transfrontier park in Namibia and South Africa
The |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park straddles the border between the ǁKaras region of Namibia and the Northern Cape region of South Africa.
The immense |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park was formed when the Richtersveld National Park in South Africa was joined with the |Ai-|Ais Hot Springs Game Park in Namibia. It contains the Fish River Canyon Park. The South African part is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The park is one of the few places where the Nama, a pastoral semi-nomadic tribe still survive. They speak the Nama language and move with their seasons and are known for living in beehive-shaped huts known as haru oms, made of reeds.
Entrance fees are due at selected tourism spots, for instance at ǀAi-ǀAis and Hobas. Travelling the national and regional roads in the area is free, including the C13 along the Orange River.
Fees in South Africa (valid until 31 October 2017):
There are several wild camping spots on the Orange River, for instance 🌍 here (on the C13 close to the Sendelingsdrift border post). If you bring everything along including some shade for the excruciatingly hot mid-days then you got yourself a beautiful camping spot, completely for free. Unfortunately some people litter these places, and even where the National Park provided drums these are rarely emptied. Bring a refuse bag and pick up the rubbish before camping there; it makes you feel great, and if most people did it like this, the Orange would be pristine again. (updated Jan 2021)