Stopping to record these remarkable giants of the desert, appreciating their struggle for survival and contrasting beauty this is what has drawn us to this extravagant landscape (Aloe pillansii-Bastard Quiver tree / Aloidendron dichotomum-Quiver Tree).
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| (Aloe Pillansii at Dragon’s Black Mountain near Eksteenfontein) |
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| (Aloe Pillansii at Dragon’s Black Mountain near Eksteenfontein |
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(Aloidendron dichotomum – Quiver Tree)
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A welcome sentinel standing guard over the Springbok Vlakte, another remarkable specimen, its limbs finished off with delicate succulent leaves that make this tree so unique, an architectural masterpiece.
It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of this majestic sentinel over the Springbok Vlakte, the end of an era for this champion of the mountain desert. The road to Kokeboom Kloof will never be the same again, well not in our lifetime.
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| ( Golden flakes of the Aloe Pillansii ) |
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| (After travelling for miles this was a welcome sight that we had arrived at the Richtersveld Transfrontier Tark ) |
Vast and remote, endless corrugated roads that rattle and shake our vehicle to the point of destruction. It was worth every bump and bruise. The Richtersveld is the only mountain desert in South Africa and home to the Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world. We were travelling to these remote, distant shores to experience and appreciate a landscape of desolate plains and endless rugged mountains.
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| (Flowering in winter – what a spectacle it must be? We visited in summer, long after, but their beauty remains ) |
Twisting and contorted as if to reminds us of the struggle for survival in this parched, lifeless ocean of sand and rock.
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| (The Dragon’s Black Mountain A.Pillansii outside Eksteenfontein, a remarkable tree) |
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| (It’s landscaping like these that entice the adventurous traveller, isolated and remote, the silence is deafening) |
Our trusty steed for the trip provides a Sense of scale (bottom right) mountainous terrain, and ancient rocks offer companionship to these iconic aloes that stand guard over the wilderness.
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| (A GPS is critical it this tormented and vast wilderness, one wrong turn and you can find yourself in another world. The approach to the Tatasberg Pluton “Die Toon” ). |
Video: Day 3 in the Richtersveld.
(Leaving Richtersberg Camp Site, visiting Kokerboomkloof and Helshoogte Pass)
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| (A lone aloe breaks the scenery, majestic and proud, perfectly at home in a baron landscape) |
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| (A hostile environment, isolated and desolate “We went searching for nowhere and we were happy when we found nothing” ) |
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| (Another perfect Dichotomum comfortable and at home amongst the rocky desert environment ) |
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| (Stopping to admire this gigantic tree aloe as it towers over the boulder-strewn surroundings, appreciating the adversity and struggle for survival in this harsh environment ) |
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| (Dusty dry road from Eksteenfontein, providing a gateway to this unique world known as the Richtersveld ) |
Have you taken the lonely, dusty road through Eksteenfontein and on to Kuboes, and then towards the Richtersveld?
Please share your experience with us the post below.
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My father owned Fourspar Valley Mines and our house was at the Daniel Camp. The last mine was on Black Mountain. Fred daniel jnr