- Northern Cape
- Eksteensfontein
Eksteensfontein, Northern Cape
- Information
- Commerces & Services (1)
Eksteenfontein is a small settlement in the southern verge of the Richtersveld World Heritage Site. This botanical wonderland became a World Heritage Site, declared for its natural and cultural importance, in 2007.
Eksteenfontein is one of three settlements In Richtersveld community, the others are Lekkersing and Kuboes. The town is built alongside the banks of the Stinkfontein River, a rather unappealing name which it was given after the Khoi Khoi and Bushman littered the river with bodies after a particularly fierce battle.
The Eksteenfontein tourist information centre, and its’ Museum which is a work in progress, is the best spot to visit to learn about the Richtersveld community. Other ways to spend your days when visiting this very hot and dry semi-desert region is take a donkey cart ride to the Rooiberg Conservancy, explore the wide variety of rare succulents or admire the local curios made from wood, textiles or needlework.
Riempie chairs are produced locally and make a great souvenir or gift and one can buy T-Shirts printed with a halfmens, bokkie or other memorabilia at the textile printing centre.
Eksteenfontien is in every way a unique destination, stay awhile to appreciate its remarkable landscape, experience the traditions of the Nama people and the nomadic livestock farming community.
There are a variety of Bed & Breakfasts, Lodges and self-catering units for rent in the vicinity of Richtersveld.
Things to do and see
- Tourist Info Centre & Museum
- Rafting on the Orange River
- Rooiberg Conservancy
- Richterveld Donkey Trail
- Horse Riding & Donkey Cart Trips
- Richtersveld National Park
- Richtersveld Cultural & Botanical Landscape
- Akkedis Pass
- Port Nolloth Beach
- Port Nolloth Lighthouse
Climate
Eksteenfontein receives approximately 104 mm of rain per year, virtually no rain all year round.
Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 14˚C and 34˚C.
Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 2˚C and 23˚C.
Transport
There are the occasional domestic flights into Upington Airport which is approximately 520 km away. A more popular route, however, is to fly to Cape Town International Airport and travel the 701 km along the N7, stopping along the way at the many wonderful West Coast towns. Car hire facilities are available at all Airports.
History
Eksteenfontein was established when a group of people, originally known as 'Bo-Sluis Basters', settled there in the 1940's as a result of being forcibly being removed from the white farming community of Pofadder due to the apartheid policies at the time.
The settlement was named after the Reverend Peter Eksteen who served the first church congregation in 1945.
Crée: ; Dernière mise à jour:
Utilisez l'URL du lien court ci-dessous pour créer un lien vers cette page à partir d'un autre site Web ou de médias sociaux. Non seulement il est plus court, il fonctionnera toujours, même si le nom de la page change.
Copier le lien vers le presse-papier