Cape Town - New manager of the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park Brent Whittington says he would like to expand the already iconic mountain bike routes and hiking trails in the park to world class quality during his time in the park.
Whittington says with the help of the ARTP team he will continue to support and help improve events like the Desert Knights, Wild Run and the Desert Kayak Trail which takes place annually in the park.
"The Richtersveld has unlimited potential and would like to expand the mountain bike routes and hiking trails to world class quality, as adventure sport is the biggest attraction to this desolated area," he said in a statement.
The Desert Knights Mountain Bike Adventure Tour, which combines five days of cycling, some of it at night under the full moon, and one day of canoeing on the Orange River, will be taking place from 18-24 April and 12-18 September this year.
Whittington took over the driver seat from Nick de Goede in December 2015 after the latter was transferred to Camdeboo National Park in the Graaff-Reinett area.
“Nick and his team have done an excellent job and I will continue to build on the solid foundation of partnerships with internal and external stakeholders and thus lead the Richtersveld to a new chapter in its history,” Whittington said.
Whittington was previously managing SA's highly popular Garden Route National Park.
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His appointment in the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Parkwas driven and by the Richtersveld Community Management Committee (RCMC). According to SANParks, the Arid Regional Management Team is very excited to welcome Whittington, saying his expertise and enthusiasm will be well utilised.
He moved to the area with his wife, Madel, and their two children saying, they are "absolutely in love with the pristine beauty of the Richtersveld".
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