By Vicky · Published Oct. 16th, 2025
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Richtersveld Transfrontier Park is a remote and wild desert park in South Africa bordering Namibia, with amazing spring flowers in August & September.
Page Contents:
Location
Richtersveld Transfrontier Park is in the Northern Cape on the border with Namibia. It’s 9 hours and roughly 850 km north from Cape Town, or 7 hours and 650 km west from Upington. If you’re coming from Cape Town, Springbok can be a good place to break your journey. Sperrgebiet Lodge* is a great place to stay, or in flower season, nearby Goegap Nature Reserve is definitely worth visiting.
Richtersveld Transfrontier Park Map with Campsites
Tips
- You need a 4×4 with high clearance to enter the park. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to enter.
- The Tracks4Africa South Africa Map* is very useful for planning your trip and navigating within the park.
- 15-20km/h is the average speed within the park, so allow for this when planning your journey. You must be in your campsite before dark.
- High season is August to mid-October, when the flowers are out, and prices for accommodation are slightly higher (flowers sometimes appear earlier, June the earliest).
- Conservation fees per day are R344/83 for foreigners/South Africans, both half-price for children or free with a WildCard.
- For more park guides and hikes, check out our South Africa Guide.
Solitude, stars, amazing landscapes and flowers are the highlights of this arid park. Read our guide to find out all you need to know to plan the best trip to Richtersveld Transfrontier Park.
Information and Itinerary
Sendelingsdrif is the main rest camp and entrance to the park, where you’ll find a basic shop and fuel. There are no other shops, fuel stations, or drinking water anywhere else in the park, so stock up here. From Sendelingsdrif, it can still be a significant drive to get to other accommodation within the park, so bear this in mind when choosing your first night. The nearest campsite is Potjiespram, 11 km from reception. De Hoop is 38 and Richtersberg is 48 km, while Kokerboomkloof is almost 80 km. Allow for driving roughly 15 km per hour within the park.
Things to do in Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
The main attraction of Richtersveld National Park is the remoteness and stark landscapes, plus the wildflowers in spring. All year round, you can find rare plant life, from the quiver trees and halfmens plants to the smaller succulents and flowers. Other highlights of the park include fishing and swimming in the river, stargazing, birdwatching, driving the mountain passes and walking short distances from the campsite to admire the landscape.
In terms of wildlife, there are a few larger animals within the park, such as mountain zebras, kudu and smaller antelopes. Monkeys and baboons live in the trees and bushes along the Orange River, and here you’ll also find many birds. However, the animal you’ll see most is probably goats, grazed here by the Nama people who have stock posts within the park.
Wildflower Viewing in Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
The best wildflowers in Richtersveld are between the bottom of Domorogh Pass and Helskoof Pass. Carpets of mainly yellow flowers blanket the normally dry, rocky ground and it’s rather spectacular. The difficult bit is getting here, as it’s quite far away from the main entrance, and the Domorogh Pass is very tricky (see below). However, you can avoid the Domorogh Pass by taking a loop to the east.
In some years, there are also fantastic wildflowers on Koeroegabvlakte, the large plain after Akkedis Pass. You’ll also find smaller numbers of wildflowers all over the park, and it varies from year to year.
Safety within the Park
The most dangerous animals in Richtersveld are scorpions and snakes. For this reason, wear closed shoes and check them before putting them on! If you leave a tent cover or anything on the floor overnight, shake it out before use, as scorpions may have taken refuge beneath it. Don’t sleep on the bare ground for the same reason.
Not all spots in the river are suitable for swimming. Before entering the water, check for any strong currents, submerged rocks and rapids. There are no crocodiles or hippos in the Orange River. It’s too cold for the former, and the latter were hunted to extinction a long time ago.
When driving in the park, it’s best to carry at least one spare tyre, or preferably two. There’s no phone reception within the park, so travelling in a convoy is always a good idea. Outside of flower season, or on the remoter roads, if you break down you may not see anyone else for days. It’s illegal to drive off-road, as this can damage the fragile ecosystem, and you’re also not allowed to drive in the dark.
Take extra water and food in case you have to wait, and make sure to have more than enough fuel for your planned route. A spade is also useful in case you have to repair the track yourself a little. Make sure to have a paper map (e.g. Tracks4Africa) and an online app, for example, the one from Tracks4Africa, or a free app like OrganicMaps.
At the camps, there’s no outside lighting, so make sure to bring a headtorch. Remember bin bags, as you have to take all your rubbish away with you.
Example Week Itinerary in Richtersveld National Park
See the accommodation section below for more details of the camps mentioned.
- Day 1: Drive to Springbok, potentially overnighting at the lovely Sperrgebiet Lodge*.
- Day 2: Drive to Tierhoek Campsite (180 km, roughly 3 hours or more).
- Day 3: Check in at Sendlingsdrif, drive into the park to De Hoop (or Richtersberg) Campsite.
- Day 4: Drive from De Hoop (or Richtersberg) to Kokerboomkloof Campsite.
- Day 5: Stay again at Kokerboomkloof, or drive to Gannakouriep Wilderness Camp.
- Day 6: Drive back to Sendelingsdrif, cross the pontoon into Namibia, and head along the river to relax at Norotshama River Resort* near Aussenkehr.
- Day 7: Head back to Springbok and beyond – it’s possible to drive back to Cape Town from Aussenkehr in one long day.
Note that if you visit in midsummer, Kokerboomkloof Campsite will be extremely hot, so it is best avoided; stay longer at the riverside camps instead. To extend your trip, add an extra day or more at any of the camps within Richtersveld. Or in flower season, spend two nights on the way at Goegap Nature Reserve near Springbok.
Best time to Visit Richtersveld National Park
The best time of year to visit the park is in the spring to see the wildflowers. These bloom in August to mid-October, though it depends on the year. It’s also relatively cool during these months. Temperatures can dip below freezing during the night, so make sure to bring a warm jacket and a warm sleeping bag/bedding. Spring is also the most popular time in the park.
In summer, it can reach over 50C in the shade and so it is unpleasant to leave your air-conditioned vehicles in the middle of the day. Kokerboomkloof Campsite is particularly warm, so you may want to consider staying next to the Orange River instead.
How to get to Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
Sendelingsdrif is both the main entrance and main rest camp of the South African side of Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. You can reach Sendelingsdrif with a normal car (slow), but to go into the park you need a 4×4 with high clearance.
Driving to Richtersveld from South Africa
Approaching the park from the South African side, such as from Cape Town, all routes to Richtersveld start by taking the R382 west from the N7 at Steinkopf. You could alternatively drive into Namibia and approach from that side (see below).
The quickest route to Sendelingsdrif is also the longest, via Port Nolloth and Alexander Bay. On this route, it’s 265 km from Steinkopf to Sendelingsdrif and the last 85 km are on a corrugated dirt road. It’s not a particularly scenic route, with the last section mainly passing large mining operations.
There are two other main options, both with a much greater distance on corrugated dirt roads, but overall shorter. After turning west on the R382, these routes then head north either via Eksteensfontein or Lekkersing. The total distance from Steinkopf to Sendelingsdrif is 200 km or 220 km, respectively.
The former route, via Eksteensfontein, is the most scenic. The track is a bit rough for the 15 km after Eksteensfontein as it heads through some rockier, hillier terrain; however, there are no real difficulties. The route via Lekkersing is less scenic, but it’s only sandy and corrugated with no rough sections.
There is also one much longer, though very scenic option you could take if you are in no rush and are happy driving along a very remote road that’s rough in places. This route leaves the N7 at Vioolsdrif, just before the Namibian border. It then heads west along the Orange River to Riversun Retreat before turning south, away from the river. The gravel road becomes a smaller track, heading through some hills and over Helskloof Pass, before eventually reaching Eksteensfontein.
Driving to Richtersveld from Namibia
The most exciting way to reach Richtersveld Transfrontier Park is via the Pontoon crossing at Sendlingsdrift, from Namibia to South Africa. If it weren’t for the border crossing formalities, it would also be the quickest route from Steinkopf (220 km away).
There are various ways to reach the Pontoon depending on where you’re coming from in Namibia. Heading south from Aus, the C13 leads to the Pont and is paved almost the entire way, with a short section of very nice gravel road at the end.
Alternatively, from Aussenkehr, it’s a super scenic drive of 85 km along a good gravel road that mainly runs right next to the Orange River. This is a really nice drive. From the South African border at Vioolsdrif, it’s 40 minutes along a paved road to Aussenkehr. Or if you’re visiting Ai-Ais Hotsprings, from there it’s about 70 km along good gravel roads to Aussenkehr. If you want to stay overnight along this route, Norotshama River Resort* is a great option.
Sendelingsdrif Pontoon & Border Formalities in Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
The Sendelingsdrif Pontoon operates every day from 8am to 4:15pm. It can be closed in high water; call (027) 831 1506 if you want to check in advance. There is sometimes information about the pontoon on the SAN Parks website under notifications. On each crossing, it can fit two 4×4 vehicles without trailers, or one 4×4 vehicle with a trailer. There’s a small discount on the price if you overnight within the park, making the cost R130 for one vehicle, or R180 for one vehicle with a trailer.
Border Formalities for Sendlingsdrif Pontoon Crossing
To enter Namibia from South Africa, you must complete exit formalities at Sendlingsdrif Rest Camp Reception. A ZA sticker and your vehicle papers are required, and you have to pay a road levy of R242 per vehicle and R154 per trailer. This fee is payable at the Namibian border post on the other side of the river. It can be paid in Rand or Namibian Dollars, only in cash.
Note that since 1st April 2025, if you come from e.g. Europe or America, you have to get a Visa to enter Namibia. To use the Sendelingsdrif border post, you must get an e-Visa in advance. This border post does not issue Visas on Arrival (only the bigger border crossings do this).
To enter South Africa from Namibia, you first head to the Namibian border post to complete an exit form, and then when you arrive at Sendelingsdrif rest camp, you complete an entry form at the customs office next to the reception.
Roads within Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
You can only enter the park with a 4×4, ideally with high clearance and low range. Make sure to have enough fuel, which is only available at Sendlingsdrif. Note that fuel efficiency decreases on sandy or corrugated tracks, and you might end up driving more than you originally planned.
All roads within the park are gravel and in places sandy. There tend not to be so many corrugations, which is nice. Some of the mountain passes are so easy that you won’t notice them, while others are a lot trickier.
Car Rental
If you don’t have your own 4×4, you can rent a fully equipped 4×4 from Britz* from Cape Town. Some of their cars come with rooftop tents and other camping gear if you need it. Car hire, including 4x4s, is also available from Upington Airport*.
Mountain Passes
Note that road conditions can change, for example, when the park does maintenance, or passes are washed away by floods and then rebuilt. The notes below are from our experience driving in spring 2024. Ask at the reception for updated road conditions.
Swartpoort Pass & Halfmens Pass are quite easy and you will barely notice them. There should be no problems if you have a decent car.
Akkedis Pass is also fairly easy, but with a few slightly rocky and steep sections. You may need to use low range in one or two places, and if you’re not confident, you might want to scout the track at times. The main difficulty is the patches of soft sand and many bends leading up and up.
Domorogh Pass is the most difficult pass in the park, though it’s also quite short. It’s either fully downhill driving south or fully uphill driving north, with the descent trickier than the ascent. It is rough, sandy and slippery, bumpy, tilted/sloping to the side, very steep and with large rocky steps in places.
Helskloof Pass (within park) lies between the base of Domorogh Pass to the park Entrance Gate, roughly 20 km south of Sendelingsdrif. Most of this pass is relatively easy, though there’s at least one large rocky step on the way down, which should be scouted in advance.
Helskloof Pass (outside park) is confusingly the second pass of the same name in the Richtersveld area. However, this pass is not within the park, but leads from Vioolsdrif to Eksteensfontein. It’s slow going, and while not that technical, you may average only 10 km/h for most of the route.
Accommodation in Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
At Sendelingsdrif Rest Camp, there’s a campsite and air-conditioned chalets. Within the park, there are basic campsites and Wilderness Camps with basic chalets. See below for more details.
In terms of prices, high season is August to mid-October and prices for accommodation are slightly higher. Prices shown below are for the low/high season and exclude a 1% community fund levy, but you get a 5% discount if you book online. If you need more information, contact Sendelingdrif Reception on +27 (0)27 831 1506, [email protected] or [email protected].
Sendelingsdrif Rest Camp
Sendelingsdrif Rest Camp is the main rest camp within Richtersveld National Park, located at the main entrance gate. Here you’ll find the park reception, border post, a small shop, fuel (8am to 4pm) and flower displays. There’s a campsite and chalets, and a swimming pool for overnight guests. The surrounding area is somewhat spoiled by mining activity, which starts early in the day. Try not to stay at this camp longer than you have to.
Campsite: R302/330 per night for two (max 6 people and 2 vehicles per site), plus an extra R114 per person. No electricity. There are 12 spots at the campsite, which is in a dusty section of the rest camp, away from the river. There’s no electricity, and it’s not very scenic. If you have time, drive a bit further to Potjiespram (the closest campsite in the park itself).
Chalets: R1176/1242 per night for two, plus an extra R330 per person. There are six 2-bed and four 4-bed chalets, all overlooking the Orange River. The chalets are air-conditioned and all have kitchenettes.
Campsites within the Park
The campsites within the park are all fairly basic and none have electricity. The base prices are for two people, then there’s an extra charge for every extra person up to a maximum of 6 people and 2 vehicles per site. All the campsites have toilets, and the three by the river also have (cold) showers.
Potjiespram Campsite
Potjiespram is the closest campsite to Sendelingsdrif, only 11 km into the park. Although very close to the river, the camping spots themselves are in thick bush. However, a couple of very short paths lead to the river, where the views are spectacular. There are a couple of shared ablution blocks with toilets and cold showers. R302/330 per night for two, plus R114 per extra person.
De Hoop Campsite
De Hoop Campsite is right on the Orange River, so you camp right next to the water with lovely river views. There are large areas of grass and shade from some big trees. You can swim here, and the river means it’s a bit cooler than elsewhere in the park. It’s probably the most popular campsite in the park. There are 12 sites, with shared ablutions and cold showers. R363/422 per night for two, plus R116 per extra person.
Richtersberg Campsite
Along the river from De Hoop, Richtersberg camp also lies on the edge of the water. While there’s not so much shade here and also less grass, the river views are slightly grander than at de Hoop. It’s also a bit sheltered and so less windy (particularly on summer afternoons). You can also swim here. There are 6 sites, with shared ablutions and cold showers. R363/396 per night for two, plus R114 per extra person.
Kokerboomkloof Campsite
Kokerboomkloof is the only campsite away from the river. It’s in a wild and remote valley, with quiver trees, fantastic desert scenery and cool, large granite boulders (a bit similar to Spitzkoppe in Namibia). There are very dark skies at night, and great views in the day, which get even better if you climb up the surrounding hills. However, in summer it can be extremely hot here and the cooler riverside camps are preferable. There are 8 sites and each site has a little ablutions block with sink and toilet but no showers. R302/330 per night for two, plus R114 per extra person per night.
Cabins/Huts within the Park
The Wilderness Camps are basic but comfortable self-catering cabins for a maximum of 2 people. There’s water for washing up and showers, but you have to bring your own drinking water.
Tatasberg Wilderness Camp
Tatasberg Camp is perched on a small cliff above the river and there are lovely views of both the river and the mountains. There are 4 reed cabins, each with two single beds, a kitchenette and a deck. There are solar-powered lights, a gas-powered stove, fridge and hot showers. There’s no electricity, so you can’t charge gadgets and there is no air-conditioning. This means the cabins can get warm, but they always cool down at night. To reach the river, you have to walk about 10 minutes. R1,176/1,451 per night for two.
Gannakouriep Wilderness Camp
Gannakouriep Camp is inland in a remote valley, with 4 cabins made of canvas and stone. Each cabin has two single beds and a kitchenette. Like at Tatasberg, there are solar-powered lights, a gas-powered stove, fridge and hot showers, but no electricity. R1,176/1,297 per night for two.
Hakkiesdoring Hiking Hut
Hakkiesdoring Hiking Hut is partly designed as a base camp for hikers on the Vensterval Trail (4 days, 3 nights) within the park. This is sometimes available between 1st April and 30th September, but is currently closed due to a lack of guides. This means the Hiking Hut can be booked by any group, not just hikers.
The hut accommodates up to 9 people. There’s water for showers and the sink, but you should bring your own drinking water. There’s lighting, a gas-powered fridge, stove and shower, but no electricity. It’s R600 for four people, then an extra R100 per extra person.
Outside Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
There are two lovely, remote campsites in the Richtersveld Community Conservancy (bordering the National Park) – Tierhoek and Glybank. These are both nice places to stop on the way to/from the park. You can’t book these in advance, but to pay, you should stop at the very small tourist information in Eksteenfontein. Rates are low, roughly R20 pppn but may change, and you need cash. If the tourist information is closed or you don’t pass through Eksteenfontein, someone from the Conservancy might visit the campsite in the evening and ask you to pay then. For more information, call 027 8312013, 027 7128036, or email [email protected].
Tierhoek campsite
Tierhoek Campsite has a lovely setting, slightly similar to Spitzkoppe in Namibia, surrounded by huge granite boulders and rocky hills. There are great views over the vast desert plain below, which get even better if you can take a short hike up the rocky hill behind the campsite.
Glybank Campsite
Glybank Campsite is roughly 5km southeast of the tiny town of Kuboes. It’s a lovely spot, at the end of a kloof scattered with trees, with a large granite slab forming the hill behind the sites.
Norotshama River Resort
If you’re coming from Namibia along the C13 (a super scenic and fairly quick, maintained gravel road), Norotshama River Resort* is a great place to stay on the banks of the Orange River.
There are both chalets and camping spots. The chalets overlook either the Orange River or a small lake, and they are very cute. There’s a pool, bar and restaurant, which all have gorgeous views over the river.
I hope you found this guide to Richtersveld Transfrontier Park useful. If you like national parks and hiking, discover more in our South Africa Guide.
Guidebooks to explore more of South Africa
FAQS
There is just one small shop selling basics at Sendelingsdrif, so you should bring everything you need with you, including food and drinking water. A headlamp, binoculars, and camera should also be taken, along with a wide-brimmed sunhat, sunscreen and sunglasses. It gets cold at night, especially in winter, so take a thick jacket and extra blankets.
You definitely need a 4×4 in Richtersveld National Park. You are not even allowed within the park if you do not have a 4×4. All the tracks within the park are gravel, sometimes rocky and steep, and sometimes sandy and corrugated.
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