The trip has started on September 9th  2019. Lot’s of expectations and very excited....

First days in Windhoek at our friends house and time for some preparations, e.g. Car Insurance, Mobile Internet, ...

Mobile Internet and phone calls

Mobile Internet compare to Germany is less expensive. At MTC (loacal Provider) you will get a SIM card for 16N$ (0,99- €) and I choose Aweh Super prepaid (incl. 700min free local talk time, 1500 SMS, 3.5GB data + 700MB Social Media data) for 65N$ (4,00- €) per week.

Car Insurance 

Getting the right insurance for your car is getting complicated.

Third party cover is provided by the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund which is funded via a percentage charge on fuel and therefore cover all road users automatically. Note it only covers third party liability for personal injury/death not damage to a third party's property.

For detailed information check the page 'Documents and Insurance / Car insurance in Africa'. 

On September 15th 2019 we drove to Swakopmund for the handover of the CdP and YETI on Friday.

The photo below shows the view from the Tiger Reef Beach Bar in Swakopmund.

The day after the handover of the CdP at the hauler Eddie in Walvis Bay, 30 minutes north of Swakopmund took place. (2019-09-16).

The follwong day we signed for the car insurance of YETI at a local office in Swakopmund (2019-09-17).

On September 19th the car arrived at Walvis Bay, the hauler informed us that handover will take place on Friday morning.

On September 20th we celebrate Elize Birthday, one of our very good friends (almost family) here in Namibia.

At 10h00 we drove to the hauler, together with another couple from Austria we drove to the harbor.

After the entry permission procedure we where able to pass the port entrance gate and drove to the parking area for the imported cars.

The first impression from a distance was quite good, a second closer look showed that not all was good.

• All lashing straps where missing, also the 4 that hold the spare tire on the hood.
• The filler cab was broken and the top part missing.
• The lock and zippers of the shower tent cover where missing and the zips broken.
• The bag for the camping toilet on to of the roof rack was missing, the toilet still there.

In total the damage wasn't big but annoying and it will take some time and money to solve it.

We expect that the damage was caused by the crew during the transport on the ship and of course no insurance will pay the damage incurred.

On September 22nd we drove from Swakopmund back to Windhoek for the birthday party of a our friend Ebi on Friday, fixing the parking break and get a new filler cap.

Update from September 23rd:

The parking break will be fixed tomorrow at HB  AUTO Doctor in Windhoek. This problem with the handbrake already occured before the shipping. 

I've got a new filler cap (155,-N$), a new bag for the camping toilet (350,-N$) and a new spare wheel bag (600,-N$).

The spare wheel bag was ripped off in the night before in front of our friends house. Just the water hose to fill up the water tank was stolen, but the bag was destroyed.

On September 24th the parking brake was fixed and works fine. I had the spare parts already with me, so they just had to replace the cable, what take 2h and cost about N$800,-.

On Spetember 25th we found a save place to park the YETI. It is now stowed away safely close to our close by at a friends house in Windhoek-Ludwigsdorf. 

September 26th was the right time for planning the next steps and pre-booking some campsites is required. HERE you will find the trip table with some information.

We brought some spare liquids (500ml Break fluid, 1l Differential Oil and 5l Motor Oil) and a spare drive belt to prevent major breakdowns.  

All spare parts were available at LR parts in Windhoek (Phone: 061 233 273, Address: 16 Faraday, Windhoek)

Birthday party of Ebi on September 27th. It took the hole day and night, starting with 15 people breakfast and ends up in location closed to the Vineyard Country Lodge with around 100 guests. An unforgettable event.

During the following week we got permits for 3 locations (Sossusvlei, Skeleton Coast and Etosha National Park) at the Ministry of tourism in Windhoek on October 3rd. NWR will no longer assign any permits.

On October 4th I took some picture from YETI in front of Joe's Beer house, one of our favorite place to go for dining and entertainment. 

We drove to Elize farm close to Rietoog and stay there for a 2 days until October 6th.

It's one of my favorite place to calm down. We had a very nice Braai together with Magreta and Buddy.

Driving to Zebra River Lodge and stay there for 2 days until October 8th. Nice quite Lodge with 4 camp spots (700m from main building). Great mountain view from camp area. 

Zebra River Lodge is situated on a 12 500 hectares private farm of dramatic scenery, deep in the Tsaris Mountains of southern Namibia. The place offers hiking over endless plateaus and into deep canyons to discover an abundance of birds and antelopes or see the mountain zebras keeping watch over their territory. The Canyon is also a heaven for geologists, archaeologists and palaeontologists.

Staying at Elegant Desert Lodge for 2 days. Very nice camp spot at great kitchen. Nice staff as well.

Sossusvlei

Sossusvlei in Namibia boasts some of the highest dunes in the world and spectacular desert scenery.

In the central Namib Desert lies a clay pan within the Namib-Naukluft National Park called Sossusvlei. “Vlei” in Afrikaans means a shallow depression filled with water. Sossusvlei is a mud pan created by a river that flows through the Namib every 5 to 10 years.

Way from Weltevrede Guestfarm to Cape Cross Campsite.

On the the way to the Guestfarm I was hit by the first major breakdown. 5km before the Guestfarm on the gravel road the corregations causes the loss of a deflection roller of the drive best. Unfortunately the battery warning light indicate the problem miles away from the  scene of the lost. It took 3 days to get spare parts to the Guestfarm, quite good for a place in the middle of nowhere and only possible with the Help from Elize in Windhoek.

Short break at Soltaire to refuel and grab some cookies. Best bakery on the Namibian West-Coast.

Cape Cross Campsite

Great camp spot (Best so far) and outstanding restaurant with ocean view and good prices for a full menu (N$ 200 inkl. drink pp). A little bit windy, but as expected at the coast line. 

Cape Cross, or Kaap Kruis in Afrikaans, Das Kreuzkap in German literally means "Cape of the Cross" and is a promontory that juts out to the Atlantic Ocean from the Namib Skeleton Coast National Park in Namibia.

It is a protected natural area of 60 sq km and was established in 1968; here is where it is located the largest colony of Cape fur seals in the world, this is why Cape Cross is famous and attracts many visitors every year.

It is located about 60 km North of the town of Henties Bay.

Skeleton Coast

Way from Cape Cross over Skeleton Coast to Palmwag.

Gate times are from 7:30 to 15:30 to enter and 19:30 to leave Skeleton Coast. You will need a permit to access.

I was a little early (10 minutes), good time for a short break. Road conditions were ok.

Great landscape but not much to see except the area. 

At the Skeleton Coast exit gate I spend 2 cans of beer for the officers to have an easy life with all the fresh food in the fridge and stuff in the car.

Right before reaching the Palmwag Lodge was a checkpoint. They do not inspect food in direction south to north but the other direction. No eggs or raw meat allowed. 

Palmwag Lodge Campsite (Gondwana)

An Elephant passing by 25m from my camp spot. Nice.

Palmwag is situated in the Palmwag Concession next to one of the tributaries of the ephemeral Uniab River in north western Damaraland / Kunene region. The newly renovated lodge and campsite is nestled between huge Makalani palms and Mopane trees.

Some impressions from Etosha National Park.

One of the easiest and safest safari destinations in Africa, Etosha National Park is Namibia’s best game viewing destination. Home to savannah animals and desert specialists, Etosha is where elephant, giraffe and zebra mix with springbok, black rhino and the scimitar-horned gemsbok antelope. It’s also a predator paradise: lions, leopards and hyenas are resident in healthy numbers and it’s a top destination for cheetah sightings.

Camp HOGO Kavango in Rundu at the Okavango River. The small family operated self Catering Tented Camp & Camp site situated along the beautiful Kavango River in Rundu Namibia was very nice.

On the other side of the river is Angola.

Rainbow River Lodge and Campsite close to Divundu. All other camp sites where fully booked, so I stranded here. Nice place directly at the Okavango River again. Hippos around the camp. (Date: 2019-10-20 - 10-21)

Sharwimbo River Campsite at the Kwando River an right on the border to Botswana.

The campspot is lying on the Banks of the Kwando River, overlooking the wonder of true African Nature, Sharwimbo River Camp offers Tented Chalets as well as Picnic camping sites.

Namibia - Botswana Border crossing in Ngoma with Gerlinde and Andreas from Austria (2019-10-24).

We crossed from Namibia into Botswana, very quick and no troubles at all. BUT I would just say that we did get searched for meat/dairy/fruit & veg. They didn’t do a full search of the vehicle or check inside boxes, but they did look quite thoroughly inside the fridge. Interestingly the guy wasn’t too interested in our few remaining grapes or the quarter litre of milk in our fridge - but he did ask where we were keeping our wine!

Victoria Falls  (Zimbabwe - Zambia)

Victoria Falls presents a spectacular sight of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur on the Zambezi River, forming the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It was described by the Kololo tribe living in the area in the 1800s as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ – ‘The Smoke that Thunders’. In more modern terms Victoria Falls is known as the greatest curtain of falling water in the world. (Date: 2019-10-24)

Chobe National Park (Botswana)

Chobe National Park is a true wildlife paradise and one of the best national parks in Southern Africa. Just one peek at the variety of wildlife and lush vegetation and you will be mesmerized forever!

The Park is extremely lush for an African reserve, because of the many waterways. The Chobe River flows through the park and quenches the thirst of many animals and birds during the dry season.

Maun (Botswana)

Round flight over the Okavango Delta

As the main gateway to the Okavango Delta, Maun (mau-uunn) is Botswana’s primary tourism hub. The town itself has little going for it – it’s strung out over kilometres with not much of a discernible centre.

Kruger National Park (SA)

Kruger National Park is a South African National Park and one of the largest game reserves in Africa. It covers an area of 19,485 km2 (7,523 sq mi) in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in northeastern South Africa, and extends 360 km (220 mi) from north to south and 65 km (40 mi) from east to west. The administrative headquarters are in Skukuza. Areas of the park were first protected by the government of the South African Republic in 1898, and it became South Africa's first national park in 1926.

Port St. Johns (SA)

Port St Johns is quite possibly the jewel of the Wild Coast!  Situated on the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape province in South Africa, Port St Johns offers an authentic piece of Africa at the mouth of the Umzimvubu River, surrounded by subtropical rainforests

Buccaneers Backpackers' Camping (SA - at Chintsa River)

It has been said that Buccaneers is a bit like a village because of the way it is spread over eight hectares of wild coastal forest right next to the stunning Chintsa Beach. Many describe it as a place to come home to and a legend in its own time.

Jeffreys Bay (SA)

Jeffreys Bay, South Africa is a surfer’s dream on the Eastern Cape. What used to be a hippie fishing town is now becoming one of South Africa’s fastest expanding urban areas. People visit to find the waves and surf of Jeffreys Bay and continue to come back for everything else it has to offer.

Brakkeduine 4x4 (SA)

34°07′47.45″S 24°34′02.88″E

A few kilometres inland from Jeffrey’s Bay, St Francis and Humansdorp in the Eastern Cape Province is the beautiful Brakkeduine Dam, and the gorgeous countryside that surrounds it. This is a sandy area that shows off the quiet beauty of this part of South Africa, coupled with friendly folk and excellent weather conditions almost all year round.

The Brakkeduine 4x4 Trail is a 14 kilometre long circular trail that has a grading of three to five. It is essential that drivers are accompanied by a guide as there are a number of tricky areas, particularly due to the loose sand. It takes a minimum of three hours to complete, but some drivers choose to do it over the course of up to 24 hours.

Cape Agulhas (SA)

What a goose bump moment. Turning your back on the land, looking out over the ocean and knowing that the entire African continent is lying behind you.

This is the place where you can put your one foot in the Indian Ocean and the other in the Atlantic Ocean – at the same time.

The Cape Agulhas Lighthouse itself, as well as the precinct that surrounds and supports it, has, for some time, remained somewhat untouched and unexplored. For those that have visited the southernmost tip of the African continent, it is a very special and beautiful area...

Hermanus (SA)

Hermanus is situated in the heart of the whale route, just 100 km from Cape Town on the Cape Whale Coast of the Western Cape in South Africa.   Hermanus has developed from a rustic fishing village into one of the world’s best whale-viewing and tourist destinations. 

Cape Town

Sitting at the feet of iconic Table Mountain, Cape Town is a little city that packs a big punch. Established in 1652 with the arrival of Dutch settlers who were sent to start a halfway station for passing ships, Cape Town is known as Africa's "Mother City." Like most other African cities, it has a complex colonial history, but one that has brought about truly magnificent diversity. —Mariette Du Toit-Helmbold

Cape Town area

Mouizenberg, Boulders Beach and Chapman's Peak Drive

The beautiful little town of Stellenbosch, roughly an hour from Cape Town, lies surrounded by the Stellenbosch Mountains in the Jonkershoek River Valley in one of the most picturesque settings in the Cape.

The name ‘Stellenbosch’ is almost synonymous with the wine industry. Not only does it have the oldest wine route in the country, and arguably the most famous, but the town has one of the most modern experimental wineries in the world, and the only viticultural and oenological department in the country at its university.

African Overlanders

Duncan, Eli and Chloe drive African Overlanders. Eli is Spanish (and typically so!) she lived in Germany for 14 years and speaks fluent German. She also speaks  very good French and English. Duncan is English and he have traveled greatly through most continents. Daughter Chloe,  was born in 2011. African Overlanders is based on Duncan's experiences of riding in Africa and aims to give the whole traveling community the facilities they require for a happy and healthy adventure. 

(http://www.africanoverlanders.com/)

Cape of Good Hope (SA)

The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula in South Africa.

A common misconception is that the Cape of Good Hope is the southern tip of Africa. This misconception was based on the misbelief that the Cape was the dividing point between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Contemporary geographic knowledge instead states the southernmost point of Africa is Cape Agulhas about 150 kilometres (90 mi) to the east-southeast.[1] The currents of the two oceans meet at the point where the warm-water Agulhas current meets the cold-water Benguela current and turns back on itself. That oceanic meeting point fluctuates between Cape Agulhas and Cape Point (about 1.2 kilometres (0.75 mi) east of the Cape of Good Hope).

Lesotho and the Sani Pass (LESOTHO - SA)

Driving through the pretty Midlands, you head for the town of Underberg, where the tar road runs out and the graded track begins. Lesotho is isolated from KwaZulu-Natal by the towering Drakensberg Mountains, and the Sani Pass is the only way through them. The road cuts cut the slopes, switching through tortuous hairpin bends and offering dizzying views of valleys far below. 

At the top of the pass is a border post into Lesotho, and once in Lesotho you can visit a traditional Sotho village, or have lunch and a drink at the Sani Top Chalet, home of the highest pub in Africa. 

To drive up the Sani Pass you will need a 4x4 vehicle.

Kimberley / The Big Hole (SA)

What makes Kimberley’s Big Hole that much more interesting is that it is an entirely man-made structure; the largest hand-dug excavation in the world.

Some photos of various  camp spots