Richtersveld Transfrontier National Park

The Ai-Ais/Richtersveld is a vast colourful expanse of varying landscapes hidden away in the remote northwestern corner of the Northern Cape.

The Nama-Khoi and semi-nomadic San are the indigenous people of this region. When the national park was created in the early 90's, rather than attempting to evict the local population, the South African National Parks Board realised that this community has shown it is more than capable of living in harmony with it's natural surroundings. And so the Board negotiated with it's rightful owners to lease the land for a nominal annual amount.

At first glance the region appears lifeless and barren. But a closer inspection reveals a rich and diverse biosphere of succulents, including the curious halfmens. The parks wildlife inhabitants include baboon, mountain zebra, caracal, vervet monkey, and leopard.

The Orange River, which forms the northern border of the park is a popular destination for canoeing and fishing. The park can also be explored on foot along various hiking trails ranging up to 4 days in length.

ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES AT RICHTERSVELD TRANSFRONTIER NATIONAL PARK:
- Flower season (June - October, depending on rains)
- Bird watching
- Guided Trails:
- Vensterval Trail (4 days, 3 nights)
- Lelieshoek-Oemsberg Trail (3 days, 2 nights)
- Kodaspiek Trail (2 days, 1 night)

SUMMARY OF WILDLIFE & FLORA:
Vegetation: succulents, Half-men (Half Human) , quiver trees
Mammals: Hartmann's Mountain Zebra , baboon, vervet monkey rock hyrax, ground squirrel, leopard, caracal
Birdlife: nearly 200 recorded species including jackal buzzard

DIRECTIONS TO RICHTERSVELD TRANSFRONTIER NATIONAL PARK:
From Springbok, continue northward on the N7 for 50 km.
At Steinkopf head west along the R382 for another 35 km.
Then head north towards Eksteenfontein for 50 km.