10 WAYS TO BE A SMARTER AND MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS OFF-ROADER:
DID YOU KNOW? The collective group names of seals are either a pod, bob, harem, herd or rookery. For example: “Would you look at that massive bob of seals!”
of their visit. Every night’s campsite was unique, and so was every dune they took on. They continued floating over these lofty dunes, stopped at a few of the approximately one thousand shipwrecks dotting Namibia’s coastline and, with well-timed precision, navigated the narrowing stretch between the Atlantic and the Lange Wand (Tall Wall) before the tide could curb their throughway. They followed in each other’s tracks, and followed the directions of their guide, at every possible opportunity. They encouraged each other through thick sand and a probe from Simon for them to ’commit’ helped them up those steep inclines, all the way to their final destination of Walvis Bay. How lucky we are to be able to completely immerse ourselves in the splendour of Namibia. With adrenalin coursing through our veins and the beauty of the land warming our hearts, it is easy to believe in magic when you’re engrossed in a wonder such as the Namib Desert. TNN CYMOT Windhoek is home to the Greensport 4x4 Offroad Centre, which specialises in the fitment of 4x4 vehicles for any off-road need. Get kitted out for your own 4x4 adventure and stock up on camping gear while you’re there. Be completely self-sufficient on your next voyage into Namibia’s largely unexplored places!
MAIN BRANCH WINDHOEK
Mandume Ndemufayo Avenue +264 61 295 7000 info@cymot.com www.cymot.com
1. Stay on the tracks – it takes nature a long time to remove the scars of new tracks that you leave behind. 2. Use your 4x4 – you prove nothing if you try to see how long you can push your car forward on a rough track by staying in 2×4. 3. Check your route – off-road courses often call for inspection so that you can decide on the best route ahead without straying from the existing path and getting stuck in tricky situations. 4. Slow down – the only terrain for which you really need speed is high dunes. Otherwise slow down, take your time and enjoy the environment you’re exploring. High speeds on gravel roads are one of the main causes of corrugation. 5. Use your gears – when heading down steep climbs, use your gears and not your brakes. Low range and a slow pace are the saving grace for inexperienced drivers who tend to overuse brakes. 6. The importance of water – remember where you are when you go off-roading in namibia. A dry desert country calls for hydration and your most important asset will be water if you experience a breakdown somewhere remote. 7. Tyre pressure – make sure that your tyre pressure is correct for the specific terrain you are on. Wrong pressure levels damage your tyres and the environment and often make for a very uncomfortable drive. 8. Seatbelts save lives – never be under the misconception that just because you are not on a main road you don’t have to wear your seatbelt. Cars roll and accidents happen off-road all too often in Namibia. 9. Handbrakes were made not to be broken – for applying some of the tips above you might need to leave your vehicle, often on an incline. Be sure to put on your handbrake instead of taking chances with a potential runaway. 10. Petrol or diesel: an age old dilemma – though the choice between a petrol or diesel vehicle is a personal preference and a decision you would have made long before hitting the dirt road, it is worth taking into account that in many African countries diesel is more readily available than petrol. You shouldn’t have a supply problem in most parts of Namibia, but taking extra fuel along is never a bad idea.
TRAVEL NEWS NAMIBIA SUMMER 2016/17
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