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  1. #1
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    Default West Coast road trip advice

    Hi guys

    I am doing a bit of a road trip in December from Stellies to Swakopmund in Namibia.
    I want to stick to the coast as much as I can in RSA.

    I will spend a night in langebaan, followed by a night wild camping somewhere just shy of Groenrivier.

    This is then where I need some advice:
    I am (planning) on driving from there, via Hondeklip Bay - Kleinsee - Port Nolloth - Alexander Bay - to end in Aus in Namibia, in one day.
    Google Maps says its 575km and will take me about 6h. Is this correct? If so, then that is very doable.

    Can anyone tell me how the road is from Lutzville to Groenriver and then from Groenrivier to Hondeklip Bay and then to Port Nolloth?

    Is it jeep track/gravel/etc and will it be fine by myself?

    (I have attached a snippet of the google maps from Groenriver to Alexander Bay just as some reference as to where I want to drive).
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	google maps.PNG 
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ID:	670925  
    Ali G, from Namibia.
    2017 Fortuner 2.8 GD6 4x4 MT

  2. #2
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    Default Re: West Coast road trip advice

    I stand to be corrected by people with more experience of that road.

    The section from Groenriviermond through the National park can he treacherous. The first 30km is deep sand and requires 4x4. The rest of the journey is over firmer terrain with the occasional deep sand.

    I did it 8 years ago towing a Jurgens Explorer. Tough going but we made it through getting stuck 3x. Just prepare yourself to be self sufficient.

    Safe journey.

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  4. #3
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    Default Re: West Coast road trip advice

    Not sure why you want to to that part because at 140km/hr you will not see much. If you want to get quickly to Aus then take the N7 , then Port Nolloth, Alexanderbay, Cross into Namibia at Oranjemund.

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  6. #4
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    Default Re: West Coast road trip advice

    From Groenrvier to just shy of Hondeklip the speed limit in the Park is 40km/h.
    The online calculator does not know that, hence the favourable time frame.
    If you dont get stuck in the sand, you can estimate on 8 hours for this specific route.
    2019 Fortuner 2.4 Auto 4x4
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  8. #5
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    Default Re: West Coast road trip advice

    The road from Lutzville is very good up to the end of the sand mine - from there to the farm Waterval it is slow going. From Waterval to Groenriviermond it is a good road.
    The road through the Namakwa park will be very slow. The section with thick sand will not be a problem in 4x4 and the right tire pressure. I towed a heavy Armadillo caravan through that section without getting stuck.
    From the north exit gate of the park the road north to Oranjemund will not delay you.

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  10. #6
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    Default Re: West Coast road trip advice

    I have just done Lutzville to Waterval farm. There is a short section of thick sand on Waterval farm but this is not as bad as the sand through the NP before Kwass and the Wit Duine section. But in both cases I (solo) had no problems even in my "softroader" Suzuki GV.
    Just be warned.....There are numerous signs warning against driving in the marine zone and hence wild camping seems to be forbidden. Rather book into an official site at Waterval or the farm before. I actually encountered SAPS along the coastal road, perhaps just on other business but I wouldn't take a chance and wild camp.
    PS. There is a bit of traffic between Lutzville and Hondeklip so you won't die out there

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  12. #7
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    Default Re: West Coast road trip advice

    @op, you can double Google's time, and add a bit more for tyre deflation and inflation, and you can also probably add quite substantially to your expected fuel consumption.

    Honestly, while possible, you aren't going to remember this route fondly doing it in a day, which would be sad, because it's a special part of the world.

    Rather put it on your bucket list and do it when you have more time to spend and take the N7 this time around.

    My 2c.

    Edit, you will be fine doing it on your own, I did.
    Last edited by CraigWatt; 2022/10/26 at 08:35 AM.
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  14. #8
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    Default Re: West Coast road trip advice

    Planning something similar in early Jan, except starting at Brand se Baai.

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  16. #9
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    Default Re: West Coast road trip advice

    Quote Originally Posted by nickza View Post
    Planning something similar in early Jan, except starting at Brand se Baai.
    The Waterval Farm camping is now book ahead before you arrive. I think its r120 per site for up to six people. The property before that, Thys Niewoudt is still camp where you want. Before the big mine/Brand se Baai, it seems to even more of a free for all outside of the concessions.

  17. #10
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    Default Re: West Coast road trip advice

    Quote Originally Posted by Waals View Post
    Not sure why you want to to that part because at 140km/hr you will not see much. If you want to get quickly to Aus then take the N7 , then Port Nolloth, Alexanderbay, Cross into Namibia at Oranjemund.
    I just really wanted to do as much of the actual coast (and stay off main highways) as possible, but I guess it's not worth it if I'm in a real hurry
    Ali G, from Namibia.
    2017 Fortuner 2.8 GD6 4x4 MT

  18. #11
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    Default Re: West Coast road trip advice

    Quote Originally Posted by Jors55 View Post
    From Groenrvier to just shy of Hondeklip the speed limit in the Park is 40km/h.
    The online calculator does not know that, hence the favourable time frame.
    If you dont get stuck in the sand, you can estimate on 8 hours for this specific route.
    Thanks! This won't be possible at all, so I'm glad I asked!
    Ali G, from Namibia.
    2017 Fortuner 2.8 GD6 4x4 MT

  19. #12
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    Default Re: West Coast road trip advice

    Quote Originally Posted by Nightjar View Post
    The road from Lutzville is very good up to the end of the sand mine - from there to the farm Waterval it is slow going. From Waterval to Groenriviermond it is a good road.
    The road through the Namakwa park will be very slow. The section with thick sand will not be a problem in 4x4 and the right tire pressure. I towed a heavy Armadillo caravan through that section without getting stuck.
    From the north exit gate of the park the road north to Oranjemund will not delay you.
    Thanks! It seems that I will have to avoid it (as I have a helluva journey to get to Aus on that day). Will have to make that trip another time
    Ali G, from Namibia.
    2017 Fortuner 2.8 GD6 4x4 MT

  20. #13
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    Default Re: West Coast road trip advice

    Quote Originally Posted by CraigWatt View Post
    @op, you can double Google's time, and add a bit more for tyre deflation and inflation, and you can also probably add quite substantially to your expected fuel consumption.

    Honestly, while possible, you aren't going to remember this route fondly doing it in a day, which would be sad, because it's a special part of the world.

    Rather put it on your bucket list and do it when you have more time to spend and take the N7 this time around.

    My 2c.

    Edit, you will be fine doing it on your own, I did.
    Noted! This is sad as I'd love to see that side of the world, but I think I might have to skip the NP and head up the N7. Maybe cut back to port Nolloth at least, and head through Alexander Bay.
    Ali G, from Namibia.
    2017 Fortuner 2.8 GD6 4x4 MT

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  22. #14
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    Default Re: West Coast road trip advice

    Quote Originally Posted by shfish View Post
    I have just done Lutzville to Waterval farm. There is a short section of thick sand on Waterval farm but this is not as bad as the sand through the NP before Kwass and the Wit Duine section. But in both cases I (solo) had no problems even in my "softroader" Suzuki GV.
    Just be warned.....There are numerous signs warning against driving in the marine zone and hence wild camping seems to be forbidden. Rather book into an official site at Waterval or the farm before. I actually encountered SAPS along the coastal road, perhaps just on other business but I wouldn't take a chance and wild camp.
    PS. There is a bit of traffic between Lutzville and Hondeklip so you won't die out there
    I have seen that one can wild camp pretty much anywhere south of Groenrivier mouth. I'm hoping this is still true..?
    Ali G, from Namibia.
    2017 Fortuner 2.8 GD6 4x4 MT

  23. #15
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    Default Re: West Coast road trip advice

    The are long posts elsewhere describing it but yes, south of the Groenrivier you come to Waterval Farm, with designated "wild camping" spots. Sites are numbered and you now need to book and pay. After Waterval, on Thys Niewoudt's property, you may camp anywhere. Then comes Brand se Baai and the sandmine, after which its a combination of mining concessions (closed) and farm land (open)

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  25. #16
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    Default Re: West Coast road trip advice

    I am doing a trip up the coast from Cape Town - how do you book the Waterval farm campsites? Or other camping sites on the beach south of Groenriviermond? Cheers.

  26. #17
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    Default Re: West Coast road trip advice

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    Last edited by Paul Dold; 2023/02/11 at 08:50 PM.

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  28. #18
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    Default Re: West Coast road trip advice

    Quote Originally Posted by JulieM View Post
    I am doing a trip up the coast from Cape Town - how do you book the Waterval farm campsites? Or other camping sites on the beach south of Groenriviermond? Cheers.
    Just pitch up and pick a spot outside of concession areas. If in the concession areas like above they will charge you a nominal fee but best to book to avoid standing on someone else's booked spot. Outside of concession areas is government admiralty zone, but please just stay off the beaches and stick to existing tracks and camping spots.
    Last edited by George; 2023/02/18 at 05:22 PM.
    Disclaimer - All my posts on this forum is without prejudice, is based on my fair assumptions or perceptions, might not be factually correct, is in no way intended to cause harm to anyone and is acted upon at your own discretion.

  29. #19
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    Default Re: West Coast road trip advice

    Quote Originally Posted by nickza View Post
    Planning something similar in early Jan, except starting at Brand se Baai.
    No Pics?Did it happen?
    The best day for fishing is when its raining and when it's not.

  30. #20
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    Default Re: West Coast road trip advice

    Quote Originally Posted by JulieM View Post
    I am doing a trip up the coast from Cape Town - how do you book the Waterval farm campsites? Or other camping sites on the beach south of Groenriviermond? Cheers.
    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?
    Chris Smal



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