Augrabies Falls National Park is a protected area near Augrabies Falls, located about 120 kilometers (75 miles) west of Upington in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa.
The park covers an area of 820 square kilometers (320 square miles) and follows the path of the Orange River. The region has very little rainfall and is dry. The waterfall is approximately 60 meters (200 feet) tall and looks impressive during times when the river is swollen with water. Below the falls, there is a deep canyon that averages about 240 meters (790 feet) in depth and extends for 18 kilometers (11 miles). This canyon shows how water has worn away the granite rock over time.
The park was created in 1966.
Original inhabitants
The original Khoekhoe people called the waterfall Ankoerebis, which means "the place of great noise." The Khoi and San communities who live in the larger national park use domed huts called matjiehuise, or "mat houses." These huts are well-suited for both hot and cold weather. In hot weather, the stems of the trees used to make the mats shrink, creating small gaps that help cool the air inside. In cold weather, the stems expand, helping to keep the cold outside. Later, the Trekboers who settled in the area named the place Augrabies. Sometimes, the name is spelled Aughrabies. There are many alluvial diamonds along the Orange River. A legend says the largest collection of diamonds in the world is hidden in a swirl-shaped hole in the granite at the base of the waterfall, where the powerful river water has worn away the rock over time.
Animal and plant life
The most notable plant in the park is the giant tree aloe (Aloidendron dichotomum), known locally as the quiver tree or kokerboom. This plant is well-suited to the dry, rocky areas of the Nama-Karoo, where it can survive extreme temperatures and poor soil. The tree can grow up to five meters tall and is named for the soft branches that the San people used to make quivers for their arrows. The quiver tree’s unique shape is a common sight in the Northern Cape landscape. During winter, the tree produces flowers that attract many birds because of their sweet nectar. Baboons often break the flowers to drink the liquid inside.
Another plant found in the area is the Shepherd’s tree, a short, strong tree that grows in dry, open woodlands and bushveld. The Khoi and San communities respect this tree deeply and do not allow it to be destroyed. It also grows in parts of the Free State province.
The Augrabies National Park covers 28,000 hectares and is home to many animal species. Animals such as springbok, gemsbok, and the endangered south-central black rhinoceros live here. Other rare animals, like the Cape clawless otter, black-backed jackal, caracal, bat-eared fox, and African wildcat, can also be seen in the park.
The Nile monitor, which is Africa’s largest lizard, is found near water. The Double-banded sandgrouse and the more common Namaqua sandgrouse are also present in the area. These birds need fresh water to survive.
Freshwater systems, lagoons, and the sea are habitats for these birds as long as drinking water is available. A famous feature of the park is Moon Rock, a large rock formation that is about 700 meters (2,300 feet) long, 100 meters (330 feet) wide, and 30 meters (98 feet) high.
Activities
The Augrabies National Park offers activities such as night drives during busy times, the Dassie Trail, and the Klipspringer 3-day Trail hike. The park is about an 8-hour drive from Cape Town and a 10-hour drive from Johannesburg. There are two hiking trails in the park. Both trails are self-guided and have signs along the path to help visitors. The Dassie Trail is 5 km (3.1 mi) long. The Klipspringer 3-day Trail is 14.4 km (8.9 mi) long.