Spring is here and in true fashion to celebrate Spring we had our Spring Tour in the Tankwa.
The weather in the Tankwa was perfect for our Spring Tour and as always the entrance over Katbakies pass was spectacular. We stopped over for lunch at the famous Tankwa Padstal which never fails to deliver that special Tankwa feeling. This is where the known stuff stopped for most of the guys. After lunch we set off on a stunning route that took as through a beautiful landscape that looked like anything but Tankwa. Our route took us past Oudebaskraal dam to Tankwa Tented Camp where we stayed for the two nights of the tour.
The hospitality of Tankwa Tented Camp was awesome with Wessel Elzebet Beyers and Elzebet Beyers being perfect hosts making everybody feel at home. Late afternoon in true Tankwa style we all dressed up with a tie and went to sun downer hill for that special sunset experience. Arriving back we were served with and awesome steak to make sure we are well lined for the evenings festivities. OnverklaarBar recorded another few stories to its record but that remains with OnverklaarBar.
On Saturday 1September Spring delivered….we woke up to the perfect Spring day in the Tankwa. We could not have asked for a better day to go riding. Now if you think the Tankwa consists of the Padstal, the R355, Ouberg pass and Gannaga Pass then you have it wrong. Our route surprised everyone with awesome scenery of places they did not know existed in the Tankwa. We arrived back late afternoon in time for everyone to freshen up, relax and share some stories of the days ride.
The evening we were served with the most awesome supper by Henk van Niekerk and his team. On the menu there was “waterblommetjie bredie”, sweet patatoes, braaied chicken, noodle salad, patatoes and the most delicious dessert. I don’t like “Waterblommetjie bredie” but boy Theresia can cook up a storm. I had two servings of the most delicious “Waterblommetjie Bredie” I have ever tasted in my life and everyone loved it.
Our Tankwa Tour and our stay at the Tankwa Tented Camp was definitely one for the books. However awesome people make awesome tours and I have to thank each and every person that joined our Tankwa tour……you guys ROCK!!!
On 3 August eighteen of us met at Matamba Bush Camp near Lephalale, ready to explore Botswana. Little did the group know what they were in for. Botswana is an awesome country and there are lots of beautiful places to see. However, to get to these places means traveling long distances that includes some big tar sections. It may sound easy but add boring straight as a ruler tar to it, add animals, add pot holes and add 37 degrees and you see people’s energy fading during the day and you have to do your best to keep everyone focused. Botswana is a tour of experiences not awesome dirt roads and you have to get yourself into that frame of mind. Botswana does not offer a lot of awesome dirt roads and once you go off the main routes there is only 3 meters of sand…. 3 meters deep!!!! Now as much as everyone wants to be Rambo and wants a challenge we all know that when you mention sand to the average adventure rider out there they run for the hills. That being said our route included some dirt sections with a little sand here and there but nothing that the average rider could not manage. Once you get into this frame of mind you are blown away by the beauty of Botswana when you reach your destination.
Along the way people are friendly and children are always smiling and running out to see the bikes. The locals will stop and ask us if they or their kids can have picture of them on a bike. Everyone want to know where we have been driving from, how long we have been on the bikes and where we are going to. When you drive into garages or towns you see them pulling out the cellphones to take pictures. This is something you will never experience when you sitting in your car or a 4×4. Our route started at Lephalale (Ellisras) where we crossed the border into Botswana via Stockpoort. We then travelled to Nata where we camped for our first night. Zulu Overland did a great job providing everything from tents, camping gear, chairs etc and cooking up delicious meals every day. During this time they pitched 231 tents, prepared 210 breakfasts, 210 light lunches and 210 dinners. All we had to do was eat the food ride our bikes and enjoy the tour. From Nata we travelled to Kasane where went on an awesome sunset cruise on the Chobe river, definitely one of the highlights of the tour. The next day the group was transferred to Vic Falls where they spend the day checking out this magical place. Some did flights over the falls others wandered around but everyone loved it.
Then it was time to leave Kasane and we travelled through the Caprivi to Ngepi near Divundu. It was a long hard day with temperature reaching 38 degrees, sapping the energy from the guys. The road into Ngepi gave everyone a feeling of achievement and lots to talk about around the campfire. The next day was a no bike day and some of us went to visit the remains of the old 32 Battalion others just took a break and enjoyed the magic of Ngepi and a few cold ones. It was time to say goodbye to Ngepi and we set off for Shakawe which was only 60km down the road but there was a secret dirt loop of about 230km that was on the cards today. It was an almost all dirt day, something which is very scarce in Botswana and the guys loved the ride as it gave them something of everything, some nice solid dirt, some loose bits, and some great single track. Arriving at Shakawe the swimming pool at the lodge was a welcome sight as again temperature’s hit 38 degrees. From Shakawe we were off to Maun and this was the road of potholes and donkeys. We were in for a treat in Maun when we go taken into the delta on morokoros. This was the closest most of us ever got to an elephant when one was interrupting our lunch and everyone had to carefully move out of his way.
What an experience!!!! Finally we left Maun to my favorite place Kubu Island, what a magical place. Everyone navigated safely through the bit of sand onto the pans and the ride on the pans was just awesome. The sunset was magical as was the sunrise. Sadly this was our last night in Botswana and what a special place to end a tour. Herewith some pictures taken of this awesome adventure. Pictures can never do justice to what the eye sees but it will give you some insight into our experiences. A big thank you to our clients to stand up to the challenges and for going on this journey with us. You were a fantastic group of people. Now spread the love…..like them share them and lets infect the world with this sport we love so much. Till next time Keep it Twisted!!!!
“A rare, unforgettable experience!!”
– Werner Spies
We took 12 clients to the South of Namibia and what and experience. The South remains one of our favourite areas in Namibia with awesome scenery and places to see.
We started at Vioolsdrift and travelled west along the Orange river to Sendlingsdrift and then to Aus where we based ourselves for the next two nights. Zulu Overland did a sterling job of setting up camp and cooking up delicious meals and breakfast.
The next day we were off to Kolmanskop where the guys went on tour in the Ghost town. After that everyone was on their own time to visit and explore the surrounding of Luderitz. Some great pictures were taken of everyone’s discoveries and the evening around the campfire there was lots of talking going on.
Then we were off to Tsauchab river camp about 40km from Sossusvlei. The scenery on this road was just breath-takingand on route there we visited Duwiseb Castle. From Beta to Sessriem the road gave us a bit of a challenge but all these things are manageable if you listen to your leader and drive within your own ability. We stopped a few times to take in the beauty of this place and also to give the guys a breather. Everyone navigated through the few difficult sections safely and a ice cold beer on arrival at Tsauchab River Camp was just the thing to get the boys relaxed and sharing their days experience. The campsite at Tsauchab was just awesome and the hosts were very friendly.
The it was time for Sossusvlei. The guys were picked up at Sossusvlei Lodge to go on their tour into the dunes. The afternoon back at camp everyone was sharing their experiences of the dead valley climbing dunes etc. Sossusvlei is a special place with lots of scenic areas delivering perfect picture moments and memories that will stay with you forever.
Our turning point of the tour was up the next day as we travelled to Solitaire to have some of their famous apple crumble. Now the guys all agreed that it was great by they voted the apple crumble at Helmeringhausen Hotel beter J. The roads from Solitaire to Ai Ais is just beautiful and can qualify as a dirt highway. We camped at an awesome new camp 20km before Helmeringhausen, D’Urban Camp. What and awesome camp with each campsite having its own ablution. Kirsty the owner was an awesome host and took us on a stunning sunset drive on top of a mountain overlooking the valley. This was also where we celebrated one of the riders, Jaco’s birthday. He had to cut and share his cake with us while we watching the sunset. What a special moment.
The tours back is broken now and we heading down to Ai Ais for our last night in Namibia but not before we did not watch the beautiful sight of the Fish River Canyon. We had lunch at the Canyon Road House and then headed to the view point where everyone was amazed by the size and beauty of this place. As we got closer to Ai Ais the temperature started increasing and the pools were a welcome addition to relax the muscles and just have a bit of a chill.
Sadly the next day it was time to head back to the border but we ended Namibia on a high with a special piece of road driving along riverbed through a beautiful canyon.
The South is definitely one of those tours you can do over and over again as every time you do it you experience something else. It will be on the cards for 2019 so if you missed this one make sure you don’t miss it in 2019.
“This was one awesome tour. Thx to Michael from WAVOLT Adventures for a life changing experience. Great food, campsites, dirt roads and meeting fantastic people. Feeling so blessed.” Marcelle Prinsloo
And lastly, here is a little taste of what it’s like to wake up in Namibia with WAVOLT Adventures!
“My first trip with WAVOLT will definitely not be my last. Thanks to Michael for an awesome Karoo Spa Tour this weekend. Professional crew, backup, accommodation, routes and guidance / advice certainly make this a highly recommended selection if you’re looking for off-road Adventure biking tours.”
– Dave Eastment, Paarl
For more information about this tour – Click here.
