Namibia-Kakoland and the Kuene River

Next Dates: 22nd March to 9th April 2011

Grade: 2

As soon as your plane touches down your senses will be enveloped by the smells and sounds of Namibia and you will be enthralled , not wanting to leave.

Our safari in Namibia starts at the Auas game farm near Windhoek before heading to the Atlantic coast at Swakopmund. Here we reprovision before our journey North to Damaraland and Kakoland, visiting Cape Cross, The Rhino Camp on the Ughab River and Twyfelfontein on our way.

The diversity of landscapes is awe-sand rivers, Mountain passes( one called divorce pass!!)and tracks through Mopani bush to the unexpected lushness of the banks of the Kuene River at Epupa falls.

The climate is dry, typical of a semi-desert country where droughts are a regular occurrence. Days are warm to hot whilst at night at around two am it can become quite cool. Fog can be expected along the coast as the warm air from the desert meets the cold Benguela current.

One of the highlights of the trip is taking a couple of bushwalk's. You will walk with Neil Hopkinson along sand rivers searching for the tracks(spoor) left by passing wildlife. Neil will tell you which animal has left their spoor and what it was doing, if you are very lucky you may see Gemsbok, Kudu, Eland or even a Leopard. Vigilance is paramount and you must never become complacent.

Namibia is one of the last refuges of the Bushmen and you will be stunned into a respectful silence as their rock paintings come to life out of the rocks before your very eyes.

View our Namibian Gallery

The Route

Day 1 and 2:You will arrive at the International Airport near Windhoek, where after clearing customs you will be transferred to the Auas Game Lodge for the rest of the day. Your cars will be waiting here, fully provisioned for the first two days of your adventure with us. The Auas Game Farm has many of the animals that you came to Namibia to see, one of the highlights here, is the big herd of Kudu which we will hopefully see during the evenings game drive. This lodge is an excellent place to relax after the flight from Europe, ensuring that you will be in the right state of mind for your adventure into Namibia

Day 3 : After a magnificent breakfast looking out over the Auas Hills you will be ready to travel to Spitskoppe on the gravel road route over the Khomas Hochland. By late afternoon after some exhilarating driving you will be enjoying a gin and tonic at the Hohenstein Lodge which is close by to the volcano plugs of Spitskoppe.    

Day 4 and 5:After breakfast Spitskoppe will need to be explored before you head west across the desert to join the salt road at Mile 14. Turn right and Henties Bay will be your last opportunity to fuel and provision before Sesfontein some 6 days away.Cape Cross was the first landfall in Namibia for the explorers from Europe and here there is a monument overlooking the sea close by to the magnificent Cape Cross Lodge. This lodge has been built not far from a colony of some 150,000 seals, an unforgettable experience. Just sit back and enjoy the ambiance and good food of Cape Cross Lodge. This lodge will be our last hotel for the following three days as we travel into the wilds of the Kakoland.

Day 6 to 15: After breakfast we shall head north into the wilds of Namibia. Brandberg, The Rhino Trust camp, Divorce Pass and the incredible rock carvings at Twyfelfontein are but a small proportion of the images, landscapes and wildlife that will pass before you over the next few days. The desert starts behind Cape Cross Lodge as we drive across tracks in the Lichen fields to the Mesum Crater. Wild camps will be beside dry river beds, in sand gullies and an exceptional one is under the Anas trees beside the Kuene River. Eventually we will find ourselves at The Kuene River Lodge enjoying a gin and tonic on some staging that juts out into the river itself.

Brandberg has hidden in amongst its rocks some of the most beautiful Bushman paintings in Southern Africa and it is these that we will walk to see early in the morning before the heat of the day makes it to hot. Lunch is taken at the mining hamlet of Uis before traveling on gravel roads to the Rhino camp on the Ugab river.

Desert Elephants inhabit this river and their footprints are everywhere here. We may see them! Our bushwalk in the morning takes us down river to a waterhole and the chance to see Gemsbok. Today we head north between the sand rivers to visit a small waterhole before dropping down to camp wild next to the Huab River.

On our way north we will stop at a rarely visited viewpoint overlooking the Huab River to marvel at the ribbon of green stretching away below us, as far as the eye can see. Dropping down into the river our route across is through a narrow gap in the rocks into the bush leading eventually to red sand and grass plains to arrive at the Twyfelfontein Country Lodge. After the heat of the day and a couple of ice cold drinks you will be ready to visit the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein.

We have a long day traveling North to Sesfontein where we will camp for the night before traveling to Omboro. This station is our last fuel stop for 1000km.Omboro is a community campsite which is regular visited by Elephants and there is a real possibility of having them visit us during the night.

With the Skeleton Coast only 30 Km away a dawn mist is always a possibility, its dampness seemingly unnatural in this desert landscape but a giver of life to its inhabitants. Today our route takes us deeper into the bush as we travel up the river Khumib, passing many Himba villages on our way to Orumpembe. The sand is deep and grips the tyres slowing the cars. Our desert camp, a Himba community camp nestles against a cliff where you will be able to see rock Hyrax,a distant relative of the elephant.

Rarely travelled tracks through bush and narrow mountain passes leads us deep into the sand of the Northern Namib and the magic that is the Marienfluss. Our camp beside the river Kuene is underneath some magnificent Anas Trees only a stones throw from Angola. Crocodiles live here and we must be aware of them although they pose no threat unless you become complacent.

Leaving the sand of the Marienfluss behind us, we will be traveling over the mountains up the famous Van Zilys Pass, which is normally traveled East to West. We go up it and it is stunning. Three support cars will help you conquer its steep slippery climbs and v-gully’s before you head for a well earned rest at the camp in Otjitanda to reflect on the climb.

If the pass of yesterday was challenging it pales into insignificance as you start the tough rock climb between steep forested hills towards Epupa Falls. Eventually the track becomes fast and smooth as the fuel and provision stop at Okangwati is reached. Epupa and its tropical heat is only an easy two hours drive away. Here the falls intoxicate and bewitch the senses. Underneath the Palm trees we rest and the sound of the rushing water soothes us to sleep.

An early start is needed today as we have a nine hour drive on a difficult track that follows the river. If its dry the sand filled river beds will pose little problems but if its wet it will be difficult but a lot of fun. Rock climbs give stunning views of the river and Angola beyond. Washouts are always a possibility and caution is needed. As the evening comes gently upon us at the Kuene River Lodge we will take a sundowner on one of the lodge’s boats as we watch the river change from day to night.

Day 16 and 17: An early dawn breakfast will allow you to watch the river at the start of the day,it is so serene and peaceful watching Africa come to life. We will then travel east and south to Etosha and the Kavita Lodge. The afternoon and evening will be spent in this famous reserve and it possible to extend your stay by a day or two to enable you to enjoy it more fully. Game is plentiful and is often there looking at you beside the car. We will be staying in bungalows overlooking a waterhole at the Okaukuejo Game Lodge where it will be impossible to tear yourself away and go to bed. Rhinos visit here and it is a photographer’s dream.

Day 18:If you got some sleep then a game drive before breakfast beckons. The Auas Game Lodge is eight hours South so your journey must begin by midday. The majesty of Namibia follows you back and there is always that added excitement as game is glimpsed beside the road.

Day 19: You will have the whole day to enjoy Auas once more, perhaps you will go for a walk into the bush or take a game drive to see the Bushman's sacred Eland again. we will all enjoy an excellent dinner reading ourselves for the flight tomorrow back to England.

How to Get There

Flights from Heathrow to Windhoek, then transfer to your vehicle.

All organised by Impala Adventures.

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Options

There are two vehicle options available for your adventure to Namibia. We will either hire a four wheel drive for you in Namibia or will arrange to ship your own car over from Antwerp to Walvis Bay in Namibia. If you want to take your own car you must be prepared for it being away for 17 to 20 days before and after the adventure.

Shipping Procedure

· Cars must be delivered to Antwerp docks for loading into a container. We will advise the date of delivery and impala will collect your car from Walvis Bay and deliver to the Auas Game Lodge in Namibia.
· Clients are responsible for obtaining their Carnet de Passage, and insurance.
· The car must be owned by the driver or you must have written permission from the owner of the vehicle to use it in Namibia.
· Impala Adventures will deliver your car from the airport at Windhoek to the container at Walvis Bay when you fly back to England.
· The following documents must be given to Impala Adventures on delivery of vehicle:
   - Carnet de Passage
   - Registration Document
   - M.O.T.
   - Insurance

Cars should arrive back in England 20 to 30 days after the safari has finished. Sometimes it can be later if the ship has been delayed by bad weather. We will keep you informed as to the day of arrival and collection date.

Car Hire

We have a very good relationship with African Tracks car hire in Windhoek and we can hire for you either a two seater or four seater Toyota. Landrover vehicles are available but they are more expensive to hire.

When we hire a car for you in Namibia a deposit or 1000 to 1500 GBP will be needed to be left with the hire company. You can use your credit card for this.

The deposit is intended to cover your excess, which constitutes your maximum liability in the event of anything happening to the car while you are hiring it. You will be required to pay for any damage, including to tyres or windscreen that occurs to the vehicle while in your charge up to the excess amount.

When the car is returned to Windhoek airport the deposit will be returned to you as long as there is no damage. One of the Impala staff will look at the car with you while the car hire company is checking for damage.

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Conditions to Expect in Namibia

· Temperatures from 40°C during the hottest part of the day to 0°C at 2am. Fog can be experienced along the coast every morning
· Weather is variable but generally warm and clear
· High winds will mean that dust and sand will be airborne
· Sand tracks on the woodland savannah. Rough rock tracks in the mountains and sand rivers. Dunes up to 200 meters
· Camps are basic to luxury. Hotels are very good quality

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Training Days

The training weekends, as well as being fun, give you the chance to get to know us and your fellow travelers. During these very comprehensive training weekends, you will have the opportunity to have your vehicle looked over by the Impala team, who are experts in expedition vehicle preparation, and can give you all the advice you need.

The weekends include training in:

· Navigation
· Driving
· Maintenance

and will include advice on: camping and health.

There is one for each Impala trip that we run, contact us for dates.

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The Roadbook

In order to give our clients an exciting adventure without the constraints imposed by a convoy system, we use roadbook's set out in the following manner:

It is very important that you use all parts of the roadbook in conjunction with any maps that you will be required to buy for a particular safari. Every morning you will be given a briefing on the days route outlining any caution as well as fuel, food and cultural stops. We will also advise you of the crucial waypoints that must not be missed.

1. Notes. This section has important information such as ‘enter river bed’. We also put symbols here to indicate a food, fuel or photo stop.

2. GPS. The actual position that corresponds to the tulip diagram in latitude and longitude.

3. Tulips. These diagrams indicate the direction to travel, the arrow indicating the track or road to take. Any track or road with a double line across it means that you should not travel that route.

4. Kilometers. We split kilometer markings into ‘Partial’ and ‘Total’. The partial is the amount of km from the preceding tulip or GPS co-ordinate. The total is the amount of km travelled so far that day or since the km were zeroed.

It is important to use all of this information together as you will experience slight discrepancies in both the final GPS numbers and kilometers. This is quite normal and is often no more than the difference in your cornering lines or where exactly you zeroed the unit.

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Navigational Equipment

You will need to purchase the following navigational equipment. If you are uncertain as to what to get and where to buy them from, just ask us and we will gladly advise you.
· GPS
· Compass
· TPC maps or Ordinary Maps depending upon Adventure.

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Rules for Namibia

1. Always Slow down early for Police Checkpoints and be polite and courteous. They will ask you where you are going and are often interested in talking about what it is like in England and about your car.

2. On the gravel roads it is often very slippery and you should always use four wheel drive with a locked center diff. Extreme Caution is often needed on bends and brows of hills. Always drive at a speed where you can stop easily in the distance that you can actually see ahead.

3. Punctures are quite numerous and you will be able to get tyres repaired anywhere where you see an old tyre propped up beside the road.

4. It is illegal to pick up firewood. In order to get money into the local community firewood can only be purchased from the local garages, shops and campsites.

5. The best way to prevent the risk of mosquito bites is to keep covered up in the evenings and to make sure that your tent is kept closed. Malaria is not an issue because we do not spend time in the high risk areas.

6. Snakes often climb underneath the bonnet overnight and as a precaution, we advise that before opening the bonnet to check the oil and water that you bang on the bonnet to move them off. We have actually never had any snakes do this but there is always that possibility.

7. Crocodiles live in the Kuene so No swimming in the river.

Bush Sense

1. Elephants, rhinos and hippos are the most dangerous. Please be aware as you walk around the camp. Inform Impala staff before you walk away from camp

2. Walk slowly – speed kills in the bush. It is also advisable to walk in pairs

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Equipment

Your Car

Preparation

· Full service – with oil changes of engine, gear box and axle oils
· Guards for differentials, steering and fuel tanks
· Half shafts and differentials must be checked for wear
· New clutch unless unit is less than two years old
· Fuel capacity of 1000 kilometers (600 miles)

Spare parts needed for car: -

All these should fit into 2 x 2ft square boxes

· Rags or blue roll
· Alternator
· Complete clutch
· 2 wheel bearings and seals
· Relays (diesel or petrol cars)
· Windscreen cleaner
· Air pump tyre inflator
· Tyre gauge
· 2 inner tubes
· 1 spare tyres
· Grease & grease gun
· Water pump
· Track rod ends
· Seals:-
   - Gearbox
   - Axle
   - Front engine cover
· Electrical parts needed for petrol cars:-
   - Plugs
   - Leads
   - C.B. points
   - Distributor cap
   - Coil
   - Rotor arm
   - Condenser
   - ECU
· Oil:-
   - 5 liters engine
   - 5 liters gearbox
   - 1 liter brake fluid
   - 2 liters power steering fluid

Tools:- You will need to have a selection of tools that will enable you to change wheels and tyres as well as manage simple repairs to your car. We have a comprehensive tool kit on Impala cars so do not bring to many as we will be on hand to help with repair.

Tyres:- The ability to blow up tyres and repair punctures is very important and you will need to have some Tyre Leavers and a puncture repair kit for tubeless and tubes as well as an air pump.

Recovery Equipment

· 1 x 2 meter rope for towing
· 1 x 2 meter aluminum sand/bridging ladders
· 1 x shovel
· 1 x 6 meter rope/strop

Daily Maintenance

· Keep engine oil level at half way mark
· Look for oil leaks
· Hand check wheel nuts for looseness
· Clean windscreen

Weekly Maintenance

· Check wheel bearings for any free play, investigate any movement
· Look at the tightness of all drive belts.
· Hand check suspension bolts. Do not check with a spanner as this stretches the threads and they will come undone.

Safety points to remember

· If wheel has been changed, hand check nuts after 2 hours driving then at the end of that days driving. .
· Remember you know your car and will be aware of any changes to its handling or performance.
· Your car will need a major service on your return to home.

Camping Equipment

Camping is an integral part of an adventure with Impala so the list below has been compiled to ensure that you have a comfortable camp. The list is for two people.

· Tents:- A two man tent is only big enough for one person.
· Sand and normal tent pegs will be needed.
· Sleeping bags will need to cope with low temperatures.
· Good quality sleeping mats
· Small camping stove and three or four canisters.
· Kettle
· 2 camping saucepans
· 2 plates, bowls and mugs.
· 2 sets of knives, forks, spoons & teaspoons
· Fridge

· Water Siphon and purification tablets or system.

· Chairs, table and an awning or camouflage net for shade and shelter from rain.

· Tin Opener
· Scissors
· Sharp knife
· Wooden Spoon
· Small chopping board
· Washing up bowl, clothes and washing liquid.

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Suggested Clothing

In the heat of Namibia heavy clothing will not be needed, but be prepared for cold temperatures at night though, so bring a woolly jumper or something similar. Rain is also a possibility so a light raincoat should be taken.

Almost everybody brings to many clothes and as you will see the suggested list looks pretty sparse but it is all that you will need.

A suggested list is:

For a 15 day safari to Namibia:

· 5-6 cotton t shirts
· 3-4 pairs of utility trousers (or similar)
· 3-4 pairs of mid-length shorts
· 1 fleece
· 1 warm jumper
· 1 hat (for warmth at night and protection from the sun in daytime)
· 1 pair of sunglasses
· warm socks (for nighttime)
· sturdy sandals
· walking boots/sturdy shoes
· nightwear (warm but comfortable)
· light waterproof clothing

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Suggested Food Supplies

You must always have a reserve of food for emergencies. Make sure that everyone in your party can be fed for 10 days.

Try to take food that does not need a lot of preparation i.e. ready made meals to heat in a saucepan, dried fruit and tinned produce. Try to buy items that have combustible packaging; i.e. paper, card or plastic. Couscous is a good substitute for rice which takes a lot of boiling (therefore using up resources).

Fresh vegetables, fruit and bread can be bought in most countries daily.

Remember to avoid eating salads in restaurants and drinks like orange squash which use local water as this will often lead to a stomach upset or food poisoning.

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Health Information

We take a serious view on Health and Hygiene during our adventures and as long as a few basic rules are followed you will have an enjoyable, illness free time with Impala Adventures. Not washing hands after going to the toilet is often the most common reason for a stomach upset.

Water

1. Use only bottled water, making sure the top is secured. At Café's and Restaurants water is often put on tables in what appears to be sealed bottles but in fact it is often tap water which has been put into water bottles.

2. Any opened bottles must not be used for drinking after 1 day. Use yesterday’s opened water for washing.

3. Try to keep the water cool. This can be achieved by covering with a blanket low down in the vehicle.

4. Drink at least 2 liters of water a day. YOU CAN VERY EASILY BECOME DEHYDRATED.

5. Take some water purification tablets to treat local water.

First Aid Advice

Every car should have a basic first aid kit. We at Impala are first aid trained specifically for motor vehicle accidents and on some trips a doctor is often a support member.

A typical medical kit should include:

· Painkillers
· Plasters
· Lip-salve
· Sun block
· Insect repellent
· Tweezers
· Thermometer
· Tissues (pre-moisturised are best)
· Eyewash
· Moisturising cream
· Multi-vitamins
· Lacto-calamine cream
· Mentholated balm for aching muscles
· General antibiotics
· Scissors

Suggested Vaccinations for Namibia

Namibia - Polio, Tetanus, Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Rabies, Malaria

The latest recommendations for vaccinations for Namibia are below:
· Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG).
· Hepatitis B if you might be exposed to blood (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, stay longer than 6 months, or be exposed through medical treatment.
· Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation.
· Typhoid, particularly if you are visiting developing countries in this region.
· As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria, measles, and a one-time dose of polio vaccine for adults. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 years who did not complete the series as infants.

All vaccinations can be obtained at your local surgery. You should check with your doctor up to 7 months before you leave as some courses are for 6 month period.

We suggest that you take Medical Insurance cover whilst you adventure with us.

In case of an emergency we will have a satellite phone with us at all times.

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Rules and Regulations

It is the parents’ responsibility to make sure that their children understand and follow the rules and regulations set out below.

1. Never leave your tent open unattended. This is because all insects and wildlife will look for somewhere cool out of the sun - your tent being the ideal place!

2. Always assume that every stone or tussock of grass, fallen tree or log harbors a scorpion, snake or spider beneath it.

3. When we are wild camping in the bush you must not wander out of sight of camp. Be particularly wary of thick clumps of bush, as animals will rest in them. If you stumble across them they WILL attack you.

4. DO NOT LITTER. Rubbish should not be left at campsites or thrown from cars. Please take all rubbish with you until it can be disposed of safely, or burn it on a campfire (please note that tin cans, beer cans etc DO NOT burn).

5. Treat all game as dangerous, never creep up on them. During our bushwalk's you must listen and adhere to all instructions from Neil Hopkinson and other Impala staff.

Remember if you bitten or attacked you must report the incident to a member of the Impala Team.

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Price

From £6700 per car( two people sharing a vehicle and hotel rooms)

Look what we include:

Does not include:
· Medical and Vehicle Insurance.

Booking

Right click on one of the below links and select "Save Target As" to save a booking form to your computer:

Offroad Safari Booking Form (as Word Doc for PC)

Offroad Safari Booking Form (as pdf)

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