Kgalagadi & Southern Namibia trip

Post by **JoshJ** » 28 Dec 2014 19:34

So after a year of planning and preping the day finally came. On 1 December at 02h30am myself, my wife and our three teenagers set off on our trip that would take us through the northen Cape, Khalahari, Namibia and back through the Northen Cape.

We reached our first overnight destination, Witsand, at around 15h00. After checking in. We went to explore and experience the roaring dunes. Unfortunatly some idiot tried to drive up the dune. How long those marks will be there is difficult to say. The accomodation at witsand is excellent. It was a nice surprise. The place is beautiful. Well worth a visit.

: White roaring dune.; trudie dec 2014 372.jpg (166.86 KiB) Viewed 5648 times

: Witsand; trudie dec 2014 367.jpg (148.15 KiB) Viewed 5648 times

The next morning we left for Upington inroute to Tweerevieren. In Upington we bought food and drink for our 6day stay in the Kgalagadi. I bought meat at the Opi hoek Slaghuis. Very nice and helpfull. We left for Tweerevieren and arrived there just before three. Here we had to go through customs after checking in. We where given a sort of gate pass which we where to hand in at all the camps until we leave the park at Mata-Mata.
what can I say. My 2nd time in the Kgalagadi. The first time was great this time was Super Great. We stayed over at the main camps, mainly because of the swimming pools for the kids.
We had awesome sightings and experiences. The one day around nossob we saw 18 Lions.

: On the road to Nossob just after the rooiputs turn off; trudie dec 2014 045-2.jpg (228.31 KiB) Viewed 5648 times

: From the hide at Nossob camp; IMG_1584-3.jpg (188.69 KiB) Viewed 5648 times

: From the hide at Nossob camp; IMG_1604-3.jpg (192.13 KiB) Viewed 5648 times

: These to lovers was very thursty after a "HOT" summers day; IMG_1609-3.jpg (199.59 KiB) Viewed 5648 times

: Nossob hide; IMG_1725.jpg (203.66 KiB) Viewed 5648 times

: Nossob hide; IMG_1546-3.jpg (195.75 KiB) Viewed 5648 times

: Nossob hide; IMG_1547-3.jpg (64.92 KiB) Viewed 5648 times

: Kwang waterhole; IMG_1699.jpg (182.07 KiB) Viewed 5648 times

: Kwang waterhole; IMG_1707.jpg (156.6 KiB) Viewed 5648 times

: Kwang waterhole; IMG_1714.jpg (119.28 KiB) Viewed 5648 times

: Kwang waterhole; trudie dec 2014 191.jpg (236.69 KiB) Viewed 5648 times

: Sunset colouring the clouds; trudie dec 2014 028-2.jpg (84.03 KiB) Viewed 5648 times

To be continued

Post by **JoshJ** » 28 Dec 2014 20:01

Okay i want to apologise if things get confusing. I was not sure how much info a post can handle. So I am doing this as I go.

Still in the Kgalagadi.

: Inroute to Mata-Mata; trudie dec 2014 071-2.jpg (230.78 KiB) Viewed 5646 times

: Inroute to Mata-Mata; trudie dec 2014 068.jpg (238.46 KiB) Viewed 5646 times

: Inroute to dikbaardskolk; trudie dec 2014 045-4.jpg (241.95 KiB) Viewed 5646 times

: Inroute to unions end; trudie dec 2014 143.jpg (215.26 KiB) Viewed 5646 times

: Inroute to Nossob; trudie dec 2014 062.jpg (264.87 KiB) Viewed 5646 times

: Unions end; trudie dec 2014 152.jpg (162.44 KiB) Viewed 5646 times

: Inroute to dikbaardskolk; IMG_1729-2.jpg (136.65 KiB) Viewed 5646 times

: Inroute to dikbaardskolk; IMG_1742-2.jpg (142.43 KiB) Viewed 5646 times

: Inroute to dikbaardskolk; IMG_1737-2.jpg (166.99 KiB) Viewed 5646 times

Their was so many sightings and i have hundreds of pics but let me move on. We left a windy Mata-Mata on Sunday morning and entered Namibia. The border was a breeze.

To be continued...

Post by **Etienne Gous** » 28 Dec 2014 22:26

Joshua
Please do continue, some of us have to work and really enjoy your pictures.
looking forward for more. May you and your family have a super and safe trip
ENJOY!!!!!

Post by **JoshJ** » 28 Dec 2014 22:28

Destination Sossusvlei. On the way we past through Ghogas and mariental. In mariental we had a Wimpy breakfast and bought supplies at the local Spar. We then set off to Sossusvlei. The roads where a mix of good and not so good dirt roads. The Patrol took them as they came with ease. We arrived at Sossus Oasis around six. After booking in, we set up camp and relaxed after a long days drive. Sossus Oasis is a true Oasis. They have a feul station and a shop that sells anything and more. Their is also a small garage where minor repairs can be done as well as tyres. Very "green" setup. I thought the way that they ran the place was great. And its right across the road from the Sossusvlei national park gate.
we stayed at Sossus Oasis for 4 days. Using it as a base to explore the area.

: A Sossus Oasis campsite; IMG_1773-2.jpg (183.24 KiB) Viewed 5637 times

: IMG_1909-2.jpg (198.34 KiB) Viewed 5637 times

: IMG_1818-2.jpg (173.6 KiB) Viewed 5637 times

: IMG_1813-2.jpg (176.99 KiB) Viewed 5637 times

: trudie dec 2014 146.jpg (277.42 KiB) Viewed 5637 times

: trudie dec 2014 233.jpg (139.51 KiB) Viewed 5637 times

: IMG_1946-2.jpg (130.98 KiB) Viewed 5637 times

: IMG_1959-2.jpg (196.73 KiB) Viewed 5637 times

: Sesriem Canyon; IMG_2009-2.jpg (167.54 KiB) Viewed 5637 times

Post by **JoshJ** » 28 Dec 2014 22:50

More on the area around Sossusvlei.

: trudie dec 2014 261.jpg (175.51 KiB) Viewed 5637 times

: Dooie vlei

Dooie Vlei; trudie dec 2014 257.jpg (247.69 KiB) Viewed 5637 times

: trudie dec 2014 122.jpg (215.79 KiB) Viewed 5637 times

: Ferry sircles; trudie dec 2014 271.jpg (309.86 KiB) Viewed 5637 times

: IMG_1976-2.jpg (55.98 KiB) Viewed 5637 times

: We went to eat the famous apple strudle; IMG_2033-2.jpg (193.47 KiB) Viewed 5637 times

There is a few of these old cars as you enter Solitaire. They have energy saving globes for head lights. Would have loved to see this at night.

: Solitaire; IMG_2028-2.jpg (158.26 KiB) Viewed 5637 times

: IMG_2018-2.jpg (197.2 KiB) Viewed 5637 times

: IMG_2014-2.jpg (148.66 KiB) Viewed 5637 times

Their is a heep of things to do around Sossusvlei. But our 4 days ran out and we headed south.

Post by **JoshJ** » 28 Dec 2014 23:11

We left Sossusvlei and headed south. Our new destination was Namtib Desert lodge. We camped at little hunters rest camp. Wow what an Isolated gem. Very rustic and you need to be self sufficient. They only sell wood. Their is very clean ablutions and if you want hot water, their is a donkey. You start the fire. We had the place to ourselfs. The owners took a break, their parents just dropped by ones to see if we need anything. We toured out of Namibia's popular season. So over all it was quiet. But this place was.....

: Little hunters; IMG_2087-2.jpg (239.95 KiB) Viewed 5636 times

: IMG_2084-2.jpg (203.87 KiB) Viewed 5636 times

: IMG_2086-2.jpg (195.66 KiB) Viewed 5636 times

: IMG_2041-2.jpg (193.45 KiB) Viewed 5636 times

: IMG_2044-2.jpg (162.6 KiB) Viewed 5636 times

We spent two blissful days here. Then we moved futher south. Next destination was Luderitz.

: Wild horses outside Aus; trudie dec 2014 017-2.jpg (225.52 KiB) Viewed 5636 times

: trudie dec 2014 018-2.jpg (219.95 KiB) Viewed 5636 times

Post by **Herrie** » 29 Dec 2014 07:20

Hi, julle het 'n baie lekker vakansie gehad!!

Toe ons laas daar by Witsand was het daai opdraande waar iemand opgery het ook geen geraas gemaak toe ek daar geloop het nie. Ons gaan toe 'n bietjie meer links waar daar 'n kleiner oploop roete is en die een se sand maak 'n harde lawaai as jy daar op loop en dit baie lekker om dit te doen!!

Post by **Peter Connan** » 29 Dec 2014 09:50

Thanks Josh. Some great sightings in the KTP, and beautiful scenery everywhere!

Will be watching with interest.

Post by **JoshJ** » 29 Dec 2014 11:13

We arrived at Luderitz. We booked accommodation at Zum Anker. I dont camp on Namibia's coast.

we where to early to check in. So I we unhooked the trailer and went to Diaz coffee shop for a breakfast. Great food. And great value for money. Zum Anker is a great place to stay. We stayed here for 3 nights and explored the town and surrounding area from here. We visited Kolmanskop. Diaz point and all the small bays up to Diaz point. Kolmanskop was great. We had a tour guide so it was nice to add the new found knowledge to what you see. The technology they had and how they adapted to the conditions was awesome to see. One not so nice thing about the area is the wind. It was howling. Everyday. None the less we still had a great time. And we took it as part of the experience.