Major city · 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ZAR
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Dec–Feb (extreme heat), Jul–Aug (cold nights)
- Airport
- UTN
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Augrabies112 ▾
- Mobile emergency112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Augrabies, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkCurrency is the South African rand (ZAR, R), about 17–18 per US$ in 2026 (check).South Africa-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodacom and MTN have the best coverage; Cell C and Telkom are cheaper.South Africa-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most cities and towns; in some municipalities with failing infrastructure, ask your host.South Africa-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant: 10–15%; check if a service charge is added for large groups.South Africa-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/M/N. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.South Africa-wide
- SafetyAugrabies is very safe for tourists.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsClean Western toilets at fuel stations (Engen, Shell, Ultra City), malls and park camps.South Africa-wide
- Emergency numbers112 Mobile emergency (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops open daily in cities; small towns close Sunday afternoon.South Africa-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportUTN Upington Airport (120 km (75 mi) east; hire a car at the airport — no shuttle to Augrabies.).UTN Upington Airport (75 mi (120 km) east; hire a car at the airport — no shuttle to Augrabies.).
- Getting aroundYou need your own car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at the village shopR15–25
- BeerBeer (can)R15–20
- Museum or sight ticketPark entry (per adult per day)checkR90–120
- Budget bedDorm bed in backpackers, a night, per personR 150
- Mid-range bedDouble room in guesthouse, a night, per roomR 1,000
- High-end bedDouble room in guesthouse, a night, per roomR 1,800
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R 600 · Mid R 1,200 · High R 2,500
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- UTN Upington Airport (120 km (75 mi) east; hire a car at the airport — no shuttle to Augrabies.)UTN Upington Airport (75 mi (120 km) east; hire a car at the airport — no shuttle to Augrabies.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Feb
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Dec
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jun (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jan (3 rain days), driest May (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Augrabies: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3 rd
Feb
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3 rd
Apr
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
1 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
1 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
Nov
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2 rd
Dec
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need your own car. The park is 10 km from the village; inside the park, a short road leads to the main falls viewpoint and trailheads.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Upington
goDoor to door: 1 h 15 min
Drive east on the R359 then the N14, about 1 h 15 min
Stock up on supplies and fuel; visit the Orange River Wine Cellar.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
overnightDoor to door: 3 h
Drive north via the R359 and R360, about 3 h to the Twee Rivieren gate
A full safari destination; book campsites or chalets well ahead.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
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.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- R500–800 excl. bed
- Mid
- R800–1,500 excl. bed
- High
- R1,500+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room in guesthouse1 × 1 night × R 1,000 | R 1,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × R 1,200 | R 2,400 |
| Park entry fee (per person per day)2 × R 100 · check | R 200 |
| Klipspringer hike permit (3 days)2 × R 250 · check | R 500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R 410 |
| Trip total≈ R 2,255 per person per day, bed included | R 4,510≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in rand; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at the village shop | R15–25 |
| Braai pack (steak, wors, rolls) from the shop | R80–120 |
| Beer (can) | R15–20 |
| Petrol (per litre)check | R22–25 |
| Park entry (per adult per day)check | R90–120 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- 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.
Emergency numbers
- Mobile emergency
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
AugrabiesAugrabies
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Na hierdie adres, assebliefTo this address, please
Emergency
- Mobile emergency112
Embassy
The nearest major consulates are in Cape Town or Johannesburg; check your embassy's South Africa page.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- 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)
Say or show
- Hallo — Hello (hah-loh)
- Dankie — Thank you (dahn-kee)
- Hoeveel? — How much? (hoo-feel)
- Waar is die toilet? — Where is the toilet? (vahr is dee toy-let)
- Asseblief — Please (ah-suh-bleef)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Augrabies. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Dec–Feb (extreme heat), Jul–Aug (cold nights) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Augrabies
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