Campsites in Namibia
April 2017
Namib's Valley of a Thousand Hills
Namibian potpourri
On our visits to Windhoek we often make a turn for a light lunch or a cappuccino at Wecke & Voigts. This time the large side entrance made of glass was covered by boards and the entrance was closed. We asked the waitress for the reason. Apparently, a minister had driven over the 6-meter-wide sidewalk and had crashed into the glass door.
We asked if he had been drunk and she answered: No questions asked when it comes to ministers!
Spitzkoppe is an amazing nature reserve with community campsites.
Unique campsites between huge, colourful rock formations. Only long drops, but
with great vistas. However, a too efficient welcoming committee. We paid 300 Namibia Dollars for one night to the couple and got a receipt for that. As we enjoyed the place we extended our stay for one more night and paid another 300 Dollar. The couple asked us for our receipt, scratched out the 300 and replaced it with 600. Of course, without changing the amount on the carbon copy in the receipt book, which they use to cash up.
Should they practice this trick a couple of times they earn a multiple of their monthly salary. Unfortunately, also cheating the shit out of their own community.
Spitzkoppe Campsite
At a MTC branch
Brigitte recharged her iPads SIM card with 3GB of data. After three days and hardly using the internet the data was used up. We went back to MTC and asked for an explanation. After identifying herself with her passport and paying another 35 N$ a request was submitted. We were to return after 24 hours to get the print out on which the time and amount of data usage would be recorded on.
When we wanted to fetch the print out after two days the in every way clumsy woman again asked for Brigitte’s passport. She demanded a certified copy of the passport, which wouldn’t have made a difference anyway as the print-out was not existent. As a matter of principle, we demanded a refund of our 35 N$. Yes, but then we first have to fill in another form, which then has to be send to the main branch. And after approximately two weeks we could come back and get the money.
If you know that 35 N$ are approximately 2.50 SFR you can imagine that we gave up on the claim.
Elisenheim Guestfarm near Windhoek
We travelled on numerous scenically interesting areas south of Windhoek. During our stay on lodges with campsites we had positive and less pleasant impressions. Elisenheim just outside Windhoek: total darkness. The owner tried to install a 220V spotlight, but failed due to the weak power supply. We made use of our own LED lamps powered by our trailer battery.
We prefer the Urban Camp due to its proximity to town and its modern infrastructure.
The campsites of the much-vaunted Bagatelle Lodge
were a disappointment to us. The private ablutions were badly cleaned. We have never in the whole world had so many mosquitoes at one spot as we had here. With a little bit of chemicals, at least in the bathroom the situation could have been much more endurable. Has to do with maintenance though. The fact that the geyser gave two different error indications without producing any hot water was also not very pleasant.
As the German speaking caretaker was busy enjoying himself in the afternoon for over two hours with a German tourist, we of course had an understanding for these deficits.
On the 320 kilometres of well-maintained gravel road from Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch to Kalahari Game Lodge we only met three other vehicles. The Auob Riverbed en route with its different farms was worth seeing and impressive.
The Kalahari Game Lodge
convinced us to stay for some days. Modern infrastructure. Beautiful surrounds, friendly, attentive service.
Kalahari Game Lodge
At the Erongo Plateau which we visited previously we felt just as welcomed.
The River Guesthouse in Omaruru
is recommendable for a stopover. Strikingly well-maintained garden at the restaurant and pool area. Just a pity that the lights of the actually well-lit campsite was switched off at night – probably to save some money.
River Guesthouse Umaruru
Photos
Namibia: April 2017
-
2017 04 Namibia 001 Namibs Valley
Namib's Valley
-
2017 04 Namibia 002 D707
track D707
-
2017 04 Namibia 003 Kanaan Namibia
Kanaan Desert Retreat
-
2017 04 Namibia 004 Kanaan Namibia Campsite
Kanaan Desert Retreat Campsite
-
2017 04 Namibia 005 Oryx in the desert
Oryx in the Desert
-
2017 04 Namibia 006
a track in the desert
-
2017 04 Namibia 007
fences in Namibia
-
2017 04 Namibia 008
a track in the desert
-
2017 04 Namibia 009
green desert after the rain
-
2017 04 Namibia 010 Betta Camp
Betta Camp
-
2017 04 Namibia 011 Dick Bens
Dick Bens
-
2017 04 Namibia 012
-
2017 04 Namibia 013 rain in desert
it's green after the rain
-
2017 04 Namibia 014 C13 The Rooirand
The Rooirand
-
2017 04 Namibia 015 Namib Desert
Namib Desert
-
2017 04 Namibia 016 gravel road
gravel road in Namibia
-
2017 04 Namibia 017 NamibRand Nature Reserve
NamibRand Nature Reserve
-
2017 04 Namibia 018
-
2017 04 Namibia 019
-
2017 04 Namibia 020 NamibRand Nature Reserve
NamibRand Nature Reserve
-
2017 04 Namibia 021 Solitaire Lodge Campsite
Solitaire Lodge Campsite
-
2017 04 Namibia 022
-
2017 04 Namibia 023 Solitaire Lodge
Solitaire Lodge
-
2017 04 Namibia 024 Solitaire Lodge visitor in the bathroom
Solitaire Lodge visitor in the bathroom
-
2017 04 Namibia 025
-
2017 04 Namibia 026
-
2017 04 Namibia 027
-
2017 04 Namibia 028
-
2017 04 Namibia 029
-
2017 04 Namibia 030 Spreetshoogte Pass
Spreetshoogte Pass
-
2017 04 Namibia 031 Spreetshoogte Pass
Spreetshoogte Pass
-
2017 04 Namibia 032 Spreetshoogte Pass
Spreetshoogte Pass
-
2017 04 Namibia 033
-
2017 04 Namibia 034 The Wreck Restaurant Swakopmund
The Wreck Restaurant in Swakopmund
-
2017 04 Namibia 035 architecture Swakopmund
architecture in Swakopmund
-
2017 04 Namibia 036
-
2017 04 Namibia 037 after the rain
grass after the rain
-
2017 04 Namibia 038
-
2017 04 Namibia 039 Lodge driveway
lodge driveway
-
2017 04 Namibia 040
-
2017 04 Namibia 041 Guab Valley
Guab Valley
-
2017 04 Namibia 042 Guab Valley
Guab Valley
-
2017 04 Namibia 043 Namibs Valley of a Thousand Hills
Namib's Valley of a Thousand Hills
-
2017 04 Namibia 044 Namibs Valley of a Thousand Hills Campsite
Namib's Valley of a Thousand Hills
-
2017 04 Namibia 045 Namibs Valley of a Thousand Hills
Namib's Valley of a Thousand Hills
-
2017 04 Namibia 046 Namibs Valley of a Thousand Hills
Namib's Valley of a Thousand Hills
-
2017 04 Namibia 047 Namibs Valley of a Thousand Hills
Namib's Valley of a Thousand Hills
-
2017 04 Namibia 048
-
2017 04 Namibia 049 rain in the desert
grass in the desert
-
2017 04 Namibia 050 River Guesthouse Umaruru
River Guesthouse in Umaruru
-
2017 04 Namibia 051 Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch Campsite
Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch Campsite
-
2017 04 Namibia 052 Kalahari Game Lodge
Kalahari Game Lodge
-
2017 04 Namibia 053 Kalahari Game Lodge
Kalahari Game Lodge
-
2017 04 Namibia 054 Kalahari Game Lodge
Kalahari Game Lodge
-
2017 04 Namibia 055 Kalahari Game Lodge
Kalahari Game Ranch Campsite
-
2017 04 Namibia 057 Rooiklip Gaestefarm
Rooiklip Guestfarm
-
2017 04 Namibia 058 Rooiklip Guestfarm Campsite Nap
Rooiklip Guestfarm Campsite
-
2017 04 Namibia 059 South from Gamsberg
south from Gamsberg