Hot, hot, hot! – Motorbiking through Namibia

Posted on 6 April 2009

Leaving the Erongo region today I again found myself on the wrong side of the road where the going is, if not a breeze, certainly easier.

There’s been almost no traffic today, a blessing considering the dust. The Romans could have constructed the roads as they are arrow straight so there was no danger. Its peculiar though and certainly true of the last couple of days riding. Why is the opposite side of the road often in far better nick than the left side?

A couple of river crossings were thrown into the mix today. Nothing spectacular but we dismounted and had a paddle to check it out all the same. Although we hadn’t seen a car all morning I can guarantee a convoy of aid workers, acrobats, nuns and a rugby squad turning up if I had toppled mid stream. Not today though.

The grasslands continue into the Kunene region. Indeed, my sketchy memories of Namibia are being replaced with that of a soft green shimmering landscape. There is simply so much grass and its everywhere. I overheard a conversation that Namibia has had the heaviest rainfall in over 40 years and can well believe it. Probably why the roads are so, um, challenging.

The last stretch of road from Khorixas to Abu Huab campsite near Twyfelfontein was a bit more taxing. Probably from tiredness, but also because its so damn hot. The mercury is still climbing after 4.00pm. Imagine two hairdryers on full blast, one up each nostril, now add dust and a pinch of grit. Get the picture?

Water has become our prime concern and our first priority is to fill up when the opportunity arises. 6litres a day is a minimum requirement with more stashed ‘just in case’. Luckily we both have 10litre ‘Dromedary’ bags stored on the bikes. Pity they are black though as you could make tea from the water it gets so hot. Water is water though.

Tonight’s stopover is the Abu Huab community campsite, set alongside the Huab river and becoming increasingly popular with overlanders and recreational 4×4’s. This evening, however, it has by far the more important aspect at the end of a long exhausting day. A cold fridge, so, if you will pardon me I need to carbo-load and do my bit to try to keep Windhoek Breweries out of financial difficulties.

A day off tomorrow.






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