The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Augrabies Falls National Park
Afrikaans name: Augrabies Nasionale Park
Augrabies Falls National Park hutted accommodation
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Northern Cape
The Augrabies Falls National Park, in the Northern Cape, is the location of the spectacular Augrabies waterfall. Here the Orange River plunges 56 metres into an 18 km long canyon. During floods in 1988 around 7,800 cubic metres of water was going over the falls every second. This is the most ever recorded for a waterfall anywhere.
Besides taking in the beauty of the falls there is a lot of other things to do in this interesting reserve. These include hiking trails, mountain biking, night drives, guided walks and self-drive routes.
The reserve experiences extreme heat and cold and this influences some of the mammals found in the park. For example the Giraffes are lighter in colour and more active at night. A night drive can be particularly rewarding when nocturnal creatures such as African Wild-Cat, Aardwolf and Bat-eared Fox may be seen. During the day you may find Klipspringer, Springbok, Eland, Kudu and Steenbok.
The arid nature of the Augrabies Falls National Park provides some interesting vegetation and there is also lots for birders to look for. The bird checklist may not be extensive but there are some exciting species to look for. A number of raptors may be seen including Verreaux's Eagle, African Fish-Eagle, Booted Eagle, Martial Eagle, and Pygmy Falcon. Other species that might be seen are Tractrac Chat, Mountain Wheatear, Chestnut-backed Finchlark, Karoo Chat, Marico Flycatcher and Chat Flycatcher.
There is a variety of accommodation available in the park including camp sites, chalets and cottages. The reserve has a shop, restaurant and petrol station.
Beautiful, but arid, scenery in Augrabies Falls National Park
Photo © Johan van Zyl
The Orange River flows through a deep gorge
Photo © Johan van Zyl
There is a variety of accommodation in the reserve
Photo © Johan van Zyl
Mammals of Augrabies Falls National Park
Please note that this is only a guide and, while we have made every effort to be accurate, we can't be held responsible for any errors.
Antbear / Aardvark
Common Duiker
Honey Badger
Striped Polecat
Water Mongoose
Wild Cat
Birds of Augrabies Falls National Park
Please note that this is only a guide and, while we have made every effort to be accurate, we can't be held responsible for any errors or omissions.
Cape Teal
Greater Honeyguide
Acacia Pied Barbet
Common Scimitarbill
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater
Rosy-faced Lovebird
Alpine Swift
African Black Swift
Bradfield's Swift
White-rumped Swift
Ludwig's Bustard
Karoo Korhaan
Wood Sandpiper
Common Sandpiper
Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk
Booted Eagle
Pygmy Falcon
Rock Kestrel
Little Bittern
Abdim's Stork
Brubru
Pririt Batis
Ashy Tit
Grey Tit
Pearl-breasted Swallow
Greater Striped Swallow
South African Cliff-Swallow
Rock Martin
Common House-Martin
Yellow-bellied Eremomela
African Reed-Warbler
Lesser Swamp-Warbler
Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler
Orange River White-eye
Grey-backed Cisticola
Zitting Cisticola
Black-chested Prinia
Namaqua Warbler
Rufous-eared Warbler
Cinnamon-breasted Warbler
Spike-heeled Lark
Black-eared Sparrowlark
Grey-backed Sparrowlark
Short-toed Rock-Thrush
Chat Flycatcher
Marico Flycatcher
Karoo Scrub-Robin
Capped Wheatear
Karoo Chat
Familiar Chat
Pale-winged Starling
Dusky Sunbird
Scaly-feathered Finch
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
Great Sparrow
Black-headed Canary
Black-throated Canary
Yellow Canary
White-throated Canary
Cape Bunting
Augrabies Falls National Park reptile checklist
Here is a list of some of the species of reptiles that might be found in the park.
Common Ground Agama
Anchieta's Agama
Southern Rock Agama
Rhombic Egg-eater
Karoo Sand Snake
Beetz's Tiger Snake
Augrabies Flat Lizard
Common Giant Ground Gecko
Augrabies Gecko
Haacke's Gecko
Namaqua Mountain Gecko
Plain Sand Lizard
Namaqua Sand Lizard
Western Thread Snake
Striped Dwarf Legless Skink
Karasburg Tree Skink
Kalahari Tree Skink
Western Rock Skink
Variegated Skink
Horned Adder
Desert Mountain Adder
Black-necked Spitting Cobra
Western Barred Spitting Cobra
References and further reading
Wild Issue 46 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 22Wild Issue 36 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 8
Wild Issue 34 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 14
Wild Issue 32 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 14
Wild Issue 32 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 18
Wild Issue 23 - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 38
Wild Issue 25 - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 6
Wild Issue 4 - Author: - Published: 2008 - Page: 45
Wild Issue 13 - Author: - Published: 2010 - Page: 56
Top Birding Spots in Southern Africa - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 1992 - Page: 206
Where to Watch Birds in Southern Africa - Author: A. Berruti and J.C. Sinclair - Published: 1983 - Page: 255
Things to do in Moer & Gone Places - Author: Jacques Marais - Published: 2015 - Page: 17
The Pictorial Motoring Atlas of South Africa - Author: Maxwell Leigh - Published: 1987 - Page: 53
The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 282
The National Parks of South Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Rene Gordon and Anthony Bannister - Published: 1987 - Page: 82
Stuarts Field Guide to National Parks & Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd ed - Author: Chris & Mathilde Stuart - Published: 2018 - Page: 251
Southern African Birdfinder - Author: Cohen, Spottiswoode and Rossouw - Published: 2006 - Page: 91
Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 319
Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 281
Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 180
Journey Through the Living Deserts of South Africa - Author: CM Dean - Published: 2005 - Page: 108
Insiders Guide - Top Wildlife Photography Spots in South Africa - Author: Shem Compion - Published: 2010 - Page: 285
Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 269
Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 268
Getaway - Vol 31 No 03 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 54
go! - Issue 134 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 90
go! - Issue 137 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 36
Getaway - Vol 29 No 05 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 73
Essential Birding: Western South Africa - Author: Callan Cohen and Claire Spottiswoode - Published: 2000 - Page: 112
Country Life - Issue 280 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 34
Country Life - Issue 250 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 60
Chris and Tilde Stuarts Guide to Southern African Game and Nature Reserves - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1989 - Page: 251
Caravan & Outdoor Life - Issue 682 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 26
Caravan & Outdoor Life - Issue 654 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 16
Atlas of National Parks and Reserves of South Africa - Author: Marielle Renssen - Published: 2006 - Page: 44
A - Z of South African National Parks - Author: South African National Parks - Published: 0 - Page: 12
SANParks
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