Augrabies Falls National Park

[Flutterby]

Situated in the Northern Cape, along the echoing caverns of the Orange River Gorge, the Augrabies Falls National Park is home to the thundering 56 meter high falls that the Khoi people named Aukoerebis, or “place of great noise”. With an average flow rate greater than that of Niagara Falls, the waters of the Augrabies Waterfall cascade into the rocky canyon below, carving into the granite gorge and creating a spectacular roar - especially when the river is in flood.

©kalahari-adventures.co.za

The landscape is stark and arid, made up of sandstone and rocky outcrops which are rich in deposits of alluvial diamonds and dotted with the characteristic giant aloe. Known as the kokerboom or quiver tree because the San used the soft branches to make quivers for their arrows, the aloe is an unmistakable silhouette set against the flat expanses of the Northern Cape landscape. Aside from the falls, Augrabies Park is also home to fascinating geographical features like Moon Rock, a hulking granite exfoliation dome and viewpoints of Ararat and Echo Corner - from which the panorama of this vast and austere landscape is laid bare.

©greenkalahari.com

©cedarberg-travel.com

Rosy sandstone boulders watch over a steady procession of unique animals through the 820 square kilometre expanse of the Augrabies Park, such as giraffes, gemsbok and klipspringers. The Slender Mongoose and Rock Hyrax hide in the shade of burrows and rock crevices while the Cape Clawless Otter hunts for food in the shallow pools of the river. Some of the most elusive and enigmatic predators roam these rocky plains but occasionally visitors are rewarded with a sighting of the leopard, black-backed jackal, caracal, bat-eared fox or the African wild cat.

©nigeldennis.com

©wildlife-pictures-online.com

The Augrabies Restcamp offers 4-bed family cottages with two bedrooms, bathroom (bath), air-conditioning and equipped kitchen. Bungalows (3 or 4 persons) have a bathroom (shower), air-conditioning and equipped kitchen. Two 3-bed bungalows have been adapted for handicapped persons.

Family cottage:
©krugerpark.com

Bungalow:
©krugerpark.com

Facilities at the restcamp includes a shop, Shibula Restaurant and Gariep Ladies' Bar, public telephones, fuel. There are 3 swimming pools, and a picnic area for day visitors.

©images.northerncape-direct.com

The Camping Sites are located in a shaded area and have access to a communal camp kitchen with two-plated stoves and sinks, communal ablution facilities and a laundry / ironing room.

©krugerpark.com

Accommodation rates do not include Conservation Fees which are payable at the entrance gates.

For accommodation enquiries go to: http://www.sanparks.org/

[mouseinthehouse]

Just home from a trip to Augrabies and KTP. So glad we included Augrabies on our itinerary. The landscape and scenery and geology were so much more dramatic and interesting than I expected.

Also, I can happily say that the camp was in excellent shape as far as we could tell. Our chalet was spotless, well maintained and the bedding/linen was bordering on luxury standard - a pleasant experience compared to the usual rather threadbare offerings.

We had dinner in the restaurant on the last night and although the menu was basic the service was very friendly and professional and the meal was tasty and of generous portions.

On that last day we had a bit of drama; on hiking out to the end of one short trail we arrived at Arrowhead point where two ravines meet (hence the name) with a 100m or so sliver of rock projecting out between. The trail ends with a no entry sign at the start of the 100m projection as it is very narrow with large smooth boulders and over a 100m drop on both sides. We were astonished to see a man through the binoculars right out on the end, sitting on the slope of a boulder, inches from certain death should he slip. He was sitting with his head in his hands - it didn't look good and he was alone. We quickly hiked back and reported it straight away. The ranger happened to be in reception at the time and although he was obviously not actively on duty and with his family, he went to investigate. An hour later the receptionist came to us at the restaurant and asked for our photos for copying as they couldn't find the man, only his car at the trail head which was recorded as a day entry. By this time it was 6pm and gate closing time. They called police and searched the camp. We all expected the worse. Eventually, at 8pm the man came out from wherever he had spent the intervening two hours or so and tried to exit the park. I am not sure what, if any, fine or other action was taken but we were impressed with the way management handled the whole thing and the police, whom we also spoke to, were also very quick to respond.

I would definitely recommend a visit to the park and take the time to explore the park. I have some stunning photos which I will share in the next day or so.

[nan]

what a story
is it near the Black Eagle nest ? (sorry can't remember exactly )
maybe he would like to have an egg

post photos... me too I loved this park

[bambazonke]

Had a short stay at Augrabies NP, on our way to KTP November-December 2014. Park was clean, well maintained around Camping area, the chalets, reception and boardwalks. The pools except for Day visitors were all in order and well used. Sadly the ever present baboons (two troops) and the monkeys are an ever present nuisance, could not even leave clean washing up in kitchen area. Lots of walks/hikes, good birding and for the most part well behaved visitors.

A good park to visit if in the area.

[nan]

those Baboons... a wound

thank you Bamba

[Flutterby]

Thanks Bambazonke!

[bambazonke]

A couple of thinks I forgot to mention, if you continue along the road past all the viewpoints, you can go under the tar road that leads to Blouputs and there are are series of loops and drives, also a 4 x 4 trail that has to be started at 06H00, in order to cover
the distance, the actual 4 x 4 route is approx 30kms but it links up with the the Quiver loop so quite a distance. There is also a picnic site

Hartmansloop 67kms
Lekkerwater loop 82kms
Quiver loop 91kms
Speed limit 40kms. Gravel road was in fair condition, we only saw another 4 x 4 and a car .
Saw plenty of game and birds but all are very skittish, so not accustomed to cars.
Springbok, zebra, red hartebeeste, gemsbok, kudu, klipspringer, one duiker.
On the road to the lookouts you have to cross a stream, the sides of which are full of reeds, plenty of kingfishers who will pose if you are quiet.

[Richprins]

Good info!

[nan]

I was there and saw lot of Antelopes, like Elands and Giraffes and Zébras... and nobody on the road
and Verreaux's Eagles (two adults and a juv.)... but before the tunnel

a nice place

[Richprins]

Richard Graeme Horn (Pr.Sci.Nat)
@inimuzungu
A Small-spotted Genet paid us a visit at our campsite at @SANParks
' Augrabies National Park