​Overview – |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld TP

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip lives in South Africa and has authored many guidebooks to African destinations, including ‘The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa’.

Philip lives in South Africa and has authored many Africa guidebooks, including ‘The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa’.

Philip is the author of many Africa guidebooks, including ‘The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa’.

Philip is author of ‘The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa’.

|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park spans both South Africa and Namibia and has some of the most spectacular desert mountain scenery in Africa. The park is mainly a scenic wilderness destination. Although it’s the world's only area classified as an arid biodiversity hotspot, densities of large animals are low. In Namibia, it features the extraordinary Fish River Canyon, the world's second largest canyon.

Best Time To Go August to September (Spring flowers)
High Season July to November (The park is rarely crowded)
Size 6,045km² / 2,334mi²
Altitude 24-1,652m / 79-5,420ft

Pros & Cons

  • Stunning desert scenery and great photographic opportunities
  • The world's richest area for succulent plants
  • Off-the-beaten-track destination with great wilderness appeal
  • Adventurous destination for 4WD and hiking enthusiasts
  • Little variety and low density of large animals
  • Far away from major tourist attractions
  • Very hot conditions and harsh environment
  • Accessible by 4WD and high clearance vehicles only

|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld TP Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding

Wildlife

The |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park is not really a wildlife destination. Wildlife is very sparse and most big safari animals aren't present. The rare, localized Hartmann's mountain zebra can sometimes be spotted. Small creatures to look out for are suricate, rock hyrax and ground squirrel. Caracal thrives in the rocky habitat but is seldom seen.

Scenery

The mountain desert landscape is rugged and spectacular. The Fish River Canyon is the most dramatic feature in the park and meanders between steep cliffs that bisect the flat Namib plateau. The Richtersveld lies in one of the most diverse parts of the species-rich Succulent Karoo biome (large community of flora and fauna), renowned for its massive display of flowers in spring.

Weather & Climate

Summer in |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld, which lasts from October through April, can be a brutal affair. The average daytime temperature tends to stick around 28°C/82°F in the hottest of these months, but it occasionally shoots up to 45°C/113°F – sometimes higher. And unlike most other South African parks in the summer, there’s barely any rainfall to counter the heat. Winter (May to September) is much milder during the day, though it can be freezing at night.

Best Time To Visit

Avoid the hottest months of the year (October to April). The cooler period (May to September) is a much better time to visit. This is also when wildflowers color in the landscape. There’s little wildlife viewing in |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld, so this isn’t really a factor in the timing of your visit, but birding is best in the hot summer months.

Want To Visit |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld TP?

13 |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Safaris

|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld TP Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
Most Helpful Expert Review
Expert
Ariadne van Zandbergen  –  
South Africa ZA

Ariadne is a renowned African wildlife photographer whose work is featured in many well-known guidebooks and magazines.

Magnificent desert flora in the Richtersveld
4/5

The Richtersveld has the richest desert flora in the world, but you need to be here at a very specific time after the rains to be able to see any of it. I’ve visited at the best time of the year. This is August-September when Namaqualand...

Full Review

Latest User Review
engeltoy  –  
South Africa ZA
Reviewed: Nov 14, 2017
5/5

Again the very natural beauty abounds. Man has not destroyed what nature has created.

Full Review