Augrabies (original) (raw)
Augrabies, Green Kalahari
The little town of Augrabies that lies on the banks of the Orange River has been totally overshadowed by the Augrabies Falls National Park. Not only does it lie on the border of the park with which people assume it is synonymous, but very few people know that a town on the edge of the park that surrounds the renowned falls even exists.
Nearby towns have particularly idiosyncratic names like Kakamas, Keimoes and Kanoneiland, and, to put one in the picture, Augrabies is south west of Upington on the edge of the Kalahari desert � the huge sand basin that spans from the Orange River up to Angola.
Augrabies is surrounded, most uncharacteristically, by flourishing green vineyards, and the town is home predominantly to workers on the Orange River wine cellars, said to be the second largest co-operative wine cellar in the world.
Augrabies, accessible via the N14 after taking a turnoff about 8 kilometres outside of Kakamas, rather obviously takes its name from the booming falls � the Khoe word aukurabis means �the water that thunders�.
Clearly one of the major attractions of staying in Augrabies is the water that thunders down into the 18 kilometre abyss of the Orange River Gorge. Hiking along the edge of the gorge with truly magnificent views or longer hikes to Moon Rock and the Potholes are truly worth the effort, whilst the birdlife and characteristic quiver trees, rhino and antelope aside, make a visit here essential.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Game Lodge
Tutwa Desert Lodge
Tutwa Desert Lodge is set on a 16 000 ha private game reserve in the heart of the Green Kalahari in the Northern Cape. With exclusive access to o...
Self Catering
Avonsrus
Situated in the quiet surroundings of rural Augrabies, Avonsrus offers a comfortable self-catering break from city life. The property is ideally ...
Guest House
Orange River Guest Farm
Orange River Guest Farm is located on a smallholding in Augrabies, Northern Cape. The accommodation is within easy reach of shops, restaurants an...
Self Catering
Augrabies Valle Guesthouse
Augrabies Valle Gastehuis is the nearest guesthouse to the Augrabies Falls offering spacious accommodation right on the border of Augrabies Falls...
Hotel / Self Catering
Kalahari Gateway Hotel
Kalahari Gateway Hotel in Kakamas is a modern hotel that offers luxury and outstanding service en route to the Namaqualand and 40km from the Augr...
Guest House / Self Catering
Augrabies Falls Lodge
Augrabies Falls Lodge & Camps offers affordable accommodation within close proximity of the famous Augrabies Falls. Boasting lovely views of the ...
Bed & Breakfast / Self Catering
The Falls Guest House
Only 2km outside the Augrabies Falls National Park, enjoy peace and tranquillity in a beautiful guesthouse, surrounded by green vineyards and swe...
Self Catering
Augrabies Falls Rest Camp
The Rest Camp offers accommodation in various chalets and cottages in the Augrabies Falls National Park. All of the units are self-catering and h...
Hotel / Guest House
Dundi Lodge Augrabies Falls
Dundi Lodge is conveniently situated three km from the world famous Augrabies Falls and offers the discerning visitor Africa in all its untamed m...
Bed & Breakfast
Kakamas Hotel
Kakamas Hotel is situated near Augrabies Falls, on the outskirts of Kakamas with a beautiful farm setting - overlooking the splendid vineyard of ...
Guest House / Self Catering
Palmhof Chalets
Palmhof Chalets welcomes you to the Orange River Valley in Kakamas, where vineyards, palm trees and citrus surround the area, the contrast route;...
Guest House
Plato Lodge
Plato Lodge is situated 50km west from Augrabies Waterfalls Natural Park. It is ideal for the visitor who wants to explore the waterfalls at Augr...
Things to do in the area
Hiking Trails
Dassie Trail Augrabies
Start: Augrabies National Park, rest campFinish: rest camp � the trail is circularDuration: 5 kmFitness: moderateOur tip: if you are in the reser...
Caf�s & Eateries
Desert Raisins Farm Stall
The Desert Raisins Farm Stall is ideally visited in the summer months when this quaint hilltop farm stall has an abundance of stock including gra...
Dams & Vleis
Riemvasmaak Hot Springs
Riemvasmaak is close to the Namibian border, secluded between the mighty Orange River and the Molopo River (which has dried up). It covers a mass...
4x4 Trails
Daberas 4x4 Trail
Daberas Adventures is found on the South west border of Augrabies Falls National Park. There are lots of activities you can get involved in, such...
Hiking Trails
Klipspringer Hiking Trail
Start: Augrabies National Park, rest campFinish: rest camp (the trail is circular)Duration: 39.5 km, 3 daysFitness: fit, the trail is both demand...
Cycling
Khamkirri MTB Trails
Where: Khamkirri River Camp, near Kakamas in the Green Kalahari section of the Northern CapeLevel: easy to difficultType of route: varied; betwee...
Restaurants: Casual Dining
Riverside Kitchen & Restaurant
Khamkirri is all about celebrating the outdoors and creating a beautiful place for families to be together along the Orange River. So, it�s no su...
Noteworthy attractions
Game Reserves
Augrabies Falls National Park
The Khoi people called it 'Aukoerebis', the place of the Great Noise, referring to the Orange River thundering its way downwards for 60 metres in...
Nature Reserves
Spitskop Nature Reserve
The Spitskop Nature Reserve was named after Spitskop, an impressive granite koppie just outside the small town of Upington. Consisting mainly of ...
Nature Reserves
Witsand Nature Reserve
The Witsand (White Sands) Nature Reserve is a 2 500 hectares island of brilliant white sands surrounded by a sea of regular Red Kalahari sand. Al...
Golf Courses
Upington Golf Club
Situated just outside of Upington on the N14 road to Johannesburg and Olifantshoek, next to Desert Palace Casino, is the Upington Golf Course. Th...
Wine Routes
Orange River Wine Route
In a part of South Africa that is, for all intents and purposes, practically desert, one does not expect to find a wine route. But the Orange Riv...
Wine Estates
Northern Cape Wine Estates
With a completely different climate to the Cape Winelands, the Northern Cape produces a number of ranges of wines that boast unique flavours. The...
Nature Reserves
Riemvasmaak Community Conservancy
North west of the town of Kakamas and bordering the Augrabies National Park is the Riemvasmaak Community Conservancy - 75 00 hectares of land bet...
Landmarks
Hakskeen Pan
Hakskeen Pan is a dry lake bed, and the world's largest unworked saltpan. It lies way up in the far north west of the Northern Cape, 300 km from ...
Entertainment
Kokerboom Food and Wine Route
The Kokerboom, or quiver tree, is one of the most idiosyncratic trees of the Kalahari (South Africa and Namibia). Also known, in scientific circl...
Find accommodation in Augrabies
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Northern Cape Accommodation / Green Kalahari Accommodation / Augrabies Accommodation