Augrabies Falls National Park is a national park located around the Augrabies Falls, about 120 km west of Upington in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa. The Augrabies Falls National Park covers an area of 820 km² and stretches along the Orange River. The area is very arid.
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The Augrabies Falls is a spectacular waterfall located on the Orange River in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa.
The name "Augrabies" is derived from the Khoikhoi word "Ankoerebis," meaning "place of great noise," which aptly describes the thunderous roar of the water as it plunges down the 56-meter high waterfall.
Key Facts about Augrabies Falls:
Location: Approximately 120 km west of Upington in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa.
River: Formed by the Orange River, the largest river in South Africa.
Height: The main waterfall has a sheer drop of 56 meters (about 183 feet). Some sources mistakenly cite a much higher figure, which refers to the total height from the canyon floor to the top of the gorge walls.
Gorge: The Orange River has carved an impressive gorge below the falls, which is about 240 meters (800 feet) deep and stretches for 18 kilometers (11 miles). This gorge is a prime example of granite erosion.
Flow Rate: The average flow rate is around 313 cubic meters (11,050 cu ft) per second. However, during floods, this can increase dramatically. A record of 7,800 cubic meters (280,000 cu ft) per second was recorded in 1988.
Augrabies Falls National Park: The waterfall and the surrounding area were proclaimed a national park in 1966. The park covers an area of 820 square kilometers (320 sq mi) and aims to preserve the unique arid environment, diverse flora and fauna, and the spectacular geological features.
Things to Do in Augrabies Falls National Park:
View the Falls: There are several viewing platforms offering different perspectives of the majestic waterfall and the gorge. The falls are particularly spectacular during and after the rainy season (typically February to April) when the Orange River is in full flood. Currently, in late April 2025, the falls are experiencing a high flow rate due to recent widespread rainfall, making it an excellent time to visit.
Explore the Gorge: Drive to viewpoints like Ararat, Oranjekom, and Echo Corner to witness the impressive scale and beauty of the Orange River Gorge.
Hiking Trails: The park offers various hiking trails, including the 5 km Dassie Trail and the 3-day, 14.4 km Klipspringer Trail, allowing visitors to explore the unique landscape.
Wildlife Viewing: The park is home to various animals adapted to the arid conditions, such as springbok, gemsbok, klipspringer, and the endangered south-central black rhinoceros. Keep an eye out for smaller creatures like the Augrabies flat lizard, which is unique to this area. Birdwatching, especially along the river, is also excellent.
Moon Rock: Visit this large exfoliation dome, which offers panoramic views of the park.
Night Drives: During peak season, guided night drives are available, offering a chance to see nocturnal animals.
Current Conditions (Late April 2025):
The Augrabies Falls are currently experiencing a high flow rate due to significant releases of water from the Vaal and Gariep Dams following widespread rainfall. As of mid-April 2025, the flow rate reached over 400 cubic meters per second and was expected to peak at around 3,000 cubic meters per second by April 18, 2025. This makes it a particularly spectacular time to witness the raw power and beauty of the falls. The high flow is expected to last for at least 14 days before gradually receding. Visitors are advised to book accommodation in advance as it is a popular time to visit.
Augrabies Falls National Park offers a unique and dramatic landscape, making it a worthwhile destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers. The contrast between the arid surroundings and the powerful waterfall and deep gorge is truly...
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Augrabies is a very cool place to visit if you are in the Northern Cape. It's one of the "MUST DOs" if you're in the area.
NOTE: There are tons of miggies (flies and insects) all over the region. Bring some kind of buff or a netted hat to keep them out of your eyes and ears. Bug spray or insect repellent is also a good idea. They become very irritating after 1 minute and they don't leave you alone.
The walkways that haven't been broken by flooding are in good nick and they take you to some amazing views. There are unfortunately some walkways that have been taken by floods, compromising the structural integrity of said walkways. These damaged ones seem to have been sitting for majortiy of this year and haven't been repaired to date. I'm sure they will before the busy season but it would've been nice to get closer to the mainstream lookout (not accessible due to closed walkway).
The facilities are nice and neat. Some of the decorations and displays are a bit outdated. It would be nice to see some more effort put into either removing old exhibits or refreshing them to make them more modern and relevant.
Restaurant and shop are on site. The restaurant doesn't have a proper coffee machine sadly. They have a bean to cup which is better than percolated coffee but still not a proper machine. The bubblegum milkshake helped me forget my sadness with the coffee. Definitely a good choice on a warm day at Augrabies. The shop is pretty big equipped with lots of little goodies you might need if you're staying in the chalet and don't want to run into town to buy it. Also great for day visitors wanting some refreshments or...
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The waterfall is the greatest part of the experience and really brings you back to nature and the powerful force that strong water flow represents. The drive into the park is good, you are met at the gate by someone that assists in the completion of entrance form which you then present at reception which is about 3 km inside the park. Sadly like most Government run establishments maintenance does not seem to be a high priority nor show flexibility. On the maintenance side there are substantial parts of the walking bridges which have been closed off due damage/wear and tear/serious deterioration. If this damage occurred during flooding, then it is flooding that took place sometime ago, which reinforces the comment about lack of maintenance. This then affects some of the key viewing points, however one still gets to see and enjoy the mighty Augrabies. With regards flexibility, this relates to the resturant which only seems to work on somesort of ridged handbook which does not allow guests the ability to request a variation to the offered meals (for dietery requirements). With regards cell phone signal, this is very poor, in particular in the resturant - no free WIFI. The shop in the park, these goods are substantially over priced, with nothing really unique about them. If you wish to have a comfortable time at this venue, then it is recommended to wear a net over your face as at certain times of the year there are thousands of "muggies" - tiny flying insects. There is also a self game drive however to get there best you drive a high off the ground vehicle 4x4, due to streams that you would...
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