First Time to De Hoop, Richtersveld

[Neville Bailey]

At the beginning of the year we booked an itinerary in December 2020 from Durban to KTP, via Golden Gate and Kalahari Monate Lodge and Twee Rivieren, with our final destination being Rooiputs campsite for 6 nights.

As the borders into Botswana are not yet open, it does not seem likely that we will be able to go to Rooiputs this year, and all the campsites in the SA rest camps are fully booked.

So I was thinking that we should change our plans slightly and, since we have never visited the Richtersveld before, that we make our final destination De Hoop campsite in the Richtersveld. Our final overnight stopover, before heading to De Hoop, would be the Kalahari Monate Lodge near Upington.

We are driving a 4x4 diesel Duster, towing a Jurgens Oryx off-road camper van.

Is this doable in our vehicle, time-wise and terrain-wise?

[PedroD]

Hi Neville,

A couple of thoughts:

1. Monate to De Hoop is do-able in one day, but not advisable. (we have just done it, in the other direction, over two days). At the very least, plan to stop-over at Sendelingsdrif before going into the park. Monate is a great campsite, by the way.

2. The distance from Sendelingsdrif to De Hoop looks short, but it is both tricky driving and very scenic and so I would not suggest doing it at the end of a long day of driving.

3. The road from Sendelingsdrif to De Hoop will also probably be quite challenging for your rig as well, but will be possible with slow speeds and the right tyre pressure - so again best to do it earlier in the day.

4. The Richtersveld will, of course, be very hot in summer; but at least at De Hoop you are alongside the Orange River. See here:
https://www.4x4community.co.za/forum...ld-in-December

Suggest you post further questions to the Regional Northern Cape section - you might get more replies there.

[jfh]

I agree, especially on points 1 and 2.

We did Augrabies to Port Nolloth when we went there.

The 30 odd km to DeHoop took us more than 3 hours,

[KurtG]

Your rig will do the trip easily, so that’s not an issue, but maybe try stay over at Port Nolloth or Springbok the night before, just to make it a little more relaxing . De Hoop was our favourite campsite in 6 years of camping with our Metalian so if you can extend your stay there do so, it is magical.

[Neville Bailey]

Thank you for all the recommendations.

We have decided to stop over at Brandkaros just after Alexander Bay on our way there and back.

[PedroD]

Thank you for all the recommendations.

We have decided to stop over at Brandkaros just after Alexander Bay on our way there and back.

Good choice! Enjoy the trip

[alannymarce]

From Sendelingsdrif to de Hoop took us 3:17 (actual moving time 1:56). Amazing area - really enjoyed it.

[Neville Bailey]

We've just got back from our 4000km return trip from Durban to De Hoop, Richtersveld, and what an amazing place!

Our Duster/Oryx rig handled the rough conditions very well, with one little challenge on the Akkedis Pass which was purely driver error.

Here is a video of us negotiating the Akkedis Pass: https://youtu.be/fbOYZxiybMc

And here is a quick tour of our camp setup at De Hoop: https://youtu.be/O5pYGFIRC6o

[Neville Bailey]

Here's some footage of the approach to De Hoop Campsite - https://youtu.be/9k94E3tsApU

[Peter1949]

We've just got back from our 4000km return trip from Durban to De Hoop, Richtersveld, and what an amazing place!

Our Duster/Oryx rig handled the rough conditions very well, with one little challenge on the Akkedis Pass which was purely driver error.

Here is a video of us negotiating the Akkedis Pass: https://youtu.be/fbOYZxiybMc

And here is a quick tour of our camp setup at De Hoop: https://youtu.be/O5pYGFIRC6o

Thank you so much for your report and video.
It brings back some very good memories of our 2018 adventure into that area (And Pedro & Ellen were there with us on their first ever Richersveld and Namakwa Trail trip.
Pedro please correct if I am wrong.

As mentioned on another thread is it not amazing how the video tends to underplay the actual gradients and conditions.
I also noted your slow speeds going through - essential to appreciate the amazing scenery, topography, flora and if your luck some reptiles along the way.

It is indeed (In my opinion somewhat of a unique place.) Can I use somewhat and unique in the same statement ?
I don't know - but there are no doubt very many other unique places in the world which we have not been able to visit - so I think the caveat is OK.

However as seen this trip can be done with almost any vehicle with reasonable ground clearance.

Thank you to Pedro who advised you in the pre-trip stages.

THESE reports and videos are what this forum is about.

[Nico H]

Can these passes be done with a Hilux v6 with a Explorer in tow?

[petewill]

Yes. Came back from De Hoop a week ago. There was an FJ Cruiser and a V8 Land Cruiser 200? towing offroad vans. They had no problems at all. The road is in good condition. Only the first 2 camp sites at De Hoop were accessible due to the high water level. Enjoy.