Kaokoland...makes you thirsty...for more!

[chopperpilot]

Day 10.10: Twyfelfontein to Brandberg

I did not realize at the time, that we were actually travelling through the Messum crater area, but looking at our pics, as well as pics on the internet, it seems to be a vast area with the centre area reasonably level, surrounded by rock koppies. :thumleft:

I had no idea it was the crater, while riding through the area due to its size!

Pics of the area:

Pic 1: Gravel road through the crater.

Pic 2: Rock koppies on the edge of the crater.

Pic 3: I noticed one of Brian's slops next to road, as we were riding a slight incline out of the crater. We stopped for the slop, and found its mate too! They both abandoned his rehydration pack! :imaposer:

 

[chopperpilot]

Day 10.11: Twyfelfontein to Brandberg

After leaving the vast Messum crater, we had another 15 kms before we would reach the D2303 gravel highway again. :thumleft:

As Hennie has been on this route, he cautioned us of the many aardvark holes on this section. We saw many of them, even the odd one on the fresh used jeep track we were following. We were possible to avoid them.

Just before reaching the D2303, we regrouped and had a rest.  :thumleft:

We were getting closer to Brandberg, and out last camping sleep over at White Lady Lodge.

 

[chopperpilot]

Day 10.12: Twyfelfontein to Brandberg

After the rest stop we crossed the D2303 into some more jeep track, in the direction of Brandberg. :thumleft:

After about 5 kms on this stretch after crossing the D2303, we were astounded to bump into the back-up group of Hardy, Kobus, as well as the Cruiser and Ranger.

We where informed that the other group of riders were lost, as the did not find them at the agreed rendevouz point.

As mentioned earlier, the other riders did wait for the back-up group to arrive at the rendevouz point, with no one arriving!

These riders needed fuel, and Hennie Oubones needed oil for the "Smokey Joe" KLR.

As neither us or the back-up group had any idea of where this group found themselves, it would have been a needle in a haystack for us to find them! :-\

We decided to carry on to White Lady Lodge. :thumleft:

Pic 1: Meeting up with the back-up group.

Pic 2: Studying the map, to determine where the two groups could have missed each other.

Pic 3: Hennie and Diesel having fun.

 

[Just Blip It!]

Min dae! Will be there soon! Thanks Henk!

 

[chopperpilot]

Min dae! Will be there soon! Thanks Henk!

You're welcome Mark!

I should be done before you leave...not much remaining.

Remember slops with tough soles for Brandberg White Lady Lodge...zillions of thorns in the camp sites!  :'(

It will be the times of your lives....Nam is such a unique country.

 

[chopperpilot]

Day 10.13: Twyfelfontein to Brandberg

After deciding to go to White Lady Lodge first, before initiating any search for the presumed lost group, we continued in a North-Easterly direction towards Brandberg.

As we got closer to Brandberg we turned in a Easterly direction, and followed a jeep track roughly around the bottom of  Brandberg, from the South to the North-East, where White Lady lodge and campsite is situated. :thumleft:

We stopped to regroup, and Duncan mentioned that he reckons the 500's rear tyre's mousse might have collapsed, which was confirmed on taking the 500 for a short test ride. :'(

Duncan continued, as we were about 30 km from White Lady Lodge. :thumleft:

We were hardly 5km on our way, and initially I thought it was my immagination, when the rear tyre's mousse on my 500 started to collapse.

We continued riding to camp, standing on the pegs, with weight forward. :thumleft:

The mousses lasted nearly 10 days on this trip. The ones on Bertie's 500, ridden by Duncan, where fitted new before the trip. Mine where much older, and came with the bike when I bought it 2nd hand about a year ago.

We were both running Mitas CO2 tyres, with Michelin BIB mousses. Not sure if is was this day's terrain and long distance that took its toll?  :'(

We reached camp without any further incident. :thumleft:

Our bags and camping gear were already off-loaded, as the Iveco had a shorter route.

Stretchers, matresses and sleeping bags were readied for the night, before taking a leasurely stroll to the main building, for a cool down swim and liquid refreshments. :biggrin:

The plan of action to find the other group was left to the organisers. To our relief, they arrived at camp just before sunset. :thumleft: :thumleft:

When they realised there was not going to a be back-up vehicle, they followed the D2303 from the rendevouz point to camp.

They took it slow, as many needed fuel, and Hennie Oubones oil for the KLR. 


Some pics at Brandberg White Lady Lodge:

Pic 1: The view of the lodge's main building, with bar (affordable) and swimming pools. Pic taken from the sunset viewing point.

Pic 2: Fun and laughter around the pool. Hennie Oubones, Henk, Hennie Roos, Brian "Sipho" Harmse, Jannie vd Merwe (Abel's brother), Jannie's love Beatie, and Ian "Chicco" Timoney.

Pic 3: Charlie Boorman "fan boy", aka Peter King.

 

[chopperpilot]

Day 10.14: Twyfelfontein to Brandberg

Some camp fire, sunset and Janco doing his magic pics. :thumleft:

 

[Dwerg]

Nie besef dis so mooi daar nie! Ons is mos in die donker daar in met leeus wat aan ons hakke hap  :imaposer:

 

[chopperpilot]

Nie besef dis so mooi daar nie! Ons is mos in die donker daar in met leeus wat aan ons hakke hap  :imaposer:

:imaposer: :imaposer:

Dis pragtig daar!

 

[heti]

Am I the only one here that is concerned about the added track pollution in that area by the regular bike trips that seem to go through there recently?  In most of these Kaokoland ride reports there are photos of the bikes riding off the established tracks, or next to it. 

Places like the Messum Crater, Marienfluss and some of the gravel plains in the northern parts of Namibia are highly sensitive and those tracks will remain visible for decades!

I really think the operators should take a firm stance on this and educate the riders in their groups.

 

[Kobus Myburgh]

Am I the only one here that is concerned about the added track pollution in that area by the regular bike trips that seem to go through there recently?  In most of these Kaokoland ride reports there are photos of the bikes riding off the established tracks, or next to it. 

Places like the Messum Crater, Marienfluss and some of the gravel plains in the northern parts of Namibia are highly sensitive and those tracks will remain visible for decades!

I really think the operators should take a firm stance on this and educate the riders in their groups.

[member=1829]heti[/member] , I can assure you that very few has a greater love and respect for Kaokoland than Specialised Adventures.  All routes, recce’d well in advance, is on well established tracks, all accessible by 4x4 vehicle and frequently travelled by many a tourist.

These tracks are all logged and given to everyone in the group as a gpx file to navigate from.  No off track riding is promoted, nor tolerated if visible.  If still in doubt, you should really join one of these tours and experience it firsthand.  :thumleft:

 

[chopperpilot]

[member=16826]Kobus Myburgh[/member]

Thank you Kobus for the response. :thumleft:

To add to Kobus' insight, we most probably spent 99% of the time on designated jeep tracks/ roads, as well as dry river beds that are designated 4 WD routes.

With the bit of research I did, I realised that the Namibian authorities actually promote tourism in these areas. Sensitive areas are however protected, and access strictly controlled with permits. :thumleft:

 

[dirt rat]

Henk moerse dankie vir al die werk om die verslag op te stel. Lekker herinnering van 'n ondervinding wat onvergeetbaar sal bly.

 

[chopperpilot]

Henk moerse dankie vir al die werk om die verslag op te stel. Lekker herinnering van 'n ondervinding wat onvergeetbaar sal bly.

Net ń plesier Craig.

Dit was voorwaar onvergeetlik, en ń absolute voorreg om dit te kom meemaak. :thumleft:

 

[P.K.]

Great report Henk...and great memories.

As Arnie says:" I`ll be buck"

 

[chopperpilot]

Great report Henk...and great memories.

As Arnie says:" I`ll be buck"

Thank you Peter.

One will have to return....its such an beautiful country.

 

[chopperpilot]

Day 11: Final day of riding -  :'( - Brandberg to Usakos, via Uïs and Spitzkoppe - 190 km

Day 11 would be a liaison type route, following gravel highways from Brandberg to Usakos, passing Uïs for fuel and Spitzkoppe. :thumleft:

We would have a rest at Spitzkoppe, and load Johan Harmse's bike, that was left there when he was injured, on the Cruiser.

What was noticeable on the gravel highways, were the numerous tourist 4 X 4s, something Hardy sensitized us about at the start of our adventure.

Firstly, rise and shine at Brandberg, White Lady camp:

Pic 1: Beautiful sunrise.

Pic 2:  The early risers, Pete, Janco and Gordon, waiting for the coffee water to boil.

Pic 3: Duncan, Bertie and Henk's "luxury" room. Sleeping under the stars!

 

[chopperpilot]

Day 11.1: Brandberg to Usukos

More rise and shine pics:

Pic 1:  Coffee time. Janco, Gordon and Abel.

Pic 2: Diesel looking for a breakfast snack.

Pic 3: Bertie, the ladies with the kitchen truck, and Brian doing his dishes.

 

[chopperpilot]

Day 11.2: Brandberg to Usakos

And more rise and shine pics:

Pic 1: TLC to Henk's 500. Busted mousse.

Pic 3: Gené. Some personal TLC.

Pic 3: Some TLC for Hardy's XR.

 

[0012]

Henk moerse dankie vir al die werk om die verslag op te stel. ...

+100000

:thumleft:  :thumleft:  :thumleft:

ry nog heeltyd lekker saam, en jammer dis nou amper op n einde!!