Unlike the national park, the richtersveld community conservancy, which forms the core zone of the world heritage site, is not subject to diamond mining and is. One of the main features of the combined park is the worlds second largest canyon the fish river canyon. Together these two parks form a transfrontier park and it is possible to cross from one to the other via the pont across the orange river and as long as you have your passport with you. Richtersveld national park, mountain desert, orange river. This is a must do trip and can be enjoyed by the whole family. Richtersveld transfrontier park, south africa january 2018. National park, as well as the nearby towns of alexander bay and port nolloth.
Richtersveld national park richtersveld state park. Birdlife is prolific, and 650 plant species have been recorded the nama community have specific uses for some 150 of these species, ranging from medicinal and cosmetic to nutritional. Accommodation is available in the park with a range of options from chalets to campsites. Feb 04, 2014 the 10 happiest countries to live in the world 2019 seen as the worlds safest countries duration. Richtersveld transfrontier national park is equal parts authentic bush getaway, and historic charm, with sendelingsdrif rest camp at the.
It covers the geological, botanical and cultural history of the area, and it contains. Aisrichtersveld area book between june and octoberdepending on good rains. Roads in the park can only be used with offroad vehicles, sometimes the driving is difficult and slow especially on the domorogh pass and penkop pass. The richtersveld national park is home to grey rhebok, duiker, steenbok, klipspringer, kudu, hartmans mountain zebra, baboon, vervet monkey, caracal and leopard. In brief we followed the route recommended for newcomers to the region. However, what a disappointment when we arrived at sendelingsdrif. The aiaisrichtersveld transfrontier park covers more than 6 000 square kilometres, 27% of it in the far northwest of south africa richtersveld, the rest stretching across the orange river into namibia aiais and taking in the fish river canyon along the way. The northernmost part of the municipal area is part of the. An international treaty, signed on 1 august 2003, incorporated the aiais hot springs game park in namibia.
On 25th of january 2018 we drove into the richtersveld for the first time. Aiais richtersveld transfrontier park my guide namibia. The richtersveld national park is a rugged, desolate and in parts hauntingly beautiful mountain desert set in a great loop of the orange river. In june 2007, the richtersveld cultural and botanical landscape, just to the south of the national park and an area of equivalent size and beauty, was named a unesco world heritage site. I am especially interested in nature photography, macro photography, and stapeliad desert. Mr heigan has aslo published several books, of his photographs.
Owned and managed by the nama community, richtersveld is a unique mountain desert with extreme temperatures and dry landscapes. The park borders directly on the richtersveld national park in south africa. Visit richtersveld national park on your trip to northern cape. The park is maintained and managed by the locals, theyre the ones who keep watch over the park and its multitude of inhabitants. Sendelingsdrif restcamp richtersveld transfrontier park. These crystal mountains and granite plains on south africas northwest border with namibia get between 50 and 125mm of rain a year. Richtersveld national park northern cape 2020 all you. Mar 22, 2018 the video shows the drive from sendelingsdrif to tatasberg wilderness camp. Aisrichtersveld transfrontier park clarification needed is a peace park straddling the border between south africa and namibia. Aiaisrichtersveld national park namibiasouth africa.
Into africa traveling exhibition national geographic society. Richtersveld national park south africa 2017 on vimeo. Aiaisrichtersveld is jointly managed by south african national parks and the local nama people, and the park is part of a transfrontier conservation area tfca which spans across the border between south africas northern cape and southern namibia. There is so many companies you can book your trip and their is multiple day trips.
The richtersveld is a unique mountain desert wilderness of great beauty, tucked in the far northwestern corner of the northern cape in south africa. It was the fag end of a busy year when i started my northern cape adventure including richtersveld aiais transfrontier national park in fact around the christmas time. By roxanne reid the route via alexander bay to sendelingsdrif gate is certainly the quickest way to get to the south african side of the aiaisrichtersveld transfrontier park, but its not very attractive thanks to diamond mining operations that have scarred the landscape. By browsing through this site you agree to our use of cookies we use cookies to give you the best experience possible. Aiaisrichtersveld transfrontier park south african national. Richtersveld national park south africa hd1080p youtube. Our orange river trip took us through the richtersveld national park. Richtersveld is part of little namaqualand, the part of namaqualand south of the orange river. Richtersveld in the northwestern corner of the northern cape is a mountainous desert landscape and homew to the national park.
A truly arid, desert landscape, with illusions conjured up by the heat and dust, making you think that you are seeing things, is part of what makes this place so unique and so utterly entchanting. With 5 listings in richtersveld national park, our handy richtersveld national park map search and great low prices, its easy to book the. The richtersveld national park is a small part of this, in the loop of the orange river. The best richtersveld transfrontier national park camping. The park is a bird watchers paradise with almost 200 species on offer. Sep 08, 2014 our visit to the richtersveld national park, close to the namibian border brought back memories of our time in the sperrgebied, when i was a geologist at namdebs operations at oranjemund. Ive been to the richtersveld national park a few times, but i never get tired of going. Within this wilderness lies the incredible richtersveld national park. The scenery is unique desert mountains that surround massive sandy plains, and of course the orange river or gariep, as its known locally by the nama that flows through the gorge. With 5 listings in richtersveld national park, our handy richtersveld national park map search and great low prices, its easy to book. Find out more about the richtersveld the heart of the desert with highest biodiversity of any on earth.
The 5 best richtersveld transfrontier national park camping. The fish river canyon is located in the park, the largest. In other words, theres more to the richtersvled than first meets the eye. Conjure up a desolate and forbidding landscape, seemingly devoid of life, except for some people dotting along the horizon. The hunters hell, between the zuurberg and the sundays river valley, was proclaimed as a national park in 1931 and this approximate 2 000 hectares formed the nucleus of the current addo elephant national park. In the northern cape province of south africa, lies the beautiful landscape of the richtersveld national park. Solar panels provide light and gas geysers provide hot water. The richtersveld national park is situated in the far north of south africa on the border with namibia and adjacent to the aiais national park. We have also posted a photo essay on each of the roads in the park to give prospective visitors an idea of what they are in for, as well as an article on our photographers truck setup. Jan 15, 20 richtersveld national park a heritage site worth visiting. The company offers a variety of tours along the richtersveld route, including safaris in the aiais richtersveld transfrontier park, river rafting along the orange river, overnight camping under the stars, hiking trails and fishing expeditions.
Working with photographers, explorers, and other partners in the fields of exploration, technology, education, and storytelling, national geographic creates exhibitions covering a wide range of topics to appeal to multiple audiences. Richtersveld transfrontier park experience the northern. The following table shows the results of the election. The park is only accessible by means of a 4x4 vehicle or high clearance. Aiais hot springs game park ministry of environment. Richtersveld 4 days 5 nights by aukwatowa tours pty ltd. This park is the most undeveloped and inaccessible wilderness area in south africa. The ai ais richtersveld transfrontier park artfp jointly conserves a large part of the succulent karoo biome which is an international biodiversity hotspot.
Richtersveld national park a heritage site worth visiting. The richtersveld has both natural and cultural criteria that make it unique. A journey to the richtersveld wilderness shouldnt be undertaken lightly, given that its so remote and rough. Aisrichtersveld transfrontier park world heritage site. The company offers a variety of tours along the richtersveld route, including safaris in the aiaisrichtersveld transfrontier park, river rafting along the orange river, overnight camping under the stars, hiking trails and fishing expeditions. These include the richtersveld national park, the nababiep provincial nature reserve, and designated communal grazing areas that allow the nama to continue their seminomadic pastoral lifestyle. National geographic offers highquality traveling exhibitions to meet the needs of institutions both small and large. Richtersveld national park is located in northern cape. The nature here is absolutely stunning with the rugged mountains and river flowing through them. For those who dont know, the richtersveld national park is a 160 000 hectare national park found on the banks of the orange river in south africas northern cape. The 10 happiest countries to live in the world 2019 seen as the worlds safest countries duration. Make a startling discovery upon closer inspection when the mirage dissolves into the humanlike halfmens half person and the harsh environment prove to be a treasurechest containing the worlds richest desert flora. Richtersveld national park in summer africa geographic. The ai ais richtersveld national park is one of many national parks in south africa but is home to the only true desert in the country.
Richtersveld transfrontier park, south africa january. Make richtersveld national park part of your personalized rosh pinah itinerary using our rosh pinah tour itinerary maker website. Also information on accommodation, 4x4 driving, sights and cultural events in the region. I come from state of west bengal in india, and somehow richtersveld is a popular name in my language in. Richtersveld national parkrichtersveldorange river rafting. It was established by the governments of namibia and south africa and provides for joint management of the richtersveld national park south africa and aiais hot springs park namibia. A treaty was signed in august 2003 between namibia and south africa, creating the. This, the largest mountain desert park in southern africa, consists of rugged mountains, rolling hills, undulating plains and the adjacent floodplains of the orange river. Aiais richtersveld national park is a selfcatering in richtersveld northern cape south africa.
Richtersveld national park is the southafrican part of the. Richtersveld national park northern cape 2020 what to. Tucked in the northeast corner, bordering namibia, the aiai richtersveld transfrontier park is a region that can only be explored by 4wd. The richtersveld is a desert landscape characterised by rugged kloofs and high mountains, situated in the northwestern corner of south africa s northern cape province. Most of the south african part of the park forms part of the buffer zone of the richtersveld cultural and botanical. We had not, however, visited this particular area and it was a real eyeopener in terms of its ruggedness and beauty. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you. The 5 best richtersveld transfrontier national park. History of richtersveld national park how the land took shape world heritage site. The video shows the drive from sendelingsdrif to tatasberg wilderness camp. If you are looking for richtersveld national park holiday accommodation, safarinow has a selection of selfcatering, lodge, camping and caravanning holiday accommodation in richtersveld national park and surrounds.
The ai ais richtersveld transfrontier park was publicly declared in 1968 and spans an area of about 6 045 square kilometers. For years we have wanted to visit the richtersveld national park and at last found our way there at the end of may. Richtersveld cultural and botanical landscape in northern cape. An air of desolation and abandonment characterise the richtersveld.
Book your stay with sa places and find your ideal richtersveld accommodation from a wide selection of hotels, selfcatering, bed and breakfast and guest house accommodation. Richtersveld national park, mountain desert, orange river rafting. Now in its 8 th edition this map remains as popular as ever. Situated in the bend of the orange river, the largest river of southafrica, the national park is known for its indigenous people, barren moonscape, dramatic mountain ranges and eerie coastal mist.
Richtersveld national park northern cape 2020 all you need to. Most of the south african part of the park forms part of the buffer zone of the richtersveld cultural and botanical landscape world heritage site, which measures 5,920 square kilometres. The harsh desert landscape appears to be completely barren at. This was the addo bush, where in 1919, he was employed to eliminate the elephants and to resolve, for all time the contest between agriculturalist and game animals. The orange river forms the northern boundary of the richtersveld in south africa and the southern border of the fish river canyon conservation area in namibia. Driving on a 4x4 in this park, get insights on the culture and history of the nama people, while also learning more about its unique topography and flora.
Official site of the richtersveld world heritage site, previously the community conservancy. Richtersveld route experience the northern cape, south africa. At sendelingsdrift, on the south african side, a pontoon has been established to ferry people and vehicles across the orange river. It is full of changing scenery from flat, sandy, coastal plains, to craggy sharp mountains of volcanic rock and the lushness of the orange river. Ais hot springs game park and the south african richtersveld national park. Aisrichtersveld transfrontier park is a peace park straddling the border between south africa and namibia.
The original inhabitants of namaqualand were overwhelmingly khoi khoi, but also included some san people. We have also posted a photo essay on each of the roads in the park to give prospective visitors an idea of what they are in for, as well as an article on our photographers truck setup the following is a list of things to consider when visiting the richtersveld. Richtersveld park in south africa is located in the north of the north cape province in an area of the countrys most desert and arid. Turn west at steinkopf and follow the tar road up to alexander bay. By continuing to browse through this website you agree to our use of cookies. During the 19th century, other people started settling in little namaqualand. The immense aiaisrichtersveld transfrontier park was formed when the richtersveld national park in south africa was joined with the aiais hot springs game park in namibia. These 20 things you may not know about the richtersveld will help you plan your visit. Aiaisrichtersveld transfrontier park straddles the border between namibia and south africa. In the election of 3 august 2016 the african national congress anc won a majority of four seats on the council. Early morning atlantic fog rolls over the desert mountain range of the richtersveld, bringing lifesustaining moisture to a myriad of succulent species in this inhospitable environment. The aiaisrichtersveld transfrontier park covers more than 6 000.
There is so many companies you can book your trip and their. The richtersveld cultural and botanical landscape is bordered by a number of areas, ensuring its further protection. If it wasnt for this river, then i imagine the richtersveld would be almost impossible to visit in summer time. Our visit to the richtersveld national park, close to the namibian border brought back memories of our time in the sperrgebied, when i was a geologist at namdebs operations at oranjemund.
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