The Waterfall & Scenic Viewpoints
The Augrabies Waterfall
- The waterfall freefalls 56 meters into the spectacular 18km gorge below.
- A boardwalk with numerous viewpoints offers easy access and ensures that you’ll be able to get the perfect picture. The waterfall viewpoints are within walking distance from the restaurant complex and Rest Camp.
- Overnight guests can view the waterfall illuminated, in the coolness of the evening, from 20h00 to 22h00.
Scenic Viewpoints
Several panoramic viewpoints can be visited inside the park, all of which give stunning vistas of the park, the gorge and the Orange River.
‘Aukoerebis’, the place of the Great Noise
The Khoi people called the Augrabies Falls ‘Aukoerebis’, the place of the Great Noise, referring to the Orange River thundering its way downwards for 56 metres in a spectacular waterfall. The falls are sacred to the Khoi who believe that a giant snake lives at the bottom of the falls. It is believed to be a powerful mythic creature with mesmeric eyes, shimmering scales and a huge flawless diamond on its head for a crown.
Khoi and San (Bushmen) belief has it that this enormous jewel can bring you great happiness – if you could only outwit the snake. But if you fall under its spell, you’ll be captured in its shimmering scales and pulled underwater into the churning froth, gone forever.
It is believed that no one has ever outwitted the snake. It might sound like a quaint little Kalahari fairy tale, but to this day the Watersnake (Waterslang) commands fear. Its influence stretches over the whole of the Karoo and Kalahari, especially where the Orange and Sak Rivers flow. There are many people who say they have seen it.