By Vicky · Published Nov. 21st, 2025
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A powerful waterfall and a beautiful arid landscape are the highlights of Augrabies Falls National Park. Continue reading our guide to find out all you need to know.
Page Contents:
How to get to Augrabies Falls National Park
Augrabies Falls National Park is in the Northern Cape, roughly 8hr30 and 875km north of Cape Town. It’s a very nice stopover on the way to Kgalagadi National Park, which is a further 4-hour drive. The road leading to the park leaves the N14 highway between Springbok and Upington – it’s 3hrs from Springbok and 1hr30 from Upington.
Augrabies Falls National Park Map
Tips
- The main entrance gate is open from 7am to 6:30pm every day, with gates to the game viewing area having different opening hours.
- There’s a restaurant and fuel at the rest camp.
- Conservation fees per day are R325/73 for foreigners/South Africans, both half-price for children or free with a WildCard.
- The Tracks4Africa South Africa Map* is very useful for planning your trip.
- For day visitors, there’s a Day Visitor Area with a pool, braai facilities and ablutions.
- For more park guides and hikes, check out our South Africa Guide.
Information and Itinerary
Things to do in Augrabies Falls National Park
See the Waterfall
The best way to see the falls is by walking along the Boardwalk Trail, which is almost 2 km mostly along boardwalk. It includes several viewpoints of the waterfall and gorge, and is a must-do activity in the park. In the evening, lights turn on to illuminate the waterfall.
On the Gorge Trail
There’s another 2 km walk, called the Gorge Trail, that starts near the campsite in the rest camp. This is an easy out-and-back stroll to Arrow Point, a viewpoint with great views of the gorge and the twin waterfalls.
After you’ve walked these routes, it’s worth driving to some viewpoints further afield. The last viewpoint of the gorge is at Echo Corner, roughly 15 km from the rest camp. After this, the driving routes are all inland, where you can spot wildlife (see below).
Longer Hikes in Augrabies Falls National Park
Dassie Hiking Trail: 7.5 km with 75 metres of climb. In May to July you must start the hike before noon, in August to April you must begin before 2pm. The walk might take roughly 3 hours. You can pick up a leaflet about the trail at the reception. Then on the walk, you can find numbers corresponding to explanations about what you’re seeing in the leaflet.
Klipspringer Hiking Trail: 34km with 525 metres of climb. You can only walk this route in the cooler months, from April to mid-October. This is a three-day hike starting at reception, with two huts along the route. There’s a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 12 people per group. Book in advance as spaces are limited. To reserve in advance, call SANParks Central Reservation at +27 [0]12 428 9111 or email [email protected]. The trail costs R403 per person.
At the huts, mattresses and non-drinking water are provided, but you have to carry your own sleeping bag and something to purify the water for drinking, for example, this UV water sterilising pen*.
Wildlife Viewing & Birdwatching
Driving in the Park
Driving in the Park
To see the wildlife, drive along the Tourist Loop. This is almost 100 km and takes most of the day, perhaps 6 hours, to drive. There are several waterholes along the route, and a quiver tree forest at the far end. Roughly halfway around, you’ll find Af en Toe picnic spot, where you’ll find ablutions, braais, and a nearby waterhole. Animals in the park include several types of antelope such as gemsbok and impala, giraffes, zebra, jackals and more.
There are quite a few birds around the rest camp. The other two environments to observe birds are in the gorge, where you might see swifts, martins, and birds of prey, and the arid open countryside.
4×4 Drive
There’s a 30 km-long section of sandy track that’s available to 4×4 vehicles only, with a minimum of two vehicles travelling together. You don’t need to book in advance and there’s no extra cost.
Example Itinerary for Augrabies Falls National Park
Below is an example itinerary for a road trip from Cape Town to Augrabies Falls.
- Day 1: Drive from Cape Town to Springbok (roughly 6 hours), perhaps staying in Springbok Inn*.
- Day 2: Drive on to Augrabies Falls Park (roughly 3 hours) and have lunch at the restaurant near the reception. After lunch, drive to the gorge viewpoints, then walk the Boardwalk Trail as it gets dark to see the lights illuminate the falls.
- Day 3: Early morning, hike the Dassie Hiking Trail. The warmer it is, the earlier you should set off, and don’t forget to take plenty of water. Relax at the pool, then walk the Boardwalk Trail again to see the falls in daylight.
- Day 4: Early morning, hike the 2 km Gorge Trail to the viewpoint and back. Then drive the Tourist Route to spot wildlife and admire the great scenery. Don’t forget to take a picnic to have at Af en Toe Picnic Spot.
- Day 5: Leave the park, perhaps after once again walking the Boardwalk Trail to see the waterfall in the early morning light. Either drive almost 9 hours back to Cape Town in one day, or stop somewhere along route.
If you’re staying for a short time as a stopover, make sure to at least hike the Boardwalk Trail and drive to all the viewpoints up to Echo Corner.
If it’s wildflower season, make sure to visit Goegap Nature Reserve and Namaqua National Park on the way or way back.
Best time to visit Augrabies Falls National Park
To see Augrabies Falls at its most impressive, the rainy late-summer season of Jan-Apr is when to visit. The downside of this time of year is the extreme heat. This means if you want to go on a hike, you should set off very early. The overnight hike in the park, the Klipsinger hiking trail, is only open in the cooler months.
In the cooler months, you will need some warmer clothes for the early mornings, and it will be cold at night if you’re camping. But during most of the day it will be very pleasant. It’s also a good time for wildlife viewing. In the warmer, wet months, you might see young animals, and many birds visit the park.
Accommodation in Augrabies Falls National Park
There is one rest camp in the park, with the reception, a restaurant, small shop, and several swimming pools. In the rest camp itself, there are chalets, larger cottages, and a campsite. All the chalets and cottages at the rest camp have self-catering facilities and air-conditioning. Roughly 10 km away, there is another 2-person cottage (no air-conditioning). Otherwise, there are several places to stay outside the park (see below).
Augrabies Rest Camp
Chalets: For the chalets, the base number of guests is two people. Half the chalets are for only two people, while the rest have a double sleeper couch (for children only) and can accommodate four. Prices start from R1,604 per night for two, plus R341/171 for an extra adult/child. Chalets with a view are slightly more expensive, and you can also book breakfast with your accommodation if you like.
Cottages: The cottages are larger, and for these the base number of guests is four people. Prices start from R2,605 for four, plus R341/171 for an extra adult/child. All the chalets have two bedrooms, some with just single beds and some with one double bed. They all additionally have double sleeper couches (children only).
Campsite: R362 per night for two, with an additional R118/59 per extra adult/child up to a total of 6 people. Roughly half the campsites are in a fairly shady area, a blessing in the warmer months. The campsites have electricity, plus shared ablutions and a communal kitchen plus laundry. Monkeys and baboons sometimes visit the campsite, so make sure to tidy everything away when you leave camp.
Oranjekom Gorge Cottage
A luxurious place to stay within the park, this cottage is designed for two people, with one double bed. There are fantastic views from both inside (there are large glass windows) and the outside deck. However, there’s no air conditioning or fan so it can be very warm in the summer months. The toilet and shower are outside, a few metres from the main unit. The cottage is about 10 km, or 30 minute drive from the reception. It’s quite secluded, apart from a public viewpoint above the cottage, though there are only visitors here during the daytime. R2,423 for two.
Outside Augrabies Falls National Park
If the accommodation in the park is full, or you’re just looking to stay elsewhere, there are several places in the very nearby town of Augrabies. These are generally a bit more luxurious and also a bit cheaper than staying within the park. A few are highlighted below, with the first two offering camping along with other accommodation.
Kampeeldoring Camping is a lovely place with a campsite plus tented chalets. It’s a unique location, with the accommodation on an almost-island in the Orange River, just 1 km from Augrabies National Park.
Augrabies Falls Lodge & Camp*, just a few kilometres from the park, is an oasis that offers hotel rooms, self-catering apartments and a campsite.
Dundi Lodge* is a relaxing place offering hotel-like rooms with a good pool, a few kilometres from the park.
The Falls Guest House* has a beautiful garden, a pool and a children’s playground. All rooms have a small kitchen, including a stovetop, and a delicious breakfast is included. It’s a few kilometres from the park.
I hope you found this guide to Augrabies Falls National Park useful. If you like national parks and hiking, check out our guide to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, or discover more in our South Africa Guide.
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