#1: [21-Jun-04] (incomplete)

13-Jan-2006 -- A very good surfaced road runs between Rundu and Katima Mulilo, linking the Caprivi with the rest of the country. This road, the B8, runs almost parallel with the 18°S latitude line, as a result of this there are a number of Confluences to be had within reach of the road.

The bush here is typically quite dense but following the dry season, many bush fires, both man made and natural, have ravaged most of the Kavango region. The much needed rains have been kind though in the last couple of months and the charred landscape has been transformed into shades of green.

The nearest point to the Confluence is about 8 km from the tarred road. From here there are a number of sandy tracks leading in the general direction. Our predecessors had managed to navigate their vehicle to within 5 km of the Confluence, so we had anticipated a tough 10 km hike and had packed supplies, not only for ourselves but also for Kelly, our Ugandan pedigree! I have resisted the temptation to dwell on how demanding the hike turned out to be, since we managed to find a straightforward track to within 160 metres of the confluence point and felt rather cheated to have such an easy first Namibian Confluence. Despite the Confluence being untaken, I was convinced the track we were following must be from another confluence seeker, since in the absence of other tracks it went straight towards the Confluence, only at the last instance deviating slightly and continuing. The only hardship involved on the day was by Kelly who was sick 6 times en route.

The easiest track to follow is a sandy track on the right hand side directly opposite the turn-off for Shambyu, about 28 km outside Rundu on the B8.