The massive 162 000 hectare Richtersveld is one of the least known regions in South Africa, gaining recognition since it's declaration as a World Heritage Site in 2007.

For literally thousands of years, explorers have wandered here.
The San left traces of their early visits in petroglyphs on rock. More recently, prospectors for copper and gold left strange contraptions - now derelict and crumbling, their engineers vanished into landscape and time.

The uniquely hardy plants (33 plant species that you won't find anywhere else in the world) in this arid region underpin an ancient Nama tradition known as the transhumance lifestyle - to migrate seasonally with their livestock from mountains to the river and so make sustainable use of the fragile succulent ecosystem. In recognition of this vanishing lifestyle, and of the rare botanical diversity it helps protect, the Conservancy has been declared the core of a new World Heritage Site.

Strange little plants will intrigue you: Leaves that look like coins, leaves that look like stems, plants that move your soul because despite the harsh climate they seem so courageous, tenacious and carefree.

You may find the famous plant called the 'halfmens' (half-human) with its frilly mop of leaves on top – some with a spiky furze of red flowers in spring – always bending to the north.

Over it all is the buzzing of pollinators, and the plaintive call of birds, and a backdrop of rocky mountains that seem to change colour all the time.

Every now and then, you’ll come across friendly nomadic farmers with goats and sheep. This tradition of moving herds to different seasonal grazing grounds is centuries old.

CONSERVATION
In the 1990s, the Richtersvelders started to see more tourists coming to visit their remote piece of flower-rich desert, but they were troubled to see some going offroad into sensitive areas, seen carrying out loads of indigenous plants.

The destruction alerted the Richtersvelders to how precious and vulnerable their botanical heritage was. In 1997 and 1998, plans for a community conservancy were slowly drawn up. It gave the community control and management options.

Every Richtersveld stakeholder had input – farmers, tourism hosts, provincial and municipal authorities, South African National Parks, small diamond miners, and the councils and representatives from every town.

Turning this community conservancy into a World Heritage Site put the crown on a massive conservation effort.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

In spring, you'll see wonderful flowering plants and the weather is temperate. Summers (December, January and February) can be witheringly hot.

AROUND THE AREA

Diamond diving areas Alexander Bay and Port Nolloth are interesting places to visit. Springbok is a good place for provisions and the Springbok Lodge and Restaurant has a great bookshop with books on the region.

TOURS TO DO

Ask at the Eksteenfontein Tourism Information Centre about guides who can show you around the area, show you the flowers and even organise a visit to a livestock outpost.

GET AROUND

The roads are rocky and require a vehicle with high clearance or, preferably a 4x4.

WHAT WILL IT COST

Accommodation at guesthouses in Eksteenfontein and Lekkersing costs R150 per person per day for adults, and R80 for children.

LENGTH OF STAY

At least two nights or more if you can, especially if you're plant or wilderness fanatic.

WHAT TO PACK

Take your own food and plenty of water.

WHERE TO STAY

There are guest houses and camping places of varying standards at the little towns of Khuboes, Lekkersing and Eksteenfontein. The latter has the most tourism facilities.

WHAT TO EAT

Ask about traditional foods, like melkkluitjies which are dumplings cooked in goat's milk.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Not far away is the Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, where you can cross into the adjoining Namibian Ai-Ais Hot Springs National Park.