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 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.
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:
Travel adviser
Where to stay
$ to $$ In the Richtersveld section, Sendelingsdrif has 10 cottages with fully equipped kitchens and air conditioning from R535 a night (sleeps two to four).
Tatasberg Wilderness Camp has four self-catering units with gas fridges and geysers for R540 a night (sleeps two). There are also campsites with cold-water ablutions at Sendelingsdrif, Potjiespram, De Hoop and Richtersberg. Camping is R145 for two plus R48 for each additional adult (maximum six). Kokerboom-kloof campsite and Ganakouriep Wilderness Camp are both currently closed.
$ to $$$$ 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. Rooms cost from R500 a person sharing (B&B), luxury self-catering chalets from R800 a person sharing and camping is R100 a site plus R100 a person (max eight people, two vehicles).
$ Hobas is close to the main viewpoint of the Fish River Canyon and start of the three to six-day hiking trail. Camping is R100 a site plus R100 per person (max eight people, two vehicles). There are many private lodges and guest-farms dotted around the Fish River Canyon area.
What it costs
Without a Wild Card, entry to the Richtersveld section costs R40 a day for South Africans, R56 for SADC nationals and R110 for foreigners. The pontoon costs from R100 a vehicle one way. Entry to Ai-Ais and Hobas is R80 for foreigners, R60 for SADC visitors and R30 for Namibians, plus R10 a car. The Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail costs R100 a person.
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.
For more info on this park, go on-line and search getaway.
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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