Kaokoland Odyssey Namibia June 2016 + new dates for 2017

[WildWood]

rJust returned from 10 days of the best riding on the planet. Namibia and Kaokoland in particular is an adventure riding paradise, albeit not for inexperienced riders.

WildWood trailered the bikes up from Cape Town and met the squad in Windhoek. I was privileged to have Gideon Joubert (GJ) at the helm of our Hilux 4x4 back-up van, for both his knowledge of the area and his amazing driving skills. Van Zyls pass and thousands of kilometres of rocks and riverbeds easily dispensed of, even towing a 5 bike trailer.

Day 1 was pretty easy, starting with 100km of tar before we hit dirt, the highlight being the road through Erindi Game Reserve (signs at the gate warn motorists not to open car doors) on route to our first camp at Outjo. Some great game on display, lions at 200 meters and some great roads.

 

[WildWood]

Day 2 was the long trek up to Ruacane nobody was looking forward to, but once that was done and dusted the awesome trail to Kunene River Lodge was a gas as usual. Good summer rains had greened up the area and made for stunning riverside riding.

Just after Etosha Attie made the Namibian police's day by pulling a monster wheely as far as we could see as he left the roadblock.

Sundowners at Kunene River Lodge and the last green grass camping of the trip.

 

[Ian in Great Brak River]

There is no where better than Namibia ... roll on October!

 

[Wolzac]

!

 

[WildWood]

The real riding started today with the ride along the river to the magnificent Epupa Falls. Even though much of the gnarly technical track has been graded (progress I guess) the sandy tracks and river bed crossings with great river views made for great riding. Good news is the sections they had flattened in 2015 are already grassed over and I guess another good rainy season and all will be good again.

Every time you stop a group of Himba folk and their goats and cattle seem to appear from nowhere. Compared to 2015 when the area was suffering a serious drought the good summer rains this year have meant good grazing and the livestock look fat and healthy.

 

[WildWood]

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[WildWood]

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[WildWood]

The views from the chalets at Epupa Lodge are worth the extra expense over camping.

 

[WildWood]

And the falls!!!!!

 

[WildWood]

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[WildWood]

Gas stations , Kaokoland style.

 

[ALLEN I]

Nice enjoying the ride  :ricky:

 

[Parkinoff]

NNNAAICE!!!

I want to do that trip to the river too, soon. Want to visit the places I saw during my border stint in the late 80's.

 

[WildWood]

Day 4- Epupa to van Zyls Camp.

A long tough stage that included our first long riverbed sections, rocky climbs and of course, more sand.

van Zyls camp although really basic is a gem, a riverbed camp under the trees with water, hot shower and loo. Perfect!

Gideon had shot an oryx the week prior to our trip and the boyz tucked into braaied oryx steaks.  

 

[WildWood]

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[WildWood]

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[WildWood]

Day 5 started with van Zyls Pass. It's always much shorter and easier than the hype it has garnered over the years, but still a great track to ride and the views of the Marienfluss from the top are legendary.

 

[WildWood]

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[WildWood]

Through the Marienfluss and onto Orupembe Shop No 1 .

 

[WildWood]

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