Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Park
Nature’s beauty taken to the extreme
The Sendelingsdrift border crossing between Namibia and South Africa offers a unique experience.
The Orange River flows from the Drakensberg Mountains in the east of South Africa to the Atlantic Ocean in the west, and its banks were once the hunting ground for early Khoi-San inhabitants.Today, the southwestern area of the Orange River is part of a so-called Peace Park that combines the Namibian Ai-Ais Hot Springs Game Park and the South African Richtersveld National Park.
The Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA’s are a strategy fully supported by the Southern African Development Community, SADC) covers parts of the Northern Cape of South Africa and southern Namibia, together encompassing 6000 hectares of arid country. It is a world-renowned biological hotspot, an adventure enthusiast's haven and a photographer's paradise. The Richtersveld is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its cultural heritage and biodiversity.
The Richtersveld is a fantastic destination for anyone looking for adventure and solitude, whether you want to hike, fish, rock climb, or simply take in the breathtaking scenery. With 220 km of 4x4 tracks to explore, there's always something new to discover. Just make sure to pre-book your permit for more advanced hiking and 4x4 routes.
Sendelingsdrift is where your Richtersveld journey begins and ends. This is also where you bid adieu to civilization. There are two campsites within a 30-minute radius of the reception building – Sendelingsdrift and Potjiespram. The journey to De Hoop campsite involves sliding like a lizard around hairpin bends, rocks, and stones.
De Hoop is a popular campsite in the Richtersveld National Park, boasting 12 immaculately kept campsites along the riverbank and historical ruins dating back to the 1920s. Visitors can go on sunrise walks along the riverbank and take a refreshing swim in the Orange River.
Richtersberg is another idyllic campsite with deeper river pools and six grassy campsites that provide privacy. This site is also a prime spot for seasonal fly fishing and bird watching.
Tatasberg is a wilderness camp located 3 km east of Richtersberg and is ideal for those seeking a more luxurious camping experience. The camp has five self-catering, solar-powered chalets equipped with a kitchen and clean linen. The camp is further from the river, but visitors can visit the "Secret Valley" further south, which has towering inselberg-like mounds perfect for sundowners.
The Richtersveld is a unique and beautiful region that offers a wealth of activities and sights to explore. Kokerboomkloof is a particularly interesting site, rich in history and geological wonders. The campsite there is a great place to stay and explore the surrounding area, including the Springbokvlakte viewpoint.
The Helskloof Pass offers a scenic drive with plenty of opportunities to spot endemic plant species, such as the Pearson's Aloe. As you make your way towards the Ai-Ais section of the park, you will cross the point where the Fish River joins the Orange River and see the stunning Aussenkehr wine estates. Aussenkehr is an ideal logistical stop and there are some very special lodges nearby.
Once you reach Ai-Ais (actually |Ai-|Ais), you can enjoy the Namibia Wildlife Resorts rest camp and take a rejuvenating dip in the hot water spring baths. Apart from Ai-Ais, there are myriad lodges in this part of the world and any choice made, will always be a good one.
Also, don't miss the opportunity to explore the magnificent Fish River Canyon while you're there.