Kaokoland Dec 2016

[johanp]

Good morning
We are planning a trip to Kaokoland in December (It is the only time some people in our group can get leave).
After driving from Pretoria and staying over near Gobabis and then at Gross Barmen, we will camp at Kamanjab on day 3.
Day 4 Opuwo
Day 5 Kunene River Lodge
Day 6 Enyandi
Day 7/8 Epupa falls
Day 9 Van Zyls pass camp
Day 10 Okarohombo
Day 11/12 Purros
Day 13 Hoanib Boskamp near Amspoort
Day 14 Warmquelle
From here we will go to Etosha for 2 days and then to Waterberg Plateau Park and then home.

Will it be possible to drive from Kunene River lodge to Epupa in one day and not stay over at Enyandi?. We try to save 1 day here but want to drive along the river.
I also wanted to know if it would be possible to drive from Okarohombo to Purros in 1 day but this question was answered in one of the trip reports. It seems it is possible.

Julle kan in Afrikaans ook antwoord.

Regards
Johan

[Alex Roux]

Hi Johan

We are driving through Kaokoland in July this year.
Our plan is to drive from Kunene river lodge to Epupa falls in one day.
It is not long, but very slow, and strongly recommended not to take trailers.
I have seen some youtube clips of that road and guys with trailers struggling. Lots of loose rocks.

In my research so far, I have been told that that particular stretch next to the river is more 4x4ing than van Zyls.
In summer it will be wet too. So lots of mudslinging. I would take out my straps and connect them even before I leave the river lodge.
It is doable, and I for one, will not drive the detour over Epembe and Onkangwati, but it is a personal choice.

However we are driving that route in winter which is dryer. I would be cautious to drive alone in summer.
You will know that evening that you had a tough day at the office.

[Alex Roux]

I also wanted to know if it would be possible to drive from Okarohombo to Purros in 1 day but this question was answered in one of the trip reports. It seems it is possible.

I am not sure where Okarohombo is. I cannot find it on my map.
But we are staying over at Syncro, which is driving North to the border after driving down van Zyls.
Then one day's drive to Etambura, which is about halfway between the Red drum and Orupembe.
Then it is one day's drive from Etambura to Purros. Admittedly a longish stretch though.

We are going with people that have done it before, and this is their plan.
So it is based on their experience of what is doable.

[johanp]

Hi Alex

Thank you for the feedback.
We will be 5 vehicles without trailers.
Okarohombo is a community camp close to Camp Syncro. We might even stay at camp Syncro.

[Alex Roux]

Hi Alex

Thank you for the feedback.
We will be 5 vehicles without trailers.
Okarohombo is a community camp close to Camp Syncro. We might even stay at camp Syncro.

Ah, in that case, yes indeed, it may be a tad too long to go one day from Syncro to Purros.
It may be possible, but I would not do it. You will be too conscious of makig it in daylight, rather than enjoying the scenery.

Also, you will be travelling in Summer, and you will therefore cross water a few times during the day.
There will be lots of potential for recovery work to be done. With 6 vehicles, and not all of them are Patrols!
So you may not be in the position to plan your time of arrival as accurately.