Namakwa Eco Trail - April 2009 The group assembled punctually at the N7 Engen and after a quick briefing and radio check we were on our way, bang on schedule at 09:30. (Jurgen had chosen to leave earlier and would meet up with us near Pofadder, Andy would meet up with us in Springbok and Corne planned to rendezvous with the main group in Piketberg.) The main group set off at a steady 110kph on this Thursday of the Easter weekend and before long we were past the Swartland towns and climbing the Piekeniers Pass to Citrusdal, passing the Clanwilliam and Bulshoek Dams and passing the Northern Cape towns of Klawer, van Rynsdorp (where we stopped for fuel), Nuwerus, Bitterfontein, Garies, Kamieskroon and finally Springbok. From here we turned eastwards and headed for Pofadder via the N14. The original plan had been to refuel in Pofadder for the last time as a precaution due to the reported fuel shortages we could expect on the Monday of our return journey, but as it was late in the day and the children in the group were getting edgy. A quick roadside conference was held and the decision was made to take our chances with fuel availability, skip Pofadder and head for our first night’s camp site before it got too dark. So we turned north onto a ‘beaut’ new tar road and made for Pella. A slow drive through the village, past the Cathedral and down to the Orange to our camp site at Pella Drift. This is a really lovely spot, with soft sand underfoot and some rapids about 100m upstream providing a restful backdrop to the many bird sounds. Before long the tents were up, the fire was crackling away and most of us were cooling off in the tepid river waters enjoying the first of many magnificent sunsets. The air was warm, the skies were clear and with no breeze, some even sleepy under the stars, foregoing the confines of a tent. Day two dawned with a display of brilliant golden sun lighting the surrounding rocky hills and contrasting richly with the clear blue of the sky. Due to the amount of driving the previous day, we got a late start and at 10:00 headed out from Pella Drift, in a westerly direction, roughly following the course of the river over easy rocky farm-type tracks, heading for the immense grape farm of the Karsten’s Boerdery and the date palms plantations around the Klein Pella Guesthouse. Here we stopped for a wee break and to purchase some dates. The road continued through ever changing landscapes as we headed for Witbank and the second overnight camp at Guadom. From rocky boulder strewn landscape, with hardly any vegetation at all, we then drove through grasslands typical of further north in Namibia, with occasional kopjes pointing upwards. At Witbank we found a seldom driven track down to the river’s bank at Kraphol Island, which we followed until we could cut our way through the undergrowth and drive the vehicles down a steep 4 meter bank, onto the damp sandy floodplain. After some exploring another really beautiful spot was found, where it was also safe for the young children to swim. Here we spent from around 3 in the afternoon, relaxing, swimming, fishing and basically just chilling! By now the group was getting into the routine of the trip and yet another campfire was lit and everyone enjoyed a sociable time cooking, braaing and getting to know one another. Day three saw us pack up and leave at 09:00 as we had a fairly long drive ahead of us that day. Following the westward trail, we joined up with the main Eco-Route again and headed for the popular campsite of Groot Melkboom which was to be our mid morning tea break. To our surprise there were no other campers there and we parked in the shade of this wonderful old Milkwood tree where we also had a group photo taken by Aleks. From Groot Melkboom, the trail loops southwards, away from the river and you climb back up onto a plateau like area and drive through land farmed by local subsistence type farmers. The areas where they graze their goats are absolutely devoid of any vegetation other than thorn trees, whereas the lands where sheep and cattle are grazed is still lush and healthy. Amazing! As lunch and a midday swim was beckoning, we diverted down to the river again, descending in altitude from about 600 meters to the river which lies at 210 meters at this point. The place where we stopped is called Ramansdrift Camp and we cooled off and had a quick snack before continuing the long trek to Goodhouse, Henkries and Henkriesmond, before turning south away from the river once again, and rove up the very dusty wide road past the water purification plant until eventually we could turn off this “gravel mainroad” again and resume our journey along the narrower twin-tracks. At around three in the afternoon we got to a Mica Mine where we stopped for cooldrinks and photographs once more. This afternoon’s drive down the dry course of first the Oernoep River and then the Kamgap Rivers, as it winds its way through the mountains and aims for the Orange River, is the most amazing drive. It is extremely beautiful and the driving is more challenging, as you have to negotiate large boulders and patches of soft sand en route. At certain sections we had to guide each other through the tight curves in the track and fortunately everyone in the group made it though without any damage. The last section is flatter and before you know it, the step valley walls widen out and the Orange lies right before you. This was our third campsite of the trip, right on the water’s edge and as beautiful as the preceding night’s spots had been. The usual evening’s routine was observed and by now, even the new campers were setting up camp like experienced old hands. The only negative of the whole trip was observed here. The previous campers had left their plastic refuse bags on their fire, but unfortunately, it hadn’t burnt completely, leaving behind a blackened mess of half burned food, paper, foil and plastic. This disgusting behaviour can not be condoned. The culprits should be banned from ever traveling offroad again. We did pick up their garbage, and buried their coals when we left so as not to offend the next party to camp there. Also, they hadn’t been schooled in the recognized methods of bush toilet, and little white flags fluttered “die wereld vol”. Enough moaning… Day four started at 09:00 again, with the drive back up the beautiful Kamgap river bed, but halfway back to the main track, we diverted to a viewpoint. The drive is once again through stunning terrain, with quiver trees and candelabra bushes punctuating the grasslands almost everywhere. We reached the viewpoint in time for morning tea, which was where we suffered the second problem of the day. (The first was disposing of the half burned mess!) One of the youngsters stumbled and fell into a “hairy” thorn-bush, which immediately deposited about fifty fine hairs into his unsuspecting behind. As if the pain and irritation wasn’t bad enough, the poor chap had to endure the whole party closely inspecting his butt, and offering good natured advice and cheering up comments! As an older child said, “ It just makes is so mush worse when the adults start laughing and making jokes to cheer you up!” Once this medical matter had been attended to, we were once again underway, when after only a few minutes, Michael informed us over the radio that he had sustained a puncture. (Well, they say these things come in threes.) A rock hidden out of sight under a bush had caused a hole in the side wall on the left rear tyre. Out came the exhaust jack and thanks to a group effort, the wheel was changed in no time. As everything was being packed away, Andy noticed that the front left tyre was also flat. Two puctures in the same incident was a lesson to everyone to be careful of wheel placement and of choosing the correct line between rocks. Being a smaller hole, that was plugged and off we went. The plugs were to give us problems until that wheel was eventually changed as well. And so we made our way out of the Kamgap River and headed westwards once again towards the end of the Manakwa Ec-Trail’s first section, namely Pella to Vioolsdrif, but not before stopping to investigate and photograph some lovely Halfmensboom specimens. Shortly we were back on the tar having pumped the tyres for the 25km section of the N7 up to the Vioolsdrif Border Post. Here we deflated tyres once more and headed westwards for our intended rendezvous with Russell de Wet’s group, who had been exploring in the Richtersveld. As we neared their spot, we learned via VHF radio that the site wasn’t suitable for more vehicles and that the alternative was very muddy underfoot. After another quick conflab, it was decided to make for Oewerbos and river rafting campsite. This turned out to be a winner, as there was lush green grass on which to camp, hot showers and porcelain loo’s to boot! (Once again, many thanks Michael for your kind gesture.) Day five. After having a last breakfast at the Orange River and packing up, we said our farewells to new and old friends alike, and everyone set off for home. Some choosing to go straight home, others preferring to break the journey and stop over and overnight on the way. All in all, a wonderful trip. Thanks to everyone for playing your part in making this an enjoyable experience for everyone. To the children, you are all already fantastic campers. You must just get your parents motivated to take you somewhere exciting again soon! The tour was lead by Philip Scott and daughter, Catherine, in their 80 series Cruiser and the group comprised:- John and Jacqui in a Pajero, Michael and Gondola in a Prado, Jurgen, Michelle and kids in a Navara, Corne and Erika in the shorty Prado, Edward and Karin in a Hilux, Doug, Vanessa and kids in a Triton, Aleks and Dusica in a Defender, Andy and Janette also in a Prado. Thanks to all for making this yet another great club outing.