Namakwa, Namakwa…… Northern Cape

Well, I might as well share this quick 10 day trip to the Namakwa….. :wink2:

Frans aka Hou da nou da from Groblersdal contacted me (as he does every holiday….. :lol: ) for a quick trip he has been looking forward to for some time…..

So we agreed and quickly made bookings for April 2012 with Namakwa District Municipality (Tourism Office) Email: marikag@namakwa-dm.gov.za
Website http://www.northerncape.org.za
Private Bag X 20
Springbok
8240
Tel.027 712 8035
Fax.027 712 1421

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Cost of the 5 day trail is R150.00 per vehicle (bargain…. :!: ) however you need to be self sufficient during this period :!:
Map info:

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Vehicle / occupants:
Myself / wife (Danelle 0000DS) – Hilux Vigo DC 2.5 D4D – Crysten (14) & Kiara (6)
Frans / wife Denise – Hilux Vigo 3.0 D4D – x4 kids – 2, 9, 11, 13y

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Round trip Jhb / Jhb 2746km’s

Day 1 was to push through to Upington approx. 800km’s via Koster, LIchtenburg, Vryburg, Kuruman and then Upington. There Cobus aka Kaspaas recommended we stay over at Oranjerus Camp site (S28 38.350 E21 07.107) and we were not disappointed one bit :thumbup: Nice green grass with shaded camping area, pool, bar, restaurant, braai facilities and immaculate bathrooms. (Rate 80.00pp kids U13 R40.00) And on the bank of the Orange river :wink2:

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That afternoon Khalahari Seun & Kaspaas came to visit as we had not met before…..What nice guys :thumbup: Please do contact them if you are in the area, they know it well and will gladly to assist :thumbup:

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The following day (Sunday) we took some time to explore the area Kanoneiland and some of it’s attractions…..no much but pleasant :thumbup:

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Cobus had kindly invited us on a tour of Oranjerivier Wine Cellers which we obviously agreed to just before Keimoes :thumbup: Was an interesting tour to say the least and some……wine was drunk……only a little :lol: :lol:

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And obviously we had to take some home :thumbup:

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After a nice tour we had to say our goodbuy’s and headed for Kakamas. But first lunch @ Vergelegen Restaurant, also recommended and not disappointed at all :thumbup: S28 45.105 E20 38.626
Expect some of these on route…… :twisted:

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n Kakamas we stopped traditionally at ‘Die Pienk Padstal’ for some snacks….. :thumbup:

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From here we headed to the recommended farm Raapenskraap S28 37.454 E19 30.550 (via the Onseepkrans road) and the campsite was wonderful and rustic!!! We were the only people there and had the place to ourselves :dance1: Bit of a bush camp, next to the Orange river, with a donkey, nice fireplace and wood for Africa :thumbup: What more could we ask for :wink2: For R100 per vehicle per night, not bad !

There are also a few guest houses available, should you not want to camp.

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The campsite

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Oh yes carefull the thorns…… :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Supper, hamburgers and chips on the fire, kids favourite :wink2:

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They farm here mainly with grapes and lemon’s and is part of Karstens Boerdery !

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The following day we headed S/E towards Pofadder S29 07.509 E19 23.796

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When in Pofadder main spar or whatever they call it, make sure to get some delicious billies……don’t forget to share…… :thumbup:Anyway from there we moved to Klein Pella farm (S29 00.343 E19 00.705) also mainly farming grapes and dates (export) and part of Karstens Boerdery. Camping here was R150.00 per vehicle, swimming pool, braai facilities, clean ablutions and friendly staff :thumbup: There are also some rooms available for those who do not wish to camp and a small restaurant and bar facilities.
Pella here:

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Campsite view :dance1:

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Kids enjoying the pool….

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Afternoon nap for some…… :roll:

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Such a relaxing place we decided to stay for 2 nights :thumbup:

For the next day which is actually part of the Namakwa4x4 route we left most of our goods at Klein Pella camp site as we would do the circle route to Pella about a 6 hour drive.Type in these co-ordinates S29 00.902 E19 01.166 which will take you from Klein Pella to Pella viaa very scenic route :thumbup:

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Once you get to Pella follow these co-ordinates which will take you through Charlies Pass :dance1: Ask the locals for directions should you get lost, absolutely worth the drive :!: :!::!: Follow these co-ordinates S29 01.319 E19 10.432

Stunning scenery :thumbup:

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The pass eventually takes you to the banks of the Orange river :wink2:

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hen along the route we spotted this road…..on the Namibian side…..and ‘other’ thoughts were going through my mind. Where does it come from, why and leading down to the river?Anyone driven this road before :?: T4A shows no road there…… :roll:

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Clearer view of the road.

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So along the river just North of Pella heading East (oh yes….forgot to mention, for those that don’t know the trail can only accommodate 10 vehicles per day so bookings are essential as well as the ‘permit’ for the Namakwa4x4 trail! The trail can also only be driven from East to West, thus eliminating traffic I suppose :thumbup:Found a nice spot in a dry riverbed :thumbup:

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Time to cool down :thumbup:

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Frans almost getting into a bit of a situation….. :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Luckily he managed to get out……but later it would be my turn….. :oops: :oops:

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From there it’s another hour drive to the farm Klein Pella, where we would overnight again :thumbup:

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Break :!:

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Some more date plantations

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Pickers still at work at the end of the season

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O….K, where was I….. :o:The older girls slept outside as the weather is still pleasant

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While the younger one’s felt better in the tent

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We left Klein Pella or shall I say the kids left KP with heavy hearts, towards Grootmelkhoutboom

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Witbank, a small settlement on route

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Ruins

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Almost at Groothoutmelkboom and I was getting hungry…… :oops: For a sarmie and some coffee……However when we got there the group ahead of us were still chilling there….. :aggresive:

So we stopped and said our hello’s…just passing through…won’t stay long and disturb the peace……

Danelle said ‘lets leave rather….’ Me not happy agreed and pulled away in a huff….not far and……..damm, STUCK :!:

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Front wheel….

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Back wheel….

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All wheels….. :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Frans quickly deflated his tyres and came to assist with a tug :thumbup: Tx Frans :wink2:

Back to he Klein Pella camp site

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So off we headed to out favourite camping spot, Ramansdrift :dance1: :dance1:

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And that was that :!: We decided as we have no further bookings we would stay here, no further :thumbup:

What more can one ask for :?:

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We really had an awsome time here and the ladies even remembered to pack easter eggs for the kids :thumbup:
Some more pics

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Kids even managed to catch some fish, this entertained them quite somewhat :thumbup:

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If you like loud music, malls and crowds….this is def. not for you…. :blackeye:

Here I must add the awnings came in pretty handy, there is little shade in this area :wink2:

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Sunrise

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Easter some easter eggs for the kids, which they enjoyed! Another advantage of having x2 fridges – they come in quite handy :thumbup:

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The following day/s we just spent chilling next to the river. Kids loved the riding the small rapids with the tubes…..& kept them occupied :thumbup:

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Frans trying for the big one….

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And this is what I live for :thumbup:It doesn’t get better than this… :!:

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The following morning waking up to this was awsome, pic from RRT :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

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Packed and ready to rumble……

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We could not exit the way we came in as the water was rising, so found an alternative :thumbup:

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Back on the road again

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We found this fella crossing the road….3 inches long!

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From here we headed towards Augrabies, Khamkirri

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