Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

Day 06 - Fluorspar Valley to Potjiespram
Distance: 166km
Moving Time: 4h28

We packed up the morning, and then took the drive back to Eksteenfontein before exiting again on the Western side. After descending to the lowe ground, the road follows the "Holgat" river. It's windy and rocky and there are several dry riverbed crossings.

We continued on this road all the way until the Kuboes <-> Alex Bay road. The last couple of kilometres were covered in drift sand, and the road had literally disappeared. I drove with the GPS for reference, and following the previous vehicles tracks. When we intersected the Alex Bay road, we turned right to Kuboes. There is nothing much in Kuboes. It is, however, apparently the only town in the world where there is a school that teaches the Nama language... Anyways, having seen Kuboes, we backtracked again towards Alex Bay, turning right to the National Park at the road sign.

And then we stopped at Corenellskop to see the "Wondergat".

After this, we headed to the park, checked in and took the short drive to Potjiespram where we would be camping. Potjiespram reminded me very much of Hobas in Namibia...

That night, we baked bread and braaied. We did not need to go looking for scorpions as they came looking for us... Saw the little guy marching into camp, so I collected him with the braai tongs and deposited him outside the camp in the bushes.
Where we stayed: SAN Parks - Potjiespram camp
Approximate cost: R113 per person per night camping.
Conservation fee: R72 per person per day.

Day 07 - Potjiespram to Kokerboomkloof
Distance: 129km
Moving Time: 4h38

From Potjiespram, we headed out - stopping to take photos of the Shepherd's Tree right outside the camp-site. Despuite the absolute amazingness of this natural phenomenen, some idiots still seem intent to carve their names onto the thing. It is beyond annoying...

From there, we headed out to the Hand of God, before tackling the Penkop Pass and the Akkedis Pass. These are very nice drives... Since we had quite a bit of time, we headed East past the Rooiberg to see the facilities at De Hoop, before backtracking and heading South through the Maerpoort Pass.

We stopped at both viewpoints of the Tatasberg, but to be dead honest, the view point on the Eastern side is the clear winner. So is the view of Aussenkehr across the Gariep river...

And then we were at Kokerboomkloof. It was bleedingly hot - the truck thermo said 47 degrees at some point - so we all had a siesta under the awnings waiting for the air to cool a little bit before we set up camp.

Interestingly enough, I was always under the impression that there was no waster at Kokerboomkloof, but there was when we were there. Very strange.

The heat played havoc on my father's fridge set up, which meant I had to swap my solar charge controller onto his second battery and connect the panels.

Whilst setting up camp, I got zapped on the toe by a scorpion. No idea what type of scorpion, as I sort of mashed it totally in my fright. But it was very, very, very intensely painful. And the pain came and went periodically over the next three days. I treated it with Antizan.

I also made a very poor attempt at star trails. I'll post it once and just leave it there... :)
Where we stayed: SAN Parks - Kokerboomkloof camp
Approximate cost: R113 per person per night camping.
Conservation fee: R72 per person per day.

VOLG!

Day 08 - Kokerboomkloof to Sendelingsdrif
Distance: 241km
Moving Time: 4h43

From Kokerboomkloof the next morning, we started heading back to Sendelingsdrif.

We admired the Springbokvlakte from the viewpoint, stopped to look at a "baster kokerboom" and an old grave site next to the turn off to the Domorogh Pass. And then we returned to Sendelingsdrif via the other Helskloof pass which finishes just before the National Park's gate.

Although we were originally supposed to camp at Sendelingsdrif, the heat and continual make and break camp thing had taken their toll on my elderly folks. Enquiring about upgrading to a chalet, I was informed that I still had a credit from accommodation I had paid to SanParks for another trip last year. This allowed us to check into a chalet virtually for free... There was, however, one hiccup... The heat had taken it's toll on my beer stocks... It was a Friday before bottle stores closed. And Sendelingsdrif has nowhere to buy beer... :(

I heard that Sanddrif - about 50 km away - had a bottle store, so I let my folks relax at the chalet, and Liana and I made a dash for the bottle store...

We got there. Rather a depressing place, and got beer before heading back to Sendelingsdrif.

I'd camped in Sendelingsdrif last year on my way back from Namibia, and went to look at the camp site. They have upgraded the ablutions, and are apparently on their way to upgrading all rest camps to look more-or-less the same.

We had a few beers, braaied and had a doze. The next day, we'd be exiting the National Park and heading towards the coast to get to the Namakwa park. I'll write up about that later. :)
Where we stayed: SAN Parks - Sendelingsdrift Chalet
Approximate cost: R450 per person per night camping.
Conservation fee: R72 per person per day.

Awesomeness

This is the end of the Richtersveld part of my trip. From here, we headed down to Alex Bay, McDougall's Bay, Hondeklipbaai and then the Namaqua National Park before heading back home. I shall post the next installments when I have a chance.

Gheeez I miss that place, thanks for the pics and info Ian. Looks like you had great fun!

EPIC!!!

Very nice trip report Ian !!!

Amazing trip report, thanks for sharing!