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Karibib
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Lutheran Chruch |
Karibib Main Street |
Henckert Tourist Cntr |
Weaving Rugs |
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Karibib is a small
town that is mid-distance between Windhoek and Swakopmund. Since the
German times the colored marble that can be found in the area has
been quarried. There is quite a large export business to Europe of
blocks of uncut marble dimension stone and the Karibib Marble Works in
the main street have a show room of their cut products and is worth a
visit. Karibib is home to Namibia's only Gold Mine, but access for the
public is not allowed.
The well known Henckert Tourist
Center in the main street makes for an interesting stop over. They
weave beautiful karakul rugs and wall hangings and sell an excellent
selection of curios and Namibian made jewelry.
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Usakos
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Don't miss this sign |
Usakos Main Street |
Old Steam Locomotive |
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Once a busy railway junction and
repair center for the South African railways, Usakos is now a quiet
and sleepy little town. The railway workshops have long gone, and the main
activity in the town is at the fuel station. But... and hear this loud and
clear, because most self-drive tourists just rush through these two towns.
They make excellent stop over places for the Erongo Mountains and its
attractions. Plus the
Spitzkoppe.
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Philipp's Cave
Bulls Party |
Section of the south-west wall
of the magnificent Erongo Mountains |
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The Erongo Massif is about 40 kms in
diameter and dominates the skyline of the Karibib - Usakos -
Omaruru
area. It can be seen clearly from as far away as 100kms. The Erongo
Mountains formed about 130 million years ago and are a the remains of
the largest volcano in the world. Before the break-up of the
Gondwana
continent that was to separate Africa from South America. Earthquakes of
immense magnitude were being experienced in this area and enormous
amounts of lava erupted over a period of some 20 million years. A vast
area around the volcano was buried deep in ash. Over the millions of
years that followed erosion and weathering have left the beauty of the
Erongo for us to wonder at and enjoy. The polished granite walls that
can be found in many areas of the Erongo present a challenge for the
best of climbers. There is a species of plant that blooms once a year
that is only found in the Erongo and Botanists from all corners of the
world come to view this short lived flower. The Erongo has been the home
to the ancient Bushmen and there are many caves and rock faces on which
rock paintings can be viewed.
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Local Area Attractions
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Ameib
Ranch is located in the ruggedly picturesque Erongo Mountains and has a
some unusual attractions that most tourists sadly overlook as they rush
down to Swakopmund. The area on the ranch known as the Bull's
Party will challenge your imagination as to how these massive
surrealistic assemblies of giant boulder were formed. A must see. 2hr+
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Ameib Ranch is also where you will find the Philipp's Cave
with its collection of Bushman paintings including the famous 'White
Elephant' along with other animal and human figures.
The ranch offers good and reasonably priced accommodation and camp
sites. The ranch is also popular with rock-climbers. There are
some challenging faces on this site. 2hr+
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The Spitzkoppe Inselberg
standing at over 1700m dominates the surrounding desert floor. The mountain is
situated about 25km west of Usakos and is a must visit. The wind-polished
granite mountain glows red at sunset. The surrealistic rock formations have to
be seen. There are camping facilities at the site.
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Travel To Karibib
By Road - Self Drive:
From Omaruru: Drive C33 south 60 kms -
then B2 west for 2km. From
Swakopmund: Drive B2 east
From
Windhoek: Drive B1 to
Okahandja then join B2
Distances from Karibib
(km / miles)
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By
Rail - Scheduled Services
By Road - Scheduled
Services
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Outjo |
Otjiwarongo |
Swakpmund |
Tsumeb |
Usakos |
Windhoek |
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202 / 125 |
178 / 111 |
385 / 239 |
30 / 19 |
185 / 115 |
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Did You Know ?
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- The highest point of the Erongo Mountains is the
Hohenfels at 2,319 meters.
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