Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting There & Away
BUS
Several weekly Intercape Mainliner (
Click here
)
buses make the seven-hour trip between
Windhoek and Rundu (fares from N$380). Book your tickets in advance online, as this
service continues on to Victoria Falls and fills up quickly.
Combis connect Windhoek and Rundu with fairly regular frequency, and a ride
shouldn't cost more than N$250. From Rundu, routes fan out to various towns and cities
in the north, with fares costing less than N$40 a ride. Both buses and combis depart and
drop off at the Engen petrol station.
CAR & MOTORCYCLE
Drivers will need to be patient on the road (B8) to Rundu from Grootfontein. It's in good
condition but passes by many schools where the speed limit drops suddenly - fertile
ground for speed cameras.
KHAUDUM NATIONAL PARK
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Exploring the undeveloped 384,000-hectare Khaudum National Park is an intense wilder-
ness challenge that is guaranteed not to disappoint. Meandering sand tracks lure you
through pristine bush and across
omiramba
(fossil river valleys), which run parallel to the
east-west-oriented Kalahari dunes.
As there is virtually no signage, and navigation is largely based on GPS coordinates and
topographic maps, few tourists make the effort to extend their safari experience beyond
the secure confines of Etosha. But that is precisely why Khaudum is worth exploring - as
one of Namibia's most important game reserves, Khaudum is home to one of only two
protected populations of lions, and it's the only place in the country where African wild
dogs can be spotted.
In order to explore the reserve by private 4WD vehicle, you will have to be completely
self-sufficient, as petrol and supplies are only available in towns along the Caprivi Strip.
Water is available inside the reserve, though it must be boiled or treated prior to drinking.
Tracks in the reserve are mostly sand, though they deteriorate into mud slicks after the
rains. As a result, NWR requires that parties travel in a convoy of at least two self-suffi-
cient 4WDs, and are equipped with enough food, water and petrol to survive for at least
three days. Caravans, trailers and motorcycles are prohibited.
