Travel Guides Southern Africa - Wildlife, Game Reserves, Safaris, Photographic Safaris, Birding Safaris, Hiking

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  INFORMATION:
  KAKAMAS
 

National Parks: Augrabies National Park
Province: Northern Cape
Region: Green Kalahari
Features: The Augrabies Water Falls

Main Attractions
1.The Falls 
2.Springbok 
3.Klipspringer
4. Black Stork
5. Pygmy Falcon 


General information
This is where the mighty Orange River is at its most impressive as it thunders its way through a ravine and into a pool walled by sheer granite. 

The falls derived their name from the Khoi word meaning "place of great noise" which accurately describes the roar as the falls plummet 56m into the ravine. 
This arid piece of lunar landscape-like land, awesome and strikingly beautiful, offers the visitor over 15 000 ha of unique riverine ecosystems to explore. 

The Park is essentially a scenic park but various animals and indigenous trees can be seen. 
Giraffe, klipspringer and other game are frequently seen while game driving in the Park. Visitors can now hire mountain bikes or canoes to ensure closer contact with the natural heritage surrounding the world's sixth largest waterfall.

- Climate
Hot summers and cold nights during winter. January to April is the rainy season. March to October are the most pleasant months in the park. 

- Day Visitors
Day Visitors are welcome and there are facilities to cater for them.

- Emergencies
Park Tel: +27 54 452-9200 o Fax: +27 54 451-5003

- Handy Hints 
Remember to bring a hat, walking shoes, sun block, camera, binoculars and wildlife reference books. Hikers on day and overnight trails must always carry sufficient water. 
Take cool or light clothing for summer and warm for winter - area prone to sudden weather changes. 

- Office Hours
07:00 - 19:00

- Take Note 
Pets are not allowed in a national park. 
Firearms must be declared and sealed on arrival. Seals will be broken at reception upon departure. 
Malaria prophylactics and mosquito repellents are a good precaution. Malaria has been historically recorded in the area but is not very prevalent. Please consult your chemist/doctor to alleviate any concerns. 
Vehicle repairs, medical services, post office and police: Kakamas (40 km). 
Shoes must be worn on summer evenings to avoid scorpion stings. 
Motorcycles, bicycles, rollerblades and skateboards are not allowed. 

- Travel / How to get there
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. 

- Gate Hours 
April to September: 06:30 - 22:00
October to March: 06:00 - 22:00

- Wheelchair Access 
The park's rest camp has 2 accessible bungalows, equipped with ramped entrance and appropriate ablution facilities (sit-down shower). The reception complex, shop, tea area and information displays are all accessible, but the restaurant is up stairs. There is a swimming pool in the camp, but no assisting rails are present.
The park's highlight, the falls can only be accessed over rough ground. Most wheelchair users will require assistance. The presence of sand flies can be a nuisance.


Activities
Waterfall view points walking distance from the restaurant complex. 
Game viewing at leisure using own vehicle. 
Klipspringer Hiking Trail: 3 days, 2 nights and 12 persons per group. Advance bookings essential. Closed October to March due to heat. 
Nature trails (no bookings necessary): 
Arrow Point (one hour) 
Potholes (one hour) 
Moon Rock (one hour). 
Night drives during peak holiday periods. 
Three swimming pools for residents. 
Gariep 3-in-1 Adventure: This is a three-part adventure comprising rowing for 4 km down the mighty Orange River, walking for 4 km and returning to camp by mountain bike (12 km). Enquiries and reservations at the park. 

Fauna and Flora
Birding
Both Black Stork and Black Eagle breed in the park. Other species of interest that occur include: Pygmy Falcon, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Rosyfaced Lovebird, Namaqua and Blackchested Prinia, Cinnamonbreasted Warbler, Tractrac, Mountain and Karoo Chat, Marico, Chat and Fairy Flycatcher and Great Sparrow. There is also an isolated western population of Doublebanded Sandgrouse in addition to the more common Namaqua Sandgrouse. General birding is best around the rest camp itself and here one should see plenty of Redeyed Bulbul, Palewinged Starling, Whitethroated Canary, Cape White-eye, Redheaded Finch and Karoo Robin amongst others. 

Vegetation
Augrabies is the largest conservation area (18 200 ha) within the Orange River Nama Karoo vegetation type. The most characteristic plant in the park is the giant aloe called quiver tree (kokerboom), Aloe dichotoma. The quiver tree is perfectly adapted to the dry desert and semi-desert areas on the rocky hills, the extreme temperatures and the infertile soil. It grows three to five metres high. 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. The trees flower a canary-yellow in the winter. Swarms of birds and locusts are attracted to their copious nectar, and baboons tear the flowers apart to get to the sweet liquor. 

Accommodation 
Four-bed family cottages, two bedrooms, bathroom (bath), air-conditioning and equipped kitchen. 
Bungalows (3 or 4 persons), bathroom (shower), air-conditioning and equipped kitchen. 
Two three-bedded bungalows have been adapted for handicapped persons. 

Camping 
Caravan and camping sites in shaded area. 
A maximum of 6 persons, one caravan/tent and one vehicle or one autovilla permitted per site. 
Communal camp kitchen with two-plate stoves, and sinks, communal ablution facilities, laundry and ironing room. 
All sites have power points. 

Reservations
Telephone Number: +27 (0)12 428 9111 
Fax number: +27 (0)12 343 0905