 December - Augrabies
19, 20 December - Canon Roadhouse campsite - booked
21, 22 December - Klein Aus Vista - booked
23, 24 December - Sossus Oasis campsite - booked
25, 26 December - Tina's B&B - Swakop ?
27, 28 December - Kalahari Anib campsite - booked
29, 30, 31 Dec, 1 Jan - Mata Mata
2 January Twee Rivieren
3 January - overnight somewhere?

We decided to skip Richtersveld for now and rather visit Swakop. Will book Kgalagadi when bookings open in January.

[shaunmeizter]

Sorry to hack your post.

Any rules about meat into and out of Namib. We will be at Noordower (white river rafting 2days) 3 days at Ais-Ais then week in Kgalagadi. Can I take my skaap tjopies into Namib and out to Kgalagadi?

[SuidWes]

Hey Shaun,

In September, no red meat into NAM but they did not check any of the vehicles..... Kglagadi SA side should not be a problem but why would you want take tjops out :)

Sound like a lekker trip, enjoy!

Hi Charles,

Think the Tuscon will be fine in the Richtersveld, just take it slow. Also liked De Hoop more that Potjies - Just be careful on some of the deep sandy/dusty tracks close to the river at De Hoop.

Gravel roads in Nam not that good - Look out for sharp rocks and take it easy. We did not lose any tyres doing a simular trip past Sep but saw a numbers of other vehicles with tyre problems.....

ENJOY!

[SuidWes]

Also, Kolmanskop I think closes at 14:00 so important to check and plan accordingly. We saw a lot of wild horses at the view point the morning but only one that afternoon :)

[Niel]

In September, no red meat into NAM but they did not check any of the vehicles

Same happenned to us in July - but you can buy meat from Klein Aus as well - Rosh Pina also has a spar whereyou can buy meat.

Gravel roads in Nam not that good - Look out for sharp rocks and take it easy. We did not lose any tyres doing a simular trip past Sep but saw a numbers of other vehicles with tyre problems.....

Jaco, the roads are still better than most of the gravel roads in SA. Saw a few vehicles at the Engen garage at Sesriem with flat tyres so that stretch seems particularly bad. Polarbear2008 also suffered a puncture on that stretch. They will repair punctures at the Engen

[HennieO]

OK this is the new plan:

16 December - overnight somewhere?
17, 18 December - Augrabies
19, 20 December - Canon Roadhouse campsite - booked
21, 22 December - Klein Aus Vista - booked
23, 24 December - Sossus Oasis campsite - booked
25, 26 December - Tina's B&B - Swakop ?
27, 28 December - Kalahari Anib campsite - booked
29, 30, 31 Dec, 1 Jan - Mata Mata
2 January Twee Rivieren
3 January - overnight somewhere?

We decided to skip Richtersveld for now and rather visit Swakop. Will book Kgalagadi when bookings open in January.

Swakop is great.... if possible try and get a campsite at Alte Brucke - the best campsites I have ever stayed at anywhere in Southern Africa!!!!