Few sights are as awesome or a sound as deafening as water thundering down the 56-m Augrabies Waterfall when the Orange River is in full flood.
The Khoi people called it Aukoerebis, or place of Great Noise, as this powerful flow of water is unleashed from rocky surroundings characterized by the 18-km abyss of the Orange River Gorge.
Picturesque names such as Moon Rock, Ararat and Echo Corner are descriptive of this rocky region, characterised by the 18 kilometre abyss of the Orange River Gorge and craggy outcrops dominating scrub-dotted plains.
Klipspringer and kokerboom (quiver trees) stand in stark silhouette against the African sky, silent sentinels in a strangely unique environment where only those that are able to adapt ultimately survive.
The 28 000 hectares on both the northern and southern sides of the Orange River provide sanctuary to a diversity of species, from the very smallest succulents, birds and reptiles to springbok, gemsbok and the endangered black rhino.
The most characteristic plant in the park is the giant aloe called quiver tree (kokerboom), Aloe dichotoma. The tree gets its name from the fact that the Bushmen (San) used the soft branches to make quivers for their arrows.
The eye-catching silhouette of the quiver tree is typical of the Northern Cape landscape.
Of special interest in the Park are:
Ramblers with limited time can take the very easy 2,5 km path to view the gorge, Twin Falls and Arrow Point. To reach Moon Rock takes about an hour and to the potholes about 1,5 hours.
Noteable wildlife includes Springbok, Klipspringer, Black Stork and Pygmy Falcon.
Accommodation at Augrabies Falls National Park
The Augrabies Restcamp offers:
Four-bed family cottages with two bedrooms, bathroom (bath), air-conditioning and equipped kitchen.
Bungalows (3 or 4 persons) with bathroom (shower), air-conditioning and equipped kitchen.
Two three-bedded bungalows have been adapted for handicapped persons.
Facilities at the restcamp includes:
Shop, Shibula Restaurant and Gariep Ladies’ Bar.
Public telephones, fuel.
Information on birds, reptile and mammal species found in the park.
Important Notice
1. Accommodation rates do not include Conservation Fees which are payable at the entrance gates.
2. Please ensure that you are familiar with the Rules & Regulations of National Parks before making a booking.
Facilities at Augrabies Falls National Park:
Camp Site (CK6P): Extra vehicles are charged a fee per night, PowerPoint
Chalet (CH2): 2 single beds, Air-conditioned, Kitchen, No smoking, Open plan, WC and shower.
Chalet (CH2Z): 2 single beds, Air-conditioned, Kitchen, No smoking, Open plan, Unit accessible to the mobility challenged, WC and shower.
Chalet (CH2/4): 2 single beds, Air-conditioned, Double sleeper couch (not suitable for adults), Kitchen, No smoking, WC and shower.
Chalet (CH2/4V): 2 single beds, Air-conditioned, Double sleeper couch (not suitable for adults), Kitchen, No smoking, View, WC and shower.
Chalet (CH2/4VD): 1 double bed, Air-conditioned, Double sleeper couch (not suitable for adults), Kitchen, No smoking, View, WC and shower.
Family Cottage (FA4D): 1 bedroom with 2 single beds, 1 en-suite bedroom with a double bed, Air-conditioned, Build in braai, Double sleeper couch (not suitable for adults), Fully equipped Kitchen with 2 plate Hob, Microwave, No smoking, Open plan lounge / kitchen area, WC, shower and bath.
Family Cottage (FA4S): 2 bedrooms, each with 2 single beds, Air-conditioned, Double sleeper couch (not suitable for adults), Fully equipped Kitchen with 2 plate Hob, Microwave, No smoking, Open plan lounge / kitchen area, WC and shower.
Gorge Cottage (CO2): 1 double bed, Braai area, Expect extreme heat during summer time, Gates close at 7PM - No entey or exit after 7PM, Kitchen with stove, fridge, utensils, No Air-con or fan in unit, No smoking, Restaurant at main camp/no access after gate close, Spectacular view of the gorge, Unit situated 10km from main camp (30 min drive), Wc & shower located outside the unit (30 Meters).
- No cancellation fee will be incurred for cancellations made after payment of first deposit up to and including 46 days prior to arrival.
- Cancellation fees equal to 50% of the total reservation cost is payable in a case of cancellation made between 45 days and 30 days prior to arrival.
- Cancellation fee equal to 100% of the total reservation cost is payable in a case of a cancellation made between 29 days prior to and date of arrival
- 100% of the total cost for any non-arrival/no-shows
Reservation made within 45 days prior to arrival is payable within 24 hours from the day reservation is made.
- Conservation levy is always excluded from the booking amount and needs to be settled on arrival.
It is your responsibility to check if the reservation is correct. Should the reservation be incorrect, please contact our office immediately.
If the arrival date of the itinerary is postponed prior to or on date of arrival and then cancelled at a later stage, the fees that applied at the time of amendment will be enforced if the amount is greater than the new cancellation fees.
Cancelling or downgrading of a reservation 45 days prior to or on arrival will result in cancellation fees according to a sliding scale (based on the total reservation cost) which varies between 50% and 100%.
Should the reservation not be taken up on the arrival date the accommodation will be held until 09:00 the following day after which the reservation will be cancelled and the deposit, where applicable, forfeited.
Augrabies Falls National Park lies 120 km west of Upington and 40 km northwest of Kakamas on a tarred access route.
National air links to Upington and a private airfield 5 km from the park. Internal roads are gravelled.
