Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

Hi Lance

I did that route in September last year with a pillion and a loaded bike (F800GS). The road conditions are good in general. The stretch of road between Kleinsee and Port Nolloth got some "sprinkle" of sand in places, but it is nothing to worry about if you ride at a comfortable pace. That road is very good in general, but please be alert for those Sandy Patches, it is mostly "surface sand" and if you keep your momentum and are riding at a reason speed that you are comfortable with you will be fine.

The stretch of road from Alexander Bay to Sendlingsdrif is also very good, but it is the same scenario as the previous mentioned part. We did not go all the way to Sendlingsdrift as we went through the Richtersfeld towards Eksteensteensfontein, Koeboes to Vioolsdrift. So unfortunately I cannot comment on the last stretch of your planned route.

 

Hi Carel

You the man. I wanted to ask you as I know you went up there. So thanks for replying.

So excited !!

Cheers

Hi Lance,

I did the trip last year April so my info is not as up to date as Carel. Came back to SA  through Sendlingsdrift and found that stretch to be quite rocky, meaning that there were rocks protruding the road surface and yes there were a few sandy patches. Not sure if the road before Sendlingsdrift (SA side) has been graded after April 2017, sure it must have been.

Hi Theo

Thanks for the info man.  Apparently Sendelingsdrif rest camp do not allow bikes of any sort - so i have to go via Vioolsdrif.

Thanks again - appreciate it.

Cheers

Hi Lance, If you are looking for affordable accommodation in that area I can highly recommend Brandkaros (about 20km outside Alexander Bay towards Sendlingsdrift) or Grocery Camp on the bank of the Orange River about 15km from Vioolsdrif. That is if you want to go up the west coast via Port Nolloth, Alexanderbay etc. The road between Koeboes and Eksteensfontein is a bit "technical" at places. Please feel free to have a chat with me if you are coming to the club meeting tonight. 

Hi Carel

Sorry i missed you, but again - thanks so much for the info. We have booked at most places. I hear at Sendelingsdrif Camp they will not allow any bike at all :(   Going to Soussusvlei, so that will be magical. Thanks again.

Hi Lance

Few things from my experience:

1. I managed to camp at Potjiespram campsite in the Richterveld.  I got hold of the park manager, Hendrik Prins, and he allowed us to camp there.  You should be able to camp at Sendelingsdrift too I believe.  Motorcycles are not allowed in the rest of the park at all, so that's where the privilages end.

2. Sossusvlei also does not allow motorcycles inside the park.  I managed to hitch a lift with a passer by to the vlei. Alternatively, you pay gate fees and shuttle fees (was quite expensive, but if I didn't get a lift, that would've been the alternative).

3. Roads conditions around Richtersveld (SA side) changes frequently (graded, corrugated, rutted, etc.).  You never really know until you get there, so allow for extra time.  Roads on the Namibia side is always pretty much graded and in good condition.  The road from Sendelingsdrift to Aussenkehr is amazing.

Few more bits can be found in my trip report - http://bmwmotorradclubcape.co.za/holey-tyre-expedition-%E2%80%93-namibia...

Enjoy!

Hi Theo

Excellent, thank you. Flip - your write up is sooo lekker !!   Going through it now.

Thank you