The landscape is arid, harsh and unforgiving. Flinty, gravelly, rock-strewn, shingly are all apt descriptions. Some folks cannot get enough of the solitude and vast expanses of the |Ai-|Ais| Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. Personally I believe it is something you have to experience at least once in your life.

The mountainous desert is a biodiversity hotspot, dotted with the world’s richest desert flora. But be warned, with remote comes really and truly rugged.

There’s heavy sand for long stretches along the Gariep River, where we pitched our tent at De Hoop campsite, right alongside the water’s edge. If Potjiespram has rustic camping facilities (cold showers), at Kokerboomkloof conditions are very rustic (no water). The natural amphitheatre of the campsite is surrounded by granite boulders and the quiver tree forest.

Your memories of the high mountains and the dramatic passes will be indelible – a hardcore 4×4 dream.