| It's a 1500km drive from Cape Town to Windhoek,
and the most stressful stretch of the road is 'Getting out of
Cape Town'. This is a beautiful city and has a good freeway
system. However, there are certain factors you should consider. If this is your first visit to
South Africa, you will be driving on the left-hand side of the
road and there will be quite a few unfamiliar road signs.
Driving standards are relatively poor by 1st world measures, and
often aggressive. You know that when travelling on freeways and
approaching your designated exit you must get into the correct
lane well in advance in order to avoid being trapped in the
ongoing traffic streams. Look for the Milnerton exit. The signs to the N7 are good, so get
prepared. South Africa is the car Hi-Jack centre of the world -
you must not pull over onto the hard shoulder, especially if
driving on the N2 that runs between Cape Town and Somerset-West.
Personal
Safety Warning - Please read:
 |
 |
|
| To Piekenaarskloof: Once you are clear of
Cape Town you can settle down on the long road north. You
will cut across the Swartland. There's a good "Padstal"
(roadside shop) near Picketberg where you can buy the local
dried fruit and nuts and Swartland wines. About 170km out will
climb up Piekenaarskloof. The view looking backwards towards
Cape Town is awesome, so if you have chance to pull over into
one of the small lay-byes near the top, do so, and try to
imagine the early Trek-Boers with their ox-wagons, sometimes
having more than 30 oxen in harness, labouring
their way up a narrow mountain-side pass and you'll get a bit of
an understand as to why the Afrikaners are so passionate about
South Africa, their pioneer history, and the roll they played in
developing this beautiful and rugged country.
To ClanWilliam and the Dam: The drive then takes you
through the citrus fruit growing area with vast irrigation
schemes and the Sederberg Mountains to the east. About 225km out
and you drop down towards ClanWilliam where one of the great
dams that supply Cape Town's water is situated. The area is a
favourite with Capetonians and very picturesque, and there is a
resort and camping areas by the lake.
To Vanrhynsdorp and the Matzikama: About 300km
out and you arrive at Vanrhynsdorp, a small roadside town over
which looms the massive Matzikama Mountain. The landscape
running north of here is a barren pebble strewn plain known as
the Knersvlakte (the gnashing plains).
To Springbok and the Border: About 560kms out and you
arrive at Springbok. You will have noticed the rise in
temperature, and now you are ready fro the long road that drops
down towards the Orange River and the Border with Namibia.
Vioolsdrif is a small settlement on the south side of the
river, while opposite in Namibia lays Noordoewer. The road sign
sign 'tells' you it's another 825km to Windhoek.
Travel
Documents: You must ensure that your travel
documents are in order before leaving your country of residence. Namibia
Immigration Officials are very strict regarding the validity of travel
documents. Should your passport expiry date, or VISA particulars not comply
with the requirements of the Immigration Control Regulations, you may
find yourself being detained and then placed on the next available flight
out of the country.
Please read more ►
|
