The Northern Cape’s Augrabies Falls is certainly a sight to behold after the recent high rainfall in the area.
South Africa is blessed with a number of superb natural attractions which are scattered throughout the country. In the dry Northern Cape, set amongst rocks, waterfalls, and undulating rivers, is a place that the Khoi people call Aukoerebis or “Place of Great Noise”.
AUGRABIES: FASCINATING LOCATION
Its name is inspired by the powerful flow of water unleashed from its rocky surroundings characterised by the 18km abyss of the Orange River Gorge.
Augrabies National Park is in one of the most remote places of the Northern Cape. The Augrabies Falls are located on the Orange River, the second largest river in South Africa, in a desolate and rugged milieu.
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SPECTACULAR WATER FLOW AFTER RAINFALL
Few sights are as awesome or as deafening as the sound of water thundering down the 56m Augrabies Waterfalls when the Orange River is in full flood. The setting is quite surreal, with volumes of water gushing through the landscape featuring the rocky outcrops.
The waterfall is a spectacular sight right now. The Orange River measured a mighty 2,583 cumec (cubic metres per second) on Sunday 2 January. according to News24. Indications are that the water flows peaked on Wednesday and it will stay like this over this weekend as well.
AUGRABIES NATIONAL PARK
There are several fantastic hiking trails in the park but these have been closed temporarily due to the high water levels at the moment. It is still possible to visit Augrabies National Park however to see the magnificent flows of water.
Day visitors fees are R60 per adult and R30 per child under the age of 12. Gates are open from 07:00 to 17:00 daily.
By: Lorne Philpot
