28 Nov 2011
Richtersveld Adventure
"Altogether a fabulous trip. There are many points, though, that need and should be made to forewarn travellers in the Richtersveld. The first and most important one is that your vehicle should have adequate ground clearance. There are a lot of high centre rock mounds on the tracks and my car (a Jeep Cherokee, hopeless clearance!) was not really enjoying the constant battering from under. Also some of the approach roads in and out of the Park are very corrugated and take their toll on the suspension. They should be graded, urgently. At times the track you are attempting to follow disappears and you need a compass. We lost the route a couple of times and, at 10kms/hr, fuel and time and wear is wasted. Obviously the remoteness is daunting - we travelled solo and saw very few other vehicles in three days. The Park is very well run and arrivals and departures are noted so you are never really threatened by the loneliness... The desert is visually staggering but one has to be alert for any signs of life. There are plenty but easily missed. Birds are aplenty that's for sure! I feel privileged to have experienced this area of SA, and have now driven to every corner of the country. Mission accomplished. Thank you!"
- Michael Leuw (South African)