Luderitz to Walvis Bay
Adventure
- DURATION 7 days
- INCLUDES Communication radios. Meals. Communal camping equipment
- PRICE On enquiry
- EMAIL US info@aquavitaeadventures.co.za
4x4 ROUTE: LUDERITZ TO WALVIS BAY ADVENTURE
Background:
The discovery of diamonds in 1908 around Kolmanskuppe resulted in an uncontrollable diamond rush forcing the Government to establish the “Sperrgebiet” between 26-degree (Gibraltar) and the southern border stretching 100-kilometer inland. Prospectors were forced to turn northwards beyond the Sperrgebiet. This resulted in the discovery of diamonds at Spencer Bay in December 1908 and between Meob and the Conception Bay area (Diamond area no 2). This resulted in a total of 5000 diamond claims being registered in 1909 and hopeful prospectors tried their luck at Saddle Hill and Spencer Bay and via Swakopmund and Sandwich Harbour southwards towards Meob Bay. However, the small yields of diamonds from these claims resulted in only a few prospectors in the long term being successful.
Transporting of supplies and mine equipment was effected mainly from Swakopmund by ship and the cutter Viking via Sandwich Harbour, Conception Bay and Meob Bay. Various shipping casualties occurred, such as when the Eduard Bohlen intend to off-load mining equipment, was consequently lost at Conception Bay (1909). In the area between Conception Bay and Meob Bay the mining settlements of Holsatia, Charlottenfelder and Grillenberger was established and no form of engine-driven transport was available during the first 15 years. One sample of an oxwagen fitted with special wide iron bands to make transportation in sandy areas is visible north off Grillenberger. This wagon and surfboats at Meob Bay are examples of pre-World War I historical relicts depicting the immense difficult pioneering days in those inhospitable desert conditions.
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During 1912/1913 a light railway from Conception Bay to Conception Water and an 80-kilometer pipeline linking the settlements were constructed. It is not totally clear as how many pre-fabricated buildings were erected at the various settlements and only the foundations of some of these are today still visible.
In November 1914 all persons in this area were requested to stop operations and to proceed to Swakopmund up country. This order came as a result of an expected invasion of allied troops. During 1920 activities recommenced in this area and only four companies operated in this area until De Beers purchased one after the other concession area in 1929. From old mining records it is clear that the average diamond found in this area was much smaller to those found south of Luderitzbucht. Operators made use of hand-operated movable sieve jigs, of which some are still visible today at the old mining settlements and were largely dependent on an Ovambo labour force. Namaqua Diamonds for instance employed between 500 and 600 Ovambo’s under contract. They were distributed in gangs of 50 over the extend of the mining area.
In 1932 the price of diamonds dropped considerable and almost all known diamondiferous ground has been worked over at least once. The small diamonds left in the tailings of earlier workers made productions uneconomic.
After World War II a company Industrial Diamonds of South Africa (1945) Ltd. conducted extensive prospecting in the Meob area in which no diamonds were recovered and CDM also abandoned Meob Bay in the early 60’s.
Today only some remnants of the activities are visible and are deteriorating at an alarming rate. There are a limited quantity of hand-operated mining equipment left, two surf boats at Meob and ox-wagon north of Grillenberger giving some in-sight into the hardships endured by Indigenous Namibians and Early settlers to Namibia.|
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Saddle Hill became well known in Namibian diamond operations through the efforts of the remarkable Mose Kahan. The unsinkable Mose was born in Konigsberg, Prussia and after emigrating to South Africa where he became involved in prospecting and mining. His application for a concession in Diamond area no 2 were successful and he named his claims Saddle Hill Ophir and Atlantis. To reach his claims with food and mining supplies, Kahan had to make his way through shifting dunes with transport available in those years, which was indeed a hazardous undertaking. After World War II Kahan bought some Ford “stopneus” lorries from surplus war stock, fitting them with Dakota DC3 aircraft tyres. With these low-pressure aircraft tyres he was able to bring supplies and equipment to Saddle Hill. However one of these lorries, nick named Suzie, had unfortunately to be abandoned in the dunes, today still awaiting the return of a repair crew. Likewise a Bulldozer, pulling trailers with supplies and equipment close to the Uri Haugab Mountains.
THE TRAIL
The adventure starts at Luderitz were the group assembles at
18h00 the evening before at the Luderitz Yacht Club or Hotel Zum
Sperrgebied, for dinner and briefing before venturing into the
dessert the next day.
Participants have to organize their own accommodation at Luderitz.
ITENIRARY:
Day 1
After backtracking for about 30 km on the Luderitz to Auss main
road it is time to say goodbye to tar roads, starting an
adventure of a lifetime. On day one we pass the “stompneus” Ford
and camp close to Suzy.
Day 2
On the second day the trail leads north past Suzy and the
Bulldozer, before crossing in into the dune belt on the way to
Sylvia Hill. For the next couple of days participants will
experience camping under the desert sky in true expedition
style.
Day 3
Dunes are getting progressively higher and driver experience and
skills acquired during the previous 2 days will be tested and
honed to perfection. We are camping on the beach.
Day 4
The dune belt opens up at Meob bay and it is in this stretch
between Meob Bay and Conception Bay that were active diamond
mining during the early 1900’s. The Settlements of Holsatia,
Charlottenfelder and Grillenberger are visited on the way.
Day 5
From Holsatia the trail leads to Conception Bay and along the
beach northwards towards Sandwich Bay. On the route the wrecks
of the Eduard Bohlen & Shawnee are visited. Passed “ Langewand”
were massive dunes ends in the sea, given a very limited time
span to negotiate this stretch of beach. After Langewand the
trail once again leads into the dunes, circumnavigating the Salt
Pans “extensions” of Sandwich Harbour. The dunes are still
getting progressively larger to offer an ever changing new
experience of ultimate dune driving. The night is spend
approximately 1.5 kilometers from the sea, close to Sandwich Bay
at the Sandwich camp.
Day 6
From Sandwich Bay the trail enters the “Roller Coaster”, a
series of massive “roaring” slip faces, not only giving the
participants a new thrilling experience but also offering
breathtaking views of Sandwich Harbour and a panorama of
Sandscapes exiting onto the beach south of Walvis Bay. The trail
ends at Walvis Bay after a final 50 kilometer stretch of beach
driving.
Day 7
This morning after breakfast we bid the Topnaars fare well follow a panorama of Sandscapes exiting
onto the beach south of Walvis Bay. The trail ends at Walvis Bay at about 10:00 after a final 50km
stretch of beach driving.
Included:
- Communication radios for all the participating vehicles.
- Meals
- Tea / Coffee and fruit juices is only supplied with the
meals.
- Communal camping equipment (braai grid, cooking facilities
& equipment, tables, washing up facilities, showers, etc.)
Now you can say that you have seen more of this beautiful country!