Namibia Landy Rover Festival
Land Rovers from Angola on Africa’s west coast down to the southernmost tip of the continent came together for the second Namibia Land Rover Festival. Gundula Perry reports . . .
Could this be Africa’s greatest Land Rover event? Enthusiasts certainly came from far and wide to attend
FROM August 24 to 27, Land Rover Owners Namibia (LRON) hosted its second Namibia Land Rover Festival at the Brandberg Rest Camp in Uis, Namibia, on the south-western coast of Africa. Compared to its maiden event in 2016, the club welcomed a quarter or more additional vehicles, bringing the total up to almost 200, with visitors travelling from as far as South Africa and Angola.
Uis is a settlement located in Erongo Region, Namibia (in the former Damaraland), so not only do visitors get to enjoy the Land Rovers on display, various activities and meet likeminded people, but they can also explore the wonderful landscapes that are on offer.
The full program started on Friday with Gold Rush I, which saw drivers retrieving Land Rover gold coins out of a large pool. Gold Rush II continued the next day with the finalist and winners receiving various prizes sponsored by Bearmach, who flew out from the UK specially to hand over the prizes. In the same expanse of water, another competition called Land Rover Pirates took place, and this time contestants had to make a 12x25m crossing aboard a wooded pallet (supported by a tyre tube). As the sun set behind the famous white Mine heap, stories were told round the campfire, perfectly rounding off a day of fun-filled activities.
To celebrate Land Rover’s 70th birthday, 770 raffle tickets were printed for its competition – the prize? A Series II 109 Station Wagon. With some 800 visitors not everyone would have been fortunate to get a ticket, and in the end it was a rather dumbfounded Mr Erich Reinhardt from the coastal town of Swakopmund who took away the keys.
Fortunately there were plenty of other competitions going on throughout the weekend including speed trials (testing how fast competitors could either set up tents or change a tyre); treasure hunt (taking place in and around Uis) and a drag race, so many festival-goers walked away with a prize thanks to the various sponsors and companies who supported the event.
There was also a prize for the Coolest Defender, MostLoved Series, and Youngest Discovery and Range Rover. And
if that wasn’t enough to keep visitors entertained, there was the opportunity for drivers to test their skills at the LA Sport 4x4 Expertise Drive, take part in a bush cuisine cook-off using only camping equipment, peruse the various stands selling Land Rover Memorabilia and 4x4 Accessories, and take part in a 70th Celebration Trivia Night, testing people’s history of the brand, its products and general knowledge.
The event drew to a close on Monday with a drive-by and line-up before saying goodbye to their fellow festival goers and returning home.
The festival was open to all Land Rover owners – and not only members of LRON, as the aim is to gather as many vehicles as possible over the four days, as well as enjoy the great outdoors, explore the terrain, and of course, have plenty of fun.
This year surplus proceeds went to two organisations that operate in the area and beyond, assisting both communities and the wildlife, including the EHRA (Elephants Human Relations Aid) and the Desert Lion Human Relations Aid (DELRHA). We can’t wait for the next festival!
“The aim is to enjoy the great outdoors, explore the terrain and have fun”