Coastways Tours is offering this adventure into the Namib
Desert between
Luderitz and Walvis Bay formerly known as “Diamond
Area no 2”
Places visited on the way include Silvia Hill, Meob Bay, Conception
Bay & Sandwich Bay. Desert wildlife, spectacular scenery, untouched
beaches, abandoned mining settlements, miles of sand driving and
shipwrecks are some of the attractions along the way.
Background:
The discovery of diamonds in 1908 around Kolmanskop resulted in an
uncontrollable diamond rush forcing the Government to establish the
“Sperrgebiet” between 26-degree (Gibraltar) and the southern border
stretching 100-kilometer inland. Prospectors were forced to turn
northwards beyond the Sperrgebiet. This resulted in the discovery of
diamonds at Spencer Bay in December 1908 and between Meob and the
Conception Bay area (Diamond area no 2). This resulted in a total of
5000 diamond claims being registered in 1909 and hopeful prospectors
tried their luck at Saddle Hill and Spencer Bay and via Swakopmund
and Sandwich Harbour southwards towards Meob Bay. However, the small
yields of diamonds from these claims resulted in only a few
prospectors in the long term being successful.
Transporting of supplies and mine equipment was effected mainly from
Swakopmund by ship and the cutter Viking via Sandwich Harbour,
Conception Bay and Meob Bay. Various shipping casualties occurred,
such as when the
Eduard Bohlen intend to off-load mining equipment,
was consequently lost at Conception Bay (1909).
In the area between Conception Bay and Meob Bay the mining
settlements of Holsatia, Charlottenfelder and Grillenberger was
established and no form of engine-driven transport was available
during the first 15 years. One sample of an ox wagon fitted with
special wide iron bands to make transportation in sandy areas is
visible north off Grillenberger. This wagon and surfboats at Meob
Bay are examples of pre-World War I historical relicts depicting the
immense difficult pioneering days in those inhospitable desert
conditions.
During 1912/1913 a light railway from Conception Bay to Conception
Water and an 80-kilometer pipeline linking the settlements were
constructed. It is not totally clear as how many pre-fabricated
buildings were erected at the various settlements and only the
foundations of some of these are today still visible.
In November 1914 all persons in this area were requested to stop
operations and to proceed to Swakopmund up country. This order came
as a result of an expected invasion of allied troops. During 1920
activities recommenced in this area and only four companies operated
in this area until De Beers purchased one after the other concession
area in 1929. From old mining records it is clear that the average
diamond found in this area was much smaller to those found south of
Luderitzbucht. Operators made use of hand-operated movable sieve
jigs, of which some are still visible today at the old mining
settlements and were largely dependent on an Ovambo labour force.
Namaqua Diamonds for instance employed between 500 and 600 Ovambo’s
under contract. They were distributed in gangs of 50 over the extend
of the mining area.
In 1932 the price of diamonds dropped considerable and almost all
known diamondiferous ground has been worked over at least once. The
small diamonds left in the tailings of earlier workers made
productions uneconomic.
After World War II a company Industrial Diamonds of South Africa
(1945) Ltd. conducted extensive prospecting in the Meob area in
which no diamonds were recovered and CDM also abandoned Meob Bay in
the early 60’s.
Today only some remnants of the activities are visible and are
deteriorating at an alarming rate. There are a limited quantity of
hand-operated mining equipment left, two surf boats at Meob and
ox-wagon north of Grillenberger giving some in-sight into the
hardships endured by Indigenous Namibians and Early settlers to
Namibia.
Saddle Hill became well known in Namibian diamond operations through
the efforts of the remarkable Mose Kahan. The unsinkable Mose was
born in Konigsberg, Prussia and after emigrating to South Africa
where he became involved in prospecting and mining. His application
for a concession in Diamond area no 2 were successful and he named
his claims Saddle Hill Ophir and Atlantis.
To reach his claims with food and mining supplies, Kahan had to make
his way through shifting dunes with transport available in those
years, which was indeed a hazardous undertaking. After World War II
Kahan bought some Ford “stopneus” lorries from surplus war stock,
fitting them with Dakota DC3 aircraft tyres. With these low-pressure
aircraft tyres he was able to bring supplies and equipment to Saddle
Hill. However one of these lorries, nick named Suzie, had
unfortunately to be abandoned in the dunes, today still awaiting the
return of a repair crew.
Likewise a Bulldozer, pulling trailers with supplies and equipment
close to the Uri Haugab Mountains.
Luderitz to Walvis Bay Adventure
THE TRAIL
The Adventure starts at Luderitz were the group assembles at 18h00
the evening before at the Luderitz Yacht Club or Hotel Zum
Sperrgebiet for dinner and briefing before venturing into the
dessert the next day. (Participants have to organise their own
accommodation at Luderitz)
Day 1:
After backtracking for about 30km on the Luderitz to Aus main road
it is time to say goodbye to tar roads, starting an adventure of a
lifetime. On day one we pass the ‘stompneus’ Ford and camp close to
Suzy.
Day 2:
On the second day the trail leads north past Suzy, and the Bulldozer
before crossing into the dune belt on way to Sylvia Hill. For the
next couple of days participants will experience ‘camping under the
desert sky’ in true expedition style.
Day 3:
Dunes are getting progressively higher and driver experience and
skills acquired during the previous 2 days will be tested and honed
to perfection. Camping on the beach.
Day 4:
The dune belt opens up at Meob bay and it is in this stretch between
Meob Bay and Conception Bay that where active diamond mining was in
the order of the day during the early 1900’s. The Settlements of
Holsatia, Charlottenfelder and Grillenberger are visited on the way.
Day 5:
From Holsatia the trail leads to Conception Bay and along the beach
northwards towards Sandwich Bay. On route the wrecks of the Eduard
Bohlen & Shawnee are visited. Passing ‘Langewand’ where massive
dunes end in the sea, given a very limited time span to negotiate
this stretch of beach. After Langewand the trail once again leads
into the dunes, circumnavigating the Salt Pans ‘extensions’ of
Sandwich Harbour. The dunes are still getting progressively larger
to offer an ever changing new experience of ultimate dune driving.
The night is spend approximately 1.5km from the sea close to
Sandwich Bay at URI Adventures’ ‘Sandwich camp’.
Day 6:
From Sandwich the trails enters the ‘Roller Coaster’, a series of
massive ‘roaring’ slip faces, not only giving the participants a new
thrilling experience but also offering breathtaking views of
Sandwich Harbour and a panorama of Sandscapes exiting onto the beach
south of Walvis Bay. The trail ends at Walvis Bay after a final 50km
stretch of beach driving.
Distances in km:
Luderitz – Sylvia Hill 320
Sylvia Hill - Fishersbrun 120
Fishersbrun – E Bohlen 140
E Bohlen - Sandvis Kamp 100
Sandvis Kamp – Walvis Bay 70
Luderitz– Walvis Bay 630
Essentials
The following items is mandatory for each participation vehicle:
• Spade
• Space for one stacker box with food that you will receive the day
of departure.
• 60 liters water ( of which 20 liters for kitchen use)
• Tyre pressure gauge
• Toilet paper & matches
• Plastic bags to carry waste (e.g. empty cool drink tins, etc)
• Brake fluid
• Gear oil
• Engine oil
• Fuses
• Spare V- Belt set
• Sufficient Petrol/Diesel to cover the distance – (see route map &
distances attached). Heavy sand driving conditions (+/- 3 km/liter
and +/- 5 km/liter consumption for larger petrol and diesel engines
respectively) will be experienced.
• Vehicle to be fitted with points to attach tow ropes both in front
and at the rear. NB!!
• Empty/Available lighter plug socket– to be used with Communication
radio
• All equipment and luggage must be strapped in and securely
fastened
• Vehicle must be loaded in such a way to ensure that the vehicle is
not “Top Heavy” – e.g. only light items, camping gear on roof
carriers
• 2 Large bags of firewood per vehicle and only 4 bags of charcoal
in the group.
• The trail passes through heavy dune area, which requires high
flotation tyres ("fat takkies").
Optionally:
Hi lift Jack & Q20 Spray
Extra Spare wheel (no 6)
Small broom
Small spade
Operator supplies:
• Communication radios for all participating vehicles
• Meals (Only Tea/Coffee and fruit juices supplied with meals)
• “Communal” camping equipment (e.g. braai grid, cooking facilities
& equipment, tables, wash-up facilities, Showers etc.)
All you need:
• Tent, folding chair & sleepwear (bedroll, tent etc.)
• Eating utensils (Cutlery, Plate, Bowl, Glass & Mug)
• Own snacks & refreshments (alcoholic beverages, cool drinks etc.)
• Torch & batteries
• Camera (extra films & battery)
• Sunglasses & Sun Tan lotion
• Clothing (very hot and very cold), Toiletries & towels.
• Prescribed medicine
• Small bowl or collapsible wash basin
Itinerary:
Overnight:
Day 0: Participants assemble at Luderitz (18H00) Luderitz (own
accommodation)
Day 1: Depart for Suzie (Old Ford truck) Dessert (Camp Suzie)
Day 2: Visit Bulldozer and St. Francis bay Dessert (Silvia hill)
Day 3: Depart Silvia hill towards Meob Bay Dessert (Meob erea)
Day 4: Visit “ghost” mining settlements on the way to Holsatia
Holsatia
Day 5: From Holsatia the rout leads via the E Bohlen, Conception
and Langewand towards Sandwich Bay Sandwich camp
Day 6: Last stretch of dunes (“Roller Coaster”) towards Walvis Bay
The prices include VAT and the levy per person
payable to the Government & Local communities.
Rates per person per trip, inclusive of Government & local
communities levy: on request
Adults: 6 days
(Prices are subject to change without prior notice).
BOOKINGS IN ADVANCE ARE ESSENTIAL! *Information provided by operator
offering this adventure into the Namib
Desert between
Luderitz and Walvis Bay formerly known as “Diamond
Area no 2” 
are examples of pre-World War I historical relicts depicting the
immense difficult pioneering days in those inhospitable desert
conditions.
ndustrial Diamonds of South Africa
(1945) Ltd. conducted extensive prospecting in the Meob area in
which no diamonds were recovered and CDM also abandoned Meob Bay in
the early 60’s.
