Travel: Namibia August 2015 (part two)

Namibia August 2015 (part two)

In part one, I listed some of our travels from Johannesburg to Namibia and ended at the small town of kamanjab.

This post will include from kamanjab back to Johannesburg.

In kamanjab we stayed at a guest farm (there were a few animals and you can drive around) on a B&B basis. The rooms were alright and the breakfast was very good.

For our evening meal, we went into town and found a lodge called Opi_Koppi. It turned out to be very good (and we returned there on our way back from Epupa Falls as well).

So, from kamanjab the next destination was Epupa Falls. We were advised to purchase our provisions in the next town of Opuwa. but, luckily we had not heeded that advise and purchased all we required form a very well stocked Sentra shop in Kamanjab. We also found a fully stocked butchery there as well.
We arrived in Opuwa and were not impressed. The town was dirty and even the filling station (for fuel) was not a pleasant experience. We did not see any shops which would have met with our approval to purchase anything. We were extremely pleased that we had shopped in kamanjab.
From Opuwa we were back on the dirt roads. While these were not the best (sandy in patches) they were graded and had little corrugations. Our trip to Epupa Falls was uneventful. (except that we stopped along the way for something to drink and noticed a very strange smell. It smelled like stagnant water with something rotting in it !) We did not stay long at the stop and progressed onto Epupa.
On arrival in Epupa we found that we had to drive through the settlement and over a soccer pitch (just sand and stones) to reach our campsite. We were a little apprehensive.
However, on arriving at the campsite we found the staff extremely friendly and helpful. Our campsite was on the river, and each site had its own private ablutions. Separate large shower and toilet "units". Again the water was heated by donkey and we always had hot water. The setting was perfect.

However, on setting up, my brother notices a snake making its way into their Oz tent. Luckily when we banged on the side of the tent it appeared and slithered out of the tent and across the road and under some loose stones. We notified the lodge reception and they took care of the snake. Needless to say my sister in law was not impressed and was not happy sleeping in the tent that night. But, we were in a remote part of Africa.
Needless to say, that foul smell (the stagnant water smell) was with us when we stopped at the campsite and started setting up the tents. I was not impressed and mentioned to my wife that the water in the pools of the river smelled.. But, when I went to move the Chev, it would not start. Totally flat battery !! So, that smell was actually the battery and we were very lucky that it did not explode. But, at Epupa falls and no battery, and the car is automatic. The staff went out of their way to assist and lent me a mobile phone to call two businesses in Opuwa. However, none had the correct size battery. So, plan b, we disconnected the dual battery system and fitted that battery into the car. It was a bit too big, but we made a plan and tied it in. That stayed there until we were back in kamanjab. But, now we had no fridge ! but luckily my brother had a large Snowmaster which had some space in it. We also had the freezer in the trailer nose cone, so all was ok.

Epupa falls were lovely, but the river was a little low. However, we still enjoyed out time there.

So, from Epupa it was back to Kamanjab. It was no good stopping in Opuwa to try and get a battery as we had confirmed, previously, that there was not one available. So, I was hopeful that the small shop and garage in Kamanjab would have a suitable one. We arrived in kamanjab on a Sunday, so on our departure on Monday we stopped at the Sentra, again, and yes, they did have the correct size and configuration battery. The gentleman even assisted in fitting the battery. At least I could connect the fridge again.

So, all rectified and ready to continue.

Our next destination was Etosha. Having never visited Etosha before and having heard so much about this fascinating place, were headed for Halali with great excitement. We had decided to base ourselves at Halali for 5 nights and travel to the two other main camps during our stay. This, in fact, worked out perfectly. We entered Etosha through Ombika gate and headed for Okaukuejo. We had just left the gate when we encountered our first elephant heard, with some buck. Before arriving at Okaukuejo we had also seen our first pride of lions. We were in for a great experience.
During our stay we did see more lions, elephants, loads of birds, giraffe etc.

Our campsite at Halali was good. Of cause there was loads of dust and sand, but by this time were were used to that. The ablutions were first class. There was a problem with a blocked drain, globes blown and a faulty toilet. However, when I advised the maintenance staff at reception they were at the ablution before I got back to our campsite. They rectified all the item and we had no further problems. I think, basically, as most campers come in late in the day and depart again early the next morning, no one actually advised the maintenance crew. So, problem solved and the rest of the stay was great.

We traveled around the park for 5 glorious days. Some of the roads were extremely corrugated, but generally you are driving slowly anyway.

My brother had the first (and only) puncture of the entire trip in the campsite. We had all the necessary puncture repair goodies, so removed the wheel and plugged the tyre. That worked great and did not leak for the rest of the trip.
In addition, I noticed that the one bolts holding the leaf spring to the chassis of my off road trailer looked skew. On further inspection, I found that it had broken. I had brought with me 4 bolts, a set of wheel bearings and the necessary grease etc to fix any problems with the trailer. So, my brother and I removed the broken bolt and replaced it with a suitable high tensile bolt. That worked perfectly, but was very lucky that the broken bolt was spotted. It could have caused serious damage if it fell out while towing the trailer.

Anyway, time came to leave Etosha and were were exiting via the gate at Namutoni and driving to Rundu where we were spending the night.

After leaving Etosha, the drive to Rundu was on a good tar road. We had decided that instead of travelling on the dirt road, to go down to Grootfontein and up the B3 to Rundu.
We stayed at a lovely lodge on the banks of the river overlooking Angola.

From Rundu. we drove through the Zambezi (Caprivi) region. The road is really boring if you stay on the main tar road, as we did. However, our next destination was Divundu. We were going to see the Popa falls !! These are not actually falls, but a set of rather small rapids. It was a bit disappointing, to say the least. Anyway, we were there and set about exploring a little.
The guest house in which we stayed had separate rooms, each with shower toilet etc. This was not really a very good selection, but it was comfortable. We ordered a toasted sandwich for lunch and were severely ripped off with the price. But................
They did have a new camping ground and new ablutions which they were still in the process of completing. If/once completed, they should be good. The sites each had a power point, braai and shade.

We visited the Popa Falls resort and also went back there for an evening meal. The resort is run by NWR and was great. The also have camping available.

From Popa falls we were travelling to Kasane and would spend a day in Chode (self drive) Chobe, as always, was great.
We camped in the town of Kasane and could hear the hippo in the river. In fact one came up and grazed quiet near to the tent.