Sure Travel Journey Vol 5.1 Summer 2019 | Page 43

© TEAGAN CUNNIFFE/GETAWAY
8
8. ROCK OUT IN THE
RICHTERSVELD
Green is a rarity in the Richtersveld, where
rock upon piles of rock dominate the
landscape, but the beauty of the mountain
desert defies the sparse colour. Travel
by 4x4 along bumpy roads and a barren
paradise will unfold before you that is both
desolate and extraordinary.
The Richtersveld transfrontier park
spans Namibia and South Africa across
5 920 km², is thought to contain the
The Richtersveld transfrontier park spans Namibia and
South Africa across 5 920 km² and is listed as one of
Africa’s Peace Parks
world’s largest trove of succulents and is
listed as one of Africa’s Peace Parks. To the
north is the expansive Fish River Canyon,
which you can reach by pontoon transfer
across the Orange River at Sendelingsdrift.
Just south of the National Park you’ll find
the Richtersveld Community Conservancy,
a World Heritage Site and home to Nama
living traditional, pastoral lives.
Sitting on the banks of the Orange River
watching fireflies dance over the rippling
surface, however, we were oblivious to all
this. We’d camped at De Hoop, right at the
edge of the riverbank facing Namibia. We
could reach out and touch the water from
our tent. Far, far away from the rest of the
world, we swam in the river as the sun set,
and laughed around the campfire as the
stars did their eternal wheel above.
THE DETAILS: Rates for the
|Ai|Ais-/Richtersveld National Park
start from R192 per day, including
conservation fees.
MAKE MEMORIES FOR LIFE // 43