NORTHERN CAPE
Yet, even Augrabies wasn’ t the greatest surprise of the journey. For me, that honour belongs to Riemvasmaak. I’ d never heard of it before planning this trip, which in hindsight seems almost unbelievable. Leaving Augrabies behind, the road begins winding through increasingly rugged terrain before revealing an entirely different world. Towering volcanic mountains rise from the landscape, gravel roads snake through dramatic valleys and giant quiver trees stand silhouetted against endless blue skies. It feels less like the Northern Cape and more like another continent altogether. Riemvasmaak is wonderfully wild. This isn’ t a destination filled with souvenir shops or queues of tour buses. Instead, visitors arrive for silence, wide-open spaces and the sort of scenery that reminds you just how untouched parts of South Africa still are. Hidden among the mountains are the famous natural hot springs, where steaming, crystal-clear mineral water emerges from the earth into rock pools surrounded by towering cliffs.
Riemvasmaak Hot Springs
Later, if you really want to experience the area’ s hospitality, book a traditional meal with Theresia’ s Catering Services before spending the night in one of the self-catering chalets. The food is simple, generous and deeply rooted in local tradition, exactly as you want it to be.
Exploring this region becomes even more rewarding if you are with someone who knows every gravel road and hidden viewpoint. That’ s where Sandy from Merrycan Adventures comes in. Rather than squeezing visitors into another tour bus, Sandy offers something refreshingly different. You follow her in your own vehicle while two-way radios allow her to share stories, history and fascinating facts throughout the drive. It’ s like having your own personal documentary narrator just a few metres ahead. She knows every hidden lookout, every geological feature and every story behind the landscape, transforming an already beautiful drive into something genuinely memorable. It’ s one of the smartest ways to experience both Augrabies Falls National Park and the surrounding 4x4 routes around Riemvasmaak.
Of course, no journey through the Quiver Tree Route would be complete without spending time beside the Orange River itself. The river is the lifeblood of the region. Without it there would be no vineyards, no date or pecan nut plantations, no orchards and fewer communities thriving in what would otherwise be an unforgiving landscape. One of my favourite places to appreciate this is Khamkirri, a beautiful riverside eco-lodge where mornings unfold at an entirely different pace. Fish eagles patrol overhead, birdsong
90 | SPRING 2026 • rovesa. co. za