Augrabies Falls National Park

The Augrabies Falls in northwestern South Africa, near the frontier with Namibia, are one of the country's great natural wonders. The National Park established in 1967 to protect them (area 820sq.km/320sq. mi) is a region of extreme aridity with an annual rainfall of only 107mm/4.25in. The vegetation is sparse, consisting mainly of euphorbias and kocurbooms. Only on the banks of the Orange River, which flows through the National Park, is there denser tree cover.

The Orange River plunges in a series of cascades (the main fall 56m/184ft high), almost 150m/500ft across, into a granite gorge enclosed by rock walls up to 240m/800ft high, with a total length of 18km/1mi. In the language of the Hottentots, who held the falls in awe as a sacred place, the name Augrabies means "place of the great noise"; and indeed the falls, which rank among the six largest in the world, fully justify their name. The best view of the falls was from a bridge which crossed the Orange River at the main fall. This was washed away by high water and it is unclear if it will be rebuilt.

Among the animals living in the park are antelopes, gazelles, porcupines, leopards, baboons and vervet monkeys. The black rhinoceros, now relatively rare, was established here in 1985. There are over 140 species of birds, including Verreaux's eagle, which can frequently be seen at the falls. The black stork breeds in the gorge.

The park is open from sunrise to sunset throughout the year. The best time to go is in summer, when there is more water in the river; the falls are particularly spectacular in late summer. During the summer, however, visitors must be prepared for temperatures of up to 40°C/104°F.

Facilities

There are very well equipped chalets in the National Park's camp, a camping site, a restaurant, a cafeteria and a visitor center. Although it is preferable to spend at least two days in the park, even a day trip is very rewarding. It is also possible to stay in Upington and from there visit the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park.

Roads

An asphalt road 12km/7.5mi long runs through the park, with short side roads going off it to particular viewpoints and other sights.