/Ai/Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park: Fuel shortage at Sendelingsdrif Rest Camp! [update]

update (07 December 2025): Diesel is available again! 

South African National Parks (SANParks) has issued an important travel advisory for visitors to the /Ai/Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. The Sendelingsdrif Rest Camp fuel station is currently out of diesel until further notice, which may impact travellers relying on the facility for refuelling.

To avoid disruptions, SANParks strongly advises visitors to refuel their vehicles before entering the park and to carry extra diesel. Alternative fuel stations are available at:

• Port Nolloth, South Africa
• Alexander Bay, South Africa
• Rosh Pinah, Namibia

The /Ai/Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park is a remote wilderness known for its rugged 4x4 routes, dramatic desert landscapes, and cross-border access between South Africa and Namibia. Due to its isolation, travellers should plan carefully, carry sufficient fuel, water, and supplies, and check SANParks updates before departure.

Important: The pontoon ferry at the Sendelingsdrift border post is currently closed due to high water levels in the Orange River, affecting cross-border travel.

 

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/Ai/Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park: Fuel shortage at Sendelingsdrif Rest Camp! [update]

update (24 August 2025): The diesel situation at Sendelingsdrif Rest Camp has been restored and guests can fill up again as normal at the rest camp's fuel station. 

South African National Parks (SANParks) has issued a travel advisory for visitors to the /Ai/Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. As of Saturday, 16 August 2025, the fuel station at Sendelingsdrif Rest Camp is experiencing low diesel levels, which may affect travellers relying on the facility for refuelling.

SANParks recommends that all visitors fill up their vehicles before entering the park to avoid disruptions to their journey. Until further notice, the closest alternative fuel stations can be found at:

• Port Nolloth, South Africa
• Alexander Bay, South Africa
• Rosh Pinah, Namibia

The remote wilderness of the Ai/Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park is known for its rugged 4x4 routes, dramatic desert scenery, and cross-border access between South Africa and Namibia. Given the park’s remoteness, travellers are strongly advised to plan ahead, carry sufficient fuel, water, and supplies, and to check for the latest SANParks updates before embarking on their trip.

 n.b.: The pontoon ferry at the Sendelingsdrift border post in the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park will be fully operational again from 20 August 2025. 

 

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/Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park: 95 unleaded fuel pump out of order at Sendelingsdrift Rest Camp! [update]

update (07 May 2025): The 95 unleaded fuel pump has been restored and is in full working order.

South African National Parks (SANParks) announced on 20 April 2025 that the 95 unleaded fuel pump at Sendelingsdrift Rest Camp in the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park is currently out of order until further notice. Travellers are advised to refuel at the nearest town before entering the park to avoid any inconvenience.

If you need fuel before visiting the park, the closest petrol stations outside /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park are:

• Alexander Bay, South Africa – Located approximately 80 km from Sendelingsdrift, this town offers fuel services, including unleaded petrol.
• Rosh Pinah, Namibia – Situated about 25 km from Sendelingsdrift, Rosh Pinah has fuel stations available.

In addition, the pontoon at the Sendelingsdrift border post is currently closed due to rising water levels in the Orange River. Travellers planning to cross between South Africa and Namibia via Sendelingsdrift should consider alternative routes.

/Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park: 95 unleaded fuel pump out of order at Sendelingsdrift Rest Camp! [update]

update (28 March 2025): SANParks has confirmed dthat the unleaded 95 fuel problem has been resolved at Sendelingsdrift Rest Camp in the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park.

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the 95 unleaded fuel pump at Sendelingsdrift Rest Camp in the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park is currently out of order until further notice. Travellers are advised to refuel at the nearest town before entering the park to avoid any inconvenience.

If you need fuel before visiting the park, the closest petrol stations outside /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park are:

• Alexander Bay, South Africa – Located approximately 80 km from Sendelingsdrift, this town offers fuel services, including unleaded petrol.
• Rosh Pinah, Namibia – Situated about 25 km from Sendelingsdrift, Rosh Pinah has fuel stations available.

In addition, the pontoon at the Sendelingsdrift border post is currently closed due to rising water levels in the Orange River. Travellers planning to cross between South Africa and Namibia via Sendelingsdrift should consider alternative routes.

Stay tuned for updates on fuel availability and border access in the Richtersveld region. Safe travels!

|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park: Diesel currently not available at Sendelingsdrift Rest Camp! [update]

update (06 September 2024): SANParks has announced that Diesel is available again at Sendelingsdrift Rest Camp in the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park.

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that there is currently no Diesel available at Sendelingsdrift Rest Camp in the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. SANParks requests that travellers fill up at the nearest town before entering the Park and bring extra Diesel with until the situation has been resolved. The closest town with a larger, more reliable petrol station is Alexander Bay in South Africa, which is approximately 60 km from Sendelingsdrift Rest Camp. The closest petrol station in Namibia to Sendelingsdrift Rest Camp is the one at the town of Rosh Pinah, which is about 90 km north of the Rest Camp.

|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park: South Africa's first-ever desert botanical garden has opened its doors!

South Africa’s first-ever desert botanical garden has opened its doors at the Sendelingsdrift Rest Camp in the Richtersveld side of the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. The Richtersveld Desert Botanical Garden has been transformed from an indigenous nursery into an botanical garden by Pieter van Wyk, South African National Parks' (SANParks) resident botanist and the visionary behind this unique project. The botanical garden consists of 24 beds, each with a unique theme, which represent the indigenous flora of South Africa’s Desert Biome. The Richtersveld Desert Botanical Gardens is an initiative between South African National Parks (SANParks) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)..

The Sendelingsdrift Rest Camp is built in the style of an old mining camp and offers its guests ten chalets as well as camping facilities. Sendelingsdrif is the entry point to the South African (Richtersveld) side of the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park as well as a border post that leads to the Namibian side of the Transfrontier Park.

|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park: Upgrading and maintenance is currently taking place at two camps!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that much needed upgrading and maintenance is currently taking place at the the chalets at the Sendelingsdrift Rest Camp and Gannakouriep Wilderness Camp in the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. The upgrading will be during the whole month of July 2024. SANParks apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause and can assure guests that it will not have an impact on booked accommodation.

The Sendelingsdrift Rest Camp is built in the style of an old mining camp and offers its guests ten chalets as well as camping facilities. Sendelingsdrif is the entry point to the South African (Richtersveld) side of the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park as well as a border post that leads to the Namibian side of the Transfrontier Park.
The Gannakouriep Wilderness Camp is nestled deep within the Richtersveld section of the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. The camp is accessible by high-clearance 4x4 vehicles only. It comprises of four chalets.