Augrabies Falls National Park

Get ready to feel the roar! At Augrabies Falls, nature’s thunder rivals any concert… with water plunging a whopping 90 metres down into an 18-kilometre gorge. About 120 km west of Upington in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province, the Augrabies Falls National Park park is nestled along the mighty Orange River. As you might have guessed, this park is home to the jaw-dropping Augrabies Falls. People come from near and far to see this watery spectacle from the six viewing decks. Trust us, you will know exactly why the Khoi people named it ‘Aukoerebis’ –  welcome to the ‘Place of great noise’!

But there’s more to this park than ‘just’ a waterfall. Take a hike on one of the trails and find yourself surrounded by unique rock formations and the hardy wildlife that thrives in this arid desert. Don’t get your hopes up for a Big Five safari experience, but you might spot some tough survivors like springbok, gemsbok, eland, and even zebra and giraffe.

A trip to the moon (rock)

Augrabies Falls National Park is different from all the other parks, in the sense that its unique geological setting and vegetation far exceed its wildlife report. Prepare to be amazed by its almost otherworldly scenery! The rocks here are striking, with hues ranging from fiery red to deep black. Moon Rock—a massive granite dome—is the best spot to take it all in.

The most characteristic plant in the park is the giant aloe called the quiver tree. It’s perfectly adapted to the desert, the extreme temperatures and the infertile soil. The tree got its name from the San people who used the soft branches to make quivers for their arrows. And the eye-catching silhouette of the quiver tree is oh-so typical of the Northern Cape landscape. The trees grow a canary-yellow flower in the winter, and that’s a wildlife buffet! Swarms of birds and locusts are attracted to its nectar, and baboons tear the flowers apart to get the sweet liquor. Last in line are the giraffe and eland, who eat the leaves and branches. 

Survival of the fittest

The animals in Augrabies need to survive in extreme high and low temperatures. Those that have proven to be brilliant in adapting are the mongoose, rock dassies and otters. The giraffes found in Augrabies are lighter in colour than those found in the regions of the east, as a countermeasure for the extreme heat. Predators in Augrabies come in the form of leopards, black-backed jackals, caracals, foxes and African wild cats.

Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra is also present in the park. Due to their endangered status, they are closely monitored by the park rangers. All in all, a total of 49 mammal species have been recorded here. Nocturnal life in Augrabies Falls is booming, especially during the warm summer months. Many animals then take the opportunity to wander and feed during the cooler nights. So if a bat or two won’t scare you, a game drive by night might be the perfect add-on to your visit!

Activities in Augrabies Falls National Park

• Visit the waterfall and its scenic viewpoints (a boardwalk with numerous viewpoints offers easy access and ensures that you’ll be able to get the perfect picture)
• Bird watching (with for example the rare Verreaux’s Black Eagles breeding in the park)
• Game drives (the gravel road in the game viewing area is 94 kilometres long and takes approximately six hours to complete)
• Hiking trails (for instance the beautiful 8-kilometre-long Dassie Trail that leads to the top of the iconic Moon Rock)
• Rafting trips (half or full day)

How to get there

Augrabies Falls lies in a more remote area of the expansive Northern Cape Province. But many tourists come here every year as the park perfectly complements a trip to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. This combination is a winner! The closest national airport is in Upington, 120 kilometres from Augrabies. There are daily domestic flights between Upington, Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Climate

Augrabies is situated in a semi-arid region, implying low annual rainfall (mostly occurring between November and April, in short and heavy bursts) and extreme variations in temperature. During winter months the average daytime temperature hovers around 20 °C, with the mercury plummeting as low as -7 °C during the coldest nights in June and July. As summer arrives, the landscape basks in warmth, with temperatures soaring above 40 °C during December, January, and February. Summer nights are usually more pleasant, but temperatures will remain high at around 25 °C. Autumn and spring are characterised by pleasant, moderate temperatures.

Best time to visit Augrabies Falls National Park

The optimal time for a visit to Augrabies Falls National Park is during the cooler winter months from April to September. The summer months can get incredibly hot, which makes it almost impossible to hike.