About Augrabies National Park

Augabies National Park budget travel offers a blend of rich wildlife, birdlife and views with fascinating Nama culture and the beauty of the thundering Augrabies Falls creating the perfect backdrop in the heart of the Orange River area of Northern Cape, South Africa.

Augrabies National Park Budget Travel

Augrabies National Park budget travel is very easy with great value for money backpacking tours and fantastic highlights. Below is useful information on Augrabies National Park to help you plan your budget holiday in Augrabies National Park. We offer a variety of budget tours and backpacking advice in Augrabies National Park.

Airports

Augrabies National Park airport information includes:
• The nearest domestic airport is in Uppington, 120km to the east of the park
• International flights can be taken from Johannesburg or Cape Town to get into Uppington by air travel
• Transfers to the park are easily available

Birdlife

Some of the Augrabies National Park birds that may be seen include a range of species such as Black stork and Pygmy falcon, African fish eagle, Black eagle, Martial eagle, Booted eagle, ostrich, Whitebreasted cormorant, Goliath heron, Little bittern, Sacred ibis, Marabou stork, flamingo, Secretarybird, Egyptian vulture, Blackshouldered kite, Pale chanting goshawk and many others besides.

Conservation

As a protected area, Augrabies conservation plays a vital role within the region. Many species have adapted to survive in the very hot, harsh conditions, and a number of rare and endangered species can be found within the park. African wildcat and rhino can be found in fairly healthy numbers, and with very little human influence or threats, these species are ensured preservation to grow their numbers in the safety of the park.

Culture

Augrabies National Park cultures include the following:
• The Nama people are mainly sheep or goat-herders and live a simple life in desert regions within Southern Africa
• Traditional Nama houses are domed huts known as ‘matjieshuise’ which means ‘mat houses’
• Traditional food sources include raisins and dried food, as well as ‘puff adders’, which are intestines with the fatty portion inward, stuffed with minced liver and ‘skilpadje’ (tortoise), which is stomach net fat wrapped around a small piece of liver
• Many traditional medicines are used by the Nama people, who have a strong understanding of plants and herbs found within the arid environments
• Many myths and legends have been passed down by generations of Nama tribes, resulting in a rich cultural history

Health

Augrabies National Park health information is as follows:
• There is a small malaria risk, so be prepared and take malaria medication before visiting the park
• The extreme heat during the day can cause sunstroke, so always wear hats, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Take plenty of bottled water to avoid dehydration
• Insect repellent is essential to avoid getting bitten
• Be wearing of snakes and dangerous wildlife to avoid any injury during your trip
• There are no medical facilities within the park, with the nearest hospitals found in Uppington a fair distance away

Languages

Augrabies National Park languages include:
• Nama/Khoekhoe
• English
• Afrikaans

Money

Augrabies National Park money and banking information includes:
• There are no banks or any financial facilities within the park itself, so be prepared and withdraw cash in Uppington or at the airport
• Foreign exchange facilities may be found in Uppington as well as Johannesburg International Airport
• Credit cards and debit cards may be accepted at some lodges and camps, but cash is usually the best option

People

Augrabies National Park people include the following groups:
• The Nama people are the primary inhabitants of the area, and have been resident in the park for centuries

Phrase

Augrabies National Park local phrases in Nama include:
• ǃGãi tses - Good day
• ǃGãi ǁhoas - Good morning
• ǃGãi ǃhoes - Good evening
• Matisa - How are you?
• ǃGãise ǃgu re - Goodbye
• ǃHaese mugus - See you soon

Plants

Augrabies National Plants are surprisingly diverse for a largely arid region. Characteristic of the park’s landscapes, giant quiver trees can be seen dotted across the plains. Aside from these trees, the main tree species in the park are camel-thorn, white karee and wild olive. A number of succulents and other plants are also found throughout the park, including aloe, several varieties of Mesembryanthemums and shrubs such as Raisin bush and Cat-horn.

Religion

Augrabies National Park religion includes the following:
• The Nama people practice a traditional African religion

Safety Tips

Augrabies National Park safety tips include:
• Walking and hiking in the park should be done carefully, especially around the rocky outcrops surrounding the falls
• Sun protection is essential to prevent sunstroke or sunburn
• While there are no major safety risks, be aware that the area is remote so healthcare facilities may not be easily available
• Large predators and wildlife roams within the park ' do not leave your car on game drives unless your guide advises you that it is safe to do so
• Do not wander around the park alone, especially after dark

Transport

Augrabies National Park local transport options include:
• It is possible to walk around the park, especially in designated areas ' some wildlife areas may not be accessible by foot however
• 4x4 or safari vehicles offer the best way to navigating the terrain
• There are no bus services or public transport as this is a remote area ' arranged transfers can be taken from the nearest airport at Uppington however

Travel Books

Augrabies National Park recommended travel books include:
• Wildlife of South Africa: A Photographic Guide by Duncan Butchart
• South Africa: Paradise at Continent's End by Rainer Waterkamp
• Augrabies Falls National Park by Betascript Publishing
• Africa Overland: 4x4
• Motorbike
• Bicycle
• Truck (Bradt Travel Guides) by Sian Pritchard-Jones and Bob Gibbons
• Southern African Birdfinder (Sasol) by Callan Cohen and Claire Spottiswoode

Visa Requirements

Get more information on visas in South Africa

What To Buy

What to buy for Augrabies National Park travel:
• Plug point adapters for South African plug points
• Any medication you may require
• South African travel guide
• South African bird guide
• Phrase book for Afrikaans and Nama languages
• Insect repellent cream

What To Pack

What to pack for Augrabies National Park travel:
• Sunglasses, sunhat and sunscreen
• Comfortable clothing for hikes and nature walks, with t-shirts and shorts during the hot months and warm clothing in the winter months
• Comfortable hiking shoes with non-slip soles
• Binoculars for bird watching
• Personal items

When To Go

When to go to Augrabies National Park:
• The summers, especially between November and February, are very hot
• Winter runs from June to August, with very cold nights
• January to April is the rainy season
• The months between March to October are the most pleasant months to visit the park

Wildlife

Augrabies National Park wildlife is diverse and fascinating, with a wide range of species to be seen. Some of the wildlife that you may encounter at the park includes species such as leopard, black backed jackals, caracal, bat-eared fox, leopard, giraffe, rhino, hippo, klipspringer, mongoose, Cape clawless otter, springbok and African wild cat.