The Augrabies Falls National Park covers an area of 820 km2[2] and stretches along the Orange River. The area is very arid. The waterfall is about 60 metres high[3] and is awe-inspiring when the river is in flood. The gorge below the falls averages about 240 m deep and runs for 18 kilometres. The gorge provides an impressive example of erosion into a granitic basement.
The original Khoekhoe people named the waterfall Ankoerebis, meaning the "place of great noise".[5] The Khoi and San communities within the greater national park inhabit domed huts called matjiehuise, 'mat houses'. The huts are ideal for both hot and cold climates. During hot temperatures the tree stems from which the mats are created shrink, which allows gaps to appear – creating a cooling ventilation system. The inverse occurs during cold climates, as the stems expand to keep the cold out.[6] The Trekboers who later settled in the area derived the name Augrabies. The name is sometimes spelt Aughrabies. There are many deposits of alluvial diamonds along the Orange River and legend has it that the biggest cache of diamonds in the world lies in the swirl-hole eroded into the granite at the foot of the waterfall by the thundering waters.[7]
The most characteristic plant in the park is the giant tree aloe (Aloidendron dichotomum) known locally as the quiver tree or kokerboom.[8] It is perfectly adapted to the dry semi-desert rocky areas found in the Nama-Karoo, able to withstand the extreme temperatures and the infertile soil. This tree, which grows up to five metres high, gets its name from the fact that the Bushmen (San) used the soft branches to make quivers for their arrows. The eye-catching silhouette of the quiver tree is typical of this part of Northern Cape landscape. When the tree flowers in the winter flocks of birds are attracted to their copious nectar, and baboons can be seen tearing the flowers apart to get the sweet liquor.
The Shepherd's tree, a stocky tree that grows in typically dry, open woodland and bushveld, can be found in the area. The Khoi and San communities around these areas hold this tree in deep reverence; its destruction is strictly forbidden.[9] This tree also grows in part of the Free State province.
These are found in freshwater systems, lagoons, and the sea so long as fresh drinking water is available. A prominent landmark in the park is Moon Rock, a large exfoliation dome measuring around 700 metres (2,300 ft) by 100 metres (330 ft) and 30 metres (98 ft) high.[1][10]
Activities
Apart from the Augrabies Falls, key activities in the park include night drives during peak season; the Dassie trail and the Klipspringer 3 day trail hike.[9] The Augrabies National Park is approximately an 8 hours drive from Cape Town, and 10 hours from Johannesburg.[9]
Two men walk in the arid Augrabies Falls National Park, near the border between South Africa and Namibia
Trails
There are two hiking trails, both are self-guided and have waymark signs.[11][12]
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