The The Richtersveld World Heritage Site - previously referred to as the Community Conservancy, includes deep rugged kloofs, breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity and high mountains. The WHS is bordered to the north by the Richtersveld National Park, managed jointly by the local Richtersveld community and South African National Parks, and on other sides by communal lands.

This is a harsh and unpredictable land that depends on the life sustaining moisture that comes in the form of early morning fog. Even so, the World Heritage Site is a biological wonder.

From a distance you see only rugged mountains, sweeping deserts, a giant blue sky and glimpses of the mighty Orange River creeping along to the sea. On closer investigation however, you realize that you are standing in one of Africa’s most diverse and rich ecosystems.

The Heritage Site sits in the heart of what is called the Succulent Karoo Biodiversity Hotspot – an ecosystem with an astounding 4849 succulent plants, 40% of which are found nowhere else.

To be declared a hotspot, an area must have incredibly high species diversity and a high percentage of endemism. It is quite a unique distinction, as there are only 25 hotspots in the world. Even more unusual is that the Succulent Karoo is a desert and is the only arid biodiversity hotspot on Earth.

NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES:

• Fantastic hiking/ Walking Trails
• The Orange River – swimming, canoeing, rafting and fishing
  Nature - learn about the unique plants of the Succulent Karoo.
• Excursions to local Nama villages, stockposts, and “matjieshut”, the traditional Nama huts.
• Camping – in beautiful private remote campsites far from any other people.
• Petroglyphs – the ancient San rock engravings.
• 4x4 driving along the famous Namakwa 4x4 Route

GETTING 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.