With the travels of René and Kobus Walker, the RECORD introduces #youradventures
We invite Albertonians to share #youradventures and travel experiences with our readers – whether inside or outside our boarders. We would love to share your stories, your tips for safer travels and your photographs with future travellers.
Stories and photographs can be forwarded to roedolfw@caxton.co.za
TWO Albertonians, René and Kobus Walker, had the experience of a lifetime when they took a road trip to visit Namibia and Zambia in April and May.
The trip, which spanned well over 4 000km, took them through Namibia, visiting places such as Windhoek, Walvis Bay, Etosha and the Caprivi, up across the Zambezi to the Victoria Falls and back through Botswana in a five-week journey.
They took the trip in their trusty Pajero and a camping trailer, which they slept in each night.
“Seeing Namibia is something we always wanted to do,” said René. “With Kobus retiring, we finally had the time available to make the trip.”
Being avid wildlife enthusiasts and bird watchers it was important for them to experience the range of parks in Namibia.
“The wildlife was amazing,” said Kobus.
The two highlights of their trip they feel was the Caprivi and the Victoria Falls.
“The Caprivi is stunning, with abundant wildlife and beautiful lodges and parks,” says Kobus. Wanting to experience the Caprivi fully, the couple made their longest stay in the region, camping there for a week and a half. In the Caprivi they enjoyed numerous game drives and even a boat trip to view the wildlife in the wetlands.
The Victoria Falls was an absolute highlight due to the sheer magnitude of the falls themselves.
“Just the spray coming off the falls makes you completely wet, like you were standing in the rain,” Kobus said.
They took the long walk down to the boiling pot under the falls to experience the majesty of the falls fully.
“Going down was not too bad, but coming up was a different story,” he said.
Victoria Falls marked the turnaround point and the start of their journey home. Something he added was how clean Namibia, in general, was and how that added to the appeal of the whole trip.
A lowlight for their trip they consider to be the border posts between Namibia and Zambia and Zambia and Botswana.
“Nothing is clear when you get to the border post and there are many people trying to ‘help’ you,” René said.
They described not having the correct amount of Zambian Kwacha. In having to exchange dollars for Kwacha with the people taking opportunities at the border post, they are sure they were cheated significantly.
Their advice for anyone attempting a long trip like this is to ensure you have an amount of correct currency for each country you plan on visiting.
“When it comes to border posts, ensure you remain calm,” said René.
The Walkers feel this was just the first trip of many to come.
Tips for your trip from the Walkers:
• Fill your fuel tank whenever you have the opportunity to.
• Be prepared to face lots of dust, it gets into everything.
• Groceries are available at all the large towns in Namibia. It is not necessary to bring everything with you.
• Always keep to the speed limit.
• Check ahead of time if you can transport fresh meat across border posts and veterinary checkpoints.
• A solar panel makes a huge difference. Power is not always available at camp sites.
Places visited:
April 14: Molopo Kalahari Lodge
April 15: Wildmoor Nature Camp
April 16-18: Windhoek
April 19-21: Sandpiper Dunes, Walvis Bay
April 22-23: Buck’s Camping, Henties Bay
April 24: White Lady Lodge, Brandberg
April 25: Hoada Campsite, Grootberg
April 26: Omunjandi Restcamp, Ruacana
April 27-28: Namatoni Restcamp, Etosha
April 29: Halali Restcamp, Etosha
April 30 – May 2: Okakuejo Restcamp, Etosha
May 3: Roy’s Rest Camp, Grootfontein
May 4-5: Hakusembe River Lodge, Rundu
May 6-9: Mahangu Safari Lodge, Caprivi
May 10-11: Namushasha River Lodge, Caprivi
May 12-14: Camp Nkwazi, Zambia
May 15-16: Chobe River Camp, Caprivi
May 17-18: Nata Lodge, Botswana
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