|
 Written
by Abuys de Wet, Chairperson of the Richtersveld Tourism Association
The Circle Route was conceived by the Richtersveld
Tourism Association (RTA) as the best way to see as much as
possible in a limited amount of time. It follows the natural
lay of the land, and the existing road networks, attractions
and villages. You don’t need a 4x4 for this route, but
remember, the Richtersveld is an emerging tourism destination,
so it can be full of unknowns and surprises – hopefully
all of them pleasant ones!
The Route starts where you leave the N7
at Steinkopf where there is tourism accommodation and information
at Kookfontein, located only a few kilometers north of Steinkopf
and next to the N7, an great place to sleep over if time catches
you before you set off west along an excellent tar road to
Port Nolloth.
 Port
Nolloth has several excellent restaurants and there is a proposed
botanical garden. The Port Nolloth Museum Centre is an interpretation
centre for the town and general area. It is located next to
the Bedrock Lodge run by Grazia de Beer and a host of helpful
ladies.
Traveling north on tar you reach historic
Alexander Bay where diamonds have been mined since 1928. The
renovated Diggers Camp is the interpretation centre for the
mine and the world famous Orange River Mouth Wetland, and
houses the Alexander Bay Museum.  Do
fill up in Alexander Bay as the next fuel is available only
at Sanddrift, but only during business hours, and thereafter
only at the Richtersveld National Park (RNP).
From Alexander Bay one travels east along
the !Gariep (meaning ‘Big River) to the rugged mountains
of the Richtersveld. The road can be treacherous but as long
as you drive slow and carefully, especially when it is wet,
you will be okay. Before Kuboes the road turning to the Richtersveld
National Park (RNP) turns off to your left. About 6km further
you will see Cornellskop, where a sign to the Wondergat points
to the left: the site of a deep sinkhole with cultural significance
to the local people. But why not first visit the town of Kuboes
where someone at the local Tourism Information Centre (TIC)
can tell you everything about the area.
Traveling south from Kuboes you will
have the Richtersveld World Heritage Site all
the way on your left until you reach  Eksteentfontein
1.5 hours later (if you travel without stopping). The TIC
in Eksteenfontein can tell you all you may want to know about
the World Heritage Site and at the Eksteenfontein Museum Volenti van
der Westhuizen will treat you to the compelling history and
culture of the area. From Eksteenfontein it is about 80 km
on a good dirt road to the main Steinkopf-Port Nolloth Road
or, 10km after Eksteenfontein you will find
a road turning left to Vioolsdrift that will take you the
back way through the World Heritage Site to the !Gariep and then along
the river to Vioolsdrift.
| Distances | |
| Springbok - Steinkopf | 55km |
| Steinkopf - Eksteenfontein | 90km |
| Eksteenfontein - Kuboes | 120km |
| Eksteenfontein - Lekkersing | 45km |
| Eksteenfontein - Port Nolloth | 120km |
| Lekkersing - Kuboes | 75km |
| Kuboes - Sanddrift | 25km |
| Sanddrift - Alexander Bay | 45km |
| Alexander Bay - Port Nolloth | 85km |
| Port Nolloth - Steinkopf | 90km |
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