Eksteenfontein, Namaqualand
Eksteenfontein lies on the southern verge of the Richtersveld World Heritage Site, west of Nababeep, in the north western reaches of the Northern Cape.
It is one of three little settlements within the Richtersveld Community Conservancy. The other two are Lekkersing and Kuboes. All three are linked by the R385 that starts just north of Springbok.
The residents of Eksteenfontein, which lies at the foot of the Rooiberg Mountain, were forcibly removed from the white farming community of Pofadder, in 1945, and supplanted here in the semi-desert in what was originally known as Stinkfontein, after the river that flows alongside the peaceful village.
Today its residents are mostly farmers who keep goats, sheep, cattle and poultry. Others ply their trade as donkey cart drivers, navigating visitors through the Richtersveld; make curios from wood, local textiles or needlework; or sell local roosterbrood made on open fires.
There is a tiny, but helpful, tourist information centre (TIC) in Eksteenfontein that arranges accommodation, if you need it, including a stay at the community-run Kom Rus 'n Bietjie, opposite.
Most of the residents are of Baster descent (Baster means 'mixed' in Afrikaans) who, upon arrival, met with a rather hostile reception by the Nama people who already lived here. The museum gives a detailed account of the month-long trek to their new home, along with the original iron-and-wood church they dismantled and brought with them.
Whilst back then this far-flung part of South Africa felt like the very margins of the earth, today it is one of the leading floral destinations in the world. The Richtersveld became a world heritage site in 2007, bringing thousands of visitors through here every year.
Stay awhile in Eksteenfontein and experience a truly nomadic livestock farming community, the Nama Stap (a traditional dance), dumplings in goats milk and an appreciation both for the remarkable landscape, and for the people who have managed against all odds.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Kliprand Guest House
Kliprand Guest House, your home in Springbok, is nestled in the picturesque town renowned as the Namaqualand Flower Capital. The accommodation se...
Daisy Country Lodge
Daisy Country Lodge offers quality accommodation just 4km outside of the town of Springbok. From this location you can enjoy gorgeous views over ...
Seaside Seagull
Seaside SeaGull offers accommodation in Port Nolloth, just 2 kilometers outside the main town. McDougalls Bay is home to clean beaches and calm s...
Pofadder Hotel
Staying at Pofadder Hotel is more than just a stop-over. The hotel is an institution, and offers the welcome opportunity to meet some locals, to ...
Springbok Lodge & Restaurant
Springbok is an ideal stop-over as it offers easy driving to Upington, Cape Town, the West Coast, the Richtersveld and Namibia. The Springbok Lod...
Pofadder Inn
Pofadder Inn offers comfortable bed & breakfast accommodation in Pofadder, Northern Cape. The Inn offers accommodation in 25 double rooms each sl...
Sperrgebiet Lodge
Sperrgebiet Lodge is located on a farm just 9km outside the town of Springbok. Here you can enjoy a peaceful getaway in the midst of rugged terra...
Fishermans Cottage
Fishermans Cottage is located in Hondeklip Bay in the Northern Cape and offers accommodation for four guests. Located in a secure walled estate w...
Annie's Cottage Guest House
Colonial comfort in a beautiful old manor house under ancient Jacaranda trees. We offer excellent luxury Bed and Breakfast accommodation and warm...
Noteworthy attractions
Richtersveld National Park
The Richtersveld is a unique mountain desert wilderness of great beauty, tucked in the far north-western corner of the Northern Cape in South Afr...
Goegap Nature Reserve
The Goegap Nature Reserve with its granite peaks and sandy plains are dominated by Carolusberg, the highest point in the area. Goegap's wild flow...
Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape
Inscribed in 2007 as the eighth World Heritage Site in South Africa, the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape is a remarkable mountainou...
Namaqua National Park
Say Namaqua National Park and people immediately think carpets of spring wild flowers. And they would not be wrong - Namaqualand not only has som...
Namaqualand Flower Route
The spring wild flowers are a phenomenon that never ceases to amaze and delight, even for those who live in what is considered South Africa's "ou...
Skilpad Wildflower Reserve
The Skilpad Wildflower Reserve was established by the WWF in 1988 to raise awareness of the floral kingdom of the Namaqualand. Mainly shrubland a...
Akkedis Pass
The Richtersveld is usually described by the adjectives 'rugged', 'desolate' and 'forbidding'. It's a dry, unforgiving landscape that is at once ...
Messelpad Pass
Messelpad Pass lies on the 104 km gravel road between Springbok and Hondeklip Bay in the Northern Cape, one of two passes through the Tigerkloof....
Wildeperdehoek Pass
Almost inextricably linked to Messelpad Pass (the two are part of the 'Copper Route' between Springbok and Hondeklip Bay) Wildeperdehoek Pass is ...
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