S1 - Ep 235 - Vioolsdrift - A Village on the Banks of the Orange River and on the Border of Namibia!

I was very excited to take the gravel road from Alexander Bay to Vioolsdrift and was so disappointed to realise that we couldn’t. The locals told us that it was in a very poor condition and that it would damage our vehicle. So the right and safe thing to do was to hit the long road back to Port Nolloth and then go to Vioolsdrift, because I just had to see this place and I had been looking forward to it for so long. Once again we could see a huge change in the landscape and I truly loved it here. The beautiful dusty and what we thought was the Seven Sisters Mountain Range on the green banks of the Orange River with vineyards all around made for a truly phenomenal setting. Driving along the corrugated gravel road which separated these mountains from the river made us realise how insignificant we really are. A feeling of absolute amazement overtook me as I was standing on the edge of the cliff looking over the magnificent Orange River! It was worth every kilometre of the long trek to get there. #DustBugs #adventuretravel #southafrica #southafricavlog #travelongravel #vioolsdrif #vioolsdrift #namaqualand #northerncape #orangeriver
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[@stefanusrheeder4162]

The landscapes are STUNNING.

[@DustBugsTravel]

100% agreed! The natural beauty in this area is stark, but magnificent! 😍⛰️

[@hannesvanniekerk499]

There's no way to thank you enough for a fabulous trip. Curtis and Sonia, you are wonderful and so was Vioolsdrif. Brings back many childhood memories traveling to South West Africa.

[@DustBugsTravel]

I thought you may be very familiar with this majestic place! 🤩 We were quite speechless at the natural beauty of the rocks, cliffs and of course the river. We shall be back one day and will also cross that very alluring bridge to the other side! 🇿🇦🇳🇦

[@johanweakley2658]

You guys make a great team. Your videos are like a kind of escapism, something great to watch to restore some normality in the crazy, rushed world we have to contend with every day. Thanks for the effort you put into this.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you for your kind words, they mean so much to us! 😊 We're very happy to hear you view our videos as some sort of escape from the harsh realities of everyday existence. Our mission has been accomplished! 😁🚗

[@desh7120]

That’s an accurate description of how I also feel about your channel!

[@fireandicewine]

Fantastic. The Dust Bugs have brought into my TV a hidden desert. Thank you

[@DustBugsTravel]

You're very welcome! It was an absolute pleasure to bring this beautiful place into your home. 😍📺

[@nombee3]

Been Living in the UK for 32 years, these videos definately make me want come back to SA for an extended visit.

[@DustBugsTravel]

I'm glad our videos make you homesick. 🇿🇦 I hope 2023 will be the year when that extended visit turns from dream into reality. 🤩✈️

[@mariusroos4146]

Excellent. I know that area well and could catch up with the old days. Thank you once again. The area has it own character. I love it

[@DustBugsTravel]

Yup, an overload of character if you ask me. I'm glad our video reminded you of special times in this special area. I'm glad you hopped on board again! 😁🚗

[@rozneilson8696]

Wow such stark beauty. What a magnificent trip. Thank you.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Stark is the perfect word to describe the natural beauty in this area. And it's breathtaking! ⛰️🤩

[@stefanusrheeder4162]

Shakes ......you are working damn hard on getting videos out. thanks my friend.

[@DustBugsTravel]

We travel hard and we work hard. Oh, and we edit hard! 😁🚗 And loving every second!

[@doneB830]

That dropping down to the river on that great road is magical, and your. Photography is excellent.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you, much appreciated! 😊 Magical is a very apt word to describe this place and its surroundings, it was indeed that way! 🤩🚗

[@1812nico]

Hi you two! Thank you for this truly amazing trip. I agree that those huge rock formations makes one realize how insignificant we are. Rocks, river and blue skies together makes one realize how happy we can be. I'm so glad you took the advice on the safety of the roads - please always do that to Keep safe!

[@DustBugsTravel]

Glad you also thought the rugged beauty of this area was stunning! It took our breaths away more than once! I might take the odd chance on a gravel road which is not in fantastic condition, but when you talk 100km+ with no cellphone signal, that's not a chance I'm willing to take. We got to see Vioolsdrift in the end and that's all that mattered! Glad you came along! 👌🏻🚗

[@tpmash]

OUR company services the Violsdrift border residents for DPW. I didn’t even know how the married and single quarters look like 😅! When they need repairs they call us and we dispatch engineers. Thank you guys ❤

[@DustBugsTravel]

Well, now you have a picture in your mind of where you're dispatching engineers to. How cool is that! 😁🚗 Thank you for taking the trip with us!

[@seanchallenge]

Absolutely awesome 👍 we thoroughly enjoyed your trip. The landscape is beautiful. At the beginning of Vyfmylpoort it reminded us of our trip between Sani Pass and Black Mountain in Lesotho. Thank you from the Pinetown Coffeebugs 😎

[@DustBugsTravel]

Great to hear from you again! 🙋🏼‍♂️ I'm glad you enjoyed this episode. We've never been to Lesotho, but it sounds beautiful if it's anything like the magnificent cliffs at Vyfmylpoort. I've always wanted to drive the Sani Pass and will have to make a plan one day to do just that. ⛰️🚗

[@sannamagranna6552]

I fell in love with the rock formations of the Northern Cape last year. Breathtaking.

[@DustBugsTravel]

And I don't blame you one bit! 😁 We did too, they are truly spectacular! 🤩⛰️

[@annawitter5161]

Wow! Stunning landscapes! My late husband did the Orange River boat trip years ago and said it was the hottest he'd ever been and the worst sunburn. Really enjoyed the rock formations and lovely river scenes. Took a few screenshots for possible paintings.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Hot it is and there's no denying it! 🥵 I can imagine those rock formations and river scenes making some pretty cool paintings. 😎🖼️

[@flodillon991]

Loved those mountains in the distance and then the 5mile pass, spectacular speaks for itself no words needed. Awesome those rock formations couldn't believe what I saw. The river all that water wow. Thank you so much for this episode just loved it.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Absolutely stunning scenery in this part of the world with the river, the rock formations and of course those cliffs! 😍⛰️ We were chattering away as we'll always do, but so much of our sound was lost and I just had to choose the most dramatic music I could find for Vyfmylpoort. That stretch of road was particularly beautiful in its starkness. We're glad you took the drive with us! 🚗

[@barberton3695]

You made it to Frontier Lodge - well done!👏 The road is really terrible, for many kilometers, even in a big car with big tyres you feel the corrugation. Beautiful footage of the cliffs 💕

[@Afriqueleblanq]

Kwids are designed and built for the rough. Suspensions articulate well. If the wheels were 16" or so, the ride would even have been more pliant. Larger cars don't nevessarily drive better. Size yet again does not really matter.

[@DustBugsTravel]

@Barberton We did! 😁 I was hoping you get to see this video and am so happy you enjoyed our footage of the cliffs! 😍⛰️ We don't often talk about it, but we very often get stopped by the drivers of some of those big cars with big tyres you're talking about and they ask how we are coping with our small car with small tyres. 😉 We then answer honestly as we always do, depending on the specific condition of the specific road. Very often, when on a really bad road, they struggle too. They may struggle a lot less, but especially on this trip through Namaqualand, a good few of them just shook their heads when we asked them about the roads. We're no strangers to corrugation on gravel roads, but it was next level in this area. And sanity has to prevail. 🤷🏼‍♂️🚗

[@Afriqueleblanq]

A true traveller always travels in his heart. Sometimes, his body is fortunate enough to also step outside. But if your heart doesn't travel always, then you're just an occasional visitor, or a random tourist. Maybe a commuter, yet no traveller. Travel resides in the marrow of your bones indeed.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Our hearts and our minds are always travelling, whether we're on a remote gravel road somewhere on in our office at home. 🚗

[@desh7120]

I love this!

[@deonzar]

Yes you can be lucky you did not try that gravel road to Vioolsdrif with your "rent-a-car 4x4".. 🙂but the scenery on that road would have had you in awe all the way. Glad you got to see the rock formations. There are very nice places to camp along the Orange River. Vioolsdrif is officially one of the hottest places in South Africa; on 27 October 2015 a maximum temperature of 47 °C. Done that border crossing many times. Enjoy...I am sure I will be surprised again when I am back in 2 weeks time. You and the wife really makes a lovely team.

[@Afriqueleblanq]

Goodhouse, De Hoek, Worcester, Durban and Musina all saw 50+ measured on Stevensons. Goodhouse topped sixty in the 1930s.

[@deonzar]

@@Afriqueleblanq Wow...that is hot....

[@DustBugsTravel]

@DeonKotze Nope, I know my limits and those of the Kwid, so I heeded the warning. I was up for the 200km+ trek anyway, as long as we could reach Vioolsdrift. It was cooking on the day we were there and what was amazing to us, what that the temperatures can drop right down to 2C in winter! One would never say that, given how hot it gets in summer! 🥵 Thank you for your kind words, we appreciate. Travel safe and we see you again when you return. 👌🏻🚗

[@Afriqueleblanq]

@@deonzar In Worcester, the tarmac often melted. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@charlietreston4035]

Hi guys the scenery was magnificent and a surprise to see the police accommodation top notch the way through the hill side And the river comes into sight amazing the campsite the accommodation spot on brightened up a rainy winter day thanks for the video cheerio till the next one

[@DustBugsTravel]

The landscapes in this area were beyond spectacular and we found ourselves in awe the whole time we were there! I'm so glad you thought the stark cliffs and rock formations were also beautiful! ⛰️ The accommodation at the riverside was fantastic and I can imagine spending a few days there and just relaxing on the banks of the mighty Orange River. We hope the rain has dissipated and that you'll have a little sunshine tomorrow. ☀️

[@seymourcpt]

Awesome!

[@DustBugsTravel]

Glad you enjoyed! 👌🏻

[@Afriqueleblanq]

People often say how "there is nothing" when asked about places ranging from Klipplaat to Pretoria, also Vioolsdrift. Your videos prove them wrong. I drool for playing with a good camera to capture those rock formations. Methinks you could put a Duster to good use.

[@DustBugsTravel]

We often refer to there being 'nothing' when looking at a particular landscape, but we merely mean utter desolation, which is spectacular in its own right. 'Nothing' in our travel vocab isn't necessarily a negative word. ⛰️🚗

[@patshes1951]

Fantastic drive on the pass thru the mountains.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you, it was such a special sight all through Vyfmylpoort. 😍🚗

[@verybiased907]

I may be wrong, but I do remember someone telling me they actually locked the police station over weekends in Vioolsdrift. This was many, may moons ago. It would be one of the oddities of many South African villages. Thank You for this nostalgic travel through Namaqualand.

[@DustBugsTravel]

How interesting! We were there on a Friday, so I wouldn't be able to say. 🤷🏼‍♂️ I would be surprised if that were the case though, judging by the activity at that border post. 👨🏻‍✈️

[@dorothyparker8328]

Time: 15h08. We are blessed with so many wonderful passes in our country. I’m also enjoying this one in Namibia.

[@DustBugsTravel]

That we are! 👌 I'm glad you liked our video of Vioolsdrift. You're very fortunate and blessed to live in such a beautiful country. 🇿🇦🇳🇦

[@desh7120]

I didn’t have a chance to watch this when you uploaded it, but my goodness, has it been worth the wait! I must add that I’m very impressed with the Border Police Department’s married and single quarters! Of course, the magnificent scenery is totally awe inspiring. I can easily imagine Curtis’s excitement - we’ve come to know it well.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Agreed, the living quarters were fantastic. 👌🏻 The scenery was absolutely breathtaking and unlike anything we've ever seen or experienced before. We felt pretty insignificant in the presence of those rock formations. 😊⛰️

[@terrimeyer3815]

Sho....nothing prepared me for this either. Totally amazing that suddenly there is this amazing place at the end of all that brown flat space. So now I want to go there as well. 🤗🤗🤗🤗. I must say you are doing amazing voice overs on this trip. You made it that you dont notice it. But ja Sonja would of loved to hear Curtis....look at this!!!!!! as he came over the hill.....lmao . Ugh you guys 💕💕🤩🤩😍😍💕💕

[@DustBugsTravel]

The rough and rugged beauty of this area was not only unexpected, but surreal too. I'm glad you thought so too! ⛰️ Thank you for your comment about the voiceovers. 😊 It's really not our vibe, since we're such in-the-moment travellers, but when our equipment fails us without us realising it, we have to deal with it somehow. 🤷🏼‍♂️ I hope you get to Vioolsdrift in person one day soon, you'll love it! 😍🚗

[@boerplaas388]

Rowwe plek daai . Not for the faint hearted. Moet seker vreeslik warm word daar. Ek sal die hele dag in die rivier sit om af te koel. 😂

[@Afriqueleblanq]

Today Potjiespram is the hottest place in SA, at 38°C. It is near Sendelingsdrif. Goodhouse has the highest temp ever recorded in SA, with a Stevenson apparatus. Sad to see Grünau misspelled on a road sign, likely due to mispronunciation. The rock desert is enticing and alluring. I could easily live there.

[@boerplaas388]

Ek hoor Sutherland is die koudste plek in Suid Afrika . Ek het al gekyk vir huise daar. Mooi plek ook .

[@DustBugsTravel]

@Boer Plaas It was actually a pretty hot day when we were there, but by that time we had acclimatised to the Northern Cape summer heat and it didn't bother us that much actually! 😁We're glad you came to Vioolsdrift with us! 😎⛰️

[@Afriqueleblanq]

@@boerplaas388 Molteno Oos-Kaap koudste

[@boerplaas388]

@@Afriqueleblanq Ek sal gaan Kyk oplyn . Dankie 🙋‍♂️

[@bramprins229]

so beautiful

[@walterfick157]

We were 2014 in Vioolsdrift and stayed at Aquacade.Very nice stay ...👍

[@DustBugsTravel]

You must've had a fantastic stay, it's an exceptional area! It's time to head back in that direction! 😁🚗

[@walterfick157]

@@DustBugsTravel ...on my bucket list for this year 🚐👍

[@abongiledlova477]

Our country is beautiful, all the provinces, I have been to the Northern Cape once and I think I need to go there again because it's such a beautiful wonder. Amazing stuff in this video.

[@DustBugsTravel]

You won't hear a single argument from me on any of your points! 😁 The natural beauty in this area and in the province as a whole is next level and I hope you get to go and experience it again for yourself soon. You will love every scene and every moment! Safe travels! 🚗🇿🇦

[@ZukileFongoqa-id7cn]

wooooow desert side

[@ZukileFongoqa-id7cn]

november this year i am planning to visit namibia these videos are inspired me alot

[@toscabrutus1781]

Baie Mooi! Groete uit LIma Peru!

[@mythos5809]

Weirdly, I have no memories of that road and area even having travelled it many times. Heading for Karasburg/Keetmanshoop for school sport or backroading to Nakop border post for trips to the Transvaal. Have to go back there and check it out. Was intrigued to catch a glimpse of what looked like a Malamute dog - belongs in Alaska but can tolerate hot areas too. Great trip.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Great observation about the dog, I had that same thought. 🐕 No doubt that the temperatures can reach great heights there. 🥵 Interesting that you don't recall much about this specific area. All the more reason that you absolutely have to go back, it is in one word spectacular! 🤩⛰️

[@rorysullivan4913]

Vyfmylpoort is beeautiful. Looks more like Moordenaarskaroo than Lainsburg

[@DustBugsTravel]

Vyfmylpoort is indeed very beautiful, I could drive that road again and again! 🚗⛰️

[@ExpressionsPhotoSA]

Happy new year you two! Hope 2023 is filled with many adventures!

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you so much! 😊 We hope less work and more play for the two of you in 2023! 🚗📸

[@linettenaudevantaak8360]

It gets extremely hot there. Up to 54 degrees Celsius.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Yup, I believe so! 😳 It wasn't exactly cool on the day we were there, but I don't think we were nearing that territory, thankfully so! 🥵

[@justusbeets5130]

Fun fact. That small almost canyon like area,where you drove up the narrow road to "Lover's hill" was used by the British TV channel ITV to film the mini series Tutankhamun (starring Sam Neill and directed by Oscar nominated director Peter Webber) as a substitute for the valley of the Kings. Some other parts of Vioolsdrift also feature in the mini series.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Wow, super interesting that! We had no idea, thank you for the info! 👌 The natural beauty there is spectacular beyond belief, perhaps especially because of its starkness. ⛰️🎥

[@justusbeets5130]

@@DustBugsTravel It's a pleasure. I spend about 8months a year in Vioolsdrift. It's a shame about the road,i have a small bakkie and lost a few tyres there myself this past winter,so i completely understand when people,especially with smaller vehicles turn around. There are some great camp sites lower down and the view from Geelkrans is quite something. Hope you get a chance to see them one day.

[@danielmentoor4545]

I was there for work in 2014 the place is beautiful hoping to take my wife there one day

[@DustBugsTravel]

You must absolutely take her, she'll love it! The stark, rugged beauty of this settlement and its surroundings and of course the breathtakingly beautiful Orange River is something to behold. Safe travels when you do hit the road! 🤩🚗

[@franspistorius1886]

Another world compared to the previous one, thank you. Start to question your intro One World, Two People. Or should it be Two People, Different Worlds?

[@DustBugsTravel]

I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed checking out Vioolsdrift with us. Your suggested intro could work, I'll have to give it some thought. 🤔🌍

[@user-kr9lt6vz7r]

Pragtig

[@PetraMyburgh-vr1kj]

Oewerbos is ON the water. That is where they concentrate on river rafting.

[@frederick7128]

Next time go down the road past Frontier the beauty starts there but on tight down to Nababiep Nature reserve is stunning and you must remember all these village have a seperate village because of the apartheid days and is usually double or more the size of the actual village and very colourfull and interesting how the locals live zo for onstance Vioolsdrif bodorp is triple the size but as these bodorpe are usually hidden you do not see them so you missed the huge rock at least 4 double decker busses that broke of the mountain and stopped meters from the houses

[@PetraMyburgh-vr1kj]

Hier praat die hemele met jou. Het 23 Desember 2023 terugekkom. Vriende van ons is die eienaars van Oewerbos kamp.

[@ferdieortman6614]

Other side of river is namibia noordoewer 👍🇳🇦

[@neilarmitage6632]

I guess these small towns receive all their consumer products via trucks from the cities?

[@DustBugsTravel]

I would agree with that, yes. 🚚

[@swburger1306]

At 19:00 minutes, is that the Felix Unite accommodation?

[@DustBugsTravel]

No, it's called Frontier. The road was so bad, we didn't continue. Perhaps the accommodation you're referring to, is further down the road. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@kosievandenberg2145]

Die natuur spreek vanself. Geen kommentaar nodig.

[@DustBugsTravel]

While we agree with you and very often play music during nature scenes, there will always be commentary on our videos. 🙂 These videos are hard work and they're our memories of our travels and one day when we're older and greyer, we'd like to look at them again and be reminded of our whole experience, which would be pointless without the inclusion of our thoughts.

[@ZukileFongoqa-id7cn]

But guys is nice to have 4x4 car

[@warren6899]

Last year, December. I spent time at Orange river rafters lodge at Vioolsdrif. It was the worst experience of my life spent at a campsite, culminated with them using the very pump used to pump water for the campsite, being used to pump sewerage from the overflowing septic tank into the river. It was a frigging disaster NEVER AGAIN

[@DustBugsTravel]

Travelling, like everything in life, has its ups and downs, especially in remote areas like these. 🤷🏼‍♂️ Perhaps you should give Vioolsdrift another chance in the future, it may just surprise you! 😁🚗

[@user-kr9lt6vz7r]

Vyfmylpoort

[@Alanjw]

Absolutely majestic scenery driving through mountain pass and theme music again fantastic.😮