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GENERAL INFO
THE BROADER REGION
FACES OF THE
RICHTERSVELD
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Weather
The Richtersveld is an arid mountain desert region with daily temperatures
which can vary dramatically through the seasons and from place to place.
It is a land of extremes with temperatures ranging from freezing in the
winter months to up to 50 °C during the summer. Most of the Richtersveld
receives winter rainfall, generally between May and September, but occasional
summer thunderstorms occur in the mountainous regions. The climate and
winter rainfall are regarded as primary reasons for the region’s
unique biodiversity.
| Main /Good Dirt Roads | 4x2 |
| Fair Dirt Roads | 4x2 |
| Fair 4x4 Tracks | 4x4 |
| Poor 4x4 tracks | 4x4 |
Note: There is no fuel available in Eksteenfontein. Fuel is available
in Vioolsdrift, Rooival, Steinkopf, Port Nolloth or Sanddrif. There
is no cell phone coverage in the Richtersveld. Pay phones from land
lines are available in Eksteenfontein.
How to get there
From Cape Town you travel 605 km north on a good tar road (N7) past
Springbok to Steinkopf. You then turn left towards Port Nolloth on
the R382 and 35 km further will find the turnoff to the right to Eksteenfontein.
The next 50 km is dirt road that can be travelled with a normal sedan
car.
From Johannesburg you can fly or drive up to Upington and then drive
the good tar road (N14) through Bushmanland to Springbok, before turning
north to Steinkopf and Eksteenfontein. If you are travelling from Namibia
you turn off to the right just after crossing the border at Vioolsdrift
and drive on a rough dirt road through the Helskloof Pass and on to
Eksteenfontein for about 2 hours. This road is not suitable for sedan
cars.
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Costs & Fees
| Conservancy | Entrance | R30 per person per day |
| Camping | R20 per person per night | |
| Vehicle (Once Off) | R10 per vehicle | |
| Guesthouses | Kom rus-'n-bietjie | R100 per person per night |
| Rooiberg | R80 per person per night |
Rules
You are entering a sensitive area that is very important to the Richtersvelders.
Much effort has been made to preserve this area, so please help us protect our natural resources so all can forever enjoy it. We also protect this area for our future generations.
Please adhere to the rules below and understand that you are entering a wild area at your own risk and must be prepared for rugged travel.
- Please stay on existing roads and please use only open roads.
- Please take out all rubbish and all items that you bring in.
- Please do not take any plants or cultural heritage items out of the area.
- Please use designated camping sites only.
- Please do not unnecessarily disturb the local people.
Suggested Reading
Title: Richtersveld, The Enchanted Wilderness
Author: Graham Williamson
Title: Tracks and Trials of the Richtersveld
Author: K.W. Reck
Title: Richtersveld National Park
Author: Graham Williamson
Title: The Four Wheel Drive Trials of Southern Africa
Author: Andrew St. Pierre White and Gwynne White