Namibia: Lodges, campsites, roads etc. closed due to rain/floods

Namibian tourism info source tourbrief has sent out some updates on the current rain/flood situation in Namibia over the recent days:

update: (29 Jan 2011): click here for updates from 29 Jan 2011 onwards!

update (27 Jan 2011): According to the Auob Country Lodge management their campsite has been closed due to flooding and will remain closed for several days depending on the rains. The lodge is still open. The roads leading to Auob Country Lodge are currently drivable.

update (26 Jan 2011): Please enquire with Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch concerning the road condition before departing for the lodge, because the D1268 is flooded in places. It is better to drive from Mariental to Bagatelle than from Kalkrand. The C49 (M125) is very wet and slippery. A 4x4 is required. Namushasha Country Lodge  access road has a sign posted detour around a flooded area. UPDATE: The Tsondab River has stopped flooding, so that travellers can now take the C19 between Solitaire & Sesriem again. Generally the C19 is in a rather good condition.

update (25 Jan 2011): The C43 between Sesfontein & Opuwo and between Opuwo & Epupa Falls is in some parts in pretty bad condition. Please drive this road only with a 4x4. Alternatively use the C35 to drive from / to Opuwo. The Huab & Aba-Huab Rivers (Twyfelfontein Area) have not flooded yet. Most roads in the area are in a relative good condition. UPDATE: Tsumkwe Country Lodge advises travellers that the C44 from the B8 turn off to Tsumkwe is very wet and therefor slippery. Several of the smaller roads around town are acutally in a very bad condition. A 4x4 is required. Pls be should be extremely cautious when crossing any flooded road. 

update (22 Jan 2011): The Löwen River is in flood and part of the C12 between Seeheim and Holoog, en route to the Fish River Canyon lookout point, cannot be used. Please drive the B4 from Keetmanshoop and turn into the  D545. The road bypasses the flooded area and re-joins the C12. thx to tourbrief for the updates!


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The Savuti Channel has flooded and the road from Kasane to the Okavango Delta is closed. Travel between Namibia and Victoria Falls is not affected.

The Hakusembe River Lodge, situated 12 km from Rundu on the Rundu-Nkurunkuru Road, is temporarily closed due to high water levels in the Kavango River. The lodge itself is not flooded, but as precautionary measure the establishment is closed. The Lodge is expected to reopen in February 2011, subject to levels of the river. We'll keep you posted!

The Ndhovu Safari Lodge campsite, situated in the Mahango Game Reserve (Caprivi Strip), is closed due to flooding and will remain closed until the end of May 2011. The lodge is open and bookings are welcome.

Game drives in the reserve surrounding Onguma Bush Camp, Onguma Tree Top Camp, Onguma Tented Camp and Onguma - The Fort (all situated close to Etosha) may be temporarily disrupted due to rain.

• Game drives into Etosha are NOT affected.
• The roads to Onguma are NOT affected either.

Solitaire Country Lodge, situated in the little settlement of Solitaire some 80km from Sossusvlei, reports that the current rainfall is having an impact on:

• The C19 between Solitaire & Sesriem is generally in a good condition, but the Tsondab River is in flood and, depending on the rain, the road may not be able to be crossed for the next 2 to 3 days. Signs are up on the C19 at Solitaire and enquiries should be done at Solitaire.
• The C14 between Walvis Bay and Solitaire is corrugated in many places so please drive slowly
• The C14 between Solitaire and Maltahöhe is very wet and slippery, so please drive slowly.