02-May-2011 -- This Confluence was visited on 02 May 2011 by Brian Roberts, Renate Roberts, Mark Stanton, Marcia Stanton, Cronje Grane and Emil Diekmann. We left Swakopmund at about 8:30 a.m. and travelled north east on the B2 via Usakos and Karibib to Okahandja where we stocked up on our food supplies. We then travelled north on the B1 towards Otjiwarongo. About 7 km from Okahandja we turned right on the C31 towards Hochfeld. Due to the unusually heavy rains which Namibia experienced during 2011, this dirt road was full of corrugations, potholes, mud, and fairly deep pools of water. We continued on to Otjosondo and then took the D2138 northwards on a slightly better road, passing impressive farms along the way.

When we reached the farm Wildernis, we found ourselves almost abeam of the Confluence. We turned right and entered the gate of the farm Friedenhof, with the idea of asking the farmer permission to visit the Confluence. However, we found ourselves driving due north and further away from our destination. We decided to turn back and follow a fence road towards the Confluence. This led us to within 6.3 km of the Confluence before we came to a gate which was overgrown with grass and a small tree and had clearly not been used for a long time. It was now 4 p.m. and we realised that we could not reach the Confluence before sunset.

It was decided to turn back and ask for advice at the farm Wildernis, whose farmhouse was situated near to the road. We entered the farm gates and stopped outside the farmhouse which was surrounded by large shady trees. The farmer, Emil Diekmann, seemed pleased to see us and we received an enthusiastic welcome. Seated on his front verandah, we were all offered beers and then proceeded to explain the reason for our visit. Emil was fascinated by the project and agreed to assist us. It turned out that the Confluence was situated on the next farm called Eden, which was owned by his brother. He immediately telephoned his brother to obtain his permission. After assuring his brother that we were not planning to expropriate his farm, nor were we mining prospectors, permission was duly granted. This was a great relief as we have always tried to obtain the necessary permission from the land owner before visiting a Confluence.

Emil then graciously offered us accommodation on his farm for the night in the form of a second house which was unoccupied. Due to the favourable weather conditions we elected to camp outside for the night and only make use of the bathroom facilities. A fire was made and we spent a very pleasant evening having the traditional Namibian braai and getting to know Emil who proved to have extensive knowledge of the area, having grown up on the farm.

The following morning, after a good breakfast and a warm shower, we set off in an easterly direction towards Eden, again travelling along a fence road. Luckily, Emil had the key to the locked gate leading to the farm. By following the fence roads we were able to drive to within 300 meters of the Confluence. A short walk through bushveld terrain brought us to the Confluence, all the way being educated by Emil on the different plants and trees around us. We wish to express our sincere thanks to Emil for making this visit possible and also so pleasant.