This week the theme has been “Crossing Rivers”
Monday, 16 November 2020
The Swakop River canyon is one of the really hidden gems of Namibia. As rivers go, this is a really attractive one. It has been compared to badlands in America, but it is so much more accessible. Only 70km outside of Swakopmund you can drive next to it on flat land, and then dive in at the D1991, leading past Goanikontes. If you have an offroad vehicle, it is also possible to drive along the flow of the river to town.
The Ugab marks the northern border of the Erongo region, and quite possibly the most scenic area of Namibia. Elephants reign supreme in this dry riverbed, from Sorris-Sorris to the coast. The rugged landscape has lovely red tones, and come sunset it really takes your breath away.
The Swakop river features quite heavily in this crossing of rivers week, as it’s pretty, and it’s got two significant crossings. One with Goanikontes and the Moon Landscape, and the one here to the Welwitchia plains. Both are quite stunning, of course!
Making this video has been quite a bit of fun. Playing with the colors and textures to create the most successful video advertisement so far! As of 2020-12-06, it has had 13k views, and more than a 1000 shares and reactions. For only N$1000, that was some value for money!
Crossing the Gaub! This is one of the two rivers that lie close together, and that one crosses to on the road between Walvis Bay and Solitaire. With stunning panoramic views, and the landscape that first drops away, and then rises up impressively this pass is to be treated with respect. It’s all gravel road, and the incline has weaker vehicles driving up in first gear…
The Kuiseb and the Gaub are very similar, both have a steep incline, both are gravel all the way, with the only real difference is that the Kuiseb has a higher bridge, and a tiny bit of tar down in the bottom. Each pass is a welcome stop, and at certain times of the day there is even a little shade to be had. These rivers have carved the landscape into gorgeous forms.
Crossing the Hauchab is not difficult at all. Even when it’s in flood, it’s not very deep or steep. The landscapes around here are very beautiful. Yes, it sounds cliched and you hear it a lot from me. Most of Namibia is really pretty. After a while of driving around you get into a funk of too much pretty. Longer tours here are best broken up into a day of driving, and a day of sticking around in one spot.
Much like appreciating fine wine with a palette cleanser in between!
The mighty Fish River is on a lot of people’s bucket list. Just seeing it is totally awesome, however, there are organized hiking trips in the winter that takes up to five days for the really hardy and adventurous types. As one of the many rivers in Namibia that only flows after proper rains, and with murderous heat in the summer, it’s not an adventure to be tackled lightly.
