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Augrabies Falls
National Park covers an area of
820 km² along the Orange River. The 60 meter high waterfall is awe-inspiring when the river is in
flood. The gorge below the falls is 240
meters deep and runs for 18 kilometres.
The early Khoikhoi inhabitants called
it Ankoerebis, meaning "place of big noises", from
which the Voortrekkers later on
derived the name Augrabies.
There are many deposits of alluvial diamonds along
the Orange River. Legend has it that the biggest
cache of diamonds in the world lies in the
swirling hole eroded into the granite at the foot of
the waterfall.
South African National Parks runs a variety
of overnight accommodation at its main rest camp. We
recommend that you spend at least two nights (giving
you a full day in the park). Always book in advance
(click on the map opposite to visit SANParks™
website).
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The most characteristic plant in the park is the
giant aloe (Aloe dichotoma). Perfectly adapted to
the dry semi-desert rocky areas found in the
Nama-Karoo, the giant aloe is able to withstand the extreme
temperatures and the infertile soil.
It is also known as the
quiver tree (kokerboom)
because the Bushmen (San) used the soft
branches to make quivers for their arrows.
 The
eye-catching silhouette of the quiver tree is
typical of this part of the
Northern Cape.
When the tree flowers in the winter, flocks of birds
are attracted to their copious nectar, and baboons
can be seen tearing the flowers apart to get the
sweet liquor.
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