Tips on Swakopmund

[Wingman]

Hi, we are going to Swakop this December. Would like some ideas or tips of places to visit and things to do from you all?

[Wilfred Moore]

Hi Wingman,

Nice place to visit and a lot to do.

If you drive down to Walvisbay, lots to do and see in the city and of course some desert dunes to play on.

From Swakop north east plus minus 250 to 300 Km, there is the Messum crater (S21 24.978 E14 12.397) and the Brandberg with the "White Lady" painting (S21 05.623 E14 40.605) A nice walk, take water with and don't try to do it in the middle of the day.

This area is very cenic and you will take lots of beautiful photos.

Enjoy!!

Wilfred

[lionelsong]

Hi Wingman,
A good place to stay in Walvis bay is the self catering cottages at Flamingo Cottages (right on the lagoon) and two things you have to do is Tommy's Desert Tours (Tommy Collard) 00640811281038 and go kayaking with seals and dolphins with Jeanne 0064 0811293144. Speak to Caroline oo64 0811293658 and she will sort you ouot regarding things to do, like hydroballoing, dune surfing, quad biking e.t.c.
Cheers
Lionel.

[Wingman]

Thanks for the input, I will certainly check out these places.

Another question? How is the Trans Kgalagadi road in terms of road condition, safety, filling stations etc? I am planning to leave Pretoria at 5am and hope to get to Windhoek by the evening, is it possible? We will be travelling with one PJ only. Was thinking to tow the BMW GS on a trailer as back-up, depending on what your thoughts are on the above.

Can't wait to take off..

[KaiV]

JHB > WDK is about 1400 Km. Trans Kalahari is in good condition, though be very carefull about donkies, cattle, goats and ostriches. I found most of the four legged animals as one can see them. The Ostriches on the other hand (I had to brake hard for two) and they come running from the sides.
Road wise, road is good for 120Km/hr, though long straight and boring.

Try fill up in Jwaneng (clean and safe) as is Kang. Near the Namibian border there is a good petrol station too. Try avoid stoping in the larger towns due to beggars and the usual harrassing drunk chaps.

Paj will handle that no problems , no back up needed. Note though, there is limited cell connection on that road, only nearer to larger towns.

Some tips on Swakop,
*go to the Western Sallon for dinner. I love the place.
*Aquarium, though small, very nice to see
*Drive about 40Km north of Swakop towards Henties, there was a "fresh" shipwreck in the breakers there in Aug.

Walvis, go for a drink at Rafters

[KaiV]

JHB > WDK is about 1400 Km. Trans Kalahari is in good condition, though be very carefull about donkies, cattle, goats and ostriches. I found most of the four legged animals as one can see them. The Ostriches on the other hand (I had to brake hard for two) and they come running from the sides.
Road wise, road is good for 120Km/hr, though long straight and boring.

Try fill up in Jwaneng (clean and safe) as is Kang. Near the Namibian border there is a good petrol station too. Try avoid stoping in the larger towns due to beggars and the usual harrassing drunk chaps.

Paj will handle that no problems , no back up needed. Note though, there is limited cell connection on that road, only nearer to larger towns.

Some tips on Swakop,
*go to the Western Sallon for dinner. I love the place.
*Aquarium, though small, very nice to see
*Drive about 40Km north of Swakop towards Henties, there was a "fresh" shipwreck in the breakers there in Aug.

Walvis, go for a drink at Rafters

[Wingman]

Thanks for the tips, will certainly take it up.

Is there any regulations for Botswana and Namibia in terms of meat and liqour, am I allowed to bring fresh meat in and what is the limts on the liqour? Do they check it at the order?

Also, is there any requirement for triangles or something to be displayed on the vehicle as Mocambique?

Last question, what is the border closing and opening times along this route?

[dehacked]

There are limits on both. Don't ask me exactly how much but they are there. 95% chance they will not check your vehicle though. But.... Namibia has the Best Lamb and the Best Beer in southern africa so no reason for you to cart anything along in my opinion.

I normally use the Tlokweng border between Zeerust and Gabs. It closes around midnight.

The border between Nam and Bots opens somewhere between 6 and 8 in the morning. Closing is around 22:00ish.

Stick to the speed limits in the non 120 zones in Bots. These coppers love to stand in 80 zones. They don't much care for SA's rules about trapping either so you might find a camera hidden behind a tree and the van parked way out of sight. They usually force your to pay on the spot.

When in Swakop, have a pizza and some fresh oysters at Lighthouse restaurant. Go quadbiking and my personal favorite, consume copious amounts of draft at one of those beer tents they have along the coast while befriending the locals.

[MR2-Blue]

There are limits on both. Don't ask me exactly how much but they are there. 95% chance they will not check your vehicle though. But.... Namibia has the Best Lamb and the Best Beer in southern africa so no reason for you to cart anything along in my opinion.

Nothing to add - we enjoyed also the local food - and I have to admit, the local restaurants are better than the SA ones ...

and trust me - I'm "neutral" ....neither a relation to one or the other....

[4ePajero]

There are limits on both. Don't ask me exactly how much but they are there. 95% chance they will not check your vehicle though. But.... Namibia has the Best Lamb and the Best Beer in southern africa so no reason for you to cart anything along in my opinion.

Nothing to add - we enjoyed also the local food - and I have to admit, the local restaurants are better than the SA ones ...

and trust me - I'm "neutral" ....neither a relation to one or the other....

Why am I not surprised?

Is there anything about South Africa that is acceptable to you?