Etosha and Oilifantsrus camping Namibia @4xoverland

Рет қаралды 18,172

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 99

@rrrandommman 4 күн бұрын

Andrew, you are one of the most underrated nature filmographers of our generation, framing, timing, the understanding that you don't need too much talking and careful selection of gentle music. Safe journey mate.

@JasonParkers Ай бұрын

Wow. Those rooms looked quite fine. Hard to imagine what you expected, lol. And you had to walk on rocks? Awful.

@Herbstfalke_Naturfotografie Ай бұрын

Yes I was irritated by this as well. It is sad to see, that the percentage of rants in those videos is increasing. Slowly I do not enjoy them anymore.

@BubblesTheCat1 Ай бұрын

Even Jeremy said he'd rather sleep in his rooftop tent🤭 That says a lot. The place is probably not too bad for locals and South Africans that's used to mediocre accommodations, but at the ridiculously high prices targeting foreigners, I would be outraged. It looks like a boarding school for boys. Even a reformatory. 😠

@railworker8058 Ай бұрын

It’s not the accommodation you pay for, it’s the location.

@Shingwedzi70 Ай бұрын

Having to deal with corrugated roads, then getting to camp and your very comfy room doesn't have a path to the front door - what next??? And the very expensive wrap got ruined 😢😢

@andreolivier9208 Ай бұрын

@@Shingwedzi70 🤣🤣🤣

@thebuffalooverlander Ай бұрын

Have to agree with you about Etosha, and, whilst we love Namibia and will return again and again, we will not ever return to Etosha. It’s almost as though they have a no-care, arrogant , milk the foreigner type attitude without offering any semi-decent value for money . I thought it was just me, but thank you for seeing it too, and saying it out loud 👏

@BubblesTheCat1 Ай бұрын

They're only interested in foreign visitor with the pounds and dollars. Same with Table Mountain cableway. It's ridiculously expensive for locals. I'd rather walk up the stupid mountain. 😠

@andreolivier9208 Ай бұрын

😂😂

@patvillagemotorcycleclubhu1904 Ай бұрын

There is nothing worse than going to a waterhole and sitting quietly just taking in the natural sounds of the bush and someone pitches up with a camera clicking away constantly, makes my piss boil 😡 I think it’s worse than French tourists racing around 😂

@XynxNet Ай бұрын

Regarding the road conditions. They graded the roads a short time after your visit. Visited ~1-2 month later and they were mostly great.

@4xoverland Ай бұрын

Lots of locals were complaining bitterly about the roads. They has been severely neglected by the minister, who I heard was hauled over the coals just before we arrived. They must have done something.

@patrickohara1653 Ай бұрын

I went to Etosha in 2014 and 2022 - The difference was quite stark. I think though that the Park took a massive hit during covid and hopefully will recover.

@brucebeath9548 Ай бұрын

Hi I have just returned from Etosha (15 Sep to 20 Sep) and I have to agree with some of your points and disagree with others. I found the roads to be bad. I agree they are not as well maintained as roads outside of the park (Croads), Namotoni Fort is totally run down and all shops within the fort has shut down. The game viewing was however fantastic at the various waterholes, and we loved the stay. we saw a lion kill and him feeding on a wildebeest for the whole week, leopard. hundreds of elephants (especially two huge ghost elephants, completely white from the dust) all the buck species, scavengers and something I had never witnessed before, warthog feeding on a blue crane. We had a wonderful experience and will be doing it again in 3 years' time. I wish I could share some photos.

@ndafarachaitezvi1139 Ай бұрын

Awesome and outstanding as always.Thanks for sharing and taking us along.

@NickfrNamibia Ай бұрын

that is definitely not a chalet you showed us at Okaukuejo. That is the dbl room option. Chalets are self catering with a braai or the other option is the newer chalets around the waterhole. I recommend booking a bush chalet when staying at Okaukuejo. But yes the rest of what you said is unfortunately accurate at moment.

@deriusnorris4463 Ай бұрын

Thanks for the video. Etosha has a lot of traffic. Ouch. Stunning pics it is beautiful. The sound of the cameras clicking is actually deafening. FYI Saw your rig yesterday. It looks even better in real life😊. They seem to be rather busy on it. Safe travels

@philiphite6118 Ай бұрын

Love your company, but didn't expect such a negative attitude towards Etosha National Park. You will not know that the French tourist were the ones who carried us through Covid, why go off on them? You stayed in the type of unit in Okaukeujo that's usually booked by bus travelers, they spend the minimum time in the room - in and out - what did you expect.You market all your stunning photos of Etosha on the one side and on the other hand, you bluntly discouraged the world not to visit Etosha, in effect Namibia. Do you really expect that you should have the whole Park to yourself? You come across as selfish and without understanding of Namibia and it's culture and nature. Even if the roads are bad and facilities not up to standards, your dismissal of Etosha as a destination is beyond me. You owe us an apology. I didn't expect this from you. Speak to locals to discover the real Namibia.

@4xoverland Ай бұрын

I've visited Namibia about 15 times. So I have many points of comparison. It has deteriorated severely in many ways, especially the badly run park called Etosha. I did speak to several locals and every one had complaints, mainly about the roads and the fact that StarLink is banned because the government officials own their telecom companies and don't accept competition. Not even my international roaming sim would work. And why should anyone apologise for their opinion? That only happens in maxist states.

@4xoverland Ай бұрын

Can I suggest you read the comments here. I'm not wrong about the neglect. If Namibia's culture is about abusing tourists by taking their money and providing shoddy service in return, then that's not what it used to be. Only by pointing this out on a public forum can things change for the better. I hope they do. But until they do, I won't be back. Sorry if this hurts your sensibilities about your homeland.

@ASD-vw9ph Ай бұрын

@@4xoverland the room which you have booked is a standard double room (cheapest room there), not a bush chalet, not a family chalet, not a waterhole chalet, and not a premier waterhole chalet, which are right by the waterhole (hence the name), and by booking these ‘waterhole chalets’ you wouldn’t have needed to walk 300m (not half a km, let’s be honest) to the waterhole with your heavy equipment. Great that you’ve been to Etosha 15 times, because I’ve been to Etosha at least once a month every month for the last fourteen years. In that period, I’ve seen the number of tourists to Etosha grow exponentially, and with the constant punishment that these roads suffer from tourists such as yourself and those that you despise, it’s no wonder that they’re in the state that they are in even though they DO get graded often (I know it’s shocking). The ‘Locals’ that you mentioned speaking to are either people that don’t visit the park on a regular basis, and just love to complain about everything (we know those all too well); or those that probably live in the park, but don’t contribute in any way towards the improvement of the road infrastructure in the park, and just complain. Not really credible sources. I’ve followed your channel for many years Andrew, but with all due respect the rants nowadays are becoming of a rather crappy old man, I’m sorry. I’m in no way saying that Etosha is pitch perfect, and I do agree that the infrastructure needs improvement, that said it’s no worse than some of the roads in Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.

@4xoverland Ай бұрын

You are making excuses for the overall deterioration of the country's infrastructure. Excuses gets nobody anywhere. But making people aware of an issue, often does. And I'm not talking about Botswana or Zambia! I'm talking about Namibia - and what it used to be and what it is now. Just because one is bad at something, doesn't excuse others also being bad.

@4xoverland Ай бұрын

We have having a discussion. But the next time you insult me as part of your argument, respect or not, you're out of here.

@BenvanderWesthuizen-h9j Ай бұрын

Thanks Andrew! Your videos are good and very insightful, I've learned a lot from you thus far. Please do continue to film when you get stuck - The viewers can learn from it. Ignore the haters. Haters gonna hate. Also, thank you for promoting Southern Africa so much, you're really helping to show how beautiful our part of the world is. P.s. Would like to see more of Jeremay on your channel.

@Perspari Ай бұрын

Beautiful enviornment, reallly enjoying the trip videos. Bummer dont have poptop troopy to sleep in.

@mikenortje3023 Ай бұрын

Was in Etosha in May - roads super corrigated thought my car was going to rattle to pieces - camp ablutions need serious upgrades - was disappointing

@doyle4140 Ай бұрын

Wow Andrew that was a good one!! Have to say,you are bloody Good at what you do

@NorthWoodsAmbient Ай бұрын

I loved Etosha

@placesweexplore Ай бұрын

What a great show. Amazing wildlife 😊 carry on with filming and storytelling greetings from Germany 🇩🇪

@frank6277 Ай бұрын

nice views on that waterholes , especially at nicht with the lichts on .Amazing al that wildlife .

@railworker8058 Ай бұрын

@@frank6277 your G doesn’t work?

@jjdupz Ай бұрын

Agreed! You can be glad you did not stop at the public toilets next to the road... absolutely disgusting!

@BubblesTheCat1 Ай бұрын

@@jjdupz 🤮🤢

@josh3221ify Ай бұрын

@@jjdupz public toilets next to the road 😂, last time I attempted that was 20 years ago

@troopyinafrica Ай бұрын

OLIFANTSRUS CAMP is the best in Etosha. We stayed there in 2016 already and as I recall there were no formal sites yet. We could simply picked a spot in the long grass. Great stop off on route to Epupa falls. Girls 8&11 at the time loved the hide with the ramp. And enjoyed going downstairs to water leave to see the elephant drinking. Etosha has its place in the Namibian Tourism landscape. Yes there are better, but for some this will be there only glimpse of this kind of place. Not everyone is blessed like us to have a Troopy to go anywhere😜

@LarryThomas-w6w Ай бұрын

So sad to learn that nothing has changed at Etosha. The staff (at most Namibian Wildlife Resorts) are at best indifferent and at worst arrogant. There is so much Namibia has to offer. Just a pity the supposed jewel in the crown is a lump of coal. Loving the series of videos.

@whiteunicornDR659 Ай бұрын

I really wish you had of filmed the ‘we didn’t break the key, the key broke…there is a difference’ conversation 😂

@jeancaetan9124 Ай бұрын

Thanks for the video Andy. Shame that Etosha was a dissapointment. Hey keen to here the latest on the Pipistrel.

@greenestmachine71 Ай бұрын

Have to say that Etosha is a major disappointment. Count your blessings that you didn’t use the campsite at Okuakuejo. It was a crowded dustbowl with little or no shade and very few abolitions. Olifantsrus…well after a long drive. We didn’t even bother to unpack. Decided to leave and ended up staying outside the park at the wonderful Hobatare community lodge. As you said, Namibia has many treasures that are much much better than Etosha.

@BubblesTheCat1 Ай бұрын

Exactly. Etosha is like a veld school for schoolchildren

@mozartheart2958 Ай бұрын

I like the room.

@ontjamba Ай бұрын

Your right about accommodation establishment in the park, roads are atrocious, lots and lots of tourists (to many for the park size) with no ethos! And pathetic staff in restaurants. Food reminds me of my days at boarding school!

@justbecauseitis Ай бұрын

So, to confirm - what you were expecting (in your 4x4 vehicles), was manicured roads, pristine natural beauty and animals (with no other tourists). On top of that, accommodation where you break a key and you don't have to pay 10USD for them to bring in a new lock and replace the old one (probably from a few 100 kilometers away) - all while using the area to make money from your video's - and making money from selling your photographs from that area. Sounds fair.

@4xoverland Ай бұрын

Eh? I've been to Namibia probably 15+ times. I know it extremely well, from its northern borders to the Orange River. I've driven the sand seas of the Naukluft and Spiergabiet. I've wild camped in the desert elephant areas. I've written books about self driving in Namibia. I've consulted to 4x4 rental companies in Nambia. Namibia has changed. Don't shoot the messenger.

@gavinsmith28 Ай бұрын

So sad - Etosha was on my bucket list of places to visit

@NorthWoodsAmbient Ай бұрын

I thought it was phenomenal!

@markyeadon7271 Ай бұрын

If it’s on your list then you need to go. Just don’t expect Shamwari or helpful staff.

@gavinsmith28 Ай бұрын

@@markyeadon7271 😂

@flightofthecrowswing Ай бұрын

The video of the Rhinoceros reflected in the water was really cool! Is it less expensive to travel in Namibia than Botswana?

@4xoverland Ай бұрын

yes. Especially in the Okavango where lodge prices are absurdly high, and it isn't even the locals that own the lodges. Its mostly South African companies. ripping tourists.

@flightofthecrowswing Ай бұрын

@4xoverland great information! Thank you sir!

@wburger2178 Ай бұрын

Having been to Namuntoni and Okaukejo years ago just after they had been revamped, and what a state they are in now comparatively, it is truly sad to see them now. Great for the private lodges, though.

@leenderdhoutzager9389 Ай бұрын

I also stayed in that camp, was rubbish packed up and went to families farm that borders Etosha, Etosha won't see ne again

@robertnoon Ай бұрын

Just an FYI Andrew as you might not be aware, I ordered some merch from your store last Month (29th August) and am yet to receive. I contacted your supplier (Spring) and they have advised there is no eta on when my order will be processed and sent. Is this normal to wait this long? Thanks, Rob

@Hightop_troopcarrier Ай бұрын

Very disappointed with the quality of the hoodies

@normanvictor1081 Ай бұрын

NWR ........ Namibia worst resort Etosha park is big sometimes they are up north and sometimes south. As guide i had bad trips and amazing ones. Timing its all about timing

@satishpatel5260 Ай бұрын

TWAHLUMBHA too MR ANDREW'S ADVENTURES, SAFARIS OFF AFRICA 🌍 👏 BEST yours 'ADVENTURES too AFRICA 🌍 CHABWINO 👌AWESOME 👍🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉👉🌍👍

@shaunozs1ra92 Ай бұрын

I don't mind if the rooms are clean and the price is fair. Etosha has become very expensive and run down. I could not believe that even though it's a government institution the Namibian National Flag flying at the gates and camps are torn and frayed.

@MikeSage-hv3hz Ай бұрын

Olifantsrus, elephants' rest, is a euphemistic name for what was once an elephant abattoir. Dolomite Camp further to the West is magnificent with permanent tents perched on a hill. Each tent has its own bathroom and small pool. "Sprokieswoud" is the Fairy Tale Forest, not a ghost forest. It is a forest of Moringa trees. We love Etosha.

@GloriaKorend Ай бұрын

I prefer Etosha to Kruger. Namibia' s gravel roads are far superior to most of SA's tar roads. I found I could do 120kph (with 4 adults and trailer) quite easily. Did 8000km mostly on gravel. What do visitors expect - tar and 5 star accomodation. Might as well stay at home. And walk on rocks- did you expect pavements. Stay at home and go to a safari park.

@4xoverland Ай бұрын

@BubblesTheCat1 Ай бұрын

@GloriaKorend Driving at 120 km/h on gravel roads is not the brightest of idea. Perhaps hard packed one's, but definitely not with loose gravel and rocks. Spare a thought for someone coming from the other direction as well. Don't shatter their windscreen with stones and cause them to stop because they can't see where they're going.

@4xoverland Ай бұрын

Driving at 120 km/h on gravel roads is a terrible idea and why one of out 5 rental vehicles in Namibia are involved in single vehicle accidents. These are actual statistics and the reason for the consult I did with Namibia tourism in 2014. 80kph is the max on gravel. Many rental companies how have tracking devices that monitor speeds on gravel roads and penalise users who exceed these speeds.

@BubblesTheCat1 Ай бұрын

@4xoverland To be honest, I think 120km/h on gravel is extremely irresponsible, downright dangerous, and insane. And with 4 adults and a trailer? Beyond stupid. Almost all roll over, and loss of control accidents on gravel roads are caused by excessive speed. I personally avoid gravel roads in my car (sedan), not because of danger, but I firmly believe corrugations and the subsequent shaking and rattling buggers your car up. It puts heaps of unnecessary wear on your vehicle, suspension components, and causes your car to develop rattles. Drove a newish Isuzu KB (company vehicle 🤭) reasonably fast and without mechanical sympathy on an extremely corrugated road on the Cape West coast for about 200 km, and the whole tray came loose. All the bolts holding it to the frame just fell out😊 Thanks for your experienced opinion 😁🙋🏼‍♂️

@IDesertcrawler Ай бұрын

I think the complaints regarding the Etosha roads and the Okaukuejo rooms is exaggerated. If you compare the roads of Etosha and the Roads in Botswana, Zambia or even parts in SA, they are on equal footage. I have never ever seen a grader in Botswana, but hey thats ok because its wild. If you take the lifespan of a gravel road, the cost of re-building and maintenance, you may revise your criticism. If you want well maintained roads and infrastructure, you will have to pay. That said, think a little what that would do to the entry fees. Maybe a 1000US a day would be a start. Another point regarding the campsites. Complaining that it is a dust plain is legitimate. BUT, if you know a little about water quality and plant growth, you will understand that lawns or any plants for that matter, do not grow well with saline water. Maintenance, yes you have a point. But unfortunately, TIA. Irrespective, I still enjoy your content. Happy traveling

@4xoverland Ай бұрын

I'm not talking about Botswana or Zambia! I'm talking about Namibia - and what it used to be and what it is now. Just because one is bad at something, doesn't excuse others also being bad.

@Treetopflyer777 Ай бұрын

Wow. Lots of hate here. I really quite enjoyed it

@4xoverland Ай бұрын

hate or disappointment? Two very different meanings.

@Treetopflyer777 Ай бұрын

I think I wasn’t clear at all when I posted my comment. I was referring to the hate in the comments. Not your disappointment in the park… your disappointment seems quite justified. I really enjoyed the video I meant 👍🏻

@ianwatson3315 Ай бұрын

All those cameras clicking would annoy me.

@andrewilles4235 Ай бұрын

Sorry - you have totally missed the point of Etosha. Sad you are spreading such rubbish. You do know better.

@NorthWoodsAmbient Ай бұрын

Yeah I absolutely loved it there

@antonburger01 Ай бұрын

I was in Etosha earlier in the year, and I was very disappointed with the maintenance of the facilities. Guys, I am a born and raised Namibian who now live in RSA. My parents and siblings all still live in Nam, and I will always be a Namibian, I visit about once a year. But we cannot always expect raving reviews of places in our country when government doesn't maintain it. Just because the review is harsh, doesn't mean it's not true. It's an honest review, and perhaps the powers that be need to listen and think about it. I mean, how do you even expect a guest to pay N$200.00 for your keys that break!?! That's shocking! Indeed, the key broke because it's probable worn and certainly the park should carry the cost.

@warrenwhitehead7813 Ай бұрын

You wonder why people judge you so harshly well its because you judge so harshly, your filming is ok but there is much better stuff on KZbin , how does that feel mmm

@4xoverland Ай бұрын

then watch them instead.

@BubblesTheCat1 Ай бұрын

@@4xoverland 🤭😆

@johnvaneeden1455 Ай бұрын

TIA Andrew !

@mabhutanafumbata4113 Ай бұрын

05:18 The zebra put an end to the rant

@simmysharma6845 Ай бұрын

😊👍

@railworker8058 Ай бұрын

It’s not the accommodation you pay for, it’s the location.

@BubblesTheCat1 Ай бұрын

@@railworker8058 Well if the location is so wonderful, they should do something about the accommodation. There's many other wonderful locations WITH wonderful accommodation included.

@4xoverland Ай бұрын

Don't be fooled. Its both. Namibia is one of hundreds of wonderful places to see. And a wonderful place without comfort isn't going to attract repeat visitors. I for one will not be back to stay at a government run lodge in Namibia.

@BubblesTheCat1 Ай бұрын

@@4xoverland Imagine having to go to a government run hospital in South Africa. That's the stuff nightmares are made of. And I don't blame you for complaining about Etosha. They should up their act, especially since people are paying a lot. 😠

@railworker8058 Ай бұрын

@@4xoverland Well, thank you, Andrew! I see your point. If the option is to camp comfortably or be stiffed, then I’m with you. When I was in Etosha in the early nineties, there weren’t many lodges anyway. We certainly never used one and camped every night on the ground in a canvas outfitters tent which was a pain in the arse to assemble and rip down as a daily chore. The thick canvas gave us faint hope of lion proofness, although not being on the food chain helped a lot more. My point is that if one wants to explore a potential of majesty, then sometimes one might need to think laterally and invest. But, to your excellent observation, if you can explore and avoid being exploited, so much the better. We’re headed back to Etosha probably next Fall after we’ve done the South Pacific and Japan. We’ll be sure to heed your advice.

@peteroberts12 Ай бұрын

I find it sad that you criticise Etosha so much, I understand that not everyone has the best experience, but my wife and I loved it there, I think the global pandemic had a massive effect on businesses and enterprises, so to tell people not to visit because you didn't enjoy too much is really self defeating, if tourist don't visit (French or otherwise)then a downward spiral occurs, if you didn't like it then fine, but it's not going to get better if there's no money coming in

@stavros_katsopr Ай бұрын

Aha... French.... I'll just leave it there.

@bernardmulobi82 Ай бұрын

🤣

@andreolivier9208 Ай бұрын

Why so negative about Etosha?

@4xoverland 29 күн бұрын

it used to be amazing. But watch the video to get your answer.

@lizowilliam013 Ай бұрын

Still cringe at hearing that beautiful creature being called a "zeebra" lol

@BubblesTheCat1 Ай бұрын

@lizowilliam013 What do you want it called then? A striped donkey? Kwagga, perhaps?

@lovelight-fromearth2991 Ай бұрын

This guy comes to Africa and talks a whole bunch of 💩about the continent. Maybe stay in Australia👍🏼 Andrew you have missed the point of Etosha

@markyeadon7271 Ай бұрын

You do know he grew up in RSA, did many trips through Southern Africa and even ran a lodge in the delta ?

@4xoverland Ай бұрын

@BubblesTheCat1 Ай бұрын

@lovelight-fromearth2991 If Andrew says something is good, you can take his word for it that it's good. When he complains about a place, he most probably has a very good reason to.