Richtersveld World Heritage Site - Northern Cape

The Richtersveld Community Conservancy is equally as large as its neighbour the Richtersved National Park and is becoming more and more popular amongst locals and visitors. The Conservancy, now a world Heritage Site is the last refuge of Nama people. These Nama people live a life what is known as the transhumance lifestyle which means they migrate seasonally along with their belongings and livestock from the mountains to the river.

The people of the land have had quite a struggle and have been determined through the years. Early archaeologists have evidence of the San who inhabited the Richtersveld area thousands of years ago. These people where hunters, evidence of this has been found in the area. The Nama people in the Richtersveld are said to be descendants from the San. Like the San thousands of years ago, the Nama are also transhumant pastoralists, moving with the seasons. This is known to be the last place in South Africa where pastoral people live the transhumant Nama lifestyle.

This area is known to have the richest reservoirs of plant and animal life on the planet. There are plant types found here that have never been found anywhere else in the world. The Richtersveld World Heritage Site is situated in the heart of what is known as the Succulent Karoo Biodiversity Hotspot. The Karoo is a desert and is also the only biodiversity hotspot in the world. It also offers some of South Africa's best hiking, 4x4 driving, camping and cultural experiences.

Directions from Cape Town:
Travel approximately 605 kilometres north on the N7 (which is a good tar road) past Springbok to Steinkopf. Take the left turn onto the R382 towards Port Nolloth and travel 35 kilometres further until you reach the turnoff on the right to Eksteenfontein. The following 50 kilometres is dirt road which can be travelled on with a normal passenger vehicle.

Directions from Johannesburg:
Visitors can fly or drive up to Upington and then drive on the N14 (which is a good tar road) through Bushmanland to Springbok, before turning north to Steinkopf and Eksteenfontein.

Directions from Namibia:
It is not advisable to travel this route unless you have a vehicle capable of rough terrain. If you are travelling from Namibia via the border brossing at Vioolsdrift, turn off to the right just after the crossing and travel on the rough dirt road through the Helskloof Pass and on to Eksteenfontein for about 2 hours.

Be sure not to miss out on this amazing area. For more information contact: the Khuboes Offices 027-831-2013 or the Eksteenfontein Offices: 027-851-7108.