The Richtersveld is a desert area with rough valleys and tall mountains, located in the north-western part of South Africa’s Northern Cape province. The area has many different landscapes, including flat, sandy coastal plains, rough, sharp mountains made of volcanic rock, and green areas along the Orange River, which forms the border with nearby Namibia. The region’s height ranges from sea level up to 1,377 meters (4,518 feet) at Cornellberg. Found in the north-west of the Northern Cape province, the Richtersveld is the only dry area on Earth known for its high level of plant and animal life. Most of the area is listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List because of its cultural importance.

The Nama people of the Richtersveld claimed ownership of their traditional land and created a protected area for research and tourism. In 1991, after 18 years of talks between the National Parks Board and the local Nama people, the northern part of the area was officially protected. The area covers 1,624.45 square kilometers (627.20 square miles). This space allows the Nama people to live using a seasonal lifestyle, where they move with their animals and use a delicate plant ecosystem. The conservancy is surrounded by the Richtersveld National Park (managed by the Nama people and South African National Parks), the Nababiep Provincial Nature Reserve, and areas set aside for the Nama people to graze their livestock.

Richtersveld National Park

Richtersveld National Park is the South African part of the ǀAi-ǀAis/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park.

World Heritage Site

In June 2007, the "Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape," located just south of the National Park and of similar size and beauty, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unlike the National Park, the Richtersveld Community Conservancy, which is the main area of the World Heritage Site, does not experience diamond mining. This makes it better preserved compared to the National Park.

Climate

The Richtersveld has very hot summers, with temperatures sometimes reaching about 53 °C (127 °F) in the middle of summer. Nights are cool and often have heavy dew. Because water is very limited, living things in the Richtersveld rely on moisture from morning fog. People in the area call this fog "Ihuries" or "Malmokkies," and it helps many small animals, like reptiles, birds, and mammals, survive. Temperatures become milder from April to May, but nights get colder from June to August. Strong winds often blow during winter, causing sandstorms. These winds are cold because they are influenced by the Atlantic Ocean to the west.

The Richtersveld is a region between the coastal Succulent Karoo area to the west and the drier Nama Karoo to the east. Rainfall in the Richtersveld varies, with as little as 5 mm per year in the east and up to 200 mm per year in the west. The western mountain areas receive most of their rain in winter and also get moisture from ocean mists. The eastern part near the Orange River is drier, with rain more common in summer, often coming as heavy thunderstorms. From late August to early October, spring brings a large bloom of daisy flowers (Osteospermum) and "vygies" (Lampranthus), especially in Namaqualand.

Wildlife

The Richtersveld has many different types of habitats that support a wide variety of mammals, reptiles, and birds. Some of the mammals found here include the Grey rhebok, Duiker, Steenbok, Klipspringer, Hartmann's mountain zebra, Chacma baboon, Vervet monkey, Caracal, and the African leopard. Reptiles in the area include snakes like the Puff adder, Black Spitting Cobra, and Nama Tiger Snake, as well as lizards mainly from the Agama family. Birds such as weaver birds, doves, and Guineafowl are often seen inland, but the number of bird species increases during the wetter winter months. The Richtersveld katydid (Africariola longicauda) is a threatened species that is found only in this region. In addition, the area is home to several types of spiders and scorpions.

Plant life

Approximately 4,849 plant species have been recorded in the Richtersveld. Of these, 40 percent are found only in this region and are mostly succulents and aloe species.

The area is home to many unusual plants, several of which are not found anywhere else on Earth. One notable example is the "Halfmensboom" (Pachypodium namaquanum Welw.), also called the "half-person tree." This name comes from the plant's shape, which resembles a human figure. The indigenous Nama people regard these trees as symbols of their ancestors, who are believed to be part human and part plant, and who mourn the loss of their ancient Namibian homeland.

Three species of the tree aloe, Aloidendron, are also found here. These include A. dichotomum, A. pillansii, and A. ramosissimum. These plants are often called "kokerbooms" or "quiver trees."

Culture

The area is home to the Nama people and other groups. The local community, which owns the land, works together with South African National Parks to manage the National Park. They are also fully responsible for managing the World Heritage Site. Both areas are used by traditional herders who move with their animals to continue their ancient way of life and cultural practices. This is the last place where the traditional lifestyle of the Khoikhoi people, of whom the Nama are the largest remaining group, continues in a significant way. The World Heritage Site was declared based on cultural standards from the World Heritage Convention. However, the cultural values of the community and their survival are closely connected to the natural environment.