SA10 Molopo River, Augrabies Falls
Sunday, 27 March 2016 4:01 am
We have been told of a 4x4 track that follows the dry Molopo River and thought it is worth a look.
On the road north we see these boys playing with their home made toys. The buggies even have steering via the push handle.
Our first Springbok
A031: Kgalagadi Guest House in Van Zylsris - with scorpions
Cost: R300/site Our most expensive in SA. Nothing above average just VERY over priced !
Altitude: 919 metres
S 26* 52.817 E 022* 03.128
Today: 266Km
Trip Total: 5,722 Kms
Sunday 27th March 2016:
The track follows the Molopo River bed which also forms the border between Sth Africa and Botswana. The two fences are the border fences with the space in between ‘no-mans land’.
This river last flowed in the year 1642 !
The track is hardly a 4x4 trip but along the way we watched the squirrels and meerkats as they play.
Weaver Birds
A032: Molopo Guest House
Cost: R200/site ( includes continental breakfast !)
Altitude: 858 metres
S 26* 55.907 E 020* 39.707
Today: 200Km
Trip Total: 5,922 Kms
Monday/Tuesday 28/29th March 2016
Drove south 180Kms through endless lines of red sand dunes, so much like central Australia except on a bitumen road.
Stopped for lunch and were joined by some local children.
Just outside Upington a solar power generator. We had hoped for an inspection however it was closed for repairs.
More than 4,000 solar mirrors over 140 hectares reflect the suns energy to the top of the tower converting water to steam and producing 50 megawatts of power. This provides power to 3,968 households and saves over 138,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide.
A033: Augrabies Falls Nat Park
Cost: R130/site
Altitude: 616 metres
S 28* 35.532 E 020* 2.103
Today: 317 Km
Trip Total: 6,239 Kms
The falls in 1988 recorded over 3 times the average high season flow rate of Niagara falls.
Surprisingly ,the gorge carved by the river is 18km long and 240m deep - impressive for a granite landscape.
The Quiver Tree is part of the Aloe family and only found here and in Namibia.
It is the only tree that photosynthesis through its bark as well as the leaves. Unfortunately for older trees the dust that settles on the bark eventually kills it.
They flower between 12 and 25 years old and have a life span of up to 180 years.
The name comes from the San peoples who used the leaves as quivers on their poison arrows..
Wednesday 30th March 2016:
West of Augrabies are some very rugged ranges, Granite outcrops, Pegmatite with large quartz veins.
Could not resist exploring the intrusive rock further.
Easy to see is the Rose Quartz - everywhere.
Then Black Tourmaline crystals and soon I had a nice specimen.
Just outside the quaint town of Riemvasmaak are some hot springs.
R50 ($5) and a great swim spot in the gorge.
On the east side of Riemvasmaak is the Berg-en-Dal Restaurant. This is run by Norbert and his wife. Norbert is quite famous through books and TV in South Africa. As an adventurer he has travelled extensively the length and breadth of the African Continent by 4x4.
Looking back..
Camp is in the small quite country town of Poffadder.
A034: Poffadder Town
Cost: R150/site
Altitude: 984 metres
S 29* 07.647 E 019* 23.610
Today: 239 Km
Trip Total: 6,589 Kms
Next down the West Coast