JULIE AT THE RIVENDELL
TUES 27TH DEC DAY 75 AIRBOURNE TO WINDHOEK
Tea and cake at Eddies Pizza place and checked our e-mails before resting in the afternoon as our flight doesn’t leave until 11.30p.m.
Say our goodbyes to the staff at Greenfield Lodge. We are so glad to leave Accra it was far to long a stay.
Chaos at the airport, everybody milling around nor knowing what to do or where to stand, still we are moving on jumping across eight countries very disappointed at missing out on some of them especially Cameroon and Gabon but maybe not Nigeria, Angola and Congo.
In the departure lounge two different flights are being handled? Mmmm interesting, now which one is ours? Only in Africa eh.
All aboard hopefully the flight to Windhoek Namibia some 4 hours or so away. Nice food and gratis drink help pass time, its o.k. for Julie fast asleep up against the window.
Tea and cake at Eddies Pizza place and checked our e-mails before resting in the afternoon as our flight doesn’t leave until 11.30p.m.
Say our goodbyes to the staff at Greenfield Lodge. We are so glad to leave Accra it was far to long a stay.
Chaos at the airport, everybody milling around nor knowing what to do or where to stand, still we are moving on jumping across eight countries very disappointed at missing out on some of them especially Cameroon and Gabon but maybe not Nigeria, Angola and Congo.
In the departure lounge two different flights are being handled? Mmmm interesting, now which one is ours? Only in Africa eh.
All aboard hopefully the flight to Windhoek Namibia some 4 hours or so away. Nice food and gratis drink help pass time, its o.k. for Julie fast asleep up against the window.
PLAYING MONOPOLY
WED 28TH DEC DAY 76 RIVENDELL LODGE , WINDHOEK NAMIBIA
Arrived at 6.30a.m. to a very quiet airport, only one flight and a few people at immigration, most were in transit to elsewhere.
A taxi takes us to the Rivendell found on the internet via Hostel world. Nice place to stay for five days while we wait for our ship to arrive. It has a pool, a kitchen that we can use and a fridge to keep some of our own food, oh and they do a great English breakfast and carrot cake so that is me sorted food wise.
Arrived at 6.30a.m. to a very quiet airport, only one flight and a few people at immigration, most were in transit to elsewhere.
A taxi takes us to the Rivendell found on the internet via Hostel world. Nice place to stay for five days while we wait for our ship to arrive. It has a pool, a kitchen that we can use and a fridge to keep some of our own food, oh and they do a great English breakfast and carrot cake so that is me sorted food wise.
WHERE IS MAYFAIR AND PARK LANE/
THUR 29TH DAY 77 TO SUN 1ST JAN DAY 80 RIVENDELL LODGE
Well a pleasant few days at the Rivendell which we can recommend, we felt like residents at the end as most people only stayed one night at the start of there holiday or the end. Met some interesting people of varied nationalities. Even some Japanese turned up on our last day complete with individual cameras at the breakfast table.
Visited Spur steak house for some real beef and Joes Beerhouse for some ice cold draught beer..very nice. Winhoek still has a very German influence language wise and business wise. Kaisser motors is still going strong.
Spent our time chatting at breakfast to other guests and playing monopoly and scrabble between walks to town.
Initially we had problems finding a shipping agent to handle our vehicle in Walvis Bay as it was Namibias big public holiday over Christmas and New Year (summer in Namibia). Eventually an agent answers the phone and I am taken back by his professionalism. He makes it sound so easy and thinks that it will be no problem getting the Landy back on the 3rd the day after the ship arrives. All we have to do is call him early on the 3rd and he will collect us. Wow.
New Years eve was spent enjoying a nice bottle of South African wine around the pool.
Well a pleasant few days at the Rivendell which we can recommend, we felt like residents at the end as most people only stayed one night at the start of there holiday or the end. Met some interesting people of varied nationalities. Even some Japanese turned up on our last day complete with individual cameras at the breakfast table.
Visited Spur steak house for some real beef and Joes Beerhouse for some ice cold draught beer..very nice. Winhoek still has a very German influence language wise and business wise. Kaisser motors is still going strong.
Spent our time chatting at breakfast to other guests and playing monopoly and scrabble between walks to town.
Initially we had problems finding a shipping agent to handle our vehicle in Walvis Bay as it was Namibias big public holiday over Christmas and New Year (summer in Namibia). Eventually an agent answers the phone and I am taken back by his professionalism. He makes it sound so easy and thinks that it will be no problem getting the Landy back on the 3rd the day after the ship arrives. All we have to do is call him early on the 3rd and he will collect us. Wow.
New Years eve was spent enjoying a nice bottle of South African wine around the pool.
POOL AT RIVENDELL
SUN 1ST JAN 2012 DAY 80 RIVENDELL LODGE
Breakfast was supplemented with a bottle of champagne (fizzy red wine actually) given to us by the owners. Last day in Winhoek as we have 2 days booked in Walvis Bay ready to collect our Landy.
Breakfast was supplemented with a bottle of champagne (fizzy red wine actually) given to us by the owners. Last day in Winhoek as we have 2 days booked in Walvis Bay ready to collect our Landy.
OUR CONTAINER
MON 2ND JAN DAY 81 LAGOON CHALETS WALVIS BAY
A walk to town again before we get our mini bus transfer to Walvis Bay some four and a half hours away. Lagoon Chalets is at the end of the beach and has self catering facilities not that we can use them without any food around. It will do for 2 nights.
The coast is certainly 4x4 country with the place full of Landcruisers, Fords Nissans and thank goodness Land Rovers. All of which seem to have roof tents trailers and fishing rods attached to them.
A walk to town again before we get our mini bus transfer to Walvis Bay some four and a half hours away. Lagoon Chalets is at the end of the beach and has self catering facilities not that we can use them without any food around. It will do for 2 nights.
The coast is certainly 4x4 country with the place full of Landcruisers, Fords Nissans and thank goodness Land Rovers. All of which seem to have roof tents trailers and fishing rods attached to them.
LAGOON CHALETS WALVIS BAY
TUES 3RD JAN DAY 82 AS ABOVE
D day today we collect our Landy.
Dion from Maritima Logistics comes to our lodgings to collect our paperwork and will phone us later to arrange a pick up.Well later comes and he calls asking for our log book and the original “Bill of Laden” from Accra, which we don’t have because that lovely company Mcdan shipping didn’t send it. Great.
Fortunately Dion arranges everything from Mcdan and although it was to late to collect the Landy today we will be collected at eleven tomorrow to open the container.
D day today we collect our Landy.
Dion from Maritima Logistics comes to our lodgings to collect our paperwork and will phone us later to arrange a pick up.Well later comes and he calls asking for our log book and the original “Bill of Laden” from Accra, which we don’t have because that lovely company Mcdan shipping didn’t send it. Great.
Fortunately Dion arranges everything from Mcdan and although it was to late to collect the Landy today we will be collected at eleven tomorrow to open the container.
YES AT LAST!!!
WED 4TH JAN DAY 83 LAGOON CHALETS
YES YES AT LAST WE ARE REUNITED WITH THE LANDY
The container was opened and there she was waiting for us, looking a bit dirty and without her rooftent mounted but there she was.
If you are looking for a shipping agent in Walvis Bay USE MARITIMA LOGISTICS they were great. No hassle everything done for us.
A quick visit to another Spur steakhouse to celebrate and have the Landy washed before returning to our lodgings to re pack everthing and have a tidy up. Julei did the inside while I refixed the jerry can holder and the roof rack which only had four of the twelve fixings still attached (Accra had tried to remove the roof rack it seems).
Next job an oil change…no problem there I hear you say. Oh yes there was. Oil removed filter replaced and finally replace the sump plug, obviously after checking the bolts recommended torque setting. What happens… the bolt is dtipped!!!
What pratt put a stripped bolt in? I get round it by removing the copper washer and using some liquid gasket, should be o.k. Fingers crossed there is just enough thread left without the washer to get a fixing.
We sleep well tired and ready to get back on the road tomorrow.
YES YES AT LAST WE ARE REUNITED WITH THE LANDY
The container was opened and there she was waiting for us, looking a bit dirty and without her rooftent mounted but there she was.
If you are looking for a shipping agent in Walvis Bay USE MARITIMA LOGISTICS they were great. No hassle everything done for us.
A quick visit to another Spur steakhouse to celebrate and have the Landy washed before returning to our lodgings to re pack everthing and have a tidy up. Julei did the inside while I refixed the jerry can holder and the roof rack which only had four of the twelve fixings still attached (Accra had tried to remove the roof rack it seems).
Next job an oil change…no problem there I hear you say. Oh yes there was. Oil removed filter replaced and finally replace the sump plug, obviously after checking the bolts recommended torque setting. What happens… the bolt is dtipped!!!
What pratt put a stripped bolt in? I get round it by removing the copper washer and using some liquid gasket, should be o.k. Fingers crossed there is just enough thread left without the washer to get a fixing.
We sleep well tired and ready to get back on the road tomorrow.
BRANDBERG CAMP
THUR 5 TH JAN DAY 84 BRANDBURG RESTCAMP S 21 13.108 14 52.057
158 miles
Finally on the road again three weeks without moving drove us mad (excuse the pun).
No oil on the ground. Julie suggests we find we buy a new plug and some more oil just in case. Good idea, and the garage has one in stock. Hows that, bet you in the U.K. we’d have to wait a week for it.
We stop for a coffee and cake in Swakupmund and to buy a new washing up bowl as the old one was used for the oil change….well what else could I use.
In Henties Bay we buy some oil and head for Brandburg some 140km away.
Wide open empty roads, clouds of dust billowing out from behind us and the sun shining oh how good it feels to be on the move. We both have big grins on our faces as we drive on.
Brandburg camp has a pool, bar and wi-fi so will try the internet later and try to finally update everything.
Tent up, awning out and a cold beer…all is well.
158 miles
Finally on the road again three weeks without moving drove us mad (excuse the pun).
No oil on the ground. Julie suggests we find we buy a new plug and some more oil just in case. Good idea, and the garage has one in stock. Hows that, bet you in the U.K. we’d have to wait a week for it.
We stop for a coffee and cake in Swakupmund and to buy a new washing up bowl as the old one was used for the oil change….well what else could I use.
In Henties Bay we buy some oil and head for Brandburg some 140km away.
Wide open empty roads, clouds of dust billowing out from behind us and the sun shining oh how good it feels to be on the move. We both have big grins on our faces as we drive on.
Brandburg camp has a pool, bar and wi-fi so will try the internet later and try to finally update everything.
Tent up, awning out and a cold beer…all is well.
Camping at waterberg plateau
FRI 6TH JAN DAY DAY 85 WATERBERG PLATEAU PARK S20 209.37 E17 85.55
283 miles
Nice sleep again under canvas and a great sunrise from our tent. Long drive to Waterberg Plateau Park starting with tarmac but the last hour was on dirt although we only saw one other vehicle.
Hot today 34 degrees and we need the shade of the trees at our camp which has its own braai with free wood although the communal ablutions have been built without doors! Mmm interesting, will have to take up whistling in the shower and loo.
Chilli and rice for dinner followed by fruit salad and custard.
283 miles
Nice sleep again under canvas and a great sunrise from our tent. Long drive to Waterberg Plateau Park starting with tarmac but the last hour was on dirt although we only saw one other vehicle.
Hot today 34 degrees and we need the shade of the trees at our camp which has its own braai with free wood although the communal ablutions have been built without doors! Mmm interesting, will have to take up whistling in the shower and loo.
Chilli and rice for dinner followed by fruit salad and custard.
Storm at Bushveld camp
SAT 7TH JAN DAY 86 BUSHVELD LODGE CAMP S20 05.695 E16 07.623
112 miles
Drove to within an hour of Etosha Reserve so that we can make the most of our visit to the park tomorrow.
Stopped at Otwarongo for some shopping and a strawberry milkshake before passing through Outjo to our camp for the night.
Nice site all to ourselves as the South Africans have all started to return home after there summer holidays.
Julie has a drive again today on the dirt road from Waterberg, shes getting used to it now.
Had the awning out for some shade and then the clouds began to gather followed by a few drops of rain and then it chucked it down so we sheltered in the Landy watching the lightening. I noticed that the awning had a lot of water laying on it and just as I decided to brave the rain and release it….snap!!! a pole breaks. Sod it.
The rain continues and so does the thunder and lightening on Biblical proportions, when it rains it rains. Julie get wet with the rain coming in by her door which doesn’t please her much. Eventually it stops and it’s a mopping up operation.
The camp is on a slope so it drains well and then tent is bone dry inside thank goodness, its only the awning to repair.
Quick dinner tonight.
112 miles
Drove to within an hour of Etosha Reserve so that we can make the most of our visit to the park tomorrow.
Stopped at Otwarongo for some shopping and a strawberry milkshake before passing through Outjo to our camp for the night.
Nice site all to ourselves as the South Africans have all started to return home after there summer holidays.
Julie has a drive again today on the dirt road from Waterberg, shes getting used to it now.
Had the awning out for some shade and then the clouds began to gather followed by a few drops of rain and then it chucked it down so we sheltered in the Landy watching the lightening. I noticed that the awning had a lot of water laying on it and just as I decided to brave the rain and release it….snap!!! a pole breaks. Sod it.
The rain continues and so does the thunder and lightening on Biblical proportions, when it rains it rains. Julie get wet with the rain coming in by her door which doesn’t please her much. Eventually it stops and it’s a mopping up operation.
The camp is on a slope so it drains well and then tent is bone dry inside thank goodness, its only the awning to repair.
Quick dinner tonight.
A 2 ton white rhino in Etosho
SUN 8TH JAN DAY 87 HALALI CAMP IN ETOSHA NAT.PARK
169 miles
Up early to be greeted by a lovely blue sky, everything has dried out so after a quick breakfast we pack up and head for Etosha Park.
We check in at the gate and book for one night so we have until sunset Monday in the park. The game is few and far between to start but eventually we see lots of impalas, giraffes and zebras. Later we see a spotted hyena which is a first for us, unusual to see them in the oped during midday.
Later we spot a white rhino which proves to be to highlight of the day as we are around 20m from it. Do we get closer? “no” Julie says. “But a dent from a charging rhino would be a badge of honour surely!”. We keep our distance and watch it for a while.
We have an evening game drive but after driving through a big muddy hole a horrible grinding noise is coming from the front wheel so its slowly back to camp (I wasn’t getting out that’s for sure) to investigate wher ewe find a stone stuck in the brake disc so that’s o.k. then.
As evening arrives we visit the floodlit waterhole but nothing cames, we have had quite a bit of rain lately and the game has spread out in the park.
Nightcap and bedtime.
169 miles
Up early to be greeted by a lovely blue sky, everything has dried out so after a quick breakfast we pack up and head for Etosha Park.
We check in at the gate and book for one night so we have until sunset Monday in the park. The game is few and far between to start but eventually we see lots of impalas, giraffes and zebras. Later we see a spotted hyena which is a first for us, unusual to see them in the oped during midday.
Later we spot a white rhino which proves to be to highlight of the day as we are around 20m from it. Do we get closer? “no” Julie says. “But a dent from a charging rhino would be a badge of honour surely!”. We keep our distance and watch it for a while.
We have an evening game drive but after driving through a big muddy hole a horrible grinding noise is coming from the front wheel so its slowly back to camp (I wasn’t getting out that’s for sure) to investigate wher ewe find a stone stuck in the brake disc so that’s o.k. then.
As evening arrives we visit the floodlit waterhole but nothing cames, we have had quite a bit of rain lately and the game has spread out in the park.
Nightcap and bedtime.
The lioness that we nearly ran over
MON 9TH JAN DAY 88 ROYS PLACE S19 13.969 E18 29.252
244 miles
Up at 5.45 and at the reserves gate at 6.20 waiting for them to open and catch some early sightings of game.
Disappointing game to start but once again later we see plenty. More giraffes and zebras and of course impalas which are better known as “nabis” Not another bloody impala!
We saw 2 massive male lions eyeing up a herd of impalas, scary seeing them out in the wild especially when they look straight at you. We drive on to a viewing point of the pan itself which is a massive empty space, later as we drive down a small track I see a large puddle in the road and just as I am thinking that looks a bit deep which side shall I pass by Julie notices 3 lions sitting under the tree. Shit if I had driven to the right I would have run into them. A quick reverse back and a wave to the guy behind me to stop, we switch of engines and watch one of them get up and take a drink from the water just10 metres from us. That was worth the visit to Etosha on its own.
We have lunch at one of the camps before moving on out of Etosha and end up at Roys Place and decide to stay for 2 nights as it’s a great site and we need a rest.
244 miles
Up at 5.45 and at the reserves gate at 6.20 waiting for them to open and catch some early sightings of game.
Disappointing game to start but once again later we see plenty. More giraffes and zebras and of course impalas which are better known as “nabis” Not another bloody impala!
We saw 2 massive male lions eyeing up a herd of impalas, scary seeing them out in the wild especially when they look straight at you. We drive on to a viewing point of the pan itself which is a massive empty space, later as we drive down a small track I see a large puddle in the road and just as I am thinking that looks a bit deep which side shall I pass by Julie notices 3 lions sitting under the tree. Shit if I had driven to the right I would have run into them. A quick reverse back and a wave to the guy behind me to stop, we switch of engines and watch one of them get up and take a drink from the water just10 metres from us. That was worth the visit to Etosha on its own.
We have lunch at one of the camps before moving on out of Etosha and end up at Roys Place and decide to stay for 2 nights as it’s a great site and we need a rest.
Roys lounge area.
TUE 10TH JAN DAY 89 AS ABOVE
0 miles
Lazy day in camp. Tidying the Landy again. This site has some nice facilities,clean ablututions ,laundry area with hot water, water a camp kitchen and a pool what else would you need?
Did some maintenance on the Landy a new air filter and greased up the prop shaft and uj’s again.
Julie is going to cook me a nice curry over an open fire tonight so she says, lets hope its doesn’t rain eh.
Best camp in Namibia (so far).
0 miles
Lazy day in camp. Tidying the Landy again. This site has some nice facilities,clean ablututions ,laundry area with hot water, water a camp kitchen and a pool what else would you need?
Did some maintenance on the Landy a new air filter and greased up the prop shaft and uj’s again.
Julie is going to cook me a nice curry over an open fire tonight so she says, lets hope its doesn’t rain eh.
Best camp in Namibia (so far).
The plunge pool in the Kavango river
WED 11TH JAN DAY 90 CAMP NDUROKORO (145KM E OF RUNDU)
S17 56.51 E21 06.28 234 miles
Sad to leave Roys Place but need to move on.
Land now is very green and lush very unlike the rest of Namibia, even have fruit for sale at the side of the road we hav not seen that for a while. We now seem back into the real Africa with small villages and thatched rondavels.
In Rundu we find another Shoprite to stock up again then we head for Camp Ndurokoro which we found out about from a leaflet at the airport and what a find it was. Camping on the banks of the Kavango River, our pitch is between two trees and the river is right in front of us a few meters away.
Better mention some damage to our trusty Landy. Someone reversed into a tree whilst someone was directing that person back! A broken water tap and a slightly bent ladder which needs a big hammer to fix. Could have been a lot worse.
Dinner sitting in a thatched rondavel watching the sun set.
S17 56.51 E21 06.28 234 miles
Sad to leave Roys Place but need to move on.
Land now is very green and lush very unlike the rest of Namibia, even have fruit for sale at the side of the road we hav not seen that for a while. We now seem back into the real Africa with small villages and thatched rondavels.
In Rundu we find another Shoprite to stock up again then we head for Camp Ndurokoro which we found out about from a leaflet at the airport and what a find it was. Camping on the banks of the Kavango River, our pitch is between two trees and the river is right in front of us a few meters away.
Better mention some damage to our trusty Landy. Someone reversed into a tree whilst someone was directing that person back! A broken water tap and a slightly bent ladder which needs a big hammer to fix. Could have been a lot worse.
Dinner sitting in a thatched rondavel watching the sun set.
Dave diving in the river at Popo Falls
THUR 12 TH JAN DAY 91 PROTEA HOTEL CAMPSITE KATIMA MULILO S17 29.168 E24 17.081
260 miles
Woken at six o’clock by the resident dog, one bark but enough to get us up and prepare breakfast. The Dutch couple running the place for a year have a nice place to take a year out that’s for sure.
Forgot to mention the campsite has a pool in the river fenced of from the crocs and hippos. The river is flowing fast so you need to swim fast against the current. Nice spot. Dueling for best campsite in Namibia.
Anyway on we go to the end of the Caprivi strip Quite a few police checkpoints on the road probably due to the proximity of Angola which is only a few miles north of us. All very friendly police though.
Visited Popa Falls before arriving in Katima Mulilo the end of the road as far as Namibia is concerned. Set up camp in the hotel grounds overlooking the Zambezi. One night the Kavango the next the Zambezi….what a life.
260 miles
Woken at six o’clock by the resident dog, one bark but enough to get us up and prepare breakfast. The Dutch couple running the place for a year have a nice place to take a year out that’s for sure.
Forgot to mention the campsite has a pool in the river fenced of from the crocs and hippos. The river is flowing fast so you need to swim fast against the current. Nice spot. Dueling for best campsite in Namibia.
Anyway on we go to the end of the Caprivi strip Quite a few police checkpoints on the road probably due to the proximity of Angola which is only a few miles north of us. All very friendly police though.
Visited Popa Falls before arriving in Katima Mulilo the end of the road as far as Namibia is concerned. Set up camp in the hotel grounds overlooking the Zambezi. One night the Kavango the next the Zambezi….what a life.
Fishing in the Zambezi
FRI 13TH JAN DAY 92 AS ABOVE
O miles
BIG DAY TODAY THREE CALENDER MONTHS ON THE ROAD AS WE LEFT HOME ON THE 13TH OCTOBER.
Our last day in Namibia and a walk into town to buy a new water tap via an internet café who sell the best coffee in Namibia.
Tap repaired we filter some drinking water which looks really murky must be from the Zambezi so we even filter the water for the tank. Have to clean the filter several times in the process.
Need to prepare for a border crossing tomorrow our first since 30th November into Ghana.
O miles
BIG DAY TODAY THREE CALENDER MONTHS ON THE ROAD AS WE LEFT HOME ON THE 13TH OCTOBER.
Our last day in Namibia and a walk into town to buy a new water tap via an internet café who sell the best coffee in Namibia.
Tap repaired we filter some drinking water which looks really murky must be from the Zambezi so we even filter the water for the tank. Have to clean the filter several times in the process.
Need to prepare for a border crossing tomorrow our first since 30th November into Ghana.
Our camp next to the Zambezi
NAMIBIAN SUMMERY
As expected an easy country to visit and navigate a bit European apart from the northern area but with less people a slower pace and with more smiles.
Lots of game seen in Etosha but no elephants. Walvis Bay and Swakopmund have grown lots since we last came some 10 years ago.
More friendly people, easy camping.
As expected an easy country to visit and navigate a bit European apart from the northern area but with less people a slower pace and with more smiles.
Lots of game seen in Etosha but no elephants. Walvis Bay and Swakopmund have grown lots since we last came some 10 years ago.
More friendly people, easy camping.