National park · South Africa
Augrabies Falls National Park
Visit Augrabies Falls National Park: pay entry fee (R100 per adult, check), drive 2 h from Upington, hike the Falls Trail early in summer or the 3‑day Klipspringer trek in cooler months; avoid midday heat.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
820 km² (317 sq mi)317 sq mi (820 km²)
approximate
Established
1966
Best months
Apr–Aug
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- South Africa ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Department of Home Affairs or a South African mission before booking; exemptions depend on nationality, and the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is optional for most visa-exempt visitors in 2026.
- South Africa ↗Travelling with children: accompanied foreign children no longer need a birth certificate, but unaccompanied minors, South African children and some passports that omit parents' names still do; check with Home Affairs and your airline before you fly.
- South Africa ↗Driving is on the left. If your licence is not in English or has no photo, get an International Driving Permit before you travel; rental companies also check it.
- South Africa ↗National park gates open and close at fixed times; you must be inside your camp before the gate closes, and speed limits in parks are enforced.
At a glance
- Country
- South Africa
- Area
- 820 km² (317 sq mi)317 sq mi (820 km²)
- Park covers about 820 km² of arid Orange River gorge (official SANParks source).
- Established
- 1966
- Best months
- Apr–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Augrabies Falls National Park protects the dramatic 60 m waterfall, a deep river gorge and surrounding desert landscape, offering short viewpoint walks, the Moon Rock dome and a remote 3‑day Klipspringer trek; the hot summer climate limits longer hikes, so cooler months are preferred.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1966.
Size and age
820 km² (317 sq mi)317 sq mi (820 km²) · national park since 1966
Park covers about 820 km² of arid Orange River gorge (official SANParks source).
Why go
- See the 60 m high Augrabies Falls and the dramatic gorge.
- Walk the short Falls Trail from the reception to multiple viewpoints.
- Explore Moon Rock, a huge exfoliation dome.
- Do the 3‑day Klipspringer hike for remote desert scenery (check seasonal closure).
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanExtreme heat, 36 °C (97 °F) avg.Extreme heat, 97 °F (36 °C) avg.
- FebVery hot, risk of dehydration.
- MarWarm, but cooler than peak summer.
- AprMild, good for hikes.
- MayComfortable temps, low rain.
- JunCooler, ideal for longer walks.
- JulCool, low heat.
- AugCool, good for Klipspringer trek.
- SepWarming up, still pleasant.
- OctWarm, occasional heat spikes.
- NovHeat rises, water needed.
- DecPeak summer heat.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giraffe, leopard, kudu, eland, steenbok, dassieAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Baboons and vervet monkeysAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| High concentration of lizardsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Upington
Fly to Upington airport, then drive 120 km (75 mi) north on the N14 to the park gate.Fly to Upington airport, then drive 75 mi (120 km) north on the N14 to the park gate.
2–2.5 h
From Cape Town
Take the N7 north, then N14 east to Augrabies village; about 10½ h total, part dirt road.
10–11 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Reception area | Visitor centre, restaurant, shop, and short Falls Trail to viewpoints. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Falls viewpoint zone | Observation decks overlooking the 60 m falls, lit at night. | Walkable from reception. |
| Klipspringer trail | 3‑day backcountry route through desert and gorge. | Guided only, permit required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximated from SANParks site and map data.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | ZAR 100 (≈ US$6) | person | 2026 estimate, check official SANParks site. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Klipspringer hike permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Domestic dogs not allowed in the park.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use designated BBQ areas only.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are limited.
Where to stay
In the park
Chalets and cottages
Air‑conditioned units, 2–4 people, R975–R2360 per night (2026 estimate).
In the park
Campsites
Shaded sites, R250 per night for up to 2 people (2026 estimate).
Near the park
Upington town
Hotels and guesthouses, 2 h drive to park.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Wild animal food theft low
Scorpion and snake bites low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Reception area and short Falls Trail are wheelchair‑accessible with firm surfaces.
- Longer hikes and Moon Rock involve uneven ground; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in park‑run accommodation to support conservation funding.
- Use refillable water bottles; water is available at the reception.
- Follow park waste‑reduction guidelines.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Augrabies Falls National Park?
Entry is about R100 per adult (2026 estimate); check the SANParks website for current rates.
What are the best hikes in Augrabies Falls National Park?
The short Falls Trail (easy, 1–2 h) and the 3‑day Klipspringer trek (hard, requires a guide). Moon Rock is a quick viewpoint walk.
When is the best time to visit Augrabies Falls National Park?
April to August offers milder temperatures for hiking; avoid the peak summer heat of December–February.
Can I camp inside the park?
Yes, shaded campsites are available for R250 per night (2026 estimate); bring plenty of water and sun protection.
Is there accommodation near the falls?
The park provides air‑conditioned chalets and cottages; bookings are made via the SANParks website.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Augrabies Falls National Park
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