Orange RIver.January 2019
2. Following the Orange River upstream A.
The Orange River is the longest river in southern Africa, about 2,000 kilometres long. It rises from the Drakensberg Mountains in Lesotho, and flows westward through South Africa and enters the Atlantic ocean on the South African/Namibian border. The Orange River is also know as the Gariep (pronounced Hareep) River.
Orange River
Our route
Oranjemund
Last year I read in a magazine: "For the first time in its 81 year history, the Namibian town of Oranjemund which lies on the Namibian side of the Orange River estuary and is in a diamond-rich region called the Sperrgebiet (“prohibited area” in German), is open to the public." This was one of the reasons we decided to do this trip.
After doing some shopping in town we drove to the campsite and after setting up camp drove down to the beach.
As we were on the Namibian side of the river we were able to drive along the beach (no longer allowed in South Africa) where we saw several fishermen.
Standing at the point where the Orange RIver enters the Atlantic Ocean.
We drove north along the beach and saw lagoons and salt pans
On our way back to camp we saw an ostrich family on the golf course - by the time I'd got my camera out only 'dad' was in sight.
In the evening we drove to the top of the hill behind the campsite to watch the sun go down.
Oranjemund to Richtersveld
From Oranjemund we headed West following a good tar road through the Sperrgebiet to the turn off to the Senderlingsdrift Border Post. It is still forbidden to stop or drive off the road, except at specific parking areas, as this is still a prohibited area. We saw occasional mine buildings. Sometimes the road was right next to the river which was like a green and blue ribbon cpmpared with the surrounding countryside.
The Sperrgebiet. There are some mine buildings on the left in the distance.
Driving right next to the river.
It was a gravel road to Senderlingsdrift.
Once through the Namibian Border Control we waited to catch the ferry back to South Africa.
Richtersveld National Park
This was, undoubtedly, our favourite spot on this trip. In the 4 days we were there we only saw 2 other vehicles! It took us 2 1/2 hours to cover the 45km from the office at Senderlingsdrift to the De Hoop campsite. The Akkedis Pass was the main challenge with a twisty, narrow, rocky single track - luckily we met no other vehicles.
De Hoop campsite has 3 lots of ablutions along a long stretch the river valley and you can choose where you want to camp. As there was no-one else there we spent an hour or so checking out the best spot which had some shade and was not too far from ablutions with a working shoers and toilets.
You can just make out some of the track towards the Akkedis Pass
This oryx (gemsbok) was rather shy.
Towards the river we had to drive down a narrow, sandy stream valley.
Our campsite for 3 nights.
Early one morning, before it got too hot, we took a walk along the hills behind the campsite.
We had several dips in the river every day to cool off.
Kevin enjoying his hammock under a shady tree.
Evening braai.
I spend a lot of time watching the birds and insects near our camp.
A skink.
A weaver checking out scraps and a pied wagtail.
There were lots of bees enjoying this flowering bush.
A grey heron (foreground) and a goliath heron behind.
Richtersveld to Viooldrift Border Post via Aussenkehr
From De Hoop we drove back to Senderlingsdrift and crossed back over to the Namibian side of the river. After going through the papework at the Border we were just about to set off when a guy in combat fatigues arrived and asked to search the vehicle - he said he was looking for diamonds and drugs!!
He spent lots of time going through everything in my handbag but a very quick look in the back of the bakkie- and then he checked through all the zipped sections inside the van but and didn't bother with any of the other van compartments. We think that he was just bored and wanted something to do - we'd noticed that since we crossed the border 3 days ago only 3 other vehicles had passed through the border post!
Crossing back over the Orange RIver at Senderlingsdrift.
We were able to park up here for a lunch stop.
This is the dry Fish River where it enters the Orange River.
As we approached Aussenkehr we saw the first of many vineyards irrigated by The Orange River.
After doing some shopping in Aussenkehr we stopped for a couple of nights at Norotshama River Resort. The first morning we noticed that we had a flat tyre. There were no garages nearby but the maintenance manager helped Kevin remove the wheel and then took him to a local vineyard which had a tyre repair garage.
Our shady campsite at Norotshama River Resort.
A lovely clear swimming pool overlooking the Orange RIver.
Sunset.
Janeer helping to remove the tyre.
Our final night on the Namibian side of the Orange RIver was at Amanzi Trails Camp.
Crossing the river back into South Africa.
Last updated: December 2020