From Springbok to Richtersveld National Park
From Springbok, drive about 50 km north on the N7 to reach Steinkopf – the gateway to the Richtersveld. From here, take the tarred R382 down the Anenous Pass until you reach the turn-off to Eksteenfontein.
This is where your adventure really begins. You can now turn onto the gravel road to Eksteenfontein and enter the Richtersveld Community Conservancy, or continue on tar to Port Nolloth and Alexander Bay if you want to go directly to the Richtersveld National Park.
Springbok Suggested Itineraries
If you have less than 4 days or a none-4x4: Concentrate on the Richtersveld Community Conservancy (RCC). Spend a night in Eksteenfontein, Lekkersing and/or Kuboes, then return to Springbok. Alternatively, if you do have a suitable vehicle, forgo the RCC and spend your time at one or more of the Richtersveld National Park’s fantastic campsites.
If you have 4 days: Drive to Eksteenfontein and spend a night in the town or in the Richtersveld Community Conservancy. Then drive through the conservancy to the Richtersveld National Park and spend the night at either the comfortable rest camp at Sendelingsdrift or the nearby campsite at Potjiespram. Next day, drive to another campsite, preferably at De Hoop or the spectacular Kokerboomkloof. Leave the Richtersveld National Park via Helskloof Pass and drive to Port Nolloth for the night. Then, return to Springbok. Please note that this is will be a very rushed trip and most of your time will be spent in the car. There is also very little margin for error if you have any mechanical problems.
If you have 4-6 days: Spend one night at Rooiberg and one night at Eksteenfontein. Then drive to Kuboes and spend a night there. Drive into the Richtersveld National Park and spend a night at De Hoop and another night at Kokerboomkloof (although all the campsites have something special about them). Then head out to Port Nolloth for a night in a guest house before returning to Springbok. This is a more leisurely trip that will give you some time to explore each of the sites in the Richtersveld Community Conservancy and Richtersveld National Park.
If you have more than 6 days: Follow the itinerary above, but spend a couple of nights at each place. You should also take more time in the Richtersveld National Park, where you could easily pass a day or two relaxing at any one of the various campsites. Then, if you can, cross the border at Sendelingsdrift and drive up into the Namibian part of the Trans Frontier Conservation Area to visit the Ai-Ais hot springs and the Fish River Canyon. When you’re done, return to Springbok via the Vioolsdrif border post on the N7 highway. It’s a trip you won’t forget in a hurry.
From Springbok to Cape Town
If you have 1-2 days: There is plenty of flower action in the various hills and towns around Springbok, so pick a place to stay and drive around a bit. The Namaqua National Park near Kamieskroon is a definite must.
If you have 2-4 days: After a couple of nights in Springbok, drive the 300-odd km to Nieuwoudtville and spend the rest of time there.
If you have 4-6 days: After a few nights in both Springbok and Nieuwoudtville, spend a night or two somewhere on the West Coast (I would suggest Elands Bay). When you’re done, you can return to Springbok, but you’ll probably be closer to Cape Town.
If you have more than 6 days: Once you’ve had enough of Niewoudtville, head south to the Cederberg and/or the West Coast. Apart from Eland’s Bay, I would recommend staying over at the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve near Paternoster and/or the West Coast National Park at Langebaan. Then head back to Cape Town via Darling.
Springbok Flower Routes
The flowers in Springbok burst out of the most unlikely places. The verges along the N7 highway usually contain a bright spray of daisies, while the townships north of town are veritable wildflower extravaganzas with all sorts of colourful blooms transforming the plots into impromptu gardens.
The people in the township are usually welcoming, as long as you approach with respect and ask permission before traipsing through their homes. Outside of town, several farms also have large flower fields. Just remember that these are on private property, so respect closed gates and ‘no trespassers’ signs.
The gravel roads around the Kokerboom Motel (about 5 km south on the N7) are usually quite reliable in this regard. Another good wildflower display can be found about 12 km down the Messelpad road towards Hondeklip Bay (accessed by turning off the N7 about 15 km south of Springbok).
By David Bristow