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Voykit pocket guide · South Africa
Augrabies
One night is enough: see the falls at sunset and sunrise, do a short hike, then move on to Upington or Namibia.
Augrabies is a tiny town on the Orange River, 120 km west of Upington, that exists for the Augrabies Falls National Park. The falls are the draw — a 56 m drop into a granite gorge that roars after rains. Most visitors stay one night, see the falls at golden hour and again at dawn, and continue to Upington or the Namibian border.
- Country
- South Africa
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- Avoid
- Dec–Feb (extreme heat), Jul–Aug (cold nights)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- ZAR
- Money
- Currency is the South African rand (ZAR, R), about 17–18 per US$ in 2026 (check). Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere in cities and at lodges; carry small cash for tips.
- Daily spend
- Budget R500–800 excl. bed · Mid R800–1,500 excl. bed · High R1,500+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vodacom and MTN have the best coverage; Cell C and Telkom are cheaper. Buy at the airport shop with your passport (RICA registration is required).
- Emergency
- Mobile emergency 112
- Plugs
- Types M, C, N · 230 V · 50 Hz · The big round-pin type M is rarely used elsewhere; buy a local adapter at the airport or any supermarket.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 10–15%; check if a service charge is added for large groups.; Fuel attendant: R5–20, more if they wash windows and check tyres.; Car guard: R5–20 when you leave.; Safari ranger and tracker: About R150–300 per guest per day for the ranger, R100–200 for the tracker — check lodge guidance.; Hotel porter: R10–20 per bag.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in most cities and towns; in some municipalities with failing infrastructure, ask your host.
- Toilets
- Clean Western toilets at fuel stations (Engen, Shell, Ultra City), malls and park camps.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at the village shop | R15–25 |
| Braai pack (steak, wors, rolls) from the shop | R80–120 |
| Beer (can) | R15–20 |
| Petrol (per litre) | R22–25 |
| Park entry (per adult per day) | R90–120 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- UTN · Upington Airport
- 120 km (75 mi) east; hire a car at the airport — no shuttle to Augrabies.75 mi (120 km) east; hire a car at the airport — no shuttle to Augrabies.
Typical fares
- Upington → Augrabies, drive
- about 120 km (75 mi), 1 h 15 minabout 75 mi (120 km), 1 h 15 min
- Park entry (adult, day)
- about R100 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
You need your own car. The park is 10 km (6.2 mi) from the village; inside the park, a short road leads to the main falls viewpoint and trailheads.You need your own car. The park is 6.2 mi (10 km) from the village; inside the park, a short road leads to the main falls viewpoint and trailheads.
See and do
Known for
- Augrabies Falls
- Orange River gorge
- Klipspringer hiking trail
- Hot-air ballooning
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Upington | Drive east on the R359 then the N14, about 1 h 15 min | 1 h 15 min |
| Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park | Drive north via the R359 and R360, about 3 h to the Twee Rivieren gate | 3 h |
Sleep
- Augrabies Waterfall Village
- The only cluster of accommodation; 10 km (6.2 mi) east of the park entrance on the R359.The only cluster of accommodation; 6.2 mi (10 km) east of the park entrance on the R359.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Hallohah-loh |
| Thank you | Dankiedahn-kee |
| How much? | Hoeveel?hoo-feel |
| Where is the toilet? | Waar is die toilet?vahr is dee toy-let |
| Please | Assebliefah-suh-bleef |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Say hello and ask how someone is before any request; avoid: Launching straight into a question
- Handshakes: Three-part African handshake with friends; a normal handshake with strangers; avoid: Refusing an offered hand
- Elders: Use Mr/Mrs or 'Mama', 'Baba' respectfully in townships and rural areas; avoid: First names with older people you have just met
- Braai invitations: Bring meat or drinks, and arrive on 'African time'; avoid: Taking over the fire
- Photos: Ask first, especially in townships and villages; avoid: Photographing children without a parent's permission
- Politics and race: Ask questions and listen; avoid: Lecturing on history or crime
Scams and watch-outs
- The Klipspringer hike is closed in summer (Dec–Feb) due to heat.
- No fuel station in Augrabies: fill up in Upington or Kakamas.
- The R359 is a gravel road for parts; a sedan is fine in dry weather, but check conditions after rain.
Augrabies is very safe for tourists. The main risks are the heat (carry water on any walk) and the unfenced gorge edges inside the park — stay on marked paths.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Augrabies yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Augrabies Falls
- Orange River gorge
- Klipspringer hiking trail
- Hot-air ballooning
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- South African National Parks — Augrabies Falls: www.sanparks.org/parks/augrabies/
- Wikivoyage: Augrabies, revision 5093132 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5093132
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Augrabies
Na hierdie adres, asseblief
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Mobile emergency112
The nearest major consulates are in Cape Town or Johannesburg; check your embassy's South Africa page.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/augrabies). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.