The Richtersveld is one of the few places you can go to escape from the modern world and its bustle, to a timeless silent vastness. This is a wild arid place where people are rare and the scenery remains ever changing.
The Richtersveld region stretches from Steinkopf and Port Nolloth in the south up to the Orange River, and from Alexander Bay to Vioolsdrif. The Richtersveld National Park is only a small, protected part of this expansive area, in the crook of the Orange River.
Richtersveld Landscape
The Richtersveld landscape ranges from age-old craggy mountains of volcanic rock, ice-age deposits, impressive rock formations, flat sandy plains to the lushness of the Orange River. Rich golds and yellows draw visitors into the Richtersveld serenity, and pinks and purples are conjured by the sun on the desert horizon. Streaks of pure white quartz that intermittently scatter the ground, like snow, momentarily shock them into opening their eyes and drinking in this unusual beauty all over again.
The Orange River marks the South African border with neighbouring Namibia, and nurses life into a narrow strip of hot, dry land hugging its moist banks. Fish Eagles, Egyptian Geese and Kingfishers enjoy the green riverine vegetation near the Orange River, which contrasts so starkly with the desert surrounds.
Climate
The Richtersveld climate is harsh and dry, with extreme temperatures of 53 degrees Celsius having been recorded in mid-summer. Visitors are advised to restrict their activity to early mornings and late afternoons. Nights in the Richtersveld are cool, but may become chilly during winter.
Richtersveld Flora
The Richtersveld is classified as "succulent Karoo", one of the most interesting mega-ecosystems in the world. No other desert has a similar richness in flora species. More than 360 different plant species are found in a single square kilometer in this area with an average rainfall of only 68 mm per year. Along the western edge of the Richtersveld, the early morning fogs that roll inland off the chilly Atlantic Ocean sustain much of the plant life.
The harshness of climate and terrain has resulted in the evolution of some peculiar plants that cannot be seen anywhere else. The psammophorous plants a great example of the unique plant life of the Richtersveld. These plants species fix a layer of sand to their outer surfaces in to form a protective shell against being "sand blasted" by sand storms.
Giant quiver trees (Aloe pillansii) stand tall and stark against the deep blue sky of one small area in the Richtersveld. Gnarled maidens quiver trees (Aloe ramosissima), dressed in their tattered bark, are eerie acquaintances on a journey through this expanse.
The strange, phallic Halfmens (Pachypodium namaquensis) always "face" north, keeping a constant vigil over the inscrutable landscape, maybe hoping that the Orange River would send a moist messenger their way. The Namas revere the human-like trees as the embodiment of their ancestors, half human, half plant, mourning for their ancient Namibian home.
The Richtersveld is widely reckoned as one of the world's richest succulent areas. It is estimated that 50 generas out of a total of 160 from the Mesembryanthemaceae family occur here.
There are also beautiful flowering pelargoniums, shrubs, and bulbs. Each plant has its own fascinating tactic for surviving in this ancient mountain desert kingdom. A number of the endemic plant species only occur in small colonies on the highest of the dry mountain peaks.
Richtersveld National Park
The Richtersveld National Park is a mountain desert wilderness of unique beauty in the far north west of South Africa. A profound silence fills the inhospitable vastness of this park, and offers a dramatic and wild landscape comprising of canyons, kloofs, rugged mountain ranges and plains. Protects the unusual and diverse fauna and flora of the northern part of the Richtersveld, the Richtersveld National Park is the largest proclaimed mountain desert park in southern Africa, and managed jointly by the local Nama people and the South African National Parks.
A visit to the unusual national park is highly recommended. A 4-wheel drive vehicle is advised for this rough terrain. Roads are truly primitive and cross over, and often follow sandy, dry riverbeds. A 4x4 vehicle is needed to ascend steep, rocky slopes, but vehicles with high clearances such as kombi and LDV do travel in the park. Sedan vehicles are not permitted.
You can also explore the Richtersveld without a vehicle altogether! Guided hiking trails are operational all year round, so take a strenuous guided hike lasting from 2-5 days through the spectacular Richtersveld scenery. (Only the very fit should attempt it during the hot and dry months of November to February.)
If you prefer wheels, mountain biking is an adventurous alternative. The Richtersveld National Park also boasts 200km of 4x4 roads. It is important to stick to the fixed trails, though, as this is a very sensitive ecological area.
Qualified field guides can, on prior arrangement, unlock the unique natural and cultural heritage of the Park, and the bigger Richtersveld, for you. Visitors can also take part in traditional cultural experiences, including song, dance, and food, by prior arrangement.
There is no gate into the park, no guards limiting admission, but admission and overnight permits must be obtained at the park office at Sendelingsdrift before entering the park. Single vehicles must sign an agreement to report back to park headquarters before departure.
Overnight visitors must arrive before 16:00 to reach camping sites before dark. Driving in the park at night is not permitted.
The summers are very hot and the Orange River, winding its way through the canyons of the Richtersveld National Park, where the Pokkiespram, De Hoop and Richtersberg campsites are situated, is close to heaven on earth. A refreshing swim in the no croc-, hippo- or malaria-free waters of the orange river, or fishing along the river bank, are popular choices after spending another hot day in the Richtersveld National Park. The Orange River also offers ideal canoeing and rafting.
De Koei and Kokerboomkloof offer camping sites in the mountains of the Richtersveld National Park.
The guesthouse on the banks of the Orange River at Sendelingsdrift offers comfortable accommodation, easy access into the Richtersveld National Park and breathtaking views across the border into Namibia.
The huts in the Nama camp at Pokkiespram can also shelter you from the heavy dew that occurs sometimes after nightfall.
Brandkaros, Eksteenfontein, Rooiberg, Lekkersing, Sanddrift, and Kuboes offer you unique places to stay overnight if you decide to visit the Park just for a day trip.
Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier National Park
On 1 August 2003 an international treaty, combined the Ai-Ais Hot Springs Game Park in Namibia and Richtersveld National Park in South Africa into the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier National Park.
A joint committee consisting of members of the Ais-Ais Park and Richtersveld Park manages this park. A Richtersveld community member also serves on this committee.
One of the main features of this park is the world's second largest canyon - the Fish River Canyon.
The Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier National Park is only accessible to 4x4 vehicles. A pontoon has been established to ferry visitors and vehicles across the Orange River. The pontoon can carry two fully loaded double cab 4x4 vehicles at the same time.
