Namaqua 4x4 Eco Trail

[Riekielouw]

Came back from our trip Monday,

4 nights and was was to short had to much fun.

Convoy of 5 vehicles

4 x pulling trailer (summit, Echo chobe, Echo kuvango and mission trailer)
1 x aha camper at the back.

want to go back for another one.

Riaan helped us alot with info and videos, feel free to pm me if you want some info or just amazing photos of the sunsets.

Cheers
JP

Dankie, het PM gestuur.

[riaan harman]

Dankie, het PM gestuur.

Riekie niks ontvang nie

[ChristiaanV]

Did you do the route? Was it a pleasant experience? I am thinking of doing it in December. I would like to know from people who have done the route (both sections) if it will be possible to do it with a Ratel 4 caravan. Will be towing with the 200 VX. I believe there is some sandy sections? as well as narrow and tight turns to navigate? Don't want to get stuck half way....

Thanks.

We did the route last year December from Pela to Alexander bay over 7 nights, One 2wd Hilux towing a Bushbaby (Me) D/C 4x4 Navara and my Dad with a Standard 2.8 Fortuner towing his Jurgens Oryx.

Yes it was very pleasant except for the daytime temperatures. Relatively quite.

Only person who got stuck (multiple times) was me in the 2wd. I only used the Hilux because a day before we were meant to leave my Jeep's Thermostat got stuck closed and I stripped the bolt on the thermostat housing trying to replace it.

So you should be fine, the only sandy sections that are something to consider is the last stretch from Bakkranse to Alexander bay.

Photo is from a few days later at the top of Gannaga Pass.

[woogs]

Hey Guys, we are planning on doing this trail in May. We're planning to do both sections and take 10days, it will just be myself and the missus in a stock Amarok v6 4motion (no low range). I have some questions if anyone could help with:

1) How is security on the trail, someone mentioned that a couple years (5/6 years) back they had some sketchy looking characters hassling them at one of the sites, it didn't mount to anything, but just curious how it is now? esp doing it solo.

2) Is 10 Days enough time to do both sections at a leisurely pace or should we look at extending that?

3) How is the weather in May? Esp wind and rain. It's the most convenient time for us to go with work etc, but if the weather is going to be terrible then we could probably look at going a different time of year.

4) We planning to do it solo, is there anything advice for anyone doing it solo? like any part of the trail we should skip or a site we should skip which could be dangerous doing solo?

Thanks

[Gavin49]

Contact Bex on this forum. (Jors Malan.)

[Eggie]

Hey Guys, we are planning on doing this trail in May. We're planning to do both sections and take 10days, it will just be myself and the missus in a stock Amarok v6 4motion (no low range). I have some questions if anyone could help with:

1) How is security on the trail, someone mentioned that a couple years (5/6 years) back they had some sketchy looking characters hassling them at one of the sites, it didn't mount to anything, but just curious how it is now? esp doing it solo.

2) Is 10 Days enough time to do both sections at a leisurely pace or should we look at extending that?

3) How is the weather in May? Esp wind and rain. It's the most convenient time for us to go with work etc, but if the weather is going to be terrible then we could probably look at going a different time of year.

4) We planning to do it solo, is there anything advice for anyone doing it solo? like any part of the trail we should skip or a site we should skip which could be dangerous doing solo?

Thanks

May is a good time to do this trail.
Weather should be easy with day times pleasant and nights cool.

Stay away from the school holidays (if possible) and you will have a particularly peaceful trip.
Safety has never been a concern for me, but then we always traveled with 2 vehicles (4 adults).
Take some form or defense equipment - if you have it.

10 Days is good.

Always have your snot plugs and a 12V compressor with you - just in case.
It is quicker and easier to do a quick fix than change tyres.

Should you plan to visit the De Hoop camp, you need ketties ans rubber snakes.
I have had experience with vervet monkeys. They are pesky and steal food from under your nose.

[woogs]

May is a good time to do this trail.
Weather should be easy with day times pleasant and nights cool.

Stay away from the school holidays (if possible) and you will have a particularly peaceful trip.
Safety has never been a concern for me, but then we always traveled with 2 vehicles (4 adults).
Take some form or defense equipment - if you have it.

10 Days is good.

Always have your snot plugs and a 12V compressor with you - just in case.
It is quicker and easier to do a quick fix than change tyres.

Should you plan to visit the De Hoop camp, you need ketties ans rubber snakes.
I have had experience with vervet monkeys. They are pesky and steal food from under your nose.

Thanks Eggie, cool sounds like we are set for May! Yeah from what I have read safety doesn't seem to be an issue, so might have been an isolated case. I plan to take a panga anyway, they are surprisingly useful around camp. Thanks for tip for De Hoop.

[Cable Tie]

Desperate to do something different with the fam this year on our boswa breakaway. Is the early December heat unbearable or manageable? Bit of an open ended question, but will be nice to hear from those who have experienced it. I also assume due to the heat the trail might me quieter...?

[Derek777]

Desperate to do something different with the fam this year on our boswa breakaway. Is the early December heat unbearable or manageable? Bit of an open ended question, but will be nice to hear from those who have experienced it. I also assume due to the heat the trail might me quieter...?

I went over new years. It's moer warm, really. But that makes the rivers so much lekkerder. It's manageable. Just dont touch any sand between 12:00 and 16:00.

[Christoff]

We just completed the first section of the Namakwa 4x4 eco trail (and surrounds) and absolutely loved it!
Join us tomorrow afternoon for episode one of the series;
https://youtu.be/45dGitLGgms

Cheers,
Christoff

[Christoff]

Episode 2, we ran into someone you might recognise at Riemvasmaak, visit the Church at Pella and start the trail

A Quiet Path - Episode 2
https://youtu.be/sr8L5nxzy04

[Christoff]

Final episode in the series

A Quiet Path - Episode 3
https://youtu.be/w7Xurgyi-eI

[horrace]

Just watched it.

An excellent production Chistoff!

For someone who hasn't hit the the outdoors in terms of overlanding, it's inspirational.

Enjoyed everything about it, looking forward to the next expedition.....

[Christoff]

Just watched it.

An excellent production Chistoff!

For someone who hasn't hit the the outdoors in terms of overlanding, it's inspirational.

Enjoyed everything about it, looking forward to the next expedition.....

Thanks horrace, much appreciated!

[Peter1949]

Christoff, I have followed your video's and they are great.
They brought back some precious memories for me.
Thanks for that.
Looking out for more in the future.

As an ever aging "overlander" myself, I am going to very shortly post an updated trip report on the Namakwa eco trail +.
Since my experiences are becoming dated, I decided to post an update following my 2018 trip to Namakwa, Richtersveld and Southern Nam trip.
for those planning on heading that way.

It is indeed a magic place with some eye opening vistas, topography and experiences, and in my opinion something to add to the bucket list.
So I will start now with re-posting my trip report from 2018 which covers both sides of the Eco trail but also includes Richtersveld an Southern Nam & RSA side of Kalaghadi GR.

[Beenkop]

Just watched it.

An excellent production Chistoff!

For someone who hasn't hit the the outdoors in terms of overlanding, it's inspirational.

Enjoyed everything about it, looking forward to the next expedition.....

I concur! It was epic to watch and a great production. Our family made a point of it to watch it together on a Sunday afternoon.
Definitely a bucket list item for us!
Thanks for the effort and hard work that goes into these productions - really top class!

[CornelisVoigt]

We will be doing the route in July.
Klein Pella 1 night
Ramansdrift 1 night
Kamgab 1 night
Growcery 2 nights
Then Richtersveld De Hoop 2 nights and Potjiesprum 2 nights. Or maybe from Growcery Tierhoek 1 night and then De Hoop and Potjiesprum
We will be quite a large group.
Ons sien almal baie uit na dit.
Any additional info and tips will be appreciated