- Joined
- Dec 7, 2014
- Messages
- 7,084
- Reaction score
- 3,061
- Location
- Loxton - Northern Cape
- Bike
- Yamaha T7
The last time I toured Northern Namibia was in July 2019. @Just Blip It and some of his friends were blackballed from doing their usual July Zimbabwe tour, and decided to join us in one of my favourite places in Africa. Come to think of it, after working in the most beautiful and sacred places in many countries across the world, Kaokoland ranks right up there with the best of them. It was time to go back to the land of the Ovahimba.
Covid 19 did no one in the tourism industry any favours and Specialised Adventures were no exception. Four fully booked tours and paid up deposits at all the camps had us at the mercy of Kopdoek & Co – a predicament totally indigestible for someone with my sparkling personality.
It was extremely difficult to deal with clients who shuffled their lives around a tour, only to be told that it is not going to happen anymore. Most of them farkled and bought bikes, bought gear and paid for flight tickets on airlines that does not exist anymore. Apart from the pandemic, I also had to deal with broken foot that lost its usefulness because of a stupid mistake by myself.
We were lucky that most of our clients refused to give up on the dream, which meant they hung in there with us, hoping that the borders open up in time for the May tour. Finally the announcement came and I am happy to say that we are going to Namibia in May and the group is chock a block, fully booked. A Good friend of mine, Hein Truter and their company Kariboo Safaris’s has taken over operations at Puros Bush Lodge and from what I understand they have made a significant amount of improvements. The guests would be happy to hear that Puros has its own pub again. Having toured with most of the guests on this trip, I honestly believe Hein is under – prepared and under – stocked for what is coming…
I have never written a ride report, and my attempt at it would be in my third language, but in light of this special occasion I decided to give it a go – and let you guys in on what it is like from the tour operator’s perspective. Elio Striglia or @Striggs on the forum will update the report with feedback from the guest’s side. The ride report starts almost two months before the tour so that you get an idea of what goes into the planning of it from our side.
Tour date:
7 May to 19 May.
Our Team:
Chantal Burger (@Chantal Burger on the forum)
Annemien van der Linde (Her of Quest fame and not on the forum yet)
Hennie Dekker (@Oubones on the forum)
Peter King - @PK on the forum, and the man behind Nomad Bike Bags
Myself
Our Vehicles & Trailers:
Oupoot – The Unimog with Oubones at the wheel – He transports all camping gear and luggage
Buksie – The Single Cab Cruiser and back up bakkie – It carries the fuel, tools, spares, and a shoulder to cry on when things go wrong.
Basjan – The Double Cab Cruiser or mobile kitchen with Chantal and Annemien steering the ship
Asterix – 8 bike trailer that will be fully loaded on this trip to Windhoek and back
Obelix – 8 bike trailer that will be fully loaded on this trip to Windhoek and back
Himba – My bike that always rides at the back of the group.
Covid 19 did no one in the tourism industry any favours and Specialised Adventures were no exception. Four fully booked tours and paid up deposits at all the camps had us at the mercy of Kopdoek & Co – a predicament totally indigestible for someone with my sparkling personality.
It was extremely difficult to deal with clients who shuffled their lives around a tour, only to be told that it is not going to happen anymore. Most of them farkled and bought bikes, bought gear and paid for flight tickets on airlines that does not exist anymore. Apart from the pandemic, I also had to deal with broken foot that lost its usefulness because of a stupid mistake by myself.
We were lucky that most of our clients refused to give up on the dream, which meant they hung in there with us, hoping that the borders open up in time for the May tour. Finally the announcement came and I am happy to say that we are going to Namibia in May and the group is chock a block, fully booked. A Good friend of mine, Hein Truter and their company Kariboo Safaris’s has taken over operations at Puros Bush Lodge and from what I understand they have made a significant amount of improvements. The guests would be happy to hear that Puros has its own pub again. Having toured with most of the guests on this trip, I honestly believe Hein is under – prepared and under – stocked for what is coming…
I have never written a ride report, and my attempt at it would be in my third language, but in light of this special occasion I decided to give it a go – and let you guys in on what it is like from the tour operator’s perspective. Elio Striglia or @Striggs on the forum will update the report with feedback from the guest’s side. The ride report starts almost two months before the tour so that you get an idea of what goes into the planning of it from our side.
Tour date:
7 May to 19 May.
Our Team:
Chantal Burger (@Chantal Burger on the forum)
Annemien van der Linde (Her of Quest fame and not on the forum yet)
Hennie Dekker (@Oubones on the forum)
Peter King - @PK on the forum, and the man behind Nomad Bike Bags
Myself
Our Vehicles & Trailers:
Oupoot – The Unimog with Oubones at the wheel – He transports all camping gear and luggage
Buksie – The Single Cab Cruiser and back up bakkie – It carries the fuel, tools, spares, and a shoulder to cry on when things go wrong.
Basjan – The Double Cab Cruiser or mobile kitchen with Chantal and Annemien steering the ship
Asterix – 8 bike trailer that will be fully loaded on this trip to Windhoek and back
Obelix – 8 bike trailer that will be fully loaded on this trip to Windhoek and back
Himba – My bike that always rides at the back of the group.
