Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier National Park

Make a startling discovery upon closer inspection when the mirage dissolves into the human-like half-mens (half person) and the harsh environment prove to be a treasure-chest containing the world’s richest desert flora. Miniature rock gardens, perfectly designed by nature, cling precariously to cliff faces. Tiny succulents, mere pinpoints against a backdrop of surreal rock formations, revel in the moisture brought by the early morning fog rolling in from the cold Atlantic Ocean.

Rugged kloofs, high mountains and dramatic landscapes that sweep away inland from the Orange River divulge the fact that you are now in the vast mountain desert that is the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld National Park, an area managed jointly by the local Nama people and the South African National Parks. This is a harsh and unpredictable land where water is scarce and life-sustaining moisture comes in the form of early morning fog – called ‘Ihuries’ or ‘Malmokkies’ by the local people – which rolls in from the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean, sustaining a remarkable range of small reptiles, birds and mammals. A staggering assortment of plant life, some species occurring nowhere else, is to be found here, with gnarled quiver trees, tall aloes and quaint ‘half-mens’ keeping vigil over this inscrutable landscape.

The park is only accessible by means of a 4x4 vehicle, but vehicles with high clearances such as combi’s and LDV’s do travel in the park. Sedan vehicles are not permitted. There is no specific route that can be booked in advance

Ai Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier National Park

Namaqua National Park

As if by magic a tapestry of brilliant colours unfold enticingly along the winding roads of the Namaqua National Park. Butterflies, birds and long-tongued flies dart around among the flowers, seemingly overwhelmed by the abundance and diversity.

A popular tourist attraction, especially between July and September when the ground is covered in a blanket of brightly coloured flowers, the Namaqua National Park is known for its spectacular scenery and wonderful walking and photographic opportunities.

More about Namaqua Game Park

Tankwa Karoo National Park

Space and tranquillity in abundance

As luminous clouds of dust swirl through the ancient landscape, a tortoise patiently wanders in search of succulent morsels; a lizard basks in the sun while gemsbok and red hartebeest share the arid plains with mongoose, orb-web spiders, skinks and leggy toktokkies...

There is something innately appealing about wide open spaces filled with nothing but animals, birds and landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see. Even the most urban of city lovers need time out to switch off their smartphones, power down their laptops and just be.

The Tankwa Karoo National Park is 143 600 hectares of Karoo veld in a basin between the Cederberg mountain range and the Roggeveld. Here, you’ll find space, solitude and tranquillity: everything you need on a holiday.

“It’s so open and wide,” says Letsie Coetzee, the section ranger at the park. “You’re in solitude, even though there are other people in the park.” As well as the peace and quiet she says the landscapes are one of the park’s main features: “There’s always something new, even if you’ve seen it a thousand times before.” 

The park straddles the Western Cape and Northern Cape boundary with most of the park lying within the Northern Cape Province. Due to recent acquisitions, around a fifth of the park’s total area now includes mountainous cliffs and higher lying areas of the Roggeveld Escarpment, thereby giving a whole other dimension to the park.

Stop at Ceres and stock up on essentials (and fruit juice, which the area is famous for), it’s the last town before you enter the park (when coming from Cape Town). Letsie advises driving in a high clearance vehicle as the roads can be hard to navigate, but not impossible, on cars with low bumpers.

Things to do: 

Switch off – turn off your cellphone (you’ll struggle to get reception anyway) and bring that book that’s been sitting next to your bed unread for months. 
Bird watch – keep an eye out for the curious Burchell's Courser.
Star gaze – the absence of city lights reveal a star studded sky (take a two hour detour to Sutherland’s Observatory to see the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) which is the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere)
Capture the beauty – bring along your medium of choice; sketchbook, camera or canvas and let the natural beauty inspire you.
Build a snowman – every so often snow falls within the 1200m above sea-level Gannaga Section of the park, giving an unexpected addition to your photo album for an area better known for its desert-scapes.
4x4 – The park has two major 4x4 trails called Leeuberg and Watervlei, which requires some skill to navigate, while other tracks in the park are fairly easy going where 4x4ing is concerned. 

Accommodation:
There’s a variety of places to stay, ranging from cottages and guesthouses to informal areas where you can pitch your tent. 

Cottages and guesthouses: 

Elandsberg Wilderness Camp
This camp consists of five cottages; all built using unbaked clay-and-straw bricks with sections of walls built with rock. These range from two-sleepers to a two bedroom cottage that can sleep up to six. They all have covered braai areas, gas appliances and linen as well as crockery and cutlery. Paraffin lamps and candles are also provided. 
Tip:  Each cottage has a splash pool (great for kids).

Tanqua Guesthouse Complex
This guesthouse is right on the southern border of the park making it a convenient place to stay for larger groups (up to 18 guests) if you’re coming from Cape Town. There are four places to choose from, ranging from a two sleeper to a separate family unit that sleeps eight. These self-catering units are fully equipped with towels and linen, with the three units within the main building sharing a kitchen, living room and a braai area adjacent to the courtyard swimming pool. Catering can also be provided on advance notice. 
Tip: The accommodation is reminiscent of a desert fort, and is approximately 5km from the Oudebaaskraal Dam and has been used for weddings, teambuilding and film shoots. Plus, there’s a 900m airstrip if you plan to fly in.

Paulshoek Cottage
This old farmstead was restored in 2003, the open plan living room and kitchen are furnished with antiques and the two bedrooms can sleep up to six people. There’s a two-plate stove and a fridge both powered by gas but you’ll have to stoke up the donkey boiler to get hot water for the shower. On a winter’s day, an old wood stove in the cottage provides cosy heat taking you down memory lane to Grandma’s kitchen. There’s no electricity, however candles and paraffin lamps are provided, as well as linen, cutlery and crockery.
Tip: Enjoy the beautiful views of the imposing Roggeveld Escarpment and plains as well as the antics of visitors to the close-by waterhole while you braai outside.

Varschfontein Cottage
This is also an old farmhouse, restored in 2005, but this one sleeps up to nine people in three rooms. You’ll need a high clearance vehicle to reach the cottage especially in winter. The fully equipped cottage comes with a gas two-plate stove and fridge – hot water can be made using the donkey boiler and paraffin lamps and candles are provided. There are indoor and outdoor fireplaces. 
Tip: This is a good choice if you’re looking for complete solitude.

De Zyfer Cottage
This old farmhouse, with its traditional stoep and hearth, dates back to the early 1900s and was renovated in 2009. It sleeps up to six in its two rooms with a queen-sized sleeper couch in the living room. Candles are provided for light and there’s a donkey boiler that you can fire up for hot showers. It’s fully equipped with a gas fridge and stove plus crockery, cutlery and linen.
Tip:  This is a good bird watching spot as there’s an earth dam nearby.

Official camp sites: 

Langkloof
There are two camp sites, each with a bathroom and a kitchen area (without cooking facilities). There’s a gas geyser for hot showers, braai facilities (but you’ll need to bring your own grids), a carport and paraffin lamps. The site is in the scenic upper reaches of the Langkloof, 18km from the Park Reception at Roodewerf. 
Tip: You’ll generally need a high clearance 2x4 vehicle to get there and a 4x4 when it’s been raining.  

Perdekloof
This is a newly developed camping area, which will opened during April 2012. There are six sites, each with their own bathroom and kitchen. Gas geysers supply you with hot water and lighting is by means of solar power. No other electrical points are available. Braai facilities are supplied, but no grids. The campsites are about 10km from the Park Reception and adjacent to the Hoenderhoek tributary of the Rhenoster River. Kudu can be regularly seen strolling among the thick brush adjacent to the campsites and Cape Mountain Zebra has also made the mountainous surrounds their home. 
Tip: A high clearance 2x4 vehicle is fine, but you’ll be better off with a 4x4 if it’s been raining.

Informal camp sites:

There are six areas in the park for self-sufficient campers, each site is reserved solely for the group that books it so you’ll be free to enjoy the area without tripping over someone else’s tent strings. None of them have ablution facilities so this is for those of you that really like to rough it. Come prepared to leave nothing but your footprints behind. 

Pyper se Boom
This site is on the way to the Langkloof section of the park and you’ll need a high clearance vehicle to reach it (a 4x4 during the rainy winter months). There is some shade under the trees. 
Tip: Keep an eye out for the kudu and other small antelope that have been spotted in the area.

Steenkampshoek
You’ll need a 4x4 to get to this site and it’s a good idea to bring a canopy as there’s no shade.
Tip: This site has a spectacular panoramic view of the Tanqua Karoo Basin, with the Roggeveld cliffs in the background. 

Skaapwagterspos
A high-clearance 2x4 will get you there and you can enjoy the shade of the Pepper Tree on this site. 
Tip: Gemsbok, duiker, Cape mountain zebra and red hartebeest all frequent this hilly area. 

Oom Rickert se Huis
In the rainy season you’ll need a 4x4 to get to this site, which has shade provided by Acacia Karoo trees. 
Tip: Kudu and other small antelope have been seen in this Langkloof section of the park. 

Volmoersfontein
You’ll need a 4x4 in the rainy seasons but a carefully driven 2x4 with high clearance will do fine otherwise. There aren’t trees in the area but the site is adjacent to an old ruin. 
Tip: You might spot the Burchell's Courser in this area so keep your eyes peeled for this famous long-legged inhabitant of the park.

Biesjesfontein
If it’s been raining you’ll need a 4x4, otherwise a high clearance car will work. The camp site is near an old ruin but there aren’t any shade-providing trees in the area. 
Tip: Look out for Cape mountain zebra and gemsbok.