Our Richtersveld Safari: Winter 2011

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Our Richtersveld Safari took place in the winter of 2011. This overview provides the route, accommodation along the way, distances and notes for future reference.

The safari spanned two weeks and we visited several arid parks on route to the Richtersveld from Gauteng and then back again.

Our trip included stopovers at:

Mokala National Park
Augrabies National Park
Port Nolloth
Richtersveld National Park
Springbok
Witsand Nature Reserve

Planning our Richtersveld Safari...

Richtersveld National Park Picture taken on our
2011 Richtersveld Safari

...took a fair bit of time. In actual we kept on putting off the trip for 3 years as things kept popping up which prevented us from going.

Eventually we placed a stake in the ground and said this is it.

In the sections below is the route planning, stops, directions and GPS coordinates, courtesy of Garmin.

If you are planning a Richtersveld Safari, I hope that these notes will help you to make the most of a self drive safari to the Richtersveld.

As our trip started in Gauteng we tried to make the most of the long journey to include a few other arid Southern African parks and reserves which we passed on the way to the Richtersveld.

We used these parks as overnight stops and also to break the long trip into stages to make the trip less tiring.

Richtersveld Safari Day 1 - Departure from Gauteng:

We departed Gauteng from Pretoria on the first leg of our Richtersveld Safari early on Tuesday morning, the 27th of June 2011. We left Pretoria at 3 AM to get well out of Gauteng before the daily traffic congestion starts.

Route, Distance and Time from Gauteng to Mokala National Park...

The directions below and GPS coordinates are provided by courtesy of Garmin. Please visit Garmin South Africa for all your GPS needs before embarking on any trip such as this Richtersveld Safari.

Please take note that the times mentioned in the table and other tables further down this page does not include stopping along the way.

These times serve as a guideline only to help you with your planning. Provide for at least for another 2 hours for stops along the route.

Also add additional time if you are towing an off road caravan or an off road trailer as we did on this safari.

This really becomes a factor once you travel along the gravel roads mentioned on this Richtersveld safari.

Richtersveld Safari Stage 1: Pretoria to Mokala National Park Directions and GPS points by courtesy of Garmin
	Directions:	Distance:	Leg Length:	Leg Time:	Total Time:	Position:
1	Pretoria	0 m			00:00:00	S25 44.458 E28 11.455
2	Get on Bloed Street (M22) and drive west	70 m	70 m	00:00:00	00:00:00	S25 44.421 E28 11.451
3	Turn left onto Schubart Street (R101)	890 m	820 m	00:00:52	00:00:52	S25 44.454 E28 10.962
4	Keep right towards N1/ Johannesburg/ R28/ Krugersdorp	3.5 km	2.6 km	00:02:27	00:03:19	S25 45.807 E28 10.963
5	Take exit 124 to the left onto N14 towards Krugersdorp/ N1/Pretoria (Oos)/Polokwane	16.4 km	12.9 km	00:10:24	00:13:43	S25 52.163 E28 10.262
6	Take the N14 ramp to the right towards Krugersdorp	16.7 km	321 m	00:00:20	00:14:03	S25 52.335 E28 10.233
7	Take exit 124 to the left onto N14 towards Krugersdorp	17.4 km	677 m	00:00:39	00:14:42	S25 52.690 E28 10.141
8	Percy Stewart Street (R28) and Windsor Road (R28) and M13	69.1 km	51.7 km	00:31:21	00:46:03	S26 06.829 E27 46.529
9	Turn right onto Windsor Road (R28)	69.1 km	0 m	00:00:00	00:46:03	S26 06.829 E27 46.529
10	Turn right onto Moroka Bypass (N12)	98.5 km	29.4 km	00:24:32	01:10:35	S26 20.503 E27 40.358
11	Turn left onto Quinn Road (N12)	529 km	430 km	04:27:24	05:37:59	S28 43.859 E24 45.884
12	Turn right onto Memorial Road	531 km	2.2 km	00:02:03	05:40:02	S28 44.784 E24 46.463
13	Enter roundabout Traffic Circle	532 km	707 m	00:00:58	05:41:00	S28 45.071 E24 46.177
14	Take the 3rd left onto Memorial Road	532 km	88 m	00:00:08	05:41:08	S28 45.095 E24 46.154
15	Take left ramp onto Bishops Avenue (N12)	532 km	441 m	00:00:32	05:41:40	S28 45.273 E24 45.974
16	Turn right onto Road	588 km	55.5 km	00:35:16	06:16:56	S29 12.067 E24 32.148
17	Turn right onto Unpaved Road	609 km	21.1 km	00:31:47	06:48:43	S29 12.787 E24 19.573
18	Mokala National Park	614 km	5.5 km	00:15:54	07:04:37	S29 10.350 E24 21.014

Stops Along the way...

Our first stop was in Krugersdorp to pick up my wife's sister and my brother in law who accompanied us on our Richtersveld Safari.

Stopped for a body break (Early morning coffee coming through!) and refuelled at Potchefstroom.
Stopped for breakfast at the Wimpy in Klerksdorp.
Stopped for diesel and stretched our legs in Kimberley.

Richtersveld Safari Day 1 and 2 - Mokala National Park

We arrived at Mokala, our first stopover on our Richtersveld Safari early in the afternoon which allowed us to leisurely set up camp and getting us sorted out for the rest of the trip.

Accommodation:

Camping at Haak en Steek
-- Mokala National Park

Camping is rustic in a wilderness setting.

There is no electricity available at the Haak en Steek camping site.

There are basic ablutions facilities with flush toilets and septic tank. Hot water is supplied from a gas powered geyser.

The camping site is set among the thorn trees on the bank of a small water hole where the wildlife can drink. Mind the buffaloes and rhinos!

For a complete review of the camping at Mokala follow this link.

Highlights:

Camping at Haak en Steek
Game drive through Mokala national park
Lilydale
Birdhide
Our Mokala Picture Gallery...

Notes for future visits:

We stayed two nights which only allowed us one day to explore the park. It will be well worth it to stay at least three nights to allow additional time for game viewing and just to spend time enjoying this great park.

Remember to bring the bird and mammal guide books! Can you believe it! I actually forgot to pack my Sasol Birds of Southern Africa and The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa .

The evening sky is so dark that it is perfect for stargazing. A night sky map of the southern hemisphere will be very handy as well as a telescope. You can obtain a map free from Skymaps.com. Viewing with binoculars is an option off course but it is a bit shaky.

Departure:

We decided to wait until first light before getting up to pack up camp. Coming from Gauteng we forgot that the further west you go the later it gets light in the morning!

We only started stirring at 7:30 in the morning as it was winter and it only started getting light this late. With early morning temperatures below freezing it didn't help either! The net result was that we only left at about 10AM to our next overnight destination on our Richtersveld Safari at Augrabies National Park

Route, Distance and Time from Mokala to Augrabies National Park...

The directions below and GPS coordinates are provided by courtesy of Garmin. The times mentioned serves as a guideline only. Please add additional time for stops along the way and towing if applicable.

Richtersveld Safari Stage 2: From Mokala National Park to Augrabies National Park Directions and GPS points by courtesy of Garmin
	Directions:	Distance:	Leg Length:	Leg Time:	Total Time:	Position:
1	Mokala National Park	0 m			00:00:00	S29 10.350 E24 21.014
2	Get on Unpaved Road and drive west	24 m	24 m	00:00:00	00:00:00	S29 10.363 E24 21.011
3	Turn right onto Road	5.5 km	5.5 km	00:15:42	00:15:42	S29 12.787 E24 19.573
4	Turn left onto Road	15.6 km	10.1 km	00:15:16	00:30:58	S29 15.124 E24 14.132
5	Turn right onto Road	19.9 km	4.3 km	00:06:40	00:37:38	S29 17.390 E24 13.755
6	Turn right onto R388	47.3 km	27.4 km	00:41:30	01:19:08	S29 17.092 E23 59.603
7	Turn right onto Bowker Street (R370)	82.5 km	35.1 km	00:36:46	01:55:54	S29 03.472 E23 46.223
8	Turn left onto R385	84.8 km	2.3 km	00:02:26	01:58:20	S29 02.293 E23 46.301
9	Turn left onto R64	112 km	27.6 km	00:29:19	02:27:39	S28 48.082 E23 43.273
10	Turn right onto N10	294 km	182 km	02:28:14	04:55:53	S28 53.277 E21 58.661
11	Keep right onto Scott Street (N10)	409 km	115 km	01:13:23	06:09:16	S28 27.761 E21 14.454
12	Turn left onto Kort Street (N10)	409 km	195 m	00:00:07	06:09:23	S28 27.677 E21 14.524
13	Turn left onto Le Roux Street (N14)	409 km	171 m	00:00:28	06:09:51	S28 27.613 E21 14.449
14	Turn right onto N14	449 km	39.5 km	00:25:24	06:35:15	S28 42.707 E20 58.853
15	Turn right onto R359	498 km	49.3 km	00:32:03	07:07:18	S28 45.582 E20 32.096
16	Augrabies Falls - Caravan Park	528 km	29.3 km	00:32:25	07:39:43	S28 35.538 E20 20.045

Stops:

Groblershoop for Diesel & Body Break
Upington for Diesel and Body Break

Richtersveld Safari Day 3 and 4 - Augrabies National Park:

Accommodation:

Augrabies National Park

Camping at Augrabies is great.

There are decent ablutions with hot water and electricity. Many of the stands have electricity.

Walking distance from the main falls.

Here is our Augrabies Falls National Park Camping Review...

Highlights:

Augrabies Falls and viewsites
Moon Rock
Oranjekom - Black Eagle floating on the thermals of he canyon
Berg Ararat
Extended Nature viewing drive through park

Notes for future visits:

One day is only enough to drive through the park and to stop and view all the scenic viewsites. If you want to do an extended sightseeing tour to destinations such as Riemvasmaak additional time here will be neccesary.

Departure:

Learnt our lesson at Mokala! We got up earlier to break camp and managed to get on the road at a more respectable time.

Route, Distance and Time from Augrabies to Port Nolloth...

Richtersveld Safari Stage 3: From Augrabies National Park to Port Nolloth Directions and GPS points by courtesy of Garmin
	Directions:	Distance:	Leg Length:	Leg Time:	Total Time:	Position:
1	Augrabies Falls - Caravan Park	0 m			00:00:00	S28 35.538 E20 20.045
2	Get on Unpaved Road and drive south	9 m	9 m	00:00:00	00:00:00	S28 35.537 E20 20.051
3	Turn right onto Road	15.3 km	15.3 km	00:17:00	00:17:00	S28 40.673 E20 25.777
4	Turn right onto N14	32.9 km	17.6 km	00:26:43	00:43:43	S28 49.676 E20 22.418
5	Turn left onto R355	300 km	268 km	02:49:48	03:33:31	S29 39.810 E17 53.329
6	Turn left onto N7 ramp	301 km	731 m	00:00:58	03:34:29	S29 39.963 E17 53.721
7	Turn left onto R382	350 km	49.3 km	00:31:49	04:06:18	S29 15.331 E17 44.508
8	Turn right onto Main Road (R382)	442 km	91.4 km	01:14:47	05:21:05	S29 15.300 E16 52.140
9	Port Nolloth	442 km	497 m	00:00:58	05:22:03	S29 15.056 E16 52.150

Stops:

Returned to Kakamas for Diesel
Pofadder for Diesel, body break and brought karoo lamb saddle chops and Gemsbok boerewors to braai in the Richtersveld. Karoo chops are the best tasting lamb you can get in South Africa. First time I ever tasted Gemsbok boerewors. It was great!

Richtersveld Safari Day 5 - Port Nolloth:

Accommodation:

MacDougalls Bay
Port Nolloth

The McDougalls Bay Caravan Park is right on the beach.

Even though it is the middle of the winter the place was neat, tidy and the manager was on site and ready to assist.

In no time geysers were switched on in the ablution block that we had to ourselves.

We purposely wanted a campsite with electricity to make sure all batteries - Trailer, cameras etc was fully charged before tackling the main theme of our holiday - Our Richtersveld Safari.

Highlights:

Sundowners on the beach...you have to see the sunset over the Atlantic to believe it.

Notes for future visits:

Allow a bit more time to walk along the beach, watch the sunset and of course the sunrise!

Departure:

We set up a minimal camp to be ready to be on our way by 8 AM. We got up early early but being West Coast in the winter the sun only rises at 7 AM. We also considered our land lady's plea that it is Saturday morning and not wanting to get up to early!!! 8AM was a good departrure time.

Route, Distance and Time from Port Nolloth to Sendelingsdrift:

Richtersveld Safari Stage 4: From Port Nolloth to Sendelingsdrift Directions and GPS points by courtesy of Garmin
	Directions:	Distance:	Leg Length:	Leg Time:	Total Time:	Position:
1	Mc Dougalls Bay Holiday Resort	0 m			00:00:00	S29 16.978 E16 52.826
2	Get on Kamp and drive north	9 m	9 m	00:00:00	00:00:00	S29 16.979 E16 52.831
3	Turn left onto Dougall	161 m	152 m	00:10:00	00:10:00	S29 16.904 E16 52.864
4	Turn right onto Jan Vercuil	560 m	399 m	00:00:25	00:00:35	S29 16.691 E16 52.836
5	Turn left onto R.D.Schoeman Drive	822 m	262 m	00:00:44	00:01:19	S29 16.669 E16 52.996
6	Turn left onto Main Road (R382)	2.9 km	2.1 km	00:02:24	00:03:43	S29 15.564 E16 52.916
7	Turn right onto Main Road (R382)	4.3 km	1.4 km	00:01:15	00:04:58	S29 15.300 E16 52.140
8	Turn right onto Road	111 km	106 km	01:39:47	01:44:45	S28 29.929 E16 39.911
9	Turn right onto Road	112 km	1.3 km	00:01:54	01:46:39	S28 29.965 E16 40.623
10	Turn left onto Road	112 km	202 km	00:00:54	01:47:33	S28 30.070 E16 40.605
11	Turn left onto Road	133 km	20.9 km	00:31:19	02:18:52	S28 27.945 E16 52.268
12	Turn right onto Unpaved Road	176 km	42.6 km	01:03:48	03:22:40	S28 07.452 E16 53.484
13	Sendelingsdrif	176 km	104 m	00:00:27	03:23:07	S28 07.428 E16 53.530

Stops:

We stopped at Alexander bay to fill up with Diesel. We also filled up our jerry cans with diesel and brought a couple of bags of firewood and charcoal to take into the Richtersveld National Park as this was the last place we were sure to stock up.

Richtersveld Safari Days 6 to 9 - Richtersveld National Park:

Accommodation:

Richtersveld National Park On the road to Sendelingsdrift
-- 2011 Richtersveld Safari

Accommodation in the Richtersveld National Park is available at Sendelingsdrift, Potjiespram, De Hoop, Richtersberg, Tatasberg and Kokerboomkloof.

We decided to camp at De Hoop as in our viewpoint this is a very central point in the park to use as a base on a Richtersveld Safari.

We booked our accommodation on the SanParks Website http://www.sanparks.org/tourism/bookings/

Highlights:

Just being on a Richtersveld Safari is an incredible experience but the flowers in June/July! The sight was absolutely unbelievable. We expected the harshness of a mountain desert, rock, sand and flat tyres!

Yet the good rains earlier and during the winter transformed the desert into a paradise.

I cannot believe that we were so lucky to see this incredible transformation so early in the flowering season.

Notes for a future Richtersveld Safari:

Spend at least 2 more nights to make. We camped 4 nights and it was only enough to cover the whole park driving from sunrise to sunset.

I think 6 to 7 nights will be sufficient to really provide enough time to really enjoy everything a Richtersveld Safari can offer.

You need more time to get out, walk and view the treasures that this barren earth offers with enough water.

Someone said that God gardens where He wants to...this is no exception...

Route, Distance and Time from Sendelingsdrift to De Hoop:

Richtersveld National Park Akkedis Pass, Richtersveld NP
-- 2011 Richtersveld Safari

Undoubtedly the highlight of this section of our Richtersveld Safari was the Akkedis Pass with its short sharp turns and rocky ascents and descents.

The scenery along this section is stunning and we ended up spending more than two hours getting to De hoop where we set up camp on the banks of the Orange river.

Richtersveld Safari Stage 5: From Sendelingsdrift to De Hoop Camp Site Directions and GPS points by courtesy of Garmin
	Directions:	Distance:	Leg Length:	Leg Time:	Total Time:	Position:
1	Sendelingsdrif	0 m			00:00:00	S28 07.428 E16 53.530
2	Get on Unpaved Road and drive east	17 m	17 m	00:00:00	00:00:00	S28 07.437 E16 53.533
3	Turn left onto Unpaved Road	101 m	83 m	00:00:14	00:00:14	S28 07.421 E16 53.581
4	Turn right onto Unpaved Road	145 m	45 m	00:00:14	00:00:28	S28 07.401 E16 53.567
5	Turn right onto Unpaved Road at R1 Route Marker	6.6 km	6.4 km	00:18:37	00:19:05	S28 06.791 E16 56.128
6	Turn right onto Unpaved Road at R2 Route Marker	16.3 km	9.7 km	00:28:00	00:47:05	S28 07.393 E17 00.570
7	Turn right onto Unpaved Road	44.4 km	28.1 km	01:20:36	02:07:41	S28 10.882 E17 10.665
8	De Hoop	44.5 km	153 m	00:00:34	02:08:15	S28 10.948 E17 10.663

Route, Distance and Time round trip from De Hoop to De Hoop:

Richtersveld National Park On route to De Hoop
-- 2011 Richtersveld Safari

This round journey had plenty to offer with different scenery.

The highlight was the pass from the Helskloof turn off back to De Hoop.

The flowers and views along this section was such that we stopped every kilometre or two and just wandered into the desert taking in the grandeur of the views, the floral splendour and enjoying the solitude.

Here we first became aware of it being so quiet that the silence hurt our ears...Heaven on earth is a Richtersveld Safari!

Richtersveld Safari Stage 6: From De Hoop Camp Site, a cirular drive though the centre of the Richtersveld and back to De Hoop Directions and GPS points by courtesy of Garmin
	Directions:	Distance:	Leg Length:	Leg Time:	Total Time:	Position:
1	De Hoop	0 m			00:00:00	S28 10.948 E17 10.663
2	Get on Unpaved Road and drive north	27 m	27 m	00:00:00	00:00:00	S28 10.948 E17 10.680
3	Turn left onto Unpaved Road	153 m	126 m	00:00:22	00:00:22	S28 10.882 E17 10.665
4	Turn left onto Unpaved Road at R5 Route Marker	7.3 km	7.2 km	00:20:39	00:21:01	S28 11.097 E17 07.503
5	Turn right onto Unpaved Road at R7 Route Marker	23.6 km	16.3 km	00:46:41	01:07:42	S28 18.333 E17 07.409
6	Turn right onto Unpaved Road at R14 Road Marker	32.9 km	9.2 km	00:26:27	01:34:09	S28 17.362 E17 02.403
7	Turn right onto Unpaved Road at R13 Route Marker	40.2 km	7.3 km	00:21:11	01:55:20	S28 13.838 E17 03.306
8	Turn right onto Unpaved Road at R4 Route Marker	44.0 km	3.8 km	00:10:59	02:06:19	S28 12.697 E17 05.139
9	Turn right onto Unpaved Road	56.9 km	13.0 km	00:37:19	02:43:38	S28 10.882 E17 10.665
10	De Hoop	57.1 km	153 m	00:00:34	02:44:12	S28 10.948 E17 10.663

Route, Distance and Time round trip from De Hoop to Tatasberg, Kokerboomkloof back to De Hoop:

Richtersveld National Park Desert Landscape
-- 2011 Richtersveld Safari

Once again the scenerty changed with every kilometre travelled. This day we really experienced the harshness of the Richtersveld desert landscape.

The Tatasberg wilderness camp on a headland overlooking the Orange River is definitely a camp to remember for future visits.

Springbokvlakte and the viewpoints on the way to Kokerboomkloof was an absolute revelation.

Kokerboomkloof campsite is on the top of my list for for any future Richtersveld Safari.

This campsite is the perfect base to explore this remote part of the Richtersveld.

Richtersveld Safari Stage 7: From De Hoop Camp Site to Tatasberg, the Springbokvlakte, Kokerboomkloof and back to De Hoop Directions and GPS points by courtesy of Garmin
	Directions:	Distance:	Leg Length:	Leg Time:	Total Time:	Position:
1	De Hoop	0 m			00:00:00	S28 10.948 E17 10.663
2	Get on Unpaved Road and drive north	27 m	27 m	00:00:00	00:00:00	S28 10.948 E17 10.680
3	Turn left onto Unpaved Road	153 m	126 m	00:00:22	00:00:22	S28 10.882 E17 10.665
4	Turn left onto Unpaved Road at R5 Route Marker	7.3 km	7.2 km	00:20:39	00:21:01	S28 11.097 E17 07.503
5	Turn left onto Unpaved Road at R7 Route Marker	23.6 km	16.3 km	00:46:41	01:07:42	S28 18.333 E17 07.409
6	Turn left onto Unpaved Road at R8 Route Marker	34.6 km	11.0 km	00:31:32	01:39:14	S28 19.481 E17 11.200
7	Richtersberg Camp	47.4 km	12.7 km	00:36:31	02:15:45	S28 15.278 E17 13.246
8	Get on Unpaved Road and drive north	47.4 km	4 m	00:00:00	02:15:45	S28 15.277 E17 13.243
9	Tatasberg Rest Camp	50.4 km	3.1 km	00:08:48	02:24:33	S28 14.930 E17 14.796
10	Get on Unpaved Road and drive west	50.4 km	3 m	00:00:00	02:24:33	S28 14.931 E17 14.796
11	Turn left onto Unpaved Road at R8 Route Marker	65.8 km	15.3 km	00:43:52	03:08:25	S28 19.239 E17 11.314
12	Turn left onto Unpaved Road	77.9 km	12.1 km	00:34:47	03:43:12	S28 20.017 E17 15.137
13	View Site	79.2 km	1.3 km	00:03:52	03:47:04	S28 19.466 E17 14.776
14	Get on Unpaved Road and drive southwest	79.3 km	26 m	00:00:00	03:47:04	S28 19.475 E17 14.787
15	Turn left onto Unpaved Road	84.0 km	4.8 km	00:13:41	04:00:45	S28 19.768 E17 16.753
16	Turn right onto Unpaved Road	87.3 km	3.3 km	00:09:33	04:10:18	S28 18.442 E17 17.477
17	Kokerboomkloof Campsite	87.3 km	11 m	00:00:02	04:10:20	S28 18.437 E17 17.475
18	Get on Unpaved Road and drive south	87.3 km	1 m	00:00:00	04:10:20	S28 18.437 E17 17.476
19	Turn left onto Unpaved Road	87.3 km	10 m	00:00:02	04:10:22	S28 18.442 E17 17.477
20	Turn right onto Unpaved Road at R10 Route Marker	95.6 km	8.2 km	00:23:38	04:34:00	S28 20.825 E17 19.463
21	Turn right onto Unpaved Road at R7 Route Marker	124 km	28.0 km	01:20:15	05:54:15	S28 18.333 E17 07.409
22	Turn right onto Unpaved Road	147 km	23.5 km	01:07:20	07:01:35	S28 10.882 E17 10.665
23	De Hoop	147 km	153 m	00:00:34	07:02:09	S28 10.948 E17 10.663

Route, Distance and Time round trip from De Hoop to Helskloof Pass, Sendelingsdrift, Potjiespram and back to De Hoop...

Richtersveld National Park View from Helskloof Pass
- 2011 Richtersveld Safari

Helskloof pass...tongue in the cheek I can say that if you have not crossed Helskloof pass you have not been on a Richtersveld Safari.

The road conditions, as elsewhere in the Richtersveld is rough but the incredible views that you are rewarded with certainly makes up for it.

The road to Potjiespram Campsite on the Orange River is another scenic drive on which we were treated to masses of yellow flowers along the way.

This round trip as with every previous day took us the whole day and we arrived at De Hoop after sunset. It is possible to complete any of these trips in much less time but we stopped to explore on foot many times during the day.

This is the reason I felt we needed at least two more days on our Richtersveld Safari to take in everything this wonderful National Park has to offer.

Richtersveld Safari Stage 8: From De Hoop Camp Site across Helskloof Pass to Sendelingsdrift, Potjiespram and back to De Hoop Directions and GPS points by courtesy of Garmin
	Directions:	Distance:	Leg Length:	Leg Time:	Total Time:	Position:
1	De Hoop	0 m			00:00:00	S28 10.948 E17 10.663
2	Get on Unpaved Road and drive north	27 m	27 m	00:00:00	00:00:00	S28 10.948 E17 10.680
3	Turn left onto Unpaved Road	153 m	126 m	00:00:22	00:00:22	S28 10.882 E17 10.665
4	Turn left onto Unpaved Road at R5 Route Marker	7.3 km	7.2 km	00:20:39	00:21:01	S28 11.097 E17 07.503
5	Turn right onto Unpaved Road at R7 Route Marker	23.6 km	16.3 km	00:46:41	01:07:42	S28 18.333 E17 07.409
6	Turn left onto Unpaved Road at R14 Route Marker	32.9 km	9.2 km	00:26:27	01:34:09	S28 17.362 E17 02.403
7	Turn right onto Unpaved Road	52.0 km	19.2 km	00:54:52	02:29:01	S28 18.001 E16 57.289
8	Road and Unpaved Road	55.2 km	3.2 km	00:09:18	02:38:19	S28 16.582 E16 56.365
9	Turn right onto Road	55.2 km	0 m	00:00:00	02:38:19	S28 16.582 E16 56.365
10	Turn right onto Unpaved Road	73.2 km	18.0 km	00:26:54	03:05:13	S28 07.452 E16 53.484
11	Sendelingsdrif	73.3 km	104 m	00:00:27	03:05:40	S28 07.428 E16 53.530
12	Get on Unpaved Road and drive east	73.3 km	17 m	00:00:00	03:05:40	S28 07.437 E16 53.533
13	Turn left onto Unpaved Road	73.4 km	83 m	00:00:14	03:05:54	S28 07.421 E16 53.581
14	Turn right onto Unpaved Road	73.4 km	45 m	00:00:14	03:06:08	S28 07.401 E16 53.567
15	Turn left onto Unpaved Road	85.9 km	12.5 km	00:35:54	03:42:02	S28 04.548 E16 57.853
16	Potjiespram Campsites	86.0 km	164 m	00:00:27	03:42:29	S28 04.495 E16 57.795
17	Get on Unpaved Road and drive southeast	86.0 km	8 m	00:00:00	03:42:29	S28 04.497 E16 57.791
18	Turn left onto Unpaved Road at R1 Route Marker	92.2 km	6.2 km	00:17:44	04:00:13	S28 06.791 E16 56.128
19	Turn right onto Unpaved Road at R2 Route Marker	102 km	9.7 km	00:27:54	04:28:07	S28 07.393 E17 00.570
20	Turn right onto Unpaved Road	130 km	28.1 km	01:20:36	05:48:43	S28 10.882 E17 10.665
21	De Hoop	130 km	153 m	00:00:34	05:49:17	S28 10.948 E17 10.663

Route, Distance and Time from De Hoop to Springbok:

Richtersveld National Park On the road to Eksteensfontein
-- 2011 Richtersveld Safari

This was our last day in the Richtersveld.

On this leg of our Richtersveld Safari we travelled through the greater Richtersveld outside of the National Park itself.

This included a very scenic section between Kuboes and Eksteensfontein

Richtersveld Safari Stage 9: From De Hoop Camp Site to Springbok Directions and GPS points by courtesy of Garmin
	Directions:	Distance:	Leg Length:	Leg Time:	Total Time:	Position:
1	De Hoop	0 m			00:00:00	S28 10.948 E17 10.663
2	Get on Unpaved Road and drive north	27 m	27 m	00:00:00	00:00:00	S28 10.948 E17 10.680
3	Turn left onto Unpaved Road	153 m	126 m	00:00:22	00:00:22	S28 10.882 E17 10.665
4	Turn left onto Unpaved Road at R2 Route Marker	28.2 km	28.1 km	01:20:30	01:20:52	S28 07.393 E17 00.570
5	Turn left onto Unpaved Road at R1 Route Marker	37.9 km	9.7 km	00:27:54	01:48:46	S28 06.791 E16 56.128
6	Turn left onto Unpaved Road	44.4 km	6.4 km	00:18:31	02:07:17	S28 07.401 E16 53.567
7	Turn right onto Unpaved Road	44.4 km	45 m	00:00:14	02:07:31	S28 07.421 E16 53.581
8	Sendelingsdrif	44.5 km	101 m	00:00:26	02:07:57	S28 07.428 E16 53.530
9	Get on Unpaved Road and drive west	44.5 km	17 m	00:00:00	02:07:57	S28 07.437 E16 53.533
10	Turn left onto Road	44.6 km	87 m	00:00:15	02:08:12	S28 07.452 E16 53.484
11	Turn left onto Road	87.2 km	42.6 km	01:03:54	03:12:06	S28 27.945 E16 52.268
12	Turn right onto Unpaved Road	99.2 km	11.9 km	00:18:04	03:30:10	S28 26.772 E16 59.375
13	Turn left onto Unpaved Road	99.4 km	230 m	00:00:52	03:31:02	S28 26.820 E16 59.499
14	Kuboes	100 km	358 m	00:00:55	03:31:57	S28 26.720 E16 59.450
15	Get on Unpaved Road and drive southeast	100 km	75 m	00:00:00	03:31:57	S28 26.694 E16 59.485
16	Turn right onto Unpaved Road	100 km	283 m	00:00:49	03:32:46	S28 26.820 E16 59.499
17	Turn left onto Road	100 km	230 m	00:00:52	03:33:38	S28 26.772 E16 59.375
18	Turn left onto Road	105 km	4.3 km	00:06:29	03:40:07	S28 27.153 E16 56.867
19	Turn left onto Road	132 km	27.6 km	00:41:17	04:21:24	S28 40.953 E16 58.944
20	Turn left onto Unpaved Road	169 km	36.3 km	00:54:58	05:16:22	S28 49.327 E17 15.479
21	Eksteenfontein	169 km	37 m	00:00:12	05:16:34	S28 49.309 E17 15.473
22	Get on Unpaved Road and drive south	169 km	2 m	00:00:00	05:16:34	S28 49.309 E17 15.472
23	Turn right onto Unpaved Road	169 km	34 m	00:00:06	05:16:40	S28 49.327 E17 15.479
24	Turn left onto Road	169 km	420 m	00:01:24	05:18:04	S28 49.438 E17 15.257
25	R382 and Road	225 km	56.2 km	01:24:14	06:42:18	S29 15.662 E17 25.915
26	Turn left onto R382	225 km	0 m	00:00:00	06:42:18	S29 15.662 E17 25.915
27	Turn right onto N7	260 km	34.7 km	00:28:34	07:10:52	S29 15.331 E17 44.508
28	Exit left onto ramp onto R355	309 km	48.8 km	00:31:48	07:42:40	S29 39.752 E17 53.604
29	29 Turn left onto R355	309 km	459 m	00:00:29	07:43:09	S29 39.944 E17 53.783
30	Turn right onto R355	309 km	218 m	00:00:20	07:43:29	S29 39.913 E17 53.913
31	Springbok Caravan Park	310 km	953 m	00:01:33	07:45:02	S29 40.402 E17 53.923

Stops:

Kuboes
Eksteensfontein

Richtersveld Safari Day 10 - Springbok:

Accommodation:

Springbok Caravan park. Brilliant and well managed park with all the amenities you can wish for. Perfect stopover on a trip such as our Richtersveld Safari or if you are on route or back from Namibia.

Highlights:

Back in the civilization! Washing machines hot water etc... After spending time roughing it on Our Richtersveld Safari this was manna from heaven.

Notes for future visits:

Vygie,Springbok Vygies...
-- 2011 Richtersveld Safari

Remember to use this as a base on any flower season trips.

Goegap Nature Reserve just outside of Springbok is renowned for its floral splendour in spring.

For that matter, the whole of Namaqualand becomes a kaleidoscope of colour during the late winter and spring.

Departure:

Packing up camp was a quick affair as we only put up the basics the previous evening in order to get going as soon as the shops in Springbok opened. Our food and other basic necessities was rather depleted after our Richtersveld Safari

Route, Distance and Time from Springbok to Witsand Nature Reserve:

Richtersveld Safari Stage 10: From Springbok Caravan Park to Witsand Nature Reserve Directions and GPS points by courtesy of Garmin
	Directions:	Distance:	Leg Length:	Leg Time:	Total Time:	Position:
1	Springbok Caravan Park	0 m			00:00:00	S29 40.402 E17 53.923
2	Get on R355 and drive north	21 m	21 m	00:00:00	00:00:00	S29 40.406 E17 53.911
3	Turn right onto N14	1.3 km	1.3 km	00:01:00	00:01:00	S29 39.707 E17 53.909
4	Turn left onto N14	335 km	334 km	03:32:26	03:33:26	S28 42.707 E20 58.853
5	Turn right onto Kort Street (N10)	374 km	39.5 km	00:25:24	03:58:50	S28 27.613 E21 14.449
6	N14 and Road	464 km	89.4 km	00:57:29	04:56:19	S28 15.576 E22 05.250
7	Turn right onto Road	464 km	0 m	00:00:00	04:56:19	S28 15.576 E22 05.250
8	Road	520 km	56.6 km	01:24:42	06:21:01	S28 41.270 E22 12.180
9	Turn left onto Road	520 km	0 m	00:00:00	06:21:01	S28 41.270 E22 12.180
10	Turn right onto Road	527 km	7.2 km	00:10:50	06:31:51	S28 38.462 E22 15.154
11	Turn left onto Road	549 km	21.6 km	00:32:44	07:04:35	S28 41.801 E22 27.529
12	Turn left onto Unpaved Road	564 km	15.1 km	00:22:47	07:27:22	S28 34.163 E22 29.667
13	Witsand Nature Reserve - Reception	565 km	866 m	00:02:30	07:29:52	S28 33.993 E22 29.240

Stops:

Our first stop was in Springbok to buy a few groceries and to stock up on a few basics. From there we stopped at Pofadder for diesel and to buy some more Gemsbok boerewors.

From there we travelled on to Keimoes and made a detour to visit Kanoneiland. My wife's father grew up there and we wanted to take a look at this historic and scenic farming community.

We stopped at Upington to fill up with diesel before our journey to the Witsand Nature Reserve.

Richtersveld Safari Days 11 and 12 - Witsand Nature Reserve:

Witsand National Park

The Witsand Nature Reserve is actually further off the beaten track that I realised.

Luckily the gravel road from the N14 was recently graded and one could travel quite comfortably.

Just be on the lookout for the numerous duiker and other small animals grazing along the verge of the road at dusk.

We saw at least 9 of these little guys along the way that ended up as road kill.

Please people, watch your speed and be aware that their natural instinct is to jump into the open space in front of you when startled to try and outrun you...with disastrous results...for the little guy...who does not have ABS and Air Bags.

Another bonus was spotting a Secretary bird settling in for the night on a communal nest on a telephone pole.

Accommodation:

The camping site at Witsand was a real surprise. It is of the highest standard and quite luxurious. It was a treat to camp in the Kalahari and have electricity, hot showers and ablutions facilities that matches the best you can find anywhere in South Africa.

Highlights:

The setting is incredible. Quiet, peaceful and in the middle of nowhere, yet with all the luxuries of any resort close to the main cities of South Africa.
The young crowd certainly enjoy the dune skiing but to us it was great just to wander among the dunes simply enjoying the solitude.
The waterhole and bird hide was one of our popular stops to view and photograph the birdlife of Witsand.

Notes for future visits:

If you ever want a place in the wilderness where you can camp in luxury and at the same time to get away from it all...well look no further, Witsand Nature Reserve is the place. To us it was the last stop on our Richtersveld safari and a fitting place to end our incredible journey and visits to the arid parks of South Africa.

This reserve is worthy as a destination in its own right.

Departure:

We broke camp well before sunup and was ready to depart by the time the gates opened.

Route, Distance and Time from Witsand Nature Reserve back home to Pretoria in Gauteng...

Richtersveld Safari Stage 10: From Witsand Nature Reserve back home to Pretoria Directions and GPS points by courtesy of Garmin
	Directions:	Distance:	Leg Length:	Leg Time:	Total Time:	Position:
1	Witsand Nature Reserve - Reception	0 m			00:00:00	S28 33.993 E22 29.240
2	Get on Unpaved Road and drive south	10 m	10 m	00:00:00	00:00:00	S28 33.994 E22 29.235
3	Turn left onto Road	866 m	857 m	00:02:27	00:02:27	S28 34.163 E22 29.667
4	Turn right onto N14	71.9 km	71.0 km	01:46:29	01:48:56	S27 59.898 E22 42.800
5	Turn left onto N14	102 km	30.2 km	00:19:29	02:08:25	S27 53.931 E22 57.760
6	Turn right onto Market Street (N14)	316 km	214 km	02:16:14	04:24:39	S26 57.430 E24 43.208
7	Turn left onto N14	322 km	5.3 km	00:04:20	04:28:59	S26 58.248 E24 46.225
8	Turn left onto General Delarey Street (N14)	400 km	78.1 km	00:49:56	05:18:55	S26 41.436 E25 27.430
9	Turn right onto N14	461 km	61.2 km	00:39:21	05:58:16	S26 22.814 E25 54.150
10	Turn right onto N14	483 km	21.7 km	00:14:45	06:13:01	S26 24.654 E26 06.523
11	Turn left onto N14	483 km	148 m	00:01:06	06:14:07	S26 24.734 26 06.517
12	Turn right onto N14	504 km	21.1 km	00:13:52	06:27:59	S26 19.588 E26 17.478
13	Turn right onto Kromdraai Road (N14)	661 km	157 km	01:40:55	08:08:54	S26 02.010 E27 43.946
14	Exit left onto ramp onto Kromdraai Road (N14)	662 km	754 m	00:01:29	08:10:23	S26 02.135 E27 44.358
15	Turn left onto N14	672 km	10.1 km	00:06:26	08:16:49	S26 03.702 E27 49.951
16	Take exit 124A to the left onto N14 towards Pretoria	713 km	40.7 km	00:22:33	08:39:22	S25 52.864 E28 09.718
17	Turn right onto Struben Street (N4)	730 km	16.8 km	00:14:00	08:53:22	S25 44.553 E28 10.822
18	Turn left onto Van Der Walt Street	731 km	1.2 km	00:01:36	08:54:58	S25 44.502 E28 11.554
19	Turn left onto Bloed Street (M22)	731 km	165 m	00:00:29	08:55:27	S25 44.413 E28 11.546
20	Pretoria	731 km	229 m	00:00:28	08:55:55	S25 44.458 E28 11.455