Compiled by Wouter Brand eiportne@pixie.co.za

file contains 84 GPS waypoints and 15 tracks routes (6,784 track logs) for the Kaokoland and Skeleton coast of Namibia. Map datum in WGS84 and position format in ddd mm’ ss.ss". Data was gathered using a Garmin-12 GPS and Laptop (See

http://www.garmin.com/support/faqs). Data stored in delimited text format and can be manipulated (routes etc) and transferred between PC and standard GPS models using the various data collection and auto-mapping software packages and which is summarised by Karen’s program list at http://www.gpsy.com/gpsinfo/software.html. Some of the programs are freeware

e.g. Waypoint+ at http://www.tapr.org/~kh2z/Waypoint or GPS track maker at http://www.gpstm.com. More stable and sophisticated software versions tested such as GARtrip at http://www.gartrip.de ; OziExplorer http://www.oziexplorer.com; Quo Vadis at http://www.quovadis-gps.com and GPSy at http://www.gpsy.com

Data was gathered on an 8-day trip (9 December 2000 to 17 December 2000) from Oshakati in northern Namibia to Henties Bay in the Skeleton coast through the barren wilderness of the Kaokoland, land of the Himba people. Most roads/tracks are accessible only by 4 x 4 vehicle in sound condition and well prepared for an endurance test to the limits. Fuel provision for 900 km (to provide for the risk of getting lost) Daytime temperatures can reach 60 degree Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit) and more. Overheating, tyre failure, breakdowns, flash river floods, hippos, crocodiles (in Cunene), scorpions and Malaria are eminent and every precaution must be taken along with plenty water. Recommended time of year to travel the Kaokoland is March/April.

A permit is required to travel through the Skeleton Coast Park i.e. from Springbok wasser control gate (waypoint 1070) to the Ugab river control gate (waypoint 1075). The permit can be obtained from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism www.dea.met.gov.na Division: Special Support Services Private bag 13306, Windhoek, NAMIBIA Tel +264 61 263131 Fax +264 61 25910. This friendly office is situated in Windhoek northern industrial area at south –22 32’ 12.57" S and 17 04’ 34.40" W. It may become a future requirement to have a permit for the Kaokoland as well.

A GPS does not replace compass and map and neither the need for an experienced and professional Kaokoland tour guide. Several websites offers maps and other information. http://www.4xforum.co.za/ (ContiMap with GPS coordinates for Namibia) http://www.gpswaypoints.co.za (digital maps and GPS waypoint register). Also http://omnimap.com; http://maps.expedia.com; http://www.mapquest.com; http://oddens.geog.uu.nl; http://uk2.multimap.com; http://rimmer.ngdc.noaa.gov/coast;

http://www.mapstudio.co.za/interact/interact.htm; http://www.mapquest.com and http://www.places.co.za/html/namserch.html .

The American National Imagery and Mapping Agency provides close to 10,000 waypoints of Namibia http://164.214.2.59/gns/html/cntry_files.html. (waypoint given only in degrees & minutes).The same waypoint data along with a topographic map picture and some additional information is offered by the Rosenberg Family Home Page at http://www.calle.com/world/ .

If route planning get to the level of employing detailed satellite imagery the web site http://www.earth-info.org/JavaGlobeStart.html offers the real thing.

It is best to obtain high quality 1:250,000 topographic maps for Namibia from the offices of the Surveyor General http://www.gsn.gov.na situated in Robert Mugabe avenue at –22 34’ 28.84" S and 17 05’ 22.28" W (see map index further on). 1:50,000 maps also available. Note that roads and tracks on maps do not always correspond with reality on ground zero.

This tour was not a commercial tourist safari. It was just good friends (and fanatic conservationists) each with his/her own vehicle and logistics enjoying one of the last true wildernesses in Africa. For further information contact Braam Ellis at info@santorini-inn.com (Braam Ellis is an expert in calm elephant behavior); Selma (or Hannes) Arangies at hanna@worldonline.co.za. Anita Devenish at anita@santorini-inn.com or Hester (or Wouter) Brand at eiportne@pixie.co.za

(Cunene river) (245.021km)

Stay over at Santorini-inn http://www.santorini-inn a true oasis

in Owamboland. Tarred road from Oshakati to Ruacana, the

last fuel stop before entering Kaokoland. Provision for 900km

fuel reach. South West

Day-2. From Swartbooisdrift (Cunene river) to Ovivero dam (145.912km)

Gravel road and accessible off-road conditions.

Otjinungwa lodge (Cunene river). (90.229km)

Heavy off road conditions including van Zyl’s pass (see further on).

Magnificent scenery unique only to Kaokoland, land of gravel, sand

and rocky mountains.

Guests to Koos Verwey at his Otjinungwa lodge. Nice shower and

camping site.

Hiking trip along the Cunene river with unreal and beautiful scenery. Swimming in the rapids. Beware of the many crocodiles.

(224.609km)

Accessible gravel road to Puros. Nice camping site and showers at Puros on the bank of the Hoarusib river. Elephants next morning in camp site.

Day-6. From Puros to Amspoort in Huanib river to Sesfontein (195.254km)

Off road conditions and heavy sand in Huanib river bed. Must drop

tyre below 1bar pressure to effectively manage elephant encounters.

These gentle Lords of the desert must be handled with extreme calm

and caution.

It is advised not to do Kaokoland without experienced guides. The

40km trip in the Huanib river (from 1057 to 1058) was rewarded with a rich variety of wild life.

Skeleton Coast (265.796km)

Visit to Ongongo (1062) a must. Unreal to see crystal clear water springing from dry desert rocks.

Good gravel and salt roads along the Skeleton coast. Next fuel available at Torra Bay (1072) also showers. Permit required to travel through the Skeleton Coast Park

(from Springbok wasser (1070) to Ugab river (1075).

Very good surf angling at Torra bay and Mile 108.

(239.858km)

This is the place where Namibians spend their Christmas holyday

and it is mainly about angling.

Van Zyl’s pass from waypoints 1033 to 1036 drops approximately 630m in altitude and is 10.186km in length. It took 2 hr 53min and 29 sec to complete and it surely leaves scares. For unknown reasons the rule is that van Zyl’s pass must only be travelled (or climbed rather) from east to west (certainly not for reasons of possible traffic congestions).

It is advised to increase tyre pressure to 2.3bar when traversing sharp stones and rocks and it is always better to manoeuvre over rocks rather than trying to avoid them. Use of the clutch pedal on steep descents is a no no. (low range 4wd and then only brakes and ignition switch.)

Map covering Kaokoland and Skeleton coast are 1712, 1714, 1812, 1814, 1912, 1914, 2013, 2014, 2214, 2114 and 2214