Augrabies Falls National Park Travel Guide

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Augrabies Falls National Park Essentials

Augrabies Falls National Park centers on the 56-meter drop of the Orange River into an 18-kilometer-long granite gorge. The landscape is characterized by massive 'whaleback' granite domes, desert succulents like the Quiver tree, and rock-splitting Namaqua figs. This arid region in the Northern Cape features unique geological formations including deep river-carved potholes and the dark volcanic-looking ridges of the Swartrante, providing a detailed look at South Africa’s desert ecology.

10 places

Octagon / CC BY 3.0

Editor's Choice

Augrabies Falls National Park showcases the Orange River as it plunges 56 meters into a granite gorge carved over millions of years. This collection highlights the park's geological diversity, from the thundering main falls and the secondary Twin Falls to the black igneous rock formations of Swartrante. Visitors can access panoramic views of the arid landscape from elevated points like Spelonkop, the park's highest peak, and Melkbosrant Lookout, which overlooks the river's winding path through the desert.

7 places

Hidden gems

Explore the lesser-known corners of Augrabies Falls National Park, moving beyond the main viewpoints to find historical sites and remote wilderness stops. This collection features Manie Maritz se Fort, a stone fortification from the 1914 rebellion, and secluded overnight huts like Visarend and Berghut along the Klipspringer Hiking Trail. These spots offer access to the park's rugged granite landscape and quiet picnic areas like Af en Toe, providing a deeper look at the arid beauty and history of the Orange River gorge.

5 places

Augrabies Falls National Park — Map

Climate & when to visit

Best time to visit: April, May, June, July, August, September

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Poor

38° (feels like 36°) · extremes 16°–43°
21° at night
5 rainy days
28 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 14 · extreme

Up to 26 days above 35°

Typical weather in February

Poor

38° (feels like 36°) · extremes 16°–42°
21° at night
5 rainy days
24 sunny days
11 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 13 · extreme

Up to 24 days above 35°

Typical weather in March

Poor

36° (feels like 33°) · extremes 13°–41°
19° at night
4 rainy days
27 sunny days
11 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 11 · extreme

Up to 19 days above 35°

Typical weather in April

Great

31° (feels like 28°) · extremes 9°–37°
15° at night
3 rainy days
26 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 8 · very high

Up to 5 days above 35°

Typical weather in May

Great

27° (feels like 23°) · extremes 5°–33°
11° at night
1 rainy day
28 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in June

Great

23° (feels like 18°) · extremes 2°–28°
7° at night
1 rainy day
26 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in July

Great

23° (feels like 18°) · extremes 1°–29°
6° at night
1 rainy day
28 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in August

Great

25° (feels like 20°) · extremes 2°–33°
7° at night
1 rainy day
28 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in September

Great

29° (feels like 25°) · extremes 5°–37°
10° at night
1 rainy day
27 sunny days
11 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in October

Fair

33° (feels like 29°) · extremes 8°–40°
14° at night
2 rainy days
28 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 10 · very high

Up to 12 days above 35°

Typical weather in November

Poor

35° (feels like 31°) · extremes 11°–41°
16° at night
2 rainy days
28 sunny days
13 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 12 · extreme

Up to 18 days above 35°

Typical weather in December

Poor

38° (feels like 34°) · extremes 14°–42°
19° at night
3 rainy days
29 sunny days
13 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 14 · extreme

Up to 24 days above 35°

Climate data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2) · 1996–2025

Practical information

Currency: South African Rand ZAR R · Card payments · Widely accepted
Electricity: Type C / Type D / Type M / Type N
230 V · 50 Hz

Languages: Afrikaans, English, South Ndebele, Swati, Southern Sotho, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
Tap water: Safe to drink
Driving side: Left
Calling code: +27