Augrabies Falls

The Orange River, the longest in South Africa, runs through desert for most of its lower course and then falls about fifty-six metres into a granite gorge that it has cut some eighteen kilometres long and up to 240 metres deep. The Nama name, Aukoerebis, means place of great noise, and in flood the ground vibrates. Flow is the variable: in a good summer flood the main fall is joined by dozens of side falls over the gorge rim and the whole thing is spectacular, while in a dry winter it is a single modest stream. Boardwalks and viewing decks run along the rim from the camp, and roads lead to viewpoints over the gorge downstream, including Ararat and Echo Corner. The park around it is arid Nama Karoo with quiver trees, klipspringer, giraffe and black rhino. Summer heat routinely passes forty degrees.

What you actually see

• The 56-metre drop - the Orange River falling into a granite gorge in desert country.
• The 18-kilometre gorge - a canyon up to 240 metres deep cut below the falls.
• The flood difference - dozens of side falls in a good year, one stream in a dry one.
• The quiver trees - arid park vegetation with klipspringer on the rocks.

When to go

March to May after summer rains for flow; September to October for milder heat. A day.

Honest expectations

Flow varies enormously and can be underwhelming in a dry winter. Summer heat is dangerous - above forty degrees regularly. The gorge edges are lethal and people have died going past the barriers. Distances inside the park are long and roads are gravel.

Nearby

Riemvasmaak is north; Upington and the Green Kalahari vineyards are east.