ShowMe South Africa

Ai-Ais / Richtersveld Transfrontier Park

Source: Southern Africa’s top 21 parks taken from the April 2010 Issue of Getaway Magazine.

On the border of South Africa and Namibia is a park that could be mistaken for the end of the world. In fact, it’s a completely different universe. By Alison Westwood.

The end of the world as we know it
Take time out at the top of the Helskioof Pass to admire the rugged landscape.

The far northwestern corner of South Africa is a moonscape of sawtooth mountains, sharp gravel and alluvial diamond deposits. They conceal a hoard of living treasures. The Richtersveld’s incredible plants – among them halfmens, botterbooms, quiver trees and stone plants – are the world’s richest and strangest desert flora.

Not far from the Sendelingsdrif gate is a boulder with a clear impression of a huge hand, known as the Hand of God
Not far from the Sendelingsdrif gate is a boulder with a clear impression of a huge hand, known as the Hand of God. Picture by Rob House.

Equally strange is the sight of the wide green waters of the Orange River slipping silently between parched peaks.

At just over 162 000 hectares, it’s a relatively small park, but across the river lies Namibia’s Ai-Ais Fish River Canyon Park, almost three times as large.

Linked by a pontoon at Sendelingsdrif, the two parks form the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park.

Visitors who cross into Ai-Ais can visit the thermal hot springs (Ai-Ais means ‘burning water’) and hike through the Fish River Canyon, a vast chasm cut through the desert.

The famous 86-kilometre hiking trail is open only between May and September, as summer temperatures frequently rise above 45°C.

What to take:

Richtersveld Terrain
You’ll need a tough vehicle with good clearance to drive the trails inside the Richtersveld section, which can be jagged rock or deep sand. Picture by Rob House.

Travel adviser

 Richtersveld PlantWhere to stay

$ to $$ In the Richtersveld section, Sendelingsdrif has 10 cottages with fully equipped kitchens and air conditioning.

Tatasberg Wilderness Camp has four self-catering units with gas fridges and geysers. There are also campsites with cold-water ablutions at Sendelingsdrif, Potjiespram, De Hoop and Richtersberg. Kokerboom-kloof campsite and Ganakouriep Wilderness Camp are both currently closed.

$ to $$$$ In the Ai-Ais section, Ai-Ais Hotsprings Spa has recently re-opened with refurbished rooms and chalets, a redesigned spa, swimming pool, restaurant and campsite.

$ Hobas is close to the main viewpoint of the Fish River Canyon and start of the three to six-day hiking trail. There are many private lodges and guest-farms dotted around the Fish River Canyon area.

What it costs
Halfmens are said to be people transformed into plants, looking forever back to their homeland.
Halfmens are said to be people transformed into plants, looking forever back to their homeland. Picture by Rob House.

The Namibian dollar is tied to the rand and South African currency is readily accepted.

How to book

For Richtersveld bookings, tel 012-428-9111, e-mail, website. Only 4x4s are permitted on roads inside the park.

For Ai-Ais and Hobas bookings, tel 021 -422-3761 or +264-61-285-7200, e-mail, website.

This article was taken from the back issue of Getaway. April 2010 Special Edition.

More info on the quaint town of Richtersveld More info on the Namaqualand area

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