Augrabies Falls Rest Camp

'Augrabies' comes from a local korana name 'Oukurubi'. Meaning 'place of great noise'. Few sights are as spectacular, or a sound as deafening, as water thundering down the 56 m Augrabies Waterfall. The Orange River thunders through the 18 km gorge. And is then unleashed to plunge down into a seemingless endless rockpool below.

The small National Park is fascinating. With its spectacular moonscape scenery and views over the River. Klipspringer and kokerboom stand in stark silhouette against the African sky. Temperature fluctuations in the region have resulted in unique adaptations in animals. They can survive in extreme high and low temperatures. They include springbok, gemsbok and giraffes. Predators come in the form of leopard, black backed jackals, caracal, the bat eared fox and the African wild cat. An interesting mammal found in Augrabies is the cape clawless otter. Their presence in the park indicates that the river ecosystem is relatively healthy.

The most characteristic plant in the park is the giant aloe called quiver tree. Which 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 the copious nectar and baboons tear the flowers apart to get the sweet liquor.

The Augrabies rest camp is very pleasant. The accommodation is of a good standard for a National Park. There are 3 salt-water swimming pools. A self-service restaurant for the daytime, and a evening restaurant and bar. Four bedded family cottages have two bedrooms, bathroom (with bath), air-conditioning and equipped self-catering kitchen. Bungalows have bathroom (with shower), air-conditioning and equipped kitchen. Two three-bedded bungalows have been adapted for handicapped persons.