May 2025

En route to the Namibian border

Oh yes, I know, we all want to get to the Namibian part of this series and see all the beautiful places that Berto and I visited. But you know me ā€“ getting there is part of the experience, and I want to show you the beauty along the way.

So, let’s quickly cover the 660km/410 miles from our home just outside Cape Town to our first overnight stop at the border between South Africa and Namibia.

After we drove through thick fog for the first half an hour – which is usually the case between the farms in this area during winter – we were greeted by a lovely sunrise.

Beautiful early morning view on the road

We usually prefer the back roads on our road trips, but because we had such a long way to drive in just one day (and really wanted to get to Namibia), we chose the N7 highway. This is the national route in South Africa that runs from Cape Town northwards to the Namibian border at Vioolsdrif.

The N7 highway

Piekenierskloof Pass, south of Citrusdal, is one of the most picturesque and easiest passes to drive along the N7 highway. The first road through these mountains was built in 1858 by the renowned South African road engineer Thomas Bain. However, in 1939, a new road was started which, due to the interruption of World War II, was only completed in 1958.

View from the top of Piekenierskloof Pass

After a brief stop in Clanwilliam to purchase a tire pressure monitoring system for our bakkie, we drove further. (By the way, this is a very important system to have installed on your vehicle’s tyres when you are going to drive long distances on dirt roads).

Just after Vanrhynsdorp, about 81km/50 miles further, we turned off at a picnic spot along the main road to enjoy breakfast.

There are many picnic spots along the N7

We made hamburgers at home and ā€œbraaiedā€ chicken fillets over the fire the night before to take as *padkos. We also had “droĆ«wors”/dried sausage and fruit.

(*You might remember that I’ve explained this term in previous posts: “Padkos/Road food is an essential element of a road trip if you are a South African”).

Our ā€œpadkosā€

Our breakfast view

After we entered the Namaqualand district, we knew that the border of Namibia was not far anymore. Namaqualand is the area where both Berto and I grew up, and it’s always with nostalgia that we travel on this road.

Garies, one of the small Namaqualand towns along the N7

The Cape Namibia Route in Namaqualand

When we drove into Springbok, the main town of Namaqualand, we decided it was time for lunch. From there it was only 116km/72 miles to Vioolsdrif, our final destination for the day.

Lunch at Springbok Lodge & Restaurant

Springbok Lodge & Restaurant has been in Springbok for many years and is a favourite place for us to enjoy a meal when we pass through this town. I didn’t even think twice about what to order – my favourite dish, Bobotie was on the menu!

My favourite dish, Bobotie

I just want to quickly show you our favourite childhood drink. Berto especially thinks he has enjoyed Cream Soda Float at the Springbok Lodge & Restaurant at least 100 times (or more). I’m not sure if it’s also known in other countries, but the soft drink Cream Soda with ice cream is a wonderful memory for many South African kids and something we still enjoy, even though weā€™re now over 50!

Cream Soda Float

After we had filled our tummies, we covered the last stretch to the border of Namibia. However, we just had to stop one more time along the way to take in the beautiful plains – beauty we would see regularly over the next couple of days.

Long and straight road to Namibiaā€™s border

Pulling off the road to enjoy the views

Lovely views close to Vioolsdrif

Kwelanga River Lodge, Vioolsdrif:

Vioolsdrift is a tiny town on the border on the southern side of the mighty Orange River. We booked accommodation at Kwelanga River Lodge, 6km/3.7 miles outside Vioolsdrift. Most of the river resorts suffered flood damage after the recent heavy rainfall. Basically, it was only the first 3 river resorts that were not seriously affected, of which Kwelanga River Lodge is the third one on this route.

Dirt road along the Orange River towards Kwelanga River Lodge

Kwelanga River Lodge offers both camp sites and chalets. We chose to spend our first night in the comfort of a chalet and were very impressed with this accommodation.

Our chalet

Inside the chalet

There is also a pub where guests can enjoy drinks, as well as lunch and dinner. Upon our arrival late in the afternoon, it was still 33Ā°C/91Ā°F and we walked over to the pub for a cold beer. Although the pizzas that the guests ordered smelled and looked delicious, we preferred to make a fire and enjoy a ā€˜braaiā€™.

Pathway leading to the pub

Camp sites on green grass

Pub and swimming pool

Kwelanga River Lodge is on the banks of the Orange River – very convenient because they also offer river rafting trips. However, this was an activity that was currently on hold because the river was too dangerous after the heavy rains. We enjoyed the sight of this river – filled to the brim with floodwaters.

On our way to the Orange River

The mighty Orange River

The floodwaters are busy receding

After watching the sunset, we walked back to our chalet and made a fire. With the sound of rushing water, crickets, and frogs, we looked forward to the next few days in Namibia.

Sunset and our first fire on this trip

The next morning, we got up early to see the sun rise over the Orange River. I remember this from a very young age and it remains one of the most beautiful sights.

It was time – Namibia was waiting for us on the other side of this river.

Sunrise through the trees

Beautiful sunrise over the Orange River

But first we have to go through the border post and then drive a stunning dirt road along the Orange River on our way to LĆ¼deritz – we will tell you all about this in our next post (read here).