Is A Permit Required?: The northern section of the
C14
road takes you through the
Northern Namib Naukluft Park. If
you intend driving on any gravel roads other than C14 or C25 or
D1928 in the National Park, for example, taking a detour to the Kuiseb Canyon View-Point you are required to buy
Park Entry
Permit from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.
Road Signs etc: The C14
has very few road-signs between
Walvis Bay to where it junctions with the C26 to
Windhoek and this
is known to cause a bit of concern to some tourists. You would be
wise to keep some form of Log-Book, and that you know approximately
how many kilometres your journey between selected points will be.
The Journey: notes and points of interest: The sign at the
Walvis Bay traffic circle is clear as to which direction you take
for the C14. The initial section of the road is tarred for about
14kms to just past the
Walvis Bay's Rooikop Airport.
(a). Dune
7. About 8kms out. This is the highest sand dune in the
Walvis
Bay Area and many people take the challenge of climbing it. There
are picnic areas at the base. A permit is not-required to visit the
Dune.
(b). Vogelfederberg. About 55kms out, this rocky outcrop
gives you a good panoramic view over the desert. There are picnic
areas and sites for overnight camping with limited facilities.
Permit-Required.
(c). Kuiseb-Canyon-Viewpoint. About 115kms out. The
slip road is signed. The view is not dramatic, but Geologically
interesting. There are picnic areas. Permit-Required.
(d). Kuiseb-Pass. About 159kms out. The section of the
pass that presented problems with road wash-away during the
wet-season has now been tarred. The pass is ruggedly picturesque.
There are a few areas along the lower road side where you can pull
off and take in the view. Once driving either up or down the pass
you should concentrate on the road as there is a considerable drop
should you run out of road.
(e). Gaub-Pass. About 185kms out. The section of
road that drops down to the Gaub-River is steep and twisty. Once
driving either up or down the pass you should concentrate on the
road as there is a considerable drop should you run out of road.
There is a single picnic area at the bottom of the pass.
(f). Tropic of Capricorn Sign. About 190kms out. You will
want to have your photo taken standing next to the sign
(g). Solitaire. About 230kms out. This small settlement at
the junction of the C14 and C19 makes for a welcome break from the
road. There is a fuel station, and if your vehicle is in need of
attention the mechanics will try hard to get you going, but they
have their limitations with regards to spare parts etc. Puncture
repairs and a limited stock of spare tyres are also available here.
The general store is worth a visit, it is here where you can sit
down have a drink and savour some of the 'Moose-Man's' renowned
apple-tart, but don't expect any cream or toppings on your piece of
pie. You're a long way form the nearest creamery. His 'Moose-Bread'
is a bit dense, and could be described as tasty, but 'filling'.
There is also accommodation and good camping facilities available
here. It is only 83kms from Solitaire along the C19 road to the
Sesriem-Gate.
39 Sesriem.
From Solitaire you must turn onto the C19 gravel road west. After
about 72kms you will arrive at the T- junction with the C27 ( B826 )
road running west. The signs for
Sesriem and
Sossusvlei are good.
After about 11kms you arrive at the
Sesriem-Gate. Here you will find
the Ministry of Environment and Tourism Office where you must buy
your Park Entry Permit, and the Namibia Wildlife Resorts Camping
Site. The Park Gates are open between sunrise and sunset, and are
closed at lunchtime between 13h00 and 14h00.
40 Sossusvlei.
Many overseas
tourist write to us asking about accommodation at
Sossusvlei, so I
want to clarify this matter here. There are no accommodation or
camping facilities at
Sossuvlei. The closest being at
Sesriem.
Sossusvlei
is a spectacular dune area within the Namib Naukluft Desert Park about 65kms west of the
Sesriem Camp. Keen
photographers are awaiting ready at the gate before sunrise to drive
into the park to get the early light. It is also advisable to make
your tour of the dunes early, as the mid-day temperatures can be
above 40°c. Always carry enough water with you
and appropriate clothing with a hat or cap for your head. A good
pair of hiking boots will be appreciated. It's a long kilometre hike
through the dunes to the Dead-Vlei, often across sands heated to a
temperature of 70°c +
Journey Time: You should budget 3 to 4 hours driving time
from Walvis-Bay to
Solitaire, plus 1 more hour to Sesriem.
Directions From Maltahohe to Sesriem Sossusvlei
Drive the C19 over the picturesque Zaris mountains
and Zaris Pass for about 150km and arrive at junction with the D826 with
signs for
Sesriem. Drive 11km arrive at
Sesriem Gate.
Directions
From Maltahohe to Solitaire By the C14 road
is 246kms. About 40km south of
Solitaire you will enter the area
know as Bullsport and drive through the mountain pass. The scenery could be described as
being grandiose, and is better viewed when travelling in a northerly
direction.
Directions From
Maltahohe to Duwisib Castle
41 Drive the C14 south
for about 37kms. Here you must look for the road sign D 824 + Sign for Farm
Duwisib and turn
west onto it. After 11kms you must turn south onto the D 831. After
a further 16kms you must turn onto the D 826. After a further 17kms
you arrive at Duwisib Farm and
Duwisib Castle.
Direction
From Sesriem to Duwisib Castle
41 Drive C27 south for 150km. Arrive
at junction with D826 drive east for 20km arrive Farm Duwisib. From this approach
there is a sign for
Duwisib Castle
