About Richtersveld National Park

Richtersveld National Park budget travel gives you a chance to explore a desert park, situated on the border of South Africa and Namibia, known for containing the world’s richest desert flora and the peaceful scenery of the Fish River Canyon.

Richtersveld National Park Budget Travel

Richtersveld National Park budget travel is very easy with great value for money backpacking tours and fantastic highlights. Below is useful information on Richtersveld National Park to help you plan your budget holiday in Richtersveld National Park. We offer a variety of budget tours and backpacking advice in Richtersveld National Park.

Airports

Richtersveld National Park airports include the following:
• Cape Town International Airport (South Africa)
• Windhoek National Airport (Namibia)

Birdlife

Richtersveld National Park bird species are plentiful, with nearly 300 species being present. Birding Habitats of the Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Conservation Park include rocky ridges, hill slopes, grasslands, woodlands, dams with connecting streams, and a vlei adjoining one of the dams.The hill slopes have Pied Babbler, Sabota Lark, Rufousnaped Lark, Little Bee-eater and Whitefronted Bee-eater,The grasslands and savannas support Lilacbreasted Roller, Purple Roller, Ostrich, Secretarybird, Pale Chanting Goshawk and Longtailed Shrike. Kori Bustard, Whitewinged Korhaan and Redcrested Korhaan are common.You may see Black Eagle, Rock Kestrel, Jackal Buzzard, Rock Pigeon, Rameron Pigeon, Mocking Chat, Rock Martin and Rock Bunting.

Conservation

Richtersveld National Park conservation is the reason for the existence of this protected area. The land is leased from the Nama people, who are the traditional owners of the land, and who remain free to use the resources in the park for grazing livestock and gathering plants. Richtersveld National Park is a transfrontier park, created with cooperation from SANparks and the Namibian government in partnership with the Nama.

Culture

Richtersveld National Park culture includes the following:
• Local traditional lifestyles of the Nama people, who live and graze livestock within the park and access plants for culinary and medicinal use
• The Nama are responsible for the running of the park.
• The park is the last place where the traditional lifestyles of the Khoi-Khoi survives to any great extent.
• Nature activities for birdwatchers and flower-enthusiasts

Health

Richtersveld National Park health facilities are fairly rudimentary. There are no major health care centres. However, with safe drinking water, no malaria and very few major health risks, Richtersveld National Park visits are generally fuss-free.

AIDS

Richtersveld National Park HIV/AIDS basic precautions include the following:
• Don’t ever share needles or syringes
• Practice safe sex at all times
• Equipment should be sterilized
• If you require self-administered injections, take an adequate supply of your own needles
• Avoid tattoos, acupuncture treatment or body piercing from suspect or unsterile operators

Languages

Richtersveld National Park languages include the following:
• Afrikaans
• English
• Xhosa

Money

Richtersveld National Park money and banking information includes:
• An ATM can be found in the park
• Foreign exchange should be done in one of the larger local towns or cities
• Banking should be done prior to visiting the Richtersveld National Park

People

Richtersveld National Park people include the following groups:
• Coloured
• Xhosa
• Nama
• Whites

Phrase

Richtersveld National Park local phrases include the following:
• Molo ' Hello (Xhosa)
• Enkosi ' Please (Xhosa)
• Kunjanj ' How are you (Xhosa)
• Gooie dag ' Good day (Afrikaans)
• Please ' Asseblief (Afrikaans)

Plants

Richtersveld plants include two floristic kingdoms. A magnificent variety of dwarf shrubs with water-storing leaves belongs to the succulent Karoo region of the Greater Cape Flora, while its western portion forms part of the East Gariep Centre, the most important centre of the Nama Karoo Region. It is estimated that 50 generas out of a total of 160 from the Mesembryanthemaceae family occur here. Also worth looking out for is the unusual halfmens, a tall succulent plant that bears an uncanny resemblance to the human from when seen outlined against the sky.

Religion

Richtersveld National Park religion includes:
• Christian (predominantly)
• Islam
• Judaism
• Traditional African/San religions

Safety Tips

Richtersveld National Park is very safe to visit with very little crime
• Petty crime can occur just like any place however, so be cautious
• Keep valuables out of sight in a moneybag, and don't leave valuables in your car when parked
• Summer months can get very hot, so drink lots of water and don't forget to put on sunscreen

Transport

Richtersveld National Park local transport includes:
• 4x4
• Some LDVs
• Note: Sedan cars are not permitted in the park, and no driving is allowed at night.

Travel Books

Richtersveld National Park travel books include:
• Frommer's South Africa by Pippa de Bruyn
• Richtersveld Cultural And Botanical Landscape by David Fleminger
• The Rough Guide to South Africa 5th Edition by Tony Pinchuck, Barbara McCrea and Donald Reid
• South Africa Eyewitness Travel Guide by DK Publishing
• Lonely Planet South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland by Mary Fitzpatrick
• AAA Essential South Africa 6th Edition by Richard Whitaker

Visa Requirements

Get more information on visas in South Africa

What To Buy

What to buy for your Richtersveld National Park safari:
• Batteries and film for cameras
• Sunscreen and sunhat
• Comfortable clothes and shoes
• Binoculars
• Guidebooks
• Water

What To Pack

The following are some items you should remember to pack for your holiday in Richtersveld National Park:
• Sunscreen and sunhat
• Loose, comfortable clothing and comfortable walking shoes
• Warm clothes for cool evenings
• Binoculars for spotting plants and animals
• Guidebooks to the area and the wildlife
• A basic first-aid kit
• Bottles of water
• Batteries, chargers, film and/or memory sticks for cameras

When To Go

When to go to Richtersveld National Park? The following are seasonal activities:
• Summer is uncomfortably hot.
• Winter can be chilly.
• The best time to visit Richtersveld is in Spring, when the temperature is milder, and many of the plants will be flowering.

Wildlife

The Richtersveld National Park is home to many smaller animals such as shrews, bats, hyraxes, mongoose and other rodents, as well as larger animals such as porcupines, zebras, some smaller antelope species and jackals and foxes. Rarely seen, but present, are leopard, caracal, hyenas and honey badgers. Vervet monkeys and baboons are also commonly sighted.