Trip Report -Namibia - Kaokoland

[Mad Manny]

Excellent report Andreas!
Thank you for (finally) writing it.

I think Michael Nel needs to upgrade his Nam trip report a bit now.

[AndreasR]

Ok. The rim. We had a German couple with us in a rented, kitted Hilux. They were very much out of their normal environment. Now after our recovery the day before and getting stuck the day before we came across this little stream early the next morning.

I went through no problem but this guy in the Hilux decided that he needed to go through the stream about 10m wide with some pace so he floors it, hits the edge of the stream where there was a step and buckles his rim. He did smack it hard though.




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[AndreasR]

In fact after changing his wheel we proceeded on the route only to find a river that we did not chance crossing, it was too wide, too deep, mud bottom and flowing fast. We then had to go back through all the rivers and streams we had done the day before where some locals guided us through the Bush via a Chinese mine to another road that eventually got us to Epupa Falls a day late. But fun was had by all.


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[Mike Nel]

Very nice report Andreas.

Kaokoland is definitely on my bucket list. In fact, your whole trip is on my bucket list.

Van Zyls I will drive just to tick it off.

[KurtG]

Thanks Andreas, brilliant write up. Why don’t you tell us about the guide and provide contact details for future reference. If he is good then he deserves a mention.

Also, tell us more about the German couple [emoji6]

[grips]

Thanks Andreas very nice post.

With that recovery in the muddy river did you think a Poffadder would get the 4x4 snatched out. My reason for asking is that with all serious mud recoveries I was involved in snatch ropes proofed pretty useless in the end. Pointing here to 4x4`s stuck down to the chassis.

[Martin de Jager]

Andreas,
loved the report, man what an awesome trip, something to relive time and time again.

[jotto]

Thanks Andreas. I see a forum trippie is the future

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[BushWacker]

Very nice write- up Andreas. Many thank.
Epupa seems to be a key place to go
Did you walk all the rivers etc !
Problem with long stretches where need max fuel
also need everyrhing else incl beer which is bulky.
... and yes please tell guides name/co ...

[AndreasR]

Thanks Andreas, brilliant write up. Why don’t you tell us about the guide and provide contact details for future reference. If he is good then he deserves a mention.

Also, tell us more about the German couple [emoji6]

The guide was Simon Steadman from Ultimate Adventures. His wife Des also comes along and assists. This is the same company that do the trips for SA 4x4 Magazine. Just google for contact details.

Simon is an absolute pro. The planning was spot on. When things needed to change he had a back up plan. the food was excellent. Fresh bread good dinners.

What really impressed was his procedure when getting to obstacles or rivers. No gung ho here we come type rubbish. He gets out walks the obstacle or river and then makes the correct decision for all cars in the group.

I would go anywhere with Simon. He has done a lot of the trips before so knows where you want to spend time and where not. As an example, we arrived at camp on the Cunene River. He mentioned going for a swim but as there are crocs in the river that was not very likely. We headed off down the river for a few minutes, came across some rapids with fast flowing water, jumped in the pools. After 8 hours of driving it was brilliant. I, as a casual traveler would not have known about this spot which is safe to swim in but he knew.




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[AndreasR]

Thanks Andreas very nice post.

With that recovery in the muddy river did you think a Poffadder would get the 4x4 snatched out. My reason for asking is that with all serious mud recoveries I was involved in snatch ropes proofed pretty useless in the end. Pointing here to 4x4`s stuck down to the chassis.

I am not that experienced with recoveries so cannot really comment on the Poffadder in this situation compared to the snatch straps that we had. The vehicle was completely bogged down to chassis.

I do suggest that you take all your recovery kit. Just in case.


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[AndreasR]

Thanks Andreas. I see a forum trippie is the future

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Yes, we definitely need to do more of these kind of trips.


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[AndreasR]

Very nice write- up Andreas. Many thank.
Epupa seems to be a key place to go
Did you walk all the rivers etc !
Problem with long stretches where need max fuel
also need everyrhing else incl beer which is bulky.
... and yes please tell guides name/co ...

Yes we walked all rivers. We did debate the fact that the Cunene River has crocs so the possibility existed that these temporary rivers flowing into the Cunene could also have.

They were all shallow, not more than half a meter or so and very fast flowing so we took the chance. We did not see a single croc anywhere.

As far as taking all supplies with.

Africa is a strange place. Almost everything is available almost everywhere. There are shops in all the settlements and they all sell beer, even wine and hard liquor. Maybe not your brand but they got it.


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[Johannes]

Nice trip report !!
Recovery points should be checked before the trip !! Just a suggestion ! Especially on these rented 4x4's ???

[grips]

See this trip were covered by the travel program VIA. Ignus recorded it. Well done Andreas.