Augrabies Falls Park is full of activities and natural scenery

How to make the most of a weekend at Augrabies Falls National Park

Augrabies Falls National Park is the perfect weekend getaway for travellers wanting to enjoy nature in its purest form. The park was established in 1966 and has proven to be a popular spot for South Africans.

Taking its name from the thundering Augrabies Falls, the little town of Augrabies in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa is seen by many as being synonymous with the popular Augrabies Falls National Park, when in fact it is a town in its own right.

Here are some ideas on how to spend a weekend:

Augrabies lies in a picturesque setting, bordering the park and on the banks of the Orange River, southwest of Upington. Tourism and the Orange River Wine Cellars are the economic mainstays of the inhabitants of Augrabies

Augrabies Waterfalls

Augrabies Falls on the Orange River is around 56 metres in height. It is definitely one of Northern Cape’s best-kept secrets. Park visitors will need to pay a conservation fee. The prices will be available at the park’s reception. The visit to the waterfall will make for stunning photographs you can cherish forever.

Go on a game drive

While you may not spot the Big 5 at this national park, visitors will be sure to see giraffes, mountain zebra, springbok, eland, red hartebeest and the nimble klipspringer. Book with the park for guided or self-drives.

Eat

On holiday and not feel like cooking in your self-catering cottage? No problem! Visit the Quiver Tree Restaurant where they offer breakfast, lunch and dinner options.

Go on a walking trail

Doctors now prescribe hiking in nature as a form of stress relief medication. We agree with this prescription! If you like nature and love to exercise while on a trip, you can opt to do a walking trail. During October to March visitors can go on the Dassie Nature Trail, a 5km self-guided hiking trail.

Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon

Each year the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon draws extreme sports enthusiasts to participate in a gruelling seven day, 250 kilometre run in the Kalahari Desert. Known as the “Big Daddy” of extreme marathons, the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon is limited to 100 participants with the trail winding its way through rugged, but spectacular, terrain – definitely not for the faint-hearted.

 More places to visit

Places of interest near the town of Augrabies include the Augrabies Falls National Park, Spitskop Nature Reserve, Vaalbos National Park and the Witsand Nature Reserve.

 Have fun!