If you’re a regular here at Virtual Africa, you would know that we have a soft spot for World Heritage Sites.

We’ve had the privilege to shoot all 8 South African World Heritage Sites on behalf of South Africa Tourism a few years ago, but when the good people of the African Heritage Epic approached us with their grand idea, we quickly learnt that the first round was just a warm up.

We couldn’t believe our luck:

Their passion was to capture 55 (yes, FIFTY FIVE!!!) African heritage sites in the best ways possible!!

As part of the African Heritage Epic they’re busy creating documentaries, aggregating literature, making video’s and writing books about anything and everything that has anything to do with these amazing African sites.
But not only are they doing the research, they’re planning to visit each of these sites and have started doing so already.
Now it might sound like a small thing, but I’ll give you consider that the Aldabra Atoll 1200km South West of the Seychelles main island, Mahe, is one of the sites and the Valley of the Kings in Egypt is another – you realize why they call it the EPIC.

Anyway, our part in this is to help capture the sites in glorious 360º and we’ve been doing just that for the past few months.

We are happy to announce that the first 6 sites have been completed.

We have created 25 full screen 360º images of each of the heritage sites, each image with an embedded video clip to tell you more about what you’re seeing. (That’s a whopping 150 scenes, for those who are reaching for the calculators.)

In the light of September being Heritage month and 24 September, South African Heritage Day, it’s the perfect time to start sharing the ‘fruits of our labour’ with the world.

And where better to begin, than the beginning: The Cradle of Humankind.

Very important for maximum coolness: click on the square in the top right corner of the virtual tour below, also, click on the icon next the the gentleman to hear what he has to say.

Remember to subscribe to Virtual Africa, by dropping you email address in the space allocated to the right.
This will allow you to get updates on the other 150 images we have to share…..

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( #1 of 8 )

The Richtersveld is found in the north-western most corner of South Africa, right up against the border with Namibia.It’s a dry and arid semi-desert with some of the most rugged landscapes you’ll find on the continent of Africa.
It’s a place of strange and unexpected beauty with wonderful rock formations, big blue African skies by day and mind boggling star gazing at night.
The Richtersveld is where you go to recharge – to get away from cellphones, dairies and people, a place of near desolation where only the toughest of natural adaptations have survived.

More 360º Images:

[flash http://virtualafrica.co.za/files/fullpanoramics/Rooiberg.swf w=550 h=400 preview={http://www.virtualafrica.co.za/blogpics/thumbs/rooiberg.jpg|150|100}] [flash http://virtualafrica.co.za/files/fullpanoramics/RichtersveldValley.swf w=550 h=400 preview={http://www.virtualafrica.co.za/blogpics/thumbs/boulders.jpg|150|100}] [flash http://virtualafrica.co.za/blogpics/RichtersveldStars.swf w=550 h=400 preview={http://www.virtualafrica.co.za/blogpics/thumbs/stars.jpg|150|100}]

(click on these images to load fully interactive 360º images)

Why is the Richtersveld a World Heritage Site?

It is therefor slightly ironic that the reason why the Richterveld is a World Heritage Site, is not because of its ‘desolation’ but because of its population.

The Nama people have made this part of the world their home about two millennia ago and because no one else has been willing or able to survive in this landscape, their lifestyle has not changed much in that time.

“The extensive communal grazed lands of the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape are a testimony to land management processes which have ensured the protection of the succulent Karoo vegetation and thus demonstrates a harmonious interaction between people and nature.” (UNESCO :http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1265)

In short: long before Al Gore, Green Peace and the concept of sustainable development, the Nama got it right!
They live in harmony with their surrounds even though, when looking at the surrounds, one wouldn’t expect it to be possible.

Some cool FACTS about the Richtersveld:

• the Richtersveld contains the most diverse desert flora on the planet
• one of the strangest plants found only in this area is the “Halfmens”, which translates to “half person” and resembles the shape of a human.
• the Nama revere the “Halfmens”and see it as the embodiment of their ancestors
• temperatures of up to 53º have been recorded in summer time

Why the Richtersveld makes us proud to be Africans:

• not only the land, but the lifestyle of the Nama has been protected under law
• a large part is owned and managed by the local community

Links to sites with Richtersveld information

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites official Richtersveld entry
• South African National Parks
• Wikipedia article

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The recent publication of an article in Die Burger has had quite a few people emailing us to ask about Lekkersing.

For those of you who are truly well educated and or well traveled, you’ll know that Lekkersing is a tiny town in the middle of the desolate Richtersveld in the North Western part of the Northern Cape.

Not many people have had the privilege to go there, but those who have, will know that it really is the proverbial ‘middle of no where’.

For those interested in exploring the area and seeing what the Richtersveld looks like, click on the Map button to the left and choose ‘Richtersveld’ on the drop-down menu.

If you’re not one for maps, simply click here to view the virtual tour of the Richtersveld. (You can download the tour to your desktop by clicking on the ’share’ button once you’ve opened the tour.)

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We’ve had the privilege to shoot a number of amazing scenes in the past few years.

Some you just can’t do justice to.

You can play with those light setting as much as you like – it’s never going to convey they beauty or majesty you see before your eyes.

I think those shots are the best ones – the one that captures the memory, the smell, the essence – but somehow still leaves you wanting more…..

The shots that give you those “wish you where here” feelings.

Here’s one.

James Taylor took it on his trip to the Richtersveld and ‘when you see the Southern Cross for the first time” you know you’re in Africa!

this is a spherical pano – so you can look up at the milky way

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