The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Augrabies Falls National Park
Afrikaans name: Augrabies Nasionale Park
Augrabies Falls National Park hutted accommodation
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Northern Cape
The Augrabies Falls National Park, in the Northern Cape, is the location of the spectacular Augrabies waterfall. Here the Orange River plunges 56 metres into an 18 km long canyon. During floods in 1988 around 7,800 cubic metres of water was going over the falls every second. This is the most ever recorded for a waterfall anywhere.
Besides taking in the beauty of the falls there is a lot of other things to do in this interesting reserve. These include hiking trails, mountain biking, night drives, guided walks and self-drive roads.
The reserve experiences extreme heat and cold and this influences some of the mammals found in the park. For example the Giraffes are lighter in colour and more active at night. A night drive can be particularly rewarding when nocturnal creatures such as African Wild-Cat, Aardwolf and Bat-eared Fox may be seen. During the day you may find Klipspringer, Springbok, Eland, Kudu and Steenbok.
The arid nature of the Augrabies Falls National Park provides plenty of interesting vegetation and there is also lots for birders to look for.
There is a variety of accommodation available in the park including camp sites, chalets and cottages. The reserve has a shop, restaurant and petrol station.
Beautiful, but arid, scenery in Augrabies Falls National Park
Photo © Johan van Zyl
The Orange River flows through a deep gorge
Photo © Johan van Zyl
There is a variety of accommodation in the reserve
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Mammals of Augrabies Falls National Park
Please note that this is only a guide and, while we have made every effort to be accurate, we can't be held responsible for any errors.
Antbear / Aardvark
Common Duiker
Honey Badger
Striped Polecat
Water Mongoose
Wild Cat
References and further reading
Wild Issue 36 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 8Wild Issue 32 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 14
Wild Issue 32 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 18
Wild Issue 34 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 14
Wild Issue 25 - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 6
Top Birding Spots in Southern Africa - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 1992 - Page: 206
Where to Watch Birds in Southern Africa - Author: A. Berruti and J.C. Sinclair - Published: 1983 - Page: 255
Things to do in Moer & Gone Places - Author: Jacques Marais - Published: 2015 - Page: 17
The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Published: 1987 - Page: 53
Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 281
Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 319
The National Parks of South Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Rene Gordon and Anthony Bannister - Published: 1987 - Page: 82
Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southe - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Published: 1991 - Page: 269
Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 180
Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southe - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Published: 1991 - Page: 268
Insiders Guide - Top Wildlife Photography Spots in South Africa - Author: Shem Compion - Published: 2010 - Page: 285
go! - Issue 137 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 36
Getaway - Vol 31 No 03 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 54
go! - Issue 134 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 90
Essential Birding: Western South Africa - Author: Callan Cohen and Claire Spottiswoode - Published: 2000 - Page: 112
Country Life - Issue 280 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 34
Caravan & Outdoor Life - Issue 682 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 26
Country Life - Issue 250 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 60
Chris and Tilde Stuarts Guide to Southern African Game and Nature Reserves - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1989 - Page: 251
Atlas of National Parks and Reserves of South Africa - Author: Marielle Renssen - Published: 2006 - Page: 44
A - Z of South African National Parks - Author: South African National Parks - Published: 0 - Page: 12