Lake Otjikoto - Namibia

mattmexico · 27th June 2008, 23:21

yo all

For years I am thinking of diving Lake Otjikoto in Namibia - Africa to see the German colonial forces military scrap yard.

Has any one here on Rebreather World been diving there ?.

I would be interested in participating or organizing in a dive trip to the lake in 2010.

greetings
Matt

Africadiver · 28th June 2008, 18:14

Have a chat to Psquared about Otjikoto. He did a trip out there last year and enjoyed excellent diving.

A

gottrimix · 28th June 2008, 19:24

Hi Matt: I have a few guys that would also like to do a Namibia trip. We were looking at going there to do the Dragon's Breath Cave. Lets figure something out and make a trip of it to hit a few spots down there.

aquaxel · 30th June 2008, 03:18

i did several weeks diving there and planning a project for a while.

there is some info on my website including tons of photos. (click on the works / otjikoto 2). Aquatec

a dive permission is required

recommended: german language and snake killer

below a pic of our diveplan that time to -110m.

PSquared · 30th June 2008, 05:00

As has been noted, permission is required to dive at Otjikoto. It's a great place but a bit challenging logistically, particularly if you intend to dive at Guinas (just down the road), Dragonsbreath and Harrasib (about 100km away). The latter three need rope access. One of the guys that has the concession to dive at Otjikoto is geared up to do Guinas but needs to get all the stuff there from Windhoek. This needs to be co-ordinated as he has a "day" job as well and will probably need to take 2 weeks away from his real business to assist.

We were there in August last year (our winter) and the water was warm enough to dive in wetsuits. Outside temp at midday +/- 30 deg C, water was about 23 deg.

The locals require that your first dives are guided but after that they will leave you alone. The cannons are at 50mfw and we got very close to 70mfw on one of the dives. Because the locals are diving air and are using recreational gear, the dives with them are very short.

You'll need to organise to get O2 and helium on site as the locals have a compressor, no mix panels, no blenders, no helium. Once again, with enough time to plan, it can be arranged from Afrox in Tsumeb, the nearest town.

Guinas needs rope access - about a 40m straight drop to the lake (the side with "easy" access belongs to a guy that doesn't like divers.

Dragonsbreath and Harrasib need SRT, good rigging skills and lots of time. We didn't dive them last year but organised access and went to go and have a look at the enterances and decided we were not geared up for it. Mates of mine have done them. Long days with lots of hard work to be done.

Namibia is a very good trip, excellent people but will need a bit of planning as nothing is available nearby (nearest spares, chamber, etc. is in South Africa).

PM me if you want the contact details for access to Otjikoto (Namibian based) and Draggies and Harresib (South African based). I posted a few photos on my return from Nam last year so you should be able to find them.

If you are looking at 2010, we may see you there. We are planning a 5 African 100s during the soccer world cup. 100m dives at Komati, Boesmans, Guinas, Harrasib (if we can sort the right people to assist with the rigging) and Chinoyi (assuming Mugabe is gone but after yesterday .......)

Dive Africa · 8th July 2008, 12:01

Quote: (Originally Posted by PSquared)

If you are looking at 2010, we may see you there. We are planning a 5 African 100s during the soccer world cup. 100m dives at Komati, Boesmans, Guinas, Harrasib (if we can sort the right people to assist with the rigging) and Chinoyi (assuming Mugabe is gone but after yesterday .......)

Hi Paul

How the hell do I get my self signed up for that trip?

Please ... pretty pretty please

.

Will loose the weight do the SRT classes and if mugabe is not gone what about a coeleocanth dive at Sawdies??

Cheers Dries

mattmexico · 10th July 2008, 11:08

yo

That sounds all very promising. I am on the road right now, Philippines to be exact, not having much access to the internet ... but time to think about it.

Just did a week in Puerto Galera area, tomorrow flying for a week to Coron area and then onto Subic Bay area.

greetings
Matt

underwaterandre · 10th July 2008, 14:23

Aft all

I spoke to Theo van Eeden this morning as he has just returned from Lake Guinas which is next to, and deeper than Otjikoto. They did some diving there with Nuno Gomes and a German film crew. They found some intersting stuff. They also went on to Dragons. The water level at Guinas is presently about 30m (100ft) below ground but some guys from Walvis bay ( Skeleton Coast Dive Club - Tinus) have made a great winch system which is used to lower and lift divers and equipment. No more abseiling..Viz is great. He showed me some pics on his camera this morning.

27th June 2008, 23:21	#1 (permalink)
mattmexico Rebreather World Writer Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Classic Kiss Optima RB80 / Clone Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Evolution Prism Topaz Sport Kiss RB80 / Clone Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mexico, Q.Roo, Playa del Carmen Posts: 764	Lake Otjikoto - Namibia yo all For years I am thinking of diving Lake Otjikoto in Namibia - Africa to see the German colonial forces military scrap yard. Has any one here on Rebreather World been diving there ?. I would be interested in participating or organizing in a dive trip to the lake in 2010. greetings Matt __________________ N 20' 37.617' W 87' 04.693' www.andreaswmatthes.com
(Offline)

28th June 2008, 18:14	#2 (permalink)
Africadiver New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Megalodon Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: South Africa Posts: 5	Re: Lake Otjikoto - Namibia Have a chat to Psquared about Otjikoto. He did a trip out there last year and enjoyed excellent diving. A
(Offline)

28th June 2008, 19:24	#3 (permalink)
gottrimix New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Henderson, Nevada Posts: 57	Re: Lake Otjikoto - Namibia Hi Matt: I have a few guys that would also like to do a Namibia trip. We were looking at going there to do the Dragon's Breath Cave. Lets figure something out and make a trip of it to hit a few spots down there. __________________ Steve www.lakemeadtechnicaldivers.com Last edited by gottrimix : 28th June 2008 at 19:24. Reason: typo
(Offline)

30th June 2008, 03:18	#4 (permalink)
aquaxel aquanaut Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: cyprus Posts: 530	Re: Lake Otjikoto - Namibia i did several weeks diving there and planning a project for a while. there is some info on my website including tons of photos. (click on the works / otjikoto 2). Aquatec a dive permission is required recommended: german language and snake killer below a pic of our diveplan that time to -110m. __________________ rgds aquaxel www.aquatec-innerspace.com
(Offline)

30th June 2008, 05:00	#5 (permalink)
PSquared New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South Africa Posts: 32	Re: Lake Otjikoto - Namibia As has been noted, permission is required to dive at Otjikoto. It's a great place but a bit challenging logistically, particularly if you intend to dive at Guinas (just down the road), Dragonsbreath and Harrasib (about 100km away). The latter three need rope access. One of the guys that has the concession to dive at Otjikoto is geared up to do Guinas but needs to get all the stuff there from Windhoek. This needs to be co-ordinated as he has a "day" job as well and will probably need to take 2 weeks away from his real business to assist. We were there in August last year (our winter) and the water was warm enough to dive in wetsuits. Outside temp at midday +/- 30 deg C, water was about 23 deg. The locals require that your first dives are guided but after that they will leave you alone. The cannons are at 50mfw and we got very close to 70mfw on one of the dives. Because the locals are diving air and are using recreational gear, the dives with them are very short. You'll need to organise to get O2 and helium on site as the locals have a compressor, no mix panels, no blenders, no helium. Once again, with enough time to plan, it can be arranged from Afrox in Tsumeb, the nearest town. Guinas needs rope access - about a 40m straight drop to the lake (the side with "easy" access belongs to a guy that doesn't like divers. Dragonsbreath and Harrasib need SRT, good rigging skills and lots of time. We didn't dive them last year but organised access and went to go and have a look at the enterances and decided we were not geared up for it. Mates of mine have done them. Long days with lots of hard work to be done. Namibia is a very good trip, excellent people but will need a bit of planning as nothing is available nearby (nearest spares, chamber, etc. is in South Africa). PM me if you want the contact details for access to Otjikoto (Namibian based) and Draggies and Harresib (South African based). I posted a few photos on my return from Nam last year so you should be able to find them. If you are looking at 2010, we may see you there. We are planning a 5 African 100s during the soccer world cup. 100m dives at Komati, Boesmans, Guinas, Harrasib (if we can sort the right people to assist with the rigging) and Chinoyi (assuming Mugabe is gone but after yesterday .......) __________________ P2 The voices say I wasn't really diving solo
(Offline)

8th July 2008, 12:01	#6 (permalink)
Dive Africa New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: South Africa Posts: 22	Re: Lake Otjikoto - Namibia Quote: (Originally Posted by PSquared) If you are looking at 2010, we may see you there. We are planning a 5 African 100s during the soccer world cup. 100m dives at Komati, Boesmans, Guinas, Harrasib (if we can sort the right people to assist with the rigging) and Chinoyi (assuming Mugabe is gone but after yesterday .......) Hi Paul How the hell do I get my self signed up for that trip? Please ... pretty pretty please . Will loose the weight do the SRT classes and if mugabe is not gone what about a coeleocanth dive at Sawdies?? Cheers Dries
(Offline)

10th July 2008, 11:08	#7 (permalink)
mattmexico Rebreather World Writer Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Classic Kiss Optima RB80 / Clone Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Evolution Prism Topaz Sport Kiss RB80 / Clone Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mexico, Q.Roo, Playa del Carmen Posts: 764	Re: Lake Otjikoto - Namibia yo That sounds all very promising. I am on the road right now, Philippines to be exact, not having much access to the internet ... but time to think about it. Just did a week in Puerto Galera area, tomorrow flying for a week to Coron area and then onto Subic Bay area. greetings Matt __________________ N 20' 37.617' W 87' 04.693' www.andreaswmatthes.com
(Offline)

10th July 2008, 14:23	#8 (permalink)
underwaterandre New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cape Town Posts: 1	Re: Lake Otjikoto - Namibia Aft all I spoke to Theo van Eeden this morning as he has just returned from Lake Guinas which is next to, and deeper than Otjikoto. They did some diving there with Nuno Gomes and a German film crew. They found some intersting stuff. They also went on to Dragons. The water level at Guinas is presently about 30m (100ft) below ground but some guys from Walvis bay ( Skeleton Coast Dive Club - Tinus) have made a great winch system which is used to lower and lift divers and equipment. No more abseiling..Viz is great. He showed me some pics on his camera this morning.
(Offline)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode