|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park update: Sendelingsdrift pontoon ferry closed!

update 16 April 2026

As of mid-April 2026, there is no confirmed reopening yet of the Sendelingsdrift pontoon ferry in the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park.  

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South African National Parks (SANParks) has temporarily closed the pontoon at the Sendelingsdrift pontoon at the Sendelingsdrift border post in the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park due to high water levels in the Orange River. Visitors planning to enter the park are advised to use the Alexander Bay gravel road as an alternative route to reach Sendelingsdrift. 

The Sendelingsdrift border post is a vital gateway to the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, a remote and rugged wilderness straddling the South Africa - Namibia border. Known for its dramatic desert landscapes, unique flora, and panoramic scenery, the park attracts adventure seekers and nature lovers alike.

The pontoon ferry at Sendelingsdrift offers an adventurous and scenic way to cross the Orange River, but its operation is water-level dependent. Currently, extreme conditions have necessitated its closure.

Travellers are strongly encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time. For those seeking adventure in one of Southern Africa’s most striking desert landscapes, the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park remains accessible via alternative routes.

 

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|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park: Sendelingsdrift pontoon reopens

Good news for cross-border travellers: South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the Sendelingsdrift pontoon at the Sendelingsdrift border post in the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park is set to reopen on 16 February 2026 after a temporary closure due to high Orange River levels. The pontoon, which connects South Africa and Namibia, has been closed since early December 2025 (November 2025?).

Following a steady drop in water levels, SANParks, together with Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) and the South African Police Service (SAPS), has completed thorough safety inspections and clearance at both landing sites. Conditions are now confirmed safe, restoring this vital link for visitors exploring the Transfrontier park.

Travellers planning to use the pontoon are reminded to carry valid park permits and cross-border documentation to ensure a smooth experience.

 

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/Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park update: Sendelingsdrift pontoon ferry closed!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has temporarily closed the pontoon at the Sendelingsdrift border post in the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park due to high water levels in the Orange River. Visitors planning to enter the park are advised to use the Alexander Bay gravel road as an alternative route to reach Sendelingsdrift.

The Sendelingsdrift border post is a vital gateway to the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, a remote and rugged wilderness straddling the South Africa - Namibia border. Known for its dramatic desert landscapes, unique flora, and panoramic scenery, the park attracts adventure seekers and nature lovers alike.

The pontoon ferry at Sendelingsdrift offers an adventurous and scenic way to cross the Orange River, but its operation is water-level dependent. Currently, extreme conditions have necessitated its closure.

Travellers are strongly encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time. For those seeking adventure in one of Southern Africa’s most striking desert landscapes, the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park remains accessible via alternative routes.

 

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/Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park: Sendelingsdrift pontoon ferry reopens!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has confirmed that the pontoon ferry at the Sendelingsdrift border post in the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park will be fully operational again from 20 August 2025.

The Sendelingsdrift border post serves as a key entry point into the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, which spans the border between South Africa and Namibia. Known for its rugged mountain desert landscapes, dramatic canyons, and rare succulent flora, the park is a dream destination for 4x4 adventurers, photographers, and nature lovers.
A unique highlight of this border post is the pontoon ferry across the Orange River, offering travellers a scenic and memorable way to enter or exit the park with their vehicles. The crossing is especially popular with overlanders travelling between South Africa's west coast and Namibia. However, the pontoon service is subject to river conditions and may close temporarily during extreme water levels.

With the reopening date set for 20 August 2025, travellers can once again enjoy this one-of-a-kind border experience while exploring one of Southern Africa’s most remote and beautiful conservation areas.

 

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/Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park: Sendelingsdrift pontoon closed due to high Orange river levels! [update #2]

update (03 April 2025): SANParks just announced that the pontoon at the Sendelingsdrift border post in the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park remains closed until further notice due to the high Orange River water levels. Visitors planning to enter the park should use the Alexander Bay gravel road to reach the Sendelingsdrift border post as an alternative route.

update (02 April 2025): South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the pontoon at the Sendelingsdrift border post in the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park will be open and operational as normal from Friday, 04 April 2024.

The Pontoon operating times are:
Mondays to Sundays from 08h00 until 16h15 (as per normal immigration regulations for border posts that are not operational 24/7)

The Pontoon price tariffs also increase as from 01 April 2025:

• Categories Single Double Std Vehicle with 6 or less occupants R180.00 R310.00
• Std vehicle with 6 or less occupants and trailer R250.00 R360.00
• Overnight visitors to the park in standard vehicle with 6 or less occupants R130.00 R250.00
• Overnight visitors to the park in standard vehicle with 6 or less and trailer R180.00 R310.00
• Additional passengers or pedestrains R17.00 R34.00
• Busses or light Commercial overland vehicles with seating capacity of 20 or less R310.00 (R420.00)
• Motorcycles R70.00 R70.00
• Local Concessions of 16 crossings valid for 60 days and not transferable R1195.00 R0.00

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the immediate closure of the pontoon at the Sendelingsdrift border post in the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park due to rising water levels in the Orange River. Visitors planning to enter the park should use the Alexander Bay gravel road to reach the Sendelingsdrift border post as an alternative route.

The Sendelingsdrift border post serves as a key entry point into the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, which spans the border between South Africa and Namibia. This remote, rugged wilderness is a haven for adventure seekers, offering dramatic desert landscapes, unique flora, and breathtaking scenery.
A highlight of this border post is the pontoon ferry, which allows vehicles to cross the Orange River in a scenic and adventurous way. However, the service is dependent on water levels and may close during extreme conditions, as is currently the case.
Travellers are encouraged to plan accordingly and check for updates on the reopening of the pontoon ferry. Stay tuned for further announcements!

|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park: Sendelingsdrift border post (and pontoon) reopens!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the Sendelingsdrift border post (and pontoon) between South Africa and Namibia officially reopened today, 01 September 2023. The border post, which was closed for three years since the Covid-19 pandemic, is located in the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park and serves as an entry point to the Richtersveld (South African) side of the Transfrontier Park. A restored pontoon offers an unusual and convenient way of crossing the Orange (Gariep) River that separates South Africa and Namibia. The pont can carry a maximum of 6 metric tones and, weather permitting, runs daily from 08:00 to 16:15.

The |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park spans some of the most spectacular arid and desert mountain scenery in southern Africa – and includes the Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in Africa. The Peace Park straddles two countries, earning it two different names: It is |Ai-|Ais in Namibia and Richtersveld in South Africa.

Covid-19: Namibia and South Africa have re-opened three border posts! [CANCELED]

update [14 July 2022]: The media release regarding the re-openening of the three border posts by Namibia's Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security by has been canceled! All three border posts are still closed.

Namibia's Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has announced that South Africa and Namibia have re-opened the following border posts on 10 July 2022: Velloorsdrift/Onseepkans Border Post, Klein Menasse/Rietfontein Border Post and Sendelingsdrift Border Post. Due to the water levels of the Orange River at Sendelingsdrift, the border post - a pontoon ferry carries the traffic between the two countries - is currently still closed.
The opening of the three border posts is guided by the relaxation of health protocols governing the management of Covid-19 in South Africa.
The Velloorsdrift/Onseepkans Border Post, Klein Menasse/Rietfontein Border Post and Sendelingsdrift Border Post have been closed since 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.