General Information:
Founded in 2003 by International treaty between South Africa and Namibia the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park was founded by combining parks on each side of the boarder, with the aim to protect the arid landscape of this region. The scraggly kloofs and the high mountains of this mountainous desert are home to indigenous plant life and an array of wildlife found in few other places in the world. The only water source comes from morning fog blown in from the Atlantic Ocean some 40 miles (60 km) away.
|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park is home to the Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra, the Ground Squirrel and the Rock Hyax that scurry the dessert floor as the Jackal Buzzards (a half-meter long bird of prey) fly far above looking for a meal. An important note – a 4×4 vehicle is required for the park and 2×4 sedan vehicles will be turned away at the park gates.
Highlights:
- The Flowering Desert - Between June and October flowers light up the desert.
- Birding - Over 200 species of bird live in the park
- Hiking - Guided walks varying between 2 and 4 days between April and September leaving from the Hakiesdoring hiking camp.
Accommodation:
There are only SANParks accommodation options in this park and all bookings need to be through SANParks. Below will give you our opinions of the camps available to you.
- Sendelingsdrif Rest Camp – A newer camp of 10 chalets, each with air conditioning and the basic kitchen goods. The camp has a common swimming pool and all chalets have views of the mighty Orange River.
- Potjiespram Rest Camp – 18 camp sites are provided with cold showers.
- De Hoop Camp Site – 12 camp site (cold water) and very popular so book ahead
- Richtersburg Camp Site – 12 camp sites (cold water) along the Orange River
- Kokerboomkloof Camp Site – The most rustic of all the rest camps with no showers and no electricity with the closest water source being 30 km away. Thankfully toilets are available.
- Tatasberg and Ganakouriep Wilderness Camps – 4 small units with gas stoves, minimal electricity, and both hot and cold water. Self catering and cleaning upon checkout.
- Hakkiesdoring Wilderness Camp – Solar power based camps. More information to come as it is slow coming from SANParks
- Hiking Trails Base Camp – Just opened as the base camp for hiking in the park, this accommodation sleeps up to 9 and is located in the Ganakouriep Valley. Because of a lack of qualified guides, there are not many hikes leaving from the base camp.
Access:
The Park is easily accessible from the N7 (South Africa) and B1 (Namibia). Turn off at Steinkopf and continue to the park passing Port Nolloth and Alexander Bay. The last 80km is a dirt track before reaching the park gates.
Maps of |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park:
Full Park Map
Map of South African Side and SANParks Camps
