About The Namib Desert Run
2012 DESERT RUN
Meet at Kuruman Friday 30th March.
Kuruman, Vanzylsrus, Rietfontein, Koes, Windhoek,
Khomas Hochland, Swakopmund
This 31 year old venture is a social, non-competitive fun trip requiring no special riding or driving skills or special vehicles. The two days of sandy or difficult sections have corresponding alternate routes which are used by the heavier on/off or non-MX bikes and the non-4x4 cars, everyone meeting up every day at overnight stops.
We go from Kuruman in the Northern Cape to Swakopmund in Namibia where we stay for three days before returning. All types of people of all ages have been taking part over the years with their own vehicles like motorcycles, 4X4’s, bakkies, kombis, cars, quad ATV’s, micro lights and sidecars.
We will be at Kuruman the whole day Friday to answer questions and will have a 9pm briefing in the bar/dining room to clarify last minute things and there is also plenty of time to find out everything en route.
Route:
Friday: Meet at Red Sand Lodge, Kuruman.
At Kuruman there will be documentation and allocation of numbers to place on vehicles, armbands, instructions, foddering on raisins soaked in Strough Rum for 2 years, and attending the 9pm briefing and fun in the bar area at Red Sands on Friday.
We will here have extra clothing like T-Shirts, ladies’ tops, caps, beanies and things and smart long-sleeved T-shirt sweaters and whatever Sharon’s latest designs are.
Saturday:
Hotazel, Vanzylsrus, Middelpits, Andriesvale, overnight at Dreghorn near Molopo.
Two routes - sandy/adventurous for experts and easier gravel for the rest. Distances From Kuruman to Dreghorn, near Molopo: 407km on sandy route, 360km on normal route.
Sunday:
Geusemap, Mier, Rietfontein, Aroab, overnight at Koes.
Distances from Molopo to Koes: Sandy route to Rietfontein border - 129km. Normal route to Rietforntein border - 85km. Border to Koes - 185km. Totals - 314 sandy, 270 normal.
The adventurous route has much soft sand and a large, flat, clay pan, usually dry so that we can play and party on it.
The easier route is mostly tar.
Thereafter both routes to Aroab on fast dirt highway 40km from border. This is a public road and not to be used by unlicenced vehicles.
Some of the smaller licenced bikes may wish to load up anyway as it is a fast highway smooth gravel road. There is a nice restaurant at Aroab that serves nice sosaties and things.
Then on to Koes (pronounced “COYs”), 140km past Aroab. These roads are graded, smooth and fast. Overnight camping at the hotel.
There is a huge pan less then a kilometre away, surrounded by dunes, with 4x4 and enduro trails leading all over the place.
Monday:
Gochas, Stampriet, Mariental, overnight Windhoek.
The road is 238km national gravel up to Stampriet, much like the Free State highways, and then tar to Windhoek.
Arebbusch chalets and camping has full facilities available. Chalets have shower, toilet, stove, fridge, TV, telephone, cutlery, aircon etc. Camping is around R50 each, no booking needed. Book chalets individually (book early). Also shop and restaurant, swimming pool, garden bar, trampoline. A popular evening dining and drinking place is Joe’s Beerhouse, Nelson Mandela Drive. Arebbusch Tel. (00264-61) 252255.
Tuesday: Khomas Hochland, Swakopmund.
Go 320km along this famous Khomas Hochland road to Swakop. The gravel road goes through everything from mountain passes to long, flat plains.
Tuesday afternoon/evening is usually spent settling in to chalets, renewing acquaintances and having supper in one of the many good restaurants.
Wednesday is the main fun day in the Dune 7 area, with Dune 1 at the back of Dune 7 the main playing area.
See www.bikesa.net click on Desert Runs for more info.
Tel Bike SA 011 782-5521