The mighty Orange River approaches Augrabies Falls National Park and devides into numerous channels in this approximately 51 113 hectares of one of South African National Parks hidden gems. The river cascade down an abyss of approximately 90 metre high, with a 56 metre freefall and the indigenous Khoi people named this are as “the place of great noise” or “Aukoerebis” from which the Park derives its name.
Although the Falls, which boast as the largest water volume in South Africa, is the primary reason for the proclamation of the Augrabies Falls National Park, it offers a sanctuary to far more than just the waterfalls. Plant life, invertebrates, reptiles, fish, birds, and mammals are all over the Park.
The Park hosts no less than 49 mammals species, of which the most intriguing is probally the klipspringer, often seen easily leaping from rock to rock on specially adapted apdapted hooves.
Visitors can enjoy various types of accommodation; one large camp comprised of chalets and cottages that sleep a total of 120 and 50 camp sites. There are three swimming pools for the exlusive use of the residents and another separate one for day visitiors. There is also a well stocked shop and a restaurant with an a-la-carte menu and a filling station.
For activities, you can take a walk down the beautiful maintained boardwalk to experience the sight and sound of water cascading over rocks and various view points of the amazing waterfall. Take a self-drive scenic drive to the beautiful Moon Rock which consist of a massive granite exfoliation dome or “whaleback” which is one the prominent landmarks in the Park as well observing the flaura and fona of the Park. There are also 4×4 trails and two other view points namely Oranjekom and Ararat from which you can observe the massive gorge area. The 36km Klipspringer Trail and 8.5km Dassie Trail or the shorter 2km Gorge trail offers the adventeruous visitors an opportunity to explore the Park on foot. Mountain bikes are also allowed in the Park and cyclists are requested to remain on the official roads.
South African National Parks also have an amazing opportunity currently for Stokvel and travel groups to explore certain Parks at discounted rates.
For more information log onto the website: www.sanparks.org
