West Coast road trip advice

[niclemaitre]

Did you do the tour? I’d like to do it from Strandfontein to Kleinsee or Port Nolloth if that last stretch is worth it. I have a lot of questions though, and I’m hoping someone can answer them or point me to the right thread on the forum.

1. Is December an OK time to do the trip?
2. Is it safe to do in one vehicle?
3. Will I make it through the thick sand towing an Echo Kavango with a 3.2 Ranger 4x4?
4. What is the best tyre pressure for the Ranger and for the Kavango?
5. Which sections have the thick sand?
6. Is there anywhere along the way to get water?
7. How many nights should I allow and which areas do you suggest for overnighting. I’d rather spend longer at each of a few camping spots than one night each at many.
8. I have a medical condition which might require urgent surgery without any notice. I assume I should take a satellite phone and be insured for emergency airlift?

1. yes, just windy and busier than usual, lots of people there for a month on the section from the Tronnox mine to Groenrivier
2. Yes, been there solo numerous times
3. The 'main road' that is some way back from the sea is mostly driveable in a sedan/2x4, except for a marked section on Waterval ('Swaar sand' signboards) around campsite 31-32. The 'main road' is definitely better than the right on the coast road there and you should be fine.
4. I usually deflate to around 1 bar for the whole section
5. Some of the sections of the road right along the coast have thick sand, but the 'main road' is fine. You can always drive higher up and walk down to check sites that you want to use.
6. Lutzville
7. We regularly spend a long weekend just north of the big Tronnox mine, there are so many excellent sites
8. There is limited cell signal near the mine, otherwise nothing

[Dwayne P]

you need to take in what you need and take out what brought in as well. By Sanpark side by Groenrivier one could deposit some of you garbage. Free section after Waterval is first com first serve. Local farmers from the area of Garies/Springbok camp there for a month.

gets busy at times. Crayfish galore, you do require license. Oom Piet still patrols there and does surprise you to check you catch. Stay legal, and you will enjoy it.

[Baas]

1. yes, just windy and busier than usual, lots of people there for a month on the section from the Tronnox mine to Groenrivier
2. Yes, been there solo numerous times
3. The 'main road' that is some way back from the sea is mostly driveable in a sedan/2x4, except for a marked section on Groenriver ('Swaar sand' signboards) around campsite 31-32. The 'main road' is definitely better than the right on the coast road there and you should be fine.
4. I usually deflate to around 1 bar for the whole section
5. Some of the sections of the road right along the coast have thick sand, but the 'main road' is fine. You can always drive higher up and walk down to check sites that you want to use.
6. Lutzville
7. We regularly spend a long weekend just north of the big Tronnox mine, there are so many excellent sites
8. There is limited cell signal near the mine, otherwise nothing

Thanks for the comprehensive feedback. I’ve decided to go in the October school holiday next year as we already have trips booked for all the others until then.

I’m treating it as a bit of a recce which will probably lead to planning a longer tour in future. We’re taking it easy so I’ve booked two nights at Koringkorrelbaai and two nights at Kwass se baai. I’ll add on a night before somewhere near Groenrivier gate so we can get there early the next day. Then I’m thinking of two nights in Elands Bay afterwards but I understand the caravan park ahut down last year. Maybe we can camp at the hotel, I must still contact them.

[niclemaitre]

Thanks for the comprehensive feedback. I’ve decided to go in the October school holiday next year as we already have trips booked for all the others until then.

I’m treating it as a bit of a recce which will probably lead to planning a longer tour in future. We’re taking it easy so I’ve booked two nights at Koringkorrelbaai and two nights at Kwass se baai. I’ll add on a night before somewhere near Groenrivier gate so we can get there early the next day. Then I’m thinking of two nights in Elands Bay afterwards but I understand the caravan park ahut down last year. Maybe we can camp at the hotel, I must still contact them.

Sorry I realise that I made a mistake in my reply, in point 3, I should have said 'Waterval Farm' and not Groenrivier.

IMO the area south of the park to the mine is actually nicer than the area in the park, since you can camp where you want, away from other people

You can easily drive the whole section from the Groenriviermond to the mine/Lutzville in a day, should you want to, but it's very nice to spend some time either on Waterval or on Thys Niewoudt's property.

I will edit the original post to correct

[BarnieH]

Sorry I realise that I made a mistake in my reply, in point 3, I should have said 'Waterval Farm' and not Groenrivier.

IMO the area south of the park to the mine is actually nicer than the area in the park, since you can camp where you want, away from other people

You can easily drive the whole section from the Groenriviermond to the mine/Lutzville in a day, should you want to, but it's very nice to spend some time either on Waterval or on Thys Niewoudt's property.

"Thys Niewoudt's property." Morning. Is there some more info in this?

[Baas]

Sorry I realise that I made a mistake in my reply, in point 3, I should have said 'Waterval Farm' and not Groenrivier.

IMO the area south of the park to the mine is actually nicer than the area in the park, since you can camp where you want, away from other people

You can easily drive the whole section from the Groenriviermond to the mine/Lutzville in a day, should you want to, but it's very nice to spend some time either on Waterval or on Thys Niewoudt's property.

I will edit the original post to correct

I hear you, and I also prefer being alone. SWAMBO is however already not too keen on the lack of facilities so the fact that there are long drops near the SANPARKS campsites helps my cause.

[Baas]

I phoned Elands Bay hotel. They say the municipal campsite has re-opened but it’s still municipal. The hotel has five campsites. I’ll book one with them for the two nights after Namaqua NP.

[niclemaitre]

"Thys Niewoudt's property." Morning. Is there some more info in this?

Hi

As you leave the National Park at Groenrivier, there is a lighthouse. From the light house south there is a section of private property called Waterval Farm with paid for camping and sites you should prebook (#32 is one my favorites).

After Waterval, still heading south, there is a weird section with old SANParks signage I've never been able to find anything about it online. You can camp for free there.

Next, still further south is a short section with some mining concessions and sea weed processing.

Then you get to Thys Niewoudt's property (signposted) where the camping is free as long as you close the gates and let him know if someone is stealing his sheep. Lots of beautiful sites.

After that you get to the really big mine (easy to see on Google Earth) and you can either continue along the coast to the Eskom Wind Farm before going to Lutzville, or go more directly from the big mine. This section of coast has some nice spots, but is busier and more destroyed by the mining.

Here's a (very) approximate map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?m...kx&usp=sharing