Access to Richtersveld

[jorgjean]

Hello, I want to visit Richtersveld with 2-3 days SANPark Camps, after visiting Kgalagadi in January 2024. I dont want to cross the border into Namibia. From There on to Alexander Bay. Which route will you recommend? Thanks

[iandvl]

The easiest route from the Kgalagadi will actuallly be via Namibia. But you mention that is out of the question.

In that case, it will be the R360 South. Kgalagadi -> Ashkam -> Upington.

From Upington, N14 west. Upington -> Kakamas -> Pofadder -> Springbok.

From Sprinbok, N7 North. Springbok -> Steinkopf.

These are all good, tar roads.

From here you have two options:

Option 1: West on the R382 until the dirt road to Eksteenfontein. Eksteenfontein -> Sendelingsdrift gate.

Option 2: North on the N7. Vioolsdrift -> dirt track next to the river -> Helskloof pass (the Eastern one - there are two Helskloof passes in the Richtersveld) -> Eksteenfontein -> Sendelingsdrif gate.

Both these options are dirt road (well, option 1, the first bit is tar and option 2 is tar until Vioolsdrif).

Out of those two options, I would use the second one.

There is a trip report from one of my trips to the Richtersveld here:

https://patrol4x4.co.za/viewtopic.php?t=9182

[jorgjean]

Thank you for the information. The reason to avoid border crossing into Namibia is that I drive the vehicle of my sisiter in law which complicates the border crossing.

How hot is Richtersveld in January? Is it bearable or better to avoid completely and go in Spring (August - September)?

[Eggie]

January can be seriously hot, and the nights don't cool down as well as in the Kgalagadi.

[iandvl]

As per my trip report - the truck's thermo was registering 47 degrees in Kokerboomkloof. This was in November, but you can probably expect similar temperatures in January.

[jorgjean]

As per my trip report - the truck's thermo was registering 47 degrees in Kokerboomkloof. This was in November, but you can probably expect similar temperatures in January.

Very helpful report. Makes me definitively wanting to go there. Lots of plans. Unfortunately it seems the Visa Department in Pretoria is collapsing, serious technical issues….. Hope its beeing sorted in the near future.

[jorgjean]

To report back. We visited end of January. Entering from the Namibia side. The Ferry was not operating so we had to detour to Alexander Bay. We were completely by ourselves in the park and in the camps. We truly enjoed it. Magnificient landscape and great offroad driving. Fantastic park!