/Ai/Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Conservation Area

Natural and Cultural Heritage

The 350 million-year-old and erosion-rich Orange River gorge that separates Namibia and South Africa abounds with history, folklore and grandeur. Animal paintings are found in caves, some estimated as being over 25 000 years old.  ARTP is part of the succulent karoo biome which has the richest succulent flora in the world harboring about one-third of the world’s approximately 10 000 succulent species, with new species being discovered on an ongoing basis.  The ARTP is one of only two entirely arid ecosystems hotspots.

Sparse rainfall occurs in winter due to passing cold fronts falling as light mist, with an annual rainfall of between 50 - 100 mm. The only permanent source of water is the Orange River. Two trees are particularly associated with the ARTP: the bastard quiver tree, Aloe pillansii, and the half-mens (halfhuman), Pachypodium namaquanum, which the Namas people revere as embodiments of their ancestors, half human, half plant, mourning their ancient Namibian home. The Orange River mouth is a wetland of international importance and designated as a Ramsar Wetland Site. Wildlife found in the area is adapted to withstand the arid climate, with many species concentrated in the denser vegetation around the Orange River. The ARTP harbors 56 species of mammals, including six species endemic to the southern African sub-region and at least 194 species of birds. The programme by South African National Parks (SANParks) to re-introduce wildlife to the ARTP started in 2007, when they brought in 40 gemsbok and 80 springbok. Leopard, caracal, brown hyena and black-backed jackal are some of the predators found in the area. The only breeding pair of augur buzzards in the region nest on the high cliffs. Jackal buzzards and African fish eagle are other common raptor species to see. 

The People of ARTP

The /Ai/Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park is one of the last areas preserving the Nama people’s traditional lifestyle of nomadic pastoralism. This Richtersveld NP is a contractual park which means that the land belongs to the community and managed by the government agency SANParks on behalf of these communities. While some community members continue to reside in the park and are entitled to graze a total of 6000 head of livestock, the majority choose to live in four settlements adjacent to Richtersveld National Park.

After the Governments of Namibia and South Africa signed the international treaty in 2013 they established a joint management board.  The board includes community representatives, ensuring joint-decision making and benefit sharing in the ARTP. 

ARTP Highlights

• Fish River Canyon: The second largest canyon in the world, after the Grand Canyon in America. The Fish River Canyon viewpoint is accessible from the Hobas Camp in /Ai /Ais National Park and offers an internationally acclaimed five day, self-supported hike down the canyon from Hobas to /Ai /Ais. From the Boplass campsite on the Orange River, it is a short hike to the mouth of the Fish River as it enters into the Orange River.
• The Orange River run 2,200km (1,400 miles) from it’s source in the Drakensberg through Lesotho and along the borders of South Africa with Namibia and Botswana, before exiting into the ocean at Oranjemund. There are many exciting kayaking and fishing options along the river.
• /Ai /Ais Hot Springs
• UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Night skies: The ARTP is a large wilderness area, isolated from the light pollution of big cities, offering spectacular night skies for the astronomy enthusiast.
• Remote locations
• Mountainous landscapes
• Experience the oldest Desert in the world