Kaokaland 2016


As we approach Kaokaland we sight our first Giraffe.
Our route runs north to the River Kunene.
The Kunene and the Angolan border.
Group photo at Epupa Falls.
Epupa Falls.
The falls from a view point.

The falls.
Panorama of the Epupa Falls.
We ask directions of two Himba children.
Oh! It's this way.
Lunch stop in the river bed.
Chris gets to drive in the rain.

Candice checks the water levels.
We follow Caesar.
The camp at Van Zyll's pass.
Elizabeth and Chris have their priorities right.
Our snug tents. Hmmm!
Our hosts also relax and maybe share a joke.

Our Camp site.
We tend the fire to keep wild animals away.
But our guard dog keeps a sharp lookout.
We now tackle Van Zyl's Pass.
Today is David's birthday. What a way to spend it!!
Caesar goes first.

Slowly picking his way over the rocks.
While David checks progress.
Now it is our turn.
Slowly does it.
Just keep going down.
Just feel your way down while you try and remember where the rocks are.

So far so good.
Don't try this at home in the Alfa.
Pheew! Safely down the first bit.
Follow that car.
Actually back in second gear for a while.
The track is better than the pass but not by much.

Still in the driving seat.
Lovely country side.
Caesar takes a hard left and
Here we are with another rocky descent.
As usual we watch while Caesar goes first.
He makes it look easy but it is not!

I pause at the top and take a deep breath.
Then ease the car over the top with no idea of where my wheels have gone.
Fingers crossed even while driving.
Keeping one's foot off the brake.
And we can now see what lies ahead and below.
Ignoring the angle of the car.

Continuing to descend in low gear.
Michael takes photos as we pass.
David looks almost casual.
Breathe in. This is a bit tight.
Keep it balanced to avoid grounding.
And through the gap.

Now more track through rolling country.
A view down to Marienfluss where we are heading.
Some say the finest view in Africa. Not so sure myself.
Lunchtime. Caesar loves his lunch.
The Kunene river again.
Our home for tonight.

Michael shows how to pack the car.
Our tracks around Purros.
David driving as we head south.
Quite testing but firm under our wheels.
Some tight squeezes.
David found the sand rather soft but we got there.

Looking down the Marianfluss.
Red Drum Pass.Elizabeth and Michael pose.
More rocky passes to negotiate.
Lots of gear changes.
Another lunch stop. Very civilised.
The view from our balcony at Etambura.

A view back to where we have come from.
As we head south next morning we hit drier conditions.
We have not seen another car for three days.
Oryx can survive out here.
Clay Palace carved by wind and floods.
The green grass of Purros Gorge and Huarasib River.

Yet another opportunity for Caesar to prepare lunch.
Our trusty Hi Luxe without a scratch.
We now see more wildlife. Springboks.
And Oryx.
Then the front tyre lets go with a Hissss!
Impala should not be here. He is lost.

Waders come to the river. Sanderling.
Purros Camp.
Next morning Chris watches Giraffe that passed whilst we slept.
We go on a drive.
And find a Black Rhino.
Looking down on a tributary to the Huarasib.

We meet the local Giraffe at rest n the shade.
Driving on Elephants? Dodgy.
Hartman's Mountain Zebra.
Amspoort Gorge in the Hoanib river. Lunch stop.
We meet this family of Elephant as we drive up the rver bed.
They pass us by withut drama.

As do this family with young ones.
And so we drive up the Hoanib to Sesfontein and end of the trip.
Purros Panorama as Header.