Augrabies Falls National Park

Augrabies Falls National Park is a national park located around the Augrabies Falls, about 120 km west of Upington[1] in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa. It was established in 1966.[2]

Augrabies Falls National Park
Location of the park
LocationNorthern Cape, South Africa
Nearest cityUpington
Coordinates28°35′28″S 20°20′18″E
Area820 km2 (320 sq mi)
Established1966
Governing bodySouth African National Parks
www.sanparks.org/parks/augrabies/

The Augrabies Falls National Park covers an area of 820 km²[3] and stretches along the Orange River. The area is very arid. The waterfall is about 60 metres high[4] and is awe-inspiring when the river is in flood. The gorge below the falls averages about 240 m deep and runs for 18 kilometres. The gorge provides an impressive example of erosion into a granitic basement.

Original Inhabitants

The original Khoikhoi people named the waterfall Ankoerebis, meaning the "place of big noises".[5] 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.[6] 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.[7]

Animal and Plant Life

The most characteristic plant in the park is the giant tree aloe (Aloidendron dichotomum) known locally as the quiver tree or kokerboom.[8] 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.[9] 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.[6] The Water Monitor, Africa's largest lizard, can be found along the water.[9] The Doublebanded Sandgrouse can be found here, alongside the more commonly spotted Namaqua Sandgrouse.[6] These are found in freshwater systems, lagoons, and the sea so long as fresh drinking water is available. Their short, dense fur varies in colour from light to dark brown. A prominent landmark in the park is Moon Rock, a large exfoliation dome measuring around 700 metres (2,300 ft) by 100 metres (330 ft) and 30 metres (98 ft) high.[1][10]

Two men walk in the arid Augrabies Falls National Park, near the border between South Africa and Namibia

Activities

Apart from the Augrabies Falls, key activities in the park include night drives during peak season; the Gariep trail and the Klipspringer 3 day trail hike.[9] The Augrabies National Park is approximately an 8 hours drive from Cape Town, and 10 hours from Johannesburg.[9]

Weather

Rainy season occurs mainly between the months of January to April.

See also

References
  1. Tony Pinchuck; Barbara McCrea; Donald Reid (2002). South Africa. Rough Guides. p. 323. ISBN 978-1-85828-853-6.
  2. Heather Du Plessis (1 January 2000). Tourism Destinations Southern Africa. Juta and Company Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7021-5272-6.
  3. "Augrabies Falls National Park (South African media online)". sanparks.africamediaonline.com/. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  4. "Augrabies Falls National Park". SA Places. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  5. "Augrabies Falls National Park". Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  6. Siyabona Africa."Augrabies Falls National Park, Northern Cape. South Africa". Siyabona Africa (Pty)Ltd - Private Tours and Safari. Accessed: 10 October 2018
  7. "Encounter South Africa: Augrabies Falls". Archived from the original on 26 January 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  8. "Augrabies Falls, Northern Cape". Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  9. Dassi Interpretive Trail."Augrabies Falls National Park, South Africa". SANPARKS. Accessed: 10 October 2018
  10. African Protected Area Conservation and Science (1997). "Popups on Moon Rock, Augrabies Falls National Park". Koedoe. 40 (2): 75–84. doi:10.4102/koedoe.v40i2.274. ISSN 0075-6458. Retrieved 12 July 2010.

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