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With the general outdoor activity interest of club members
it may be informative for a write-up on the above trails undertaken by Warwick
and Brenda Keating, and seven other friends using three vehicles.
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The trail started at Pofadder where the vehicles were refuelled
and jerry cans filled. We then travelled
to the Pella Mission along a top class gravel road which is to be upgraded to
hard top in a drive to encourage tourists to the region. A stop off at Pella to inspect a Nama
Bandamp;B complete with honeymoon suite and visit an impressive church, then on
down the canyon to the Orange River where we camped at Pelladrif. This was the first of many beautiful wild
camps along the Orange, warm balmy weather, swimming in the river and walks
along the banks or climbing the mountainous terrain that skirts the river to
enjoy spectacular views.
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The next day was the start of the 4X4 trail which crosses
the countryside with short use of district roads. Navigation is interesting.
The Namakwa Tourist Association supply a description based on kilometers
traveled readings and local land marks.
The first day of 111 km took us to Groot Melkbos boom, a huge tree near
the river. We decided to camp at the
river’s edge, calling for a drive across soft river sand. Our only experience of bogging down. After making use of a highlift jack and
deflating tyres we were on our way and spent another glorious camp on the river
bank.
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The following day having traversed the sand and re-inflated
tyres we continued, and camped that night at a point on the river called Komgap
after driving down a most impressive rock strewn canyon, with steep vertical
rock walls.
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Our next camp was an organized camp near Vioolsdrif named
Peace of Paradise. Screened off camp
sites with reed screened toilets and hot showers over-looking the Orange River
with spectacular rock strata formations.
There is also a site of Petroglyphs nearby.
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Scenery on the first section is a mixture of open plains
with rugged mountain terrain, and beautiful river views. We saw nobody other than a few remote Nama
settlements and passed through the town of Goodhouse where there is a cemetery
of mainly British soldiers drowned in the Orange River at the turn of the last
century. We also saw the first
Halfmens growing on the mountainside.
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From Peace of Paradise we covered the second section of the
trail which is reported to be the most demanding particularly the Helskloof
pass. The country is more rugged but
not as challenging as the first section.
We stopped off at a remote, marginal date farming establishment,
replenished our water supply, and purchased dates, then on up a valley where we
missed the turn through the Black Mountains.
Made use of the GPS to find out our location. Nevertheless the views up the valley were worth the detour.
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We had intended camping in this area but after a soup lunch
at the bottom of the bleak and deserted valley decided to move on to Brand
Karos camp near Alexander Bay. Here we
joined up with the Namaqualand district road system which is a real
navigational challenge, road forks, T-junctions, etc, not shown on maps and no
road signs. After a couple of doubtful
turns eventually reach Brand Karos.
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To restock for the Richtersveld portion of the trip involved
a 25 km trip to Alexander Bay. Here
viewed the water pans at the mouth of the Orange river and spotted several
water birds, especially large numbers of Flamingo.
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Alexander Bay is a diamond town and entry is by permit
only. Permits are available at the
entrance gate on presentation of identity documentation.
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From Brand Karos we entered the Richtersveld, camping at De
Hoop and Richtersberg on the Orange River and at Kokerboom in the rugged
eastern mountains at the Park. Driving
conditions are not severe other than 6-8 km up the Brown Pass, which twists up
a rock strewn rough mountainside, and the sand section of 12 km from De Hoop to
Richtersberg. We were advised by
previous visitors and the ranger at the entrance gate to the park not to
undertake this section but rather take the long loop round the mountains. As we spent two days at De Hoop, we walked
part of this section and decided to give it a go, without any problems.
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The Richtersveld scenery is something one has to experience,
rugged mountains, huge rock outcrops, desert valleys and again the beauty of
the Orange River.
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Leaving the Richtersveld on our way back to Brand Kaross we
met with the most demanding driving challenge. The road is topped with clay and as it rained the previous
night, we faced half metre deep clay slush.
Locals commented on this saying it only rains once a year so when it
does keep off the road. If you get
stuck expect to be there for three/four days.
It seems we did alright by getting through, although we did learn
several new dance movements en route.
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We were fortunate to arrange a tour of the Alexkor diamond
mine at Alexander Bay. This entailed
signing affidavits that we had no criminal records which permitted the police
to carry out criminal searches of our names.
All passed! However, we were
privileged to enjoy an all morning tour of the open cast mining, viewing the
wild Atlantic coast including seal colonies, strandloper midins, and an oyster
farm where Alexkor is experimenting with cold water oyster production. Also enjoyed sampling the production.
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The route home took us through the historical mid-Cape to
Mountain Zebra Nature Reserve near Craddock.
The plan was to return through Rhodes and the southern part of
Lesotho. However weather changes and
heavy snow convinced us to return via Bloemfontein and leave the exploration of
the southern part of Lesotho for some other time.
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The Namakwa and Richtersveld scenery is rugged and needs to
be experienced to be appreciated. The
best time to visit is April/May. The
disadvantage one does not experience the full impact of the Flora. August/September flowers are spectacular,
but minus temperatures are challenging.
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It was interesting that the Birders in the party registered
over 100 species. The route is not
over challenging, scenery is the drawcard, day walks along the river are worth
the effort. All in all a very
enjoyable trip
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Warwick Keating