Spitzkoppe between Usakos and Swakopmund is an amazing mountain in Namibia. It has an altitude of 1728 metres. It is an island of mountains on a vast plain. The Welwitschia mirabilis plants of the Namib Desert can be found here and can survive for two thousand years. I’ve camped there twice and it was an experience. We found an opening in the mountain and camped inside much like cave men. We climbed around on the Spitzkoppe. The views are amazing and there is a possibility of discovering a gem or two or even a desert rose. The stars above are very visible.
There is no running water or electricity and safety might be an issue unfortunately. I don’t suggest going there in a small group.
If you’ve ever been to Henties bay or Jakkalsputz you would’ve heard of the legend of Sarah de Jager. She was a legendary fisherman(fisherwoman;-) and she was renowned for her ability to see a good fishing spot. She was a born South African and lived with her husband in Windhoek since 1955. In 1958 she spotted a great fishing hole and the marked the place with a whalebone against the dune. Today it is known as Sarah se gat.
The first town you see after the Namibian border on the Trans Kalahari is Gobabis (with Hippo very close). This is a very interesting town and you can get a first glimpse of Herero women. They are always dressed in colorful clothes and headdress.
The Trans Kalahari is a loooooooooooong stretch of road from Johannesburg to Walvisbay. If you leave Johannesburg and drive without stopping you will be in Walvisbay in about 24 hours. It passes Kang and Gobabis and the vast Namib desert. Therefore there is a lot of time for taking pictures. Enjoy!
There are lots and lots of donkeys next to the road. They where shot by the thousands in the 1980’s due to overpopluation. You can find another article here. Pitsane means place of horses. This sign is in Botswana.
I told you the Trans Kalahari is loooong. A lot of time for pictures:-)
When you reach Kang you are halfway! Fill up the car, buy a colddrink and get ready( there is even a swimming pool) for the last few kilometres to the border.
And finally!The Namibian border! The first town after the Namibian border is Gobabis
Just because I love it so much 🙂 These pictures were taken in Gobabis, Namibia. A windpomp pumps water from a well or borehole. You can find them all over the Southern African landscape.
Jakkalsputz is a campsite between Henties bay and Swakopmund in Namibia. There is nothing but the sun and the sea and a few fishermen. I’ve had the privilege to visit Jakkalsputz quite a few times and with good reason. You are woken up by the sea (and sometimes the wind) in Jakkalsputz. When you look out of your tent you see the sea! And it is not more than a few hundred meters away. The long road from South Africa on the Trans Kalahari is forgotten. The heat of Windhoek and Keetmanshoop behind you. Did you really see so many donkeys in Botswana? All you can see now is the sea in front of you, the desert behind you and the blue sky above you!
After breakfast it is time for a stroll along the beach. You greet the fishermen and early morning a Strandwolf or Jackal. A fisherman tells you about a big snoek that he caught at Sarah se gat yesterday. It’s time to head back to your campsite to look at the wonderful ocean…I you look closely you cam see Rio de Janero on the other side 😉 (Rio and Hentiesbay/Jakkalsputz are opposite each other on a map)
When you visit Jakkalsputz expect the following:
peace and quiet (except for the generators for a few hours per day)
great opportunities for fishing
friendly neighbours
There is no fresh water or electricity (or flushing toilets for that matter) so this is not a place to go if you are looking for luxury. If you are looking for quiet nights where the desert and the sea meet…this is the place to go.
Unfortunately I have read recently (2014) in Die Republikein that a lot of the facilities at Jakkalsputz have deteriorated. This really saddens me a lot. Hopefully they can sort the problem out soon because this is a real gem. Read the article here. I am happy that I had the chance to visit this Oasis.
The Trans Kalahari is a loooong road connecting South Africa and Namibia via Botswana. There is a lot of time for pictures:-)
When you reach Kang you are halfway! Fill up the car, buy a colddrink and get ready( there is even a swimming pool) for the last few kilometres to the border.
And finally! The Namibian border!
The first town after the Namibian border is Gobabis
The Namib desert…..peaceful…you can hear the silence. I’ve put a lot of pictures because I cannot describe the love I have for this desolated place……but if you stay there long enough you will hear the voice of the living God in the silence…
You can swim in an old mine. It is so salty that you drift like in the dead sea.
