2010 NAMIBIA TOUR TRIP REPORT
Botsalano Game Reserve
Botsalano is always a good place to stay over for a night, whether going to Botswana or towards the Kalahari on the SA side. The camping sites are quite neat and clean, the game plentiful and tame - a real good bush experience. It can also be a very good place to spend a long weekend at.
They also have safari tent accommodation in an exclusive camp next to a waterhole. A real good place to have a family or other group gathering. - Actually a well-kept secret and not a place where you will find large crowds.
Reservations can be made and more information can be found on the www.toursimnorthwest.co.za website, the road there is also good and it is not too far to reach in a day from Gauteng.
Read more...Molopo Game Reserve
Like Botsalano, the Molopo Game Reserve is also one of the reserves in the Northwest Province's stable. It is situated in true kalahari bushveld, complete with red dunes and all.
The facilities at Phiri Camp, the only camp that is still operational, is a bit run-down, but not a problem for those who are used to bush camping.
From Phiri Camp, on the dune, one have a view from a hide onto a waterhole that is frequented by lots of kudus, eland, gemsbuck, ostriches, warthog and many birds. Further into the reserve, there is a second hide from where one may sit and watch the kalahari animals going through their daily rituals at the waterhole.
Koppieskraal Pan
Koppieskraal Guest Farm has an immense pan on which one party may camp at a time. Absolotely flat with only camels to keep you company. Bush Camp with a difference! The other campsite is on a nearby mountain between picturesque rocks and boulders. Here they have water, a longdrop, a little lapa as amenities, but all these luxuries are not detrimental to the in-the-bush feeling one get here.
Meat and venison can also be bought from the owners at very good prices - really an amazing place to visit.
Actually, one should stay over at Koppieskraal for at least two nights to appreciate everything that is being offered by the place.
Red Dune Camp
Red Dune Camp is, like it's name indicates, built on a very red dune in the Kalahari on the road between Mata Mata and Gochas.
It has a very beautiful setting right on the top of the dune and it has all the amenities that a camper needs right there, without harming the in-nature feel of the place.
This is a fantastic place for any kalahari addict. Just watch out - here you may become one as well!
Meat, firewood and other food and drinks are supplied by the friendly owner and his son at very reasonable prices from their little farm shop.
Bagatelle Camp
Bagatelle, which is actually an upmarket lodge in the kalahari, also features beautiful campsites a little distance from the lodge between red kalahari dunes.
The campsites are far from each other, with a neat little private ablution block for each campsite. The ablutions each have a solar panel for lighting inside and out.
This is one of the lodges that we came across that cares for its campers as well as for their more upmarket guests and campers are welcomed to the pool facilities as well as the free coffee and tea in the lodge.
For dinner, a fantastic pre-booked meal may be enjoyed.
Namibgrens Camp
Namibgrens is a beautiful camping complex in a mountainous area of Namibia. It is situated somewhere between the Kalahari and the Namib deserts.
It offers widely spaced campsites with large tents without beds, suitable for groups or to pitch your own little tent in. Each campsite also has a shower facility neatly tucked in between rocks and a private braai and chat area.
They also feature pools for those hot Namibian days, making Namibgrens (Namib border) suitable for family use during the school holidays, while out-of-season visitors will be touring people staying one or two nights only.
Sesriem Camp
Sesriem is the camp in Namibia that borders the very popular Sossusvlei area. Being inside the Namib Naukluft Park, guests can go earlier than others to Sossusvlei. Being there at sunrise is very important to be able to see the different colours the dunes reflect early in the morning, so if you want to see that spectacle, Sesriem is the place to sleep.
The camp became a bit run-down and people complained a lot about that, until the camp was upgraded nicely, now people complain about the higher new rates.
Sossusvlei is actually the big drawcard in this area because the absolute beauty of the dunes and their shades makes Sossusvlei a photographer's paradise
Barby Guest Farm
Barby Guest Farm is situated next to the beautiful C27 between Helmeringhausen and Sossusvlei/Sesriem. It features quiet, shady campsites out of sight of each other, as well as huts for those who do not camp.
Although Barby Guest Farm is a very good place to overnight on the way to and from the Sossusvlei area, the peace and quiet may just prompt you to stretch the stay for an extra day or two.
Should you decide to stay longer, Helmeringhausen is only about twenty kilometers away to stock up on extra food and drinks.
Fish River Lodge
Fish River lodge is strictly speaking not a camping destination, but a luxury lodge, but when we arrived there quite late, they offered us a room in the old lodge buildings about a kilometre from the main lodge at a very friendly price, so we took the offer.
Upon reaching the old lodge, we found a beautiful little building right on the side of the canyon will be our abode for the night - just fantastic.
It was midwinter and very cold, so we went to the Lodge to enjoy a fabulous dinner, just to find in our beds upon getting back to our room - two warm waterbottles for the night! That's service for you and it deserves this free advertisement.
Ai-Ais Camp
The Ai-Ais Resort has been a very popular family holiday site until it was closed for refurbishing. During the refurbishments, a lot of improvements have been made. The camping sites as well as the permanent accommodation has been vastly improved, restoring this resort to its former glory.
It now has a spacious restaurant and bar, a shop, a filling station, tennis courts and pools, campsites are very well placed and neat.
Situated between a high cliff on one side and a hill on the other, this spa resort is well protected against wind and sun, but can still get very hot during summer.
Canon Roadhouse Camp
Canon Roadhouse is a roadhouse next to the road near the Fishriver Canyon. Apart from the very interesting presentation of old vehicles and a good open air restaurant, they also have some of the nicest camping sites in the south of Namibia.
The camping sites are situated within walking distance from the Roadhouse under large camelthorn trees with clean, modern ablutions a few yards from every camping site. If camping is not for you, they have good, clean rooms with an ample breakfast and dinner.
If you are a bit tired of having a braai every night, a good dinner is available at the Roadhouse among the old cars.
Norotshama Camp
Norotshama River Resort in the Aussenkehr Nature Reserve on the Gariep River has cottages and a camping area some distance away from the river.
One can go on their quite expensive 4x4 self drives through some very beautiful scenery and wonderful views.
One can also have something to eat and drink at their riverside restaurant where the sunsets are something to remember.
Their campsites are a bit squeezed-in with campers having to virtually share tent pens with each other - sacrificing privacy. We recommend campers to rather move on the little distance to Amanzi River Adventures's camp.
Amanzi River Adventures
Abiqua, or now called Amanzi, is an outfit who takes people out on canoe trips on the Gariep River. Their camp is situated next to the river with large campsites on grass, enclosed with reeds, each with its own thatched lapa and, at a price lower than other camp sites along the river.
Even if you are not going on an organised river trip, you can rent a canoe here and traverse the river up and down to your heart's content.
They also have a shop for drinks, meat and firewood and other necessities. This camp is one of the best we attended and we recommend these friendly people for longer laid-back visits.
Heirachabis Guest Farm
Heirachabis is a new accommodation spot with loads of potential for enjoyment by nature lovers.
It is situated on a large tract of land with mountains, pans, red dunes and a Roman Catholic Church dating from the very early days of "civilization" in Namibia.
The accommodation consists of spacious rooms next to the house. Camping at the hunter's hut, or for bushcamp addicts, there are about 40 000ha worth of bushcamp opportunities.
Horseriding, a tented camp with shower, ablutions etc are being built.
Riemvasmaak Camp
Riemvasmaak was at a stage a military testing site, which was given back to the community after 1994."
Part of their new economic life now is the tourism potential of their absolutely wonderful area, which is perfect for nature lovers who want to get away from it all.
This is actually 4x4 country, but high-clearance bakkies will also be able to go, if they are very cautious of where they are going to attempt to go.
At very reasonable prices, you will be able to choose how seriously you want to rough it, since there are easy camping, good permanent accommodations and also rough driving and camping areas. - A small bit of heaven.
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