Camping in the Northern Cape

Join me for some great scenery, camping / overlanding and a bit of drama as I visit the Northern Cape!
I visited Witsand Nature Reserve, Khamkirri, Augrabies falls, Riemvasmaak, Die Houthoop, Namaqua National Park, Starwors, Gannabos quiver tree forest, Verneukpan, Melton Wold, Camdeboo National Park, Valley of desolation, Amanzi private game reserve
This episode is sponsored by Lacie: bit.ly/385XLF1
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#camping #southafrica #northerncape

[@GetOutGO]

Lot's of driving on this trip, in retrospect I should've perhaps stayed at fewer places for longer. Still saw some great (and not so great) places so come along for the ride!

[@jamestwine8452]

Thank you for making it Easy for us as first timers and for us Preparing to Visit Places. You make it so easy with your honest comments and Advice !!!!!

[@Eric-cs2xf]

Merci, merci d'Afrique

[@seamus9750]

Your honesty is much appreciated with regards quality/pricing etc

[@GetOutGO]

I try to be fair but I also have to call it as I see it

[@walkerbay6373]

Always enjoy your uncensored reviews!

[@TheOverlandLegend]

Real overlanding is about adventure and discovery and you sure had that on this trip. Many are too scared to do trips like this but that’s how you discover new places. Thanks for the video

[@GetOutGO]

Agreed, you’ll win some, you’ll lose some but ultimately it’s about the adventure!

[@eugeneaylward6657]

Your input into places with continuous commentary highly appreciated.. :)

[@violearn]

Thanks for telling it like it is. Honest reviews like yours are much needed. Nice to see some new country. I would love to see the wildflowers in their peak.

[@GetOutGO]

Definitely going back to see the flowers sometime. Will be a lot busier but wort it I think

[@qswedasf]

NC is one of my true gems. Even though I recently moved out of SA for work - I return just to go overlanding in the NC.

[@4WheelingSA]

Great video Christoff! Northern Cape is a special place for me. A pity about some of the campsites. Next time you should also stay at Klein Pella.

[@GetOutGO]

Thanks Henk. Agreed! Even though I had one or two bad experiences, it’s still stunning scenery wise!

[@cristianebrahimovich9080]

thanks Bro. glad to see what SA looks like in Northern cape

[@paulninjahowson5790]

Love the videos christoff, life is all about adventure and your certainly living it, well done sir

[@GetOutGO]

Thanks Paul!

[@kefilwetobedzani3185]

Awesome

[@thapelomachaba9492]

your content inspired me a great lot Chris. Please keep doing it, we need to really get out and go explore in particular our beautiful landscapes in RSA

[@GetOutGO]

Thank you Thapelo, much appreciated!

[@Venture2Roam]

I have to get to S. Africa. This looks amazing. Such crazy terrain. Well done Christoff!

[@GetOutGO]

Thanks Will! It’s a beautiful country, and I’ve only started to scratch the surface. You’re welcome anytime, you just get over here and we’ll sort the rest! 🙂

[@daniefourie1936]

Chris you came through my valley without stopping for coffee. I live in olifantshoek and I'm a fellow overlander like yourself and here's a ton of more places for you to explore and enjoy here. Thanks for all your info on your adventures, you've helped me a ton throughout your episodes. Enjoy Chris!!💪🏼

[@GetOutGO]

Thanks Danie! Beautiful part of the country so I’m keen to find better campsites here!

[@daniefourie1936]

@@GetOutGO I'm sorry that you had a few negative experiences with the campsites here, it really can impact a trip especially for a first experience. If you want a good stopover try Boegoeberg's Swartstomp campsite. It's private and good for some fishing. Usually my weekend getaway spot. No power though and only a portable toilet, so best to be self sufficient whilst there. If you'd want some advice on other places here and some 4x4 routes we can speak on Patreon. Enjoy💪🏼

[@GetOutGO]

@@daniefourie1936 Thank you! Will definitely give you a shout if I'm going to this part of the world again. My wife wants to see the flowers as well!

[@daniefourie1936]

@@GetOutGO Sounds great, it's a spectacular sight! You guys should enjoy it. I'll be waiting!!

[@louisedickinson8883]

Thank you from the UK .

[@GetOutGO]

My pleasure Louise!

[@sm5970]

Thank goodness for you, I know to avoid the Shtholes.

[@GetOutGO]

Yup, real pity as I think it used to be a nice place 🤷‍♂️

[@sizwezwane823]

Love the Northern Cape it’s quite not too much traffic you get to enjoy the sites. We stayed at Witsand, Twee Rieveren and Augrapies which was flooded when we were thee in April , also visited Riemvasmaak hot springs. Total trip was 3500km…definitely going back.

[@Paul-RSA]

Looking forward to another good one!

[@craigwatt8698]

Awesome, thanks Christoff.

[@GetOutGO]

My pleasure Craig, thank for watching!

[@secdetau]

looking forward to seeing some great places, as the better half and i are planning a trip from Uganda to Cape Town in late 23 early 24

[@WildlifeObsessed]

Dang ! Been upstaged. Doing Nairobi to CPT, starting 13th Aug 2022 & super excited.

[@secdetau]

@@WildlifeObsessed 😁😁

[@walkerbay6373]

Map sets have caught me out more than once! I love the N. Cape desolation but I do find some of the camp sites really lacking in facilities and maintenance. I tend to stick to wild camping or SANParks.

[@GetOutGO]

After this trip my recommendation will be the same! 👍

[@gertzaayman154]

love die "hart ketel"

[@GetOutGO]

Classic nȇ? 🙂

[@lockinghubsadventures]

Stunning stunning. Jam packed episode. Awesome Chriss

[@GetOutGO]

Thanks Boet!!

[@lockinghubsadventures]

@@GetOutGO 😁👍🏻

[@TheDuffalo66]

Thanks Christoff for the honest reviews. We are on our way to the Northern Cape and West Coast in August/September so a useful review for us! Verneukpan is all about camping in the middle of the pan so it was unfortunate that you couldn't experience it! One of my most memorable camping experiences although it was on a motorbike and a tent.

[@GetOutGO]

Thanks Dale! Hope you have a great trip!

[@tommyhartvig5495]

Looking forward to this video as im planning our NC trip for December

[@eugeneaylward6657]

Enjoy watching your footage ;)

[@GetOutGO]

Thanks Eugene!

[@corneliusngoetsana4918]

Man thank you for showing a different side of south Africa . . Makes me tear to see such a beautiful country

[@GetOutGO]

Thanks Cornelius!

[@nielenvanheerden7116]

Awesome video and very beautiful part of SA, epic sunsets, dry landscapes and reviews as always. 👍👍😊👌

[@GetOutGO]

Thank you!

[@rendanimudau9861]

Great episode, enjoyed every minute. Well done 👏🏽👏🏽

[@GetOutGO]

Thank you!

[@ilankotzin3104]

Awesome video, Chris! Keep them coming....

[@GetOutGO]

Thank you!

[@michael5265]

Fantastic content Chris and good shots of Augrabies, last time Esther and I where there we watched 2 viewing platforms go under and get destroyed. When we went through the Northern Cape it reminded us of the Northern & North Eastern Flinders in South Australia where I grew up. Glad the rain didn't spoil. Cheers 👍😃

[@GetOutGO]

Thanks Michael!

[@mikekay213]

Great episode and honesty. Waiting for your ikamper 1 year review

[@GetOutGO]

Thanks Mike! I’ve upgraded to the 3.0 in the meantime. I’ll still do a video on what my experience was with the 2.0 and the differences between the two.

[@mikekay213]

@@GetOutGO Looking forward your review is what's holding me from pulling the trigger on the more expensive 3.0

[@michaelgarlickmovies]

Once again, great adventures and very informative.

[@GetOutGO]

Thanks Michael!

[@leonfouche8470]

Another excellent trip report, thank you!! Love the Northern Cape, so much to see and do (and avoid…). Thank you, enjoyed this!

[@GetOutGO]

Thanks Leon!

[@sarelalberts8890]

Thanks for sharing Christoff .Must go to Starwors and Gannabos .Enjoy

[@GetOutGO]

Thanks Sarel! The people at Gannabos are really friendly and the quiver tree forest is a must see!

[@sarelalberts8890]

@@GetOutGO Christoff may I ask what is the songs name you played on your way to Cambedoo nat park ? Really nice song .

[@GetOutGO]

open.spotify.com/track/6UvowkoDMgh2L5BMH8eXCM?si=dYRqdU7JRhOiej9IOoEc7g

[@ChrisPitt123]

great vid chris. maybe you should head to Nelson Mandela bay next with the rain that keeps following you! You are right the northern cape is desolate but a charm of its own. The Star Wors campsite is indeed pretty funky!

[@GetOutGO]

Yup, I should change my job to rainmaker it seems… Starwars is very quirky but I like it a lot! Thanks for watching!

[@deriusnorris4463]

Another excellent production with really good info. Glad the rain didn't follow you to far. Vernuikpan looks really sad I will probably wait till I can wild camp there. So many places just miss the bus. At brandvlei there is also Casablanca camping for a stop over. We doing a bit of a round trip (FS NC and back to WC) soon too. Love this country. Thanks Boet. Travel safe.

[@GetOutGO]

Thanks Derius! Enjoy your trip!

[@TonyNelsonCamping]

"Lekker Chris" I'm finding meaningful inspiration here! Love your storytelling as always. #vatvas

[@GetOutGO]

Thanks Tony!

[@AidanRIR]

Thanks for the vid! Next time stop into Mountain Zebra National Park, it's a beautiful park with stunning scenery and nice driving routes.

[@GetOutGO]

My pleasure! Will definitely still visit Mountain Zebra, just ran out of time (and steam) at the end of this trip 😉

[@JonathanBydendyk]

Starwors for the win

[@robertharold2503]

Great video..always inspiring

[@GetOutGO]

Thanks Robert!

[@shaunmoller2997]

Thanks Christoff for tip on Garmin GPS waterfall next level thanks vir lekke episode Noord Kaap epic

[@GetOutGO]

My pleasure Shaun!

[@Me-show7]

Great adventure ☺️☺️

[@GetOutGO]

Thanks for riding along!

[@haroldtonydube4566]

Very nice.. 👍✌️

[@GetOutGO]

Thank you!

[@de3301]

What an epic video. You got me totally hooked. I will definitely do a similar trip soon. Can one do the Namaqua national park along the west coast with a typical bush caravan like an Infanta Inkula 3 or a Bush Lapa?

[@GetOutGO]

Thanks! There are some thick sand sections but yes you’ll be find with an off-road trailer / caravan, I saw a few there. Just remember to deflate your tyres and keep your momentum through the sandy sections. You’ll see there are little signs indicating which lanes to take as well.

[@magicworldbyjorg]

..cool video keep up the great content.. Thank you…

[@GetOutGO]

Awesome, thanks!

[@magicworldbyjorg]

@@GetOutGO Thank you very mutch... have a nice Start of the week.... see you….

[@divergentus]

You know when you get to the roads with lots of gates that you really are off the beaten track and it's probably best not to expect too much in the way of well-prepared and well-managed camp sites, but there are those that make the effort and are proud of the little camp sites they have created and opened for camping. You should add a "GO!" and "No-GO!" rating to the sites you visit as there's clearly a few that stand out and deserve mention and support. I remember traveling 2 days to Ponta Milibangalala years ago after they had just re-opened the Mozambique Elephant Reserve and the tour leader only managed to clear a space behind the dunes for camping. As we parked and climbed out to stretch our legs we were met by clouds of welcoming mosquitoes that rose from the grass to attack us. My wife jumped back into the Disco and we came close to doing a 3-pointer on the spot back to Joburg. Having a plan B for those no-go sites is essential, even if it's a muddy salt pan...great video again Christoff, if you were in a Series 2, you could have used the radiator grill for a braai grid 🙂

[@GetOutGO]

Thanks Max! I do make note of problems (and compliments) on my campsites map on Patreon. Tanks again for watching, much appreciated!

[@WildlifeObsessed]

Name of the Pass in Namaqualand NP …… Planning to visit in early Oct 2022.

[@GetOutGO]

There isn’t a mountain pass inside the actual park, closest pass is near Kleinsee, Spektakel pass.

[@Pieter-b1n]

Nice tyers

[@GetOutGO]

You mean tyres? They’re crap actually, I won’t ever buy KO2’s again.

[@susanforsan3478]

Gannasbos is verseker 'n wonderlike ervaring!

[@GetOutGO]

Mal oor die plek en die mense!

[@schalkcompaan1273]

I think you would have enjoyed your caravan more on this trip 🙂, Especially at some of the places where you had to sleep.

[@GetOutGO]

Me too, I wouldn’t enjoy the fuel consumption though… 😉

[@schalkcompaan1273]

@@GetOutGO True, but you would have been less annoyed by campsites operating below par. Really enjoyed your honest reviews. Keep it up

[@zuhairmobara7348]

great video christoff which gate did you enter from at the namakwa sanspak there is two one at the skilpad office and one at garies planning a trip there end of September to see the flowers and wouldnlike to know what the conditions of the roads are an if you used 4x4 while there

[@GetOutGO]

Thank you! I entered at Hondeklip bay. Least confusing entrances are Skilpad or Groenrivier. You get a map at the gates that's pretty good, otherwise use Tracks4Africa (on your Garmin or paper map). The roads are generally corrugated and you definitely need a 4x4 for the soft sand sections. Speak to the SANParks office at Namaqua, they're very helpful! Also have a look here; www.sanparks.org/parks/namaqua/tourism/get_there.php

[@zuhairmobara7348]

Thanks 😊

[@oerknol]

Eish, and I booked at Verneukpan for 2 nights in September! I like your camp chair Christof, can you share some details please

[@GetOutGO]

Unless they do a serious cleanup I would definitely give the Verneukpan campsite a skip. The chair’s from NatureHike www.naturehike.co.za/collections/chairs-stools-seats/products/high-back-folding-moon-chair

[@AkhonaNgquba]

Can you camp at Amanzi? I have always wanted to go there but I am no longer a fan of chalets and fancy rooms. I live in JHB but come from Bloem and my parents and siblings are there (spent 5 years in Brandfort).

[@GetOutGO]

Yes they have campsites. They’re pretty good but they ran their generator during loadshedding and all the diesel fumes blew into the camp, not great!

[@WildlifeObsessed]

Best way for us to get up-to-date Info on Namibia/RSA Border X’ings - after Fish River Canyon in Oct 2022 ? Thnx.

[@GetOutGO]

Join the DriveNam group on Facebook; m.facebook.com/groups/1271493566273949/about/

[@jacoklopper1733]

Christof - hope you are great! May be a silly question but when following Tracks4Africa on the Garmin - are you not worried that you cross into private property or has is been designed in a way that you do not do so? Thanks for the great footage and channel!

[@GetOutGO]

Thanks Jaco! T4A will usually state if roads are private / locked gates / permits required

[@GT-tg4fv]

what is your tire and rim spec?

[@GetOutGO]

265/65r17

[@rynoopperman5010]

NC and no wild camping? - Sacrilege 😉

[@GetOutGO]

Yup, clearly that’s the way to go 😉

[@OliverBechmann]

I know you have your sense of humour, so I was astonished about your criticism of the Verneukpan campsite. First of all: Verneukpan of course is about the pan and not the campsite... The campsite is in awful condition, no doubt about that. But we found that this is a place as in one of the "Star Wars"-movies, some lost & forgotten planet out there. It was so weird, and we liked this kind of weirdness... so we enjoyed the campsite and the pan itself as well, this very strange mood/atmosphere... And, btw, the woman in charge of the campsite ("Elise") seems to be never(?) at the farm (we've been there twice; only the kids of the caretaker there)... but she doesn't care obviously if you pay or not... so no fuss about the campsite. Anyway, shower & loo are not usable, but who cares - just use the bushes for the latter. The wind sooner or later is everything blowing to pieces. ;-)

[@GetOutGO]

I loose my sense of humor when I’ve traveled far, paid money for a campsite and then arrive to a rubbish dump and the smell of feces (not to mention getting attitude from the absent owner). As I mentioned, I couldn’t stay on the pan either as it was wet (which no one informed me of prior either)

[@vanrooyendavid]

It appears these South African camping sites are highly overrated. Avoid at all cost.

[@GetOutGO]

I wouldn’t say that. I just struck it unlucky with some sites on this trip. Gannabos, StarWors and Namakwa NP were great as I mentioned. If you look at my other videos my reviews are 99% positive

[@reneconnan4322]

Pretty harsh about some of these camp sites. Definitely won't be doing these places witch are probably struggling already any favors with your reviews.

[@GetOutGO]

I was actually pretty reserved in my comments of some of these places. If they’re struggling surely they should get the basic right, no? They charge good money for these campsites and people travel very far to camp here. I call it like it is

[@wesselwessels3829]

I think you should rather stay in Gauteng where you belong. Rather focus on the environment and spectacular views you rarely shared. When going of the main routes one should be prepared to look after your needs rather than to blame owners of facilities who are still recovering from Covid impacts on their Cash Flows. Let's rather support them without critising them with end reult of less visitors due to bad comments on social media

[@GetOutGO]

Really? So charging people that have travelled thousands of km's money and then not providing the basics such as cleaning up rubbish and toilets and providing water, that's because of covid cash flow issues? I do a lot of work to help market places most people have never even heard of. I almost never post negative reviews but in this case the lack of care to the issues raised more than warrants it. Would you rather I say it's amazing and then you get there and it's terrible?

[@lungelomathenjwa1477]

Nxa, maybe you should stay off the internet and crawl back underneath whatever little rock you crawled out from! Chris' reviews tell it like it is 👍