ATTRACTIONS
Steinkopf shows all the typical faces of
the dry and mountainous Richtersveld semi-desert, but with
a slightly greener touch. Mountain ranges on the horizon announce
the nearby Richtersveld National Park, and the plains awaken
from a long summer's sleep from late August until October,
when purple, white and yellow flowers dot the landscape.
Steinkopf has a rich history reflected both
in old buildings such as the Rhenish Mission Station or the
Old Klipfontein Hotel as well as in the varied cultures of
the town's inhabitants. Visit the traditional communal farm
grounds of the Van Wyk family and hear Steinkopf's stories
from the South African Anglo Boer War. Visit the graves of
British soldiers who died in the war at Klipfontein and Kinderlê,
the burial site of Nama children tragically massacred by the
San two centuries ago. The local school choir is a must, so
try and arrange to hear these beautiful voices singing songs
in Afrikaans, Nama, Xhosa and English.
Walk
through the dusty streets past coffee shops, schools and churches,
exploring the historically and culturally diverse town of
Steinkopf at your leisure. Guided walking tours through the
town, surrounding sandy hills and culturally important sites
offer you a fascinating insight into this town's vibrant history.
A guided 4x4 trail also provides a lovely way to explore the
area.
GETTING THERE
This small semi-desert town is situated
on the N7, 40 km north of Springbok. If you continue driving
along the N7 you reach the Namibian border post at Vioolsdrift,
67 km north of Steinkopf. The R382 from Steinkopf takes you
east to the coastal town of Port Nolloth with turnoffs to
Lekkersing and Eksteenfontein that take your cross-country
to the Richtersveld National Park. |