the SAFARI

7-Night  8-Day - photographic camping safari
From: R4,900 p/p

The Richtersveld is by far one of the most dreamt of destinations to visit for any photographer!  Arid landscapes contrasted by the life-giving Orange River, decorated with unusual flora and interesting fauna, it certainly is a must-see destination.

This 7-night 8-day safari is popular for its remoteness, being far from civilisation allowing you to truly discover yourself and your photographic abilities.  You will have the opportunity to do some off-road driving, as the entire Richtersveld is only accessible with a 4x4.  Scenes of barren landscapes, rolling rocky mountains with patches of Quiver trees, mysterious “Halfmens” trees and the Nama people will all add to an unforgettable experience.

It is best to visit the Richtersveld from April to October, as the temperatures can be scorching in the summer but pleasant otherwise, with chilly nights in the winter.  Campsites are rustic and unfenced providing a safe environment in an uninhabited area. Hiking is encouraged in this magical mountainous desert.  In the springtime the landscapes are transformed into a kaleidoscope of colours by the plants and succulents, which make this the richest desert on earth.  Yet another reason why this World Heritage Site is a top destination for photographers.

the DESTINATION

HISTORY
The Richtersveld was named after Dr. Richter, who came to inspect a mission station founded at Kuboes in 1840.  Today it forms part of the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfronteir Park where South Africa and Namibia are bordering at the Orange River.  It is located in the north-western part of South Africa and is jointly managed by the local Nama people and South African National Parks.  The Richtersveld Community Conservancy forms part of our route and lies just south of the National Park itself.  In 2007 this conservancy was added as the 8^th World Heritage site of the country, making it a truly unique destination.

The Nama people living in the conservancy are still living a transhumance lifestyle, which means they migrate seasonally with their livestock by making sustainable use of the fragile succulent ecosystem.  This, together with the rare botanical diversity was reason enough to declare this area a World Heritage Site.

Thousands of years ago the Richtersveld was inhabited by the San, the hunter-gatherers from yesteryear.  We learn this through the archaeological evidence found here in the engravings made by them.  Another group of pastoral people, the Koekhoen moved here from Botswana some 2000 years ago.  The Nama people are said to have descended from these first pastoralists and the San.  In the 1940’s they were joined by the Bosluis Bastars who where descendents from the Khoi-khoi and the Cape Dutch farmers.  Thanks to Reverend Eksteen they were no longer prohibited from worship in churches as they had been since the 1900’s.

GEOGRAPHY
The Richtersveld is South Africa’s only mountain desert region therefore providing extreme climatic experiences.  Black dolomite rocks with geometric designs made by the San people can be found in several places and are known as petroglyphs.  The sharp mountains of volcanic rock formations with granitic outcrops and streaks of pure white quartz scattered like snow are spectacular and guarantee to fascinate any aspiring geologist.

The moisture from the cold Atlantic Ocean brought in by the early morning fog, sustains this harsh land thus providing the dramatic landscape and rugged kloofs with a staggering assortment of plant life.  Among these are over 2700 species with almost 600 species existing nowhere else, including a large variety of succulent dwarf shrubs and lichens.  The larger species include the Giant Bastard Quiver Tree (Aloe pillansii) that can be found on the remote mountain tops, with the “Halfmens” (Pachypodium namaquanum) occurring on the shady southern slopes of the mountains.

Animal life in the park includes the Springbok, Gemsbok, Klipspringer and other antelopes.  The Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra is a protected species and a small population may also be encountered.  Many other animals have adapted to the harsh climate such as reptiles, amphibians, insects and spiders.  Tortoise beetles, the Namaqua Rain Frog and the world’s smallest tortoise, the Speckled Padloper are among these incredible creatures.  Black-backed Jackal, Cape Foxes and Bat-eared Foxes are also present while Brown Hyena, Caracal or Leopard may be spotted on rare occasions.  Rock Hyrax (Dassie), Ground Squirrels and Suricates (Meerkats) should be encountered more regularly.

The perennial Orange River (known locally as the Gariep) and surroundings is home to almost 200 species of birds, including the Black Eagle, Ludwig’s Bustard and Grass Owl.  Many threatened bird species finds shelter here and together with its rich biodiversity it has been declared a Ramsar Site – a wetland of international importance.  Many other common birds such as Larks, Bee-eaters and other eagles are seen more often.

The Richtersveld in all its magnificence truly offers something for everyone!

the ITINERARY

Departure time:  09:00
Distance to travel:  520km
Driving time:  5 hours 30min
Stopping time:  1 hour 30min
Estimated travelling time:  7 hours
Estimated arrival time:  16:00

From Cape Town we will travel north on the N7 towards Springbok.
Before Springbok we will find Kamieskroon where we will spend the night at Pedroskloof Guesthouse.

• Breakfast is not included.
• We will stop next to the road to stretch our legs and enjoy lunch at a roadside restaurant. Lunch today is for your own account.
• Accommodation for the night is at Pedroskloof Guesthouse near Kamieskroon.
• Casual photography tutoring - composition and visual communication.
• Dinner will be prepared at the Guesthouse.

DAY TWO

Departure time:  05:00
Distance to travel:  450km
Driving time:  7 hours 50min
Stopping time:  2 hours
Estimated travelling time:  10 hours
Estimated arrival time:  15:00

From Pedroskloof near Kamieskroon we will travel north again on the N7 towards Springbok.
Past Springbok we will drive to Steinkopf whereafter we will travel west to Port Nolloth.
From here we will make our way up northwards, next to the coast, to Alexander Bay.
Once through Alexander Bay we will travel north-east on gravel road to Sendelingsdrift, the entrance gate of the Richtersveld.
Once in the park it is “off-road” driving all the way to the De Hoop campsite.

Distance and travelling time from Pedroskloof to Richtersveld Park gate: 405km / 5 hours 10min
Breakfast packs will be provided by the guesthouse to enjoy next to the road, in authentic South African style.
Distance and travelling time from Park gate to De Hoop campsite: 45km / 2 hours 40min
Light lunch will be enjoyed on the way to the campsite once in the park.

• Set up camp on arrival.
• Practical photography (time to shoot, ask questions and practice what you’ve learnt).
• Dinner and photography talks around the campfire.

DAY THREE

Camp day - no driving for today

• Wake up with coffee and rusks - before the crack of dawn.
• Practical photography - time to shoot, ask questions and practice what you’ve learnt.
• Brunch will be prepared after our practical photography session.
• Casual photography tutoring - technicalities – understanding the functions of your camera and how to use it.
• Practical photography - time to shoot, ask questions and practice what you’ve learnt.
• Dinner and photography talks around the campfire.

DAY FOUR

• Wake up with coffee and rusks - before the crack of dawn.
• Practical photography - time to shoot, ask questions and practice what you’ve learnt.
• Breakfast will be prepared after our practical photography session.

From De Hoop campsite we will continue our journey in the Park to Kokerboomkloof campsite where more “off-road” driving is involved.

• Set up camp on arrival.
• Practical photography - time to shoot, ask questions and practice what you’ve learnt.
• Dinner and photography talks around the campfire.

DAY FIVE

Camp day - no driving for today

• Wake up with coffee and rusks - before the crack of dawn.
• Practical photography - time to shoot, ask questions and practice what you’ve learnt.
• Brunch will be prepared after our practical photography session.
• Casual photography tutoring - post production – how to correctly edit your images and prepare it for printing.
• Practical photography - time to shoot, ask questions and practice what you’ve learnt.
• Dinner and photography talks around the campfire.

DAY SIX

• Wake up with coffee and rusks - before the crack of dawn.
• Practical photography - time to shoot, ask questions and practice what you’ve learnt.
• Breakfast will be prepared after our practical photography session.

Leaving Kokerboomkloof campsite, more “off-road” driving will be done to exit the park.
Once we are out of the park we will travel in a southern direction to Tierkloof campsite in the Richtersveld Community Conservancy.

Distance and travelling time from Kokerboomkloof campsite to the exit gate of the Richtersveld Transfrontier Park: 60km / 3 hours
Distance and travelling time from the gate to Tierkloof campsite: 50km / 1 hour 30min

• Set up camp on arrival.
• Casual Photography tutoring - choosing the right equipment.
• Dinner and photography talks around the campfire.

DAY SEVEN

• Wake up with coffee and rusks - before the crack of dawn.
• Practical photography - time to shoot, ask questions and practice what you’ve learnt.
• Breakfast will be prepared after our practical photography session.

Little driving is needed for today as we make our way from Tierkloof campsite to Eksteenfontein.
Cultural activities will form part of our day, allowing for great cultural photography.
We will spend the night at Rus ‘n bietjie campsite.

DAY EIGHT

• Breakfast will be prepared early to allow enough time to take down camp.

From Eksteenfontein we will travel south towards Steinkopf, to get back onto the N7.
Driving on the N7 we will pass through Springbok, Kamieskroon and Clanwilliam.
Staying south on the N7 will bring us back to Cape Town.

• We will stop next to the road to stretch our legs and enjoy lunch at a roadside restaurant. Lunch today is for your own account.

The day to day route:

the DATE

the COST

• Rates are quoted in ZAR (South African Rand).
• There is no minimum required number of people (12 people maximum).
• Rates are fixed for all guests whether you participate in the workshop or not.
• Due to the nature of our safaris we can not accommodate children under the age of 15 with OPEN safaris. We welcome children on PRIVATE safaris or CUSTOM-made safaris.
• Only a non-refundable deposit of R2,500 p/p will ensure your safari is booked.
• Your invoice will be sent 30 days prior to the safari departure. The outstanding balance is then due 14 days before the safari.
• With an OPEN safari, the outstanding balance will be influenced by the total amount of guests on the safari (the more people joining, the less your balance will be).
• Payments can be made via PayPal or electronic transfers.
• Prices are subject to change without prior notice.
• Please ensure that you have read and understand the terms and conditions.

Definitions

OPEN safari:
A safari that is open to any member of the public.  Everyone on safari will not necessarily know each other.

PRIVATE safari:
A safari that is booked for a private group of people such as family or friends travelling together, with no other members of the public joining the group.

CUSTOM-MADE safari:
A safari that is organised according to your preference and specific needs, locations and/or dates. Please contact us for more info.

PDF downloads

Richtersveld safari e-book
Download a detailed pdf document of the Richtersveld safari with ALL the information provided here.

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Important info
Download a detailed pdf document with information regarding what to bring, general health and safety and suggested links.

the MAP

the WEATHER

• Summer (November to February) - Days are hot and nights are moderate.
• Winter (June to August) - Days are mild and nights can be very cold.
• Autumn & Spring (March to May & September to October) - Pleasant days and nights.

Below is a summary of the average annual climate and rainfall in the Richtersveld area.  Please note that temperatures may fluctuate with 5°C or even 10°C either way for consecutive days.