AUGRABIES FALLS NATIONAL PARK.

Augrabies Falls National Park is a national park located around the Augrabies Falls, about 120 km west of Upington in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa. It was established in 1966. The Augrabies Falls National Park covers an area of 820square Kilometres and stretches along the Orange River. the area is very arid. The area is very arid. The waterfalls are about 60 meters high and is awe-inspiring when the river is in flood.

History of the local native people.

The original Khoekhoe people named the waterfall Ankoerebis, meaning the “place of big noises”. The Khoi and San communities within the greater national park inhabit domed huts called ‘matjiehuise’ (mat houses). The huts are ideal for both hot and cold climates. During hot temperatures the tree stems from which the mats are created shrink, which allows gaps to appear – creating a cooling ventilation system. The inverse occurs during cold climates, as the stems expand to keep the cold out. The Trekboers who later settled in the area derived the name Augrabies. The name is sometimes spelt Aughrabies. There are many deposits of alluvial diamonds along the Orange River and legend has it that the biggest cache of diamonds in the world lies in the swirl-hole eroded into the granite at the foot of the waterfall by the thundering waters.

Augrabies National park accommodation.

There is probably no better experience than a little camping. Both the camping sites and the caravan spots are shaded by trees and a minimum of 6 people, one vehicle and one caravan is allowed per site. Each site also has its own power point.

Guests will need to share a communal kitchen and a communal bathroom. The communal kitchen has a two-plate stove as well as a sink while the bathroom has your regular bathroom facilities, a laundry room and a place to iron.

CHALETS.

The natural aesthetic of the chalets is part of the appeal. If you are not keen on the rather rustic accommodation that is camping, you can always rather opt for the comfort of a chalet.

There are a few chalets available for guests to use and they are all self-catered. With 2 beds, a double sleeper couch which is not suitable for adults to sleep on, and a lounge/bedroom and kitchenette, guests are given plenty of space to unwind. The bathroom has a shower and your basic washing up facilities and toilet, while the kitchen has a microwave, crockery and cutlery. There is also a place to braai. Those guests who don’t want to cook for themselves can use the restaurant. One of the chalets has been made to be accessible to disabled guests.

FAMILY COTTAGES.

Bigger groups who aren’t keen on camping can book one of the family cottages. There are 2 cottages available.

The first cottage has 2 single beds and a sleeper couch on which children can sleep. The cottage has an open plan kitchen with crockery and cutlery, a lounge, and a full bathroom. Guests can also braai in the outside braai area or enjoy a meal at the restaurant. To keep cool on the hotter days, guests will be happy to know that the cottage has air conditioning.

The other cottage has 2 bedrooms, one of which has an en-suite with a double bed and one with 2 single beds. There is also a sleeper couch. The bathroom has both a bath and a shower, as well as a toilet and washbasin. In the kitchen guests have a microwave, cutlery and crockery, allowing them to prepare their own delicious meals. The outdoor veranda has braai facilities and those guests who don’t feel like cooking can visit the restaurant.

Reservation Terms and Conditions

All accommodation is subject to availability

All last minute reservations (less than 31 days prior to arrival date) are payable within 24 hours after receiving a confirmed provisional reservation via e-mail.

As accommodation availability changes from day to day, all inquiries about general availability are subject to change without notice.

Accommodation availability is only guaranteed once you receive a provisional reservation confirmation. In order to secure your reservation full pre-payment is required.

ANIMAL AND PLANTS WITHIN THE PARK

The most characteristic plant in the park is the giant tree aloe known locally as the quiver tree or kokerboom. It is perfectly adapted to the dry semi-desert rocky areas found in the Nama-Karoo, able to withstand the extreme temperatures and the infertile soil. This tree, which grows up to five metres high, 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 this part of Northern Cape landscape. 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. The Shepherd’s tree, a stocky tree that grows in typically dry, open woodland and bushveld, can be found in the area. The Khoi and San communities around these areas hold this tree in deep reverence; its destruction is strictly forbidden. This tree also grows in part of the Free State province.

There is an array of animal species on the 28 000 hectares of the Augrabies National Park. Game such as springbok, gemsbok and the endangered south-central black rhinoceros can be found here. Rare animals such as the Cape clawless otter can be spotted in the area, alongside the black-backed jackal, caracal, the bat-eared fox and the African Wildcat the Water Monitor, Africa’s largest lizard, can be found along the water.