Day 15 - Springbok to Sendelingsdrif

Trip Summary:

I stopped at the chemist to collect some flu medication before heading off. Not far out from Sprinbok, the wind blew gales from the east across the road. I must havve been driving at a 15 degree angle.

At Steinkopf, I turned off onto the R382 towards Port Nolloth. The wind was now blowing from behind which made it nice. I went through the Anenous Pass before turning north onto gravel roads to Eksteenfontein. The gravel roads were good although good is relative. Some corners had severe corrugations and loose stones which means you have little control going around the corners unless you have anticipated the path prior to taking the corner.

On arrival at Eksteenfontein, a sign indicates that payment must be made to the Richtersveld Community Conservancy trust at the information centre. I had to ask around for the location as it was not along the Main street. I found the little centre and the guys was very helpful sharing information. The cost was R37 but they do not have change. He ended up getting R40 and I got my permit.

There is an unmarked rocky mountain pass from Eksteenfontein as you head towards Sendlingsdrif Tracks4Africa show this as a 4x4 road. The temperatures had risen to 28C and climbing. By the time I got to Sendlingdrif it wwas 32C. You pass through another gate control to get another permit to travel through the Richtersveld National Park.

Generally, the gravel road allows you to experience thick sand, corrugations, rocks, loose stone and a combination of there as any time to one needs to drive conservatively.

I arrived in Sendlingsdrif to sign in and asked where I was heading. I said Namibia. They indicated that the ferry was not running as the Orange River was too high and the current too strong. I will need to map a new route tonight.

A number of 4x4 travellers passed through into the Richtersveld during the day. There was only 3 groups at the Sendlings camp, namely, myself, a group of 6 men from Cape Town and an elderly couple from Port Elizabeth.

Monkey's posed a problem as they would get really close and steal anything that looks edible. Luckily all my stuff does not look edible. The 6 guys brought out their ketties and paintballs and chased them away. Some monkeys left rather peed off with yellow paintball markings on.

Accommodation: Camping

The Sendelingsdrif camp site is rustic and reflects the style at all the camps sites in the park. The facilities could do with some maintenance. The men's ablutions had no light bulbs.

There is only one point to connect to electricity so I had to move my tent to be close enough to run a 3m electric cord.

The ablutions provide the necessary facilities and were clean and had hot water.

The camping sites do not have water.

Security is fine for the location and anyway, there is a Police station 150m away.