Two members of the group nearly didn't start the trip as their wife / mom was involved in a bike accident on the evening before we were meant to leave. She landed up in hospital leaving everyone very shaken. The two (Dad and son) pulled out of the trip but then changed their minds and we were glad to see them the next morning at the start. What a traumatic experience for the family. All the best for a speedy recovery.
Day 1 - Windhoek to Day 1 Camp (445 km)
As planned, we met in the Super Spar car park to finalize plans and to have a welcome cup of coffee and a bite to eat.
The group consisted of; father and son combination, Tiaan (L) and Hardus riding a Super Tenere and a 660 Tenere respectively
Johan (L) and Stephan, riding KTM 950 Adv and Tenere 660 respectively
The group before departure; your truly on the right (KTM 990R)
We had planned to travel as little as possible on tar roads so we left the tar at Kapp's Farm (20 km East of Windhoek) and we wouldn't see it again for another 4 days. The going was expected to be easy till Otjinene, some 300 kms NE of Windhoek.
First stop at the Wit Nossob River
The route meandered through rich cattle ranching country, passing through Steinhausen and Summerdown before leaving the commercial farming area and entering communal land, and on to Otjinene.
At Steinhausen
We were hoping to get something cold to drink and hot to eat at Summerdown but unfortunately arrived a bit late
Summerdown is a small farming settlement on the edge of the commercial farming area. It has a shop, a church and an AGRA (Farm supply store).
After leaving Summerdown, it's an easy 45 kms to Otinene. There is a lot of road construction activity in the area as the link between Gobabis and Grootfontein is being tarred. Otjinene is a real frontier town, mainly inhabited by Herero people. The town serves as an administrative centre for the area and is the last significant settlement before the "Far East".
A few shots taken in the metropolis of Otjinene
When we had previously inquired about the road from Otjinene to Gam, we had been told; "No problem, I would do that road in my wife's Polo". I reckon that Polo would have to be totally bullet proof, and 4 x 4 to boot. The road had long sections of sand that required heavy concentration. The thing with difficult roads is that one doesn't get the chance to stop much to take pictures because you're too busy "hanging on". This was the case with this stretch of road. I only took photos at the hard spots. Hopefully my riding mates would have recored some of the road conditions on their video cameras. I'll include these clips later.
On this stretch of road which is 160 km, we only saw one other vehicle (apart from a few donkey carts). It's exceptionally isolated and one shudders to think of the consequences of a bad fall. We did have a Sat Phone along, just in case.
The plan was to make it to Otjeke on the first night. However, due to the slow going, daylight started deserting us and we made a call soon after the Vet fence gate at the western side of Bushmanland to look for a campsite, as driving in the dark was probably too risky. Currently, Namibia is on "Winter time", which is one hour after RSA time. This contributes to early sunsets as well.
Gate separating "Hereroland" and "Bushmanland".
After a few kays, we found a superb camp site just off the road. After collecting firewood we pitched camp and settled down to a great evening of braaing, eating and drinking. Stephan even treated us to a "braaibrood".
Day 2 to follow...........
