Reports

Alternative Route to the TUCSIN Tsumkwe Lodge

Through the Omaheke – Eastern Namibia – as driven on 26/9/2016

Normally visitors approach TUCSIN’s Tsumkwe Lodge via Grootfontein or even from Rundu via the B8 and C44. As a rule their return trip follows the same route, unless they choose to continue on to Botswana. Being Namibia fans, we three Germans (Martin, Sabine and Cornelia) asked ourselves: Why not try the eastern approach?

The route from Gobabis to Tsumkwe via Drimiopsis, Epukiro and Gam is a total of 456km (C22 and C44), which we covered in 9 hours including breaks. It proved to be a far more variable route than the commonly used B1 starting from Windhoek.

To follow a comparison:

– Northern route: Windhoek-Tsumkwe on the tarred B1 and B8, C44 gravel: 708km

– Eastern route: Windhoek-Gobabis: 205km, Gobabis-Tsumkwe: 456km, in total: 661km

READ THE FULL TEXT…with photos

By the way – the cell phone coverage was quite excellent during the trip:  In Drimiopsis, Epukiro, Otjimanangombe, (I think also) Okatumba and Gam we were exchanging sms as well as whatsapp messages.

Welcome!

September 2016:

This is our new blog of the TUCSIN Tsumkwe Lodge (TTL).

We present news about steps of progress as well as background information.

– In March the educationalist Bruce Parcher, well experienced and acknowledged in the teaching field, became head of the TUCSIN Tsumkwe Training Program. He immediately started a Hospitality Training Program addressing the staff at the Lodge. From 2017 onwards also participants from outside will take part.

– In July repair work has been started to improve the cabins one by one as well as the construction of a new, fully-equipped training kitchen. This work is combined with an Apprenticeship Training Program in in construction work. Visitors will hardly be disturbed by these activities.

– In August Bruce Parcher held a workshop for local San-teachers giving classes within the new Cultural Class Program from September onwards.

– 13th – 16th of September: A workshop in Tsumkwe deals with the interaction of national and international genetics researchers with regard to the local population. The project will be co-ordinated on behalf of SASI (South African San Institute).