GPS Waypoints for KAOKOLAND

GPS WAYPOINTS and TRACKLOGS of a 4 x4 tour in the KAOKOLAND and SKELETON COAST of NAMIBIA

Compiled by Wouter Brand eiportne@pixie.co.za

Attached file GPS_data.txt 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

Day-1. From Oshakati (Santorinni-In Lodge) to Ruacana to Swartbooisdrift

(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

1001 OSHAKATI TOWN (SANTORINI-INN) -17 47' 09.49" 15 43' 20.75"

1002 OSHIKUKU -17 39' 11.63" 15 27' 57.74"

1003 ROAD CROSSING OKALONGO -17 31' 16.29" 15 00' 44.54"

1004 TURN OFF TO TSANDI -17 30' 16.96" 14 59' 30.69"

1005 OLD OMBULANTU MILL. BASE -17 30' 43.19" 14 59' 16.90"

1006 JUNCTION RUACANA-KAMANJAP -17 24' 45.01" 14 24' 08.50"

1007 TURN OFF TO RUACANA TOWN -17 24' 48.43" 14 21' 16.14"

1008 RUACANA FUEL STATION & SHOP -17 26' 13.79" 14 21' 49.49"

1009 RUACANA (SANTORINI-INN LODGE) -17 26' 23.98" 14 20' 55.50"

1010 RUACANA HYDRO/ELECTR PLANT -17 24' 10.63" 14 13' 19.51"

1012 OKUVARE CAMP -17 19' 53.46" 13 49' 57.81"

1013 RIVER CAMPING SPOT -17 19' 37.95" 13 49' 36.78"

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

Gravel road and accessible off-road conditions.

1014 TURN OFF TO EHOMBA -17 20' 28.14" 13 50' 56.30"

1015 VOORTREKKER GRAVES -17 20' 41.22" 13 50' 49.56"

1016 RIVIER CROSSING -17 29' 52.13" 13 42' 01.00"

1017 TURN OFF EPEPE OKSEMO -17 31' 06.75" 13 39' 35.15"

1018 JUNCTION to OPUWA-D3700 -17 37' 22.58" 13 28' 34.90"

1019 OKANGWATI -17 26' 03.86" 13 16' 22.73"

1020 WINDPUMP and WATER -17 27' 43.41" 13 13' 18.20"

1021 RIVER CROSSING and DAM WALL -17 28' 21.65" 13 08' 37.12"

1022 ETENGWA KRAAL & WATER -17 28' 12.57" 13 03' 44.08"

1025 OVIVERO DAM -17 35' 42.00" 12 53' 56.22"

Day-3. From Ovivero dam through van Zyl’s pass and Marienflus to

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.

1026 BAD ROAD WITH STONES -17 36' 42.78" 12 52' 36.99"

1027 ROAD VERY STEEP UP -17 36' 48.14" 12 52' 00.72"

1028 OTJITANDA -17 37' 35.40" 12 51' 32.29"

1029 ROAD CROSSING ETANGA -17 37' 53.55" 12 51' 26.92"

1030 OTJITANDA (WATER) -17 37' 46.47" 12 50' 50.02"

1031 ROAD JUNCTION -17 38' 42.99" 12 46' 47.83"

1032 WINDPUMP and WATER -17 38' 35.31" 12 45' 04.95"

1033 VAN ZYLS PASS (START) -17 38' 22.43" 12 44' 39.58"

1034 VAN ZYLS VERY BAD ROAD -17 38' 08.06" 12 44' 07.25"

1035 VAN ZYLS VIEW ON MARIENFLUS -17 39' 17.33" 12 41' 59.98"

1036 VAN ZYLS PASS (END) -17 40' 11.98" 12 41' 56.53"

1037 BURNED OUT LANDROVER -17 36' 25.99" 12 36' 42.65"

1038 JUNCTION TO ROOIDROM -17 33' 45.38" 12 33' 16.87"

1039 OTINDJANGI RIVER -17 18' 57.99" 12 25' 34.94"

1040 OTJINUNGWA LODGE (shower) -17 15' 50.40" 12 26' 37.47"

1041 OKARUHOMBO CAMPING SITE -17 14' 41.05" 12 26' 13.06"

Day-4. Stay over at Otjinungwa lodge on the banks of the Cunene river.

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

1042 CUNENE RAPIDS and SWIM HOLES -17 12' 51.36" 12 25' 20.98"

Day-5. From Cunene (Otjinungwa lodge) to Rooidrom, Orupembe to Puros

(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.

1043 SOUTH END OF MARIENFLUS -17 46' 52.45" 12 32' 37.70"

1044 ROOIDROM -17 47' 46.14" 12 31' 22.69"

1046 MARBLE CAMP -17 59' 12.99" 12 35' 05.32"

1047 JUNCTION to ETENGA -18 04' 03.61" 12 37' 45.68"

1048 ORUPEMBE -18 09' 30.04" 12 33' 36.23"

1049 ORUPEMBE LUNCH TREE -18 09' 39.58" 12 33' 50.45"

1050 TO SKELETON COAST (NO ENTRY) -18 30' 03.53" 12 29' 03.47"

1051 KHUMIB RIVIER CROSSING -18 38' 42.60" 12 40' 06.97"

1052 TURN OFF TO PUROS -18 46' 03.89" 12 55' 11.00"

1053 PUROS CAMPING SITE (shower) -18 44' 04.41" 12 56' 29.66"

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.

1054 TURN OFF SOUTH to AMSPOORT -18 47' 22.53" 13 00' 02.13"

1055 AMSPOORT to the WEST/SOUTH -18 53' 44.96" 12 55' 15.38"

1056 INTO THE HUANIB RIVER -19 21' 01.92" 13 09' 24.99"

1057 SKELETON COAST NO ENTRY -19 21' 59.78" 13 07' 05.10"

1058 THE 'POORT' -19 13' 34.20" 13 22' 25.97"

1059 EXIT FROM GANAMUB RIVER -19 02' 59.18" 13 27' 00.33"

1060 SESFONTEIN (FORT CAMP & FUEL) -19 07' 14.83" 13 37' 06.53"

Day-7. From Sesfontein, to Ongongo (spring), Palmwag to Torra Bay in the

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.

1061 TURN OFF TO ONGONGO -19 11' 08.48" 13 48' 52.77"

1062 ONGONGO SPRING SOURCE -19 08' 25.36" 13 49' 09.28"

1063 HUANIB RIVIER CROSSING -19 15' 24.08" 13 52' 00.71"

1064 GAES RIVER -19 50' 29.54" 13 53' 53.41"

1065 PALMWAG LODGE -19 52' 52.44" 13 56' 23.93"

1066 JUNCTION TO KORIXHAS -19 54' 41.23" 13 59' 11.91"

1067 WINDPUMP and WATER -20 10' 57.18" 14 03' 36.23"

1068 BERGSIG -20 13' 02.61" 14 04' 12.13"

1069 TURN OFF TORRA BAY -20 13' 57.16" 14 03' 54.55"

1070 SPRINGBOK WASSER CONTROL GATE -20 18' 40.05" 13 38' 51.90"

1071 JUNCTION to MILE 108 -20 22' 15.35" 13 17' 59.96"

1072 TORRA BAY (Fuel & Showers) -20 19' 10.69" 13 14' 27.31"

Day-8. From Torra Bay along the Skeleton Coast to Mile 108 and Henties Bay.

(239.858km)

This is the place where Namibians spend their Christmas holyday

and it is mainly about angling.

1073 TOSCANINNI BAY -20 49' 16.22" 13 23' 45.36"

1074 OLD OIL RIGG -20 53' 30.17" 13 26' 36.02"

1075 UGAB RIVER CONTROL GATE -21 10' 23.45" 13 40' 10.01"

1076 MILE 108 CAMP (showers) -21 26' 32.23" 13 49' 11.04"

1077 JUNCTION ROAD D2303 -21 30' 38.31" 13 52' 12.84"

1078 HORING BAY -21 34' 31.36" 13 52' 52.83"

1079 CAPE CROSS SEAL STATION -21 45' 02.80" 13 59' 49.24"

1080 SALT WORKS -21 46' 57.76" 14 01' 01.96"

1081 MILE 72 CAMP -21 52' 05.23" 14 05' 18.23"

1082 FISHERMANS INN -21 54' 23.46" 14 06' 51.34"

1083 JUNCTION UIS C35 -22 03' 59.79" 14 15' 25.25"

1084 OMARURU RIVER -22 05' 02.24" 14 16' 10.07"

1085 CROSSING D1918 -22 06' 38.41" 14 17' 33.15"

1086 HENTIES BAY TOWN -22 06' 59.58" 14 16' 57.54"

Track summary and total track length in km.

Track Length Cumulative

Day 1 0002 Oshakati - Swartbooisdrift 229.215 229.215

0003 Oshakati road to Old Ombulantu mil. base 1.014 x 2 231.243

0004 Oshakati road to Ruacana filling station/shop 6.692 x 2 244.627

0001 Oshakati road to Ruacana hydropower generator 0.197 x 2 245.021

Day 2 Finding way in the morning 4.341 249.362

0005 Swartbooisdrift - Ovivero 141.239 390.601

Day 3 0007 Braam finding direction in the morning 0.332 390.933

Ovivero - Otjinungwa 90.229 481.162

Day 4 0006 Otjinungwa to swim holes in Cunene (and back) 7.348 x 2 495.858

Day 5 0014 Otjinungwa - Orupembe 117.044 612.902

0015 Orupembe - Puros 107.565 720.467

Day 6 Braam getting his bearings 0.402 720.869

0008 Puros - Huanib/Amspoort 88.453 809.322

0010 Huanib/Amspoort - Skeleton Coast 'No Entry' sign 5.063 x 2 819.448

0009 Amspoort - Sesfontein 96.273 915.721

Day 7 0011 Sesfontein - Torra Bay 253.778 1,169.499

0012 Sesfontein road to Ongongo (and back) 6.009 x 2 1,181.517

Day 8 0013 Torra bay - Henties Bay 239.858 1,421.375

The fuel available at Oshakati, Ruacana, Opuwa**, Sesfontein**, Torrabay** and Mile 108 and some** are not guaranteed.

Van Zyl’s pass.

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.)

WAYPOINTS from a SATELITE IMAGE. See http://www.earth-info.org/