Augrabies Falls National Park

The original Khoekhoe people named the waterfall {{Langx|naq|Ankoerebis|links=|label=none}}, meaning the "place of great noise".{{cite web| title =Augrabies Falls National Park| url =http://www.sanparks.co.za/parks/augrabies/| access-date =30 July 2015 }} The Khoi and San communities within the greater national park inhabit domed huts called {{Langx|af|matjiehuise|lit=mat houses|label=none}}. The huts are ideal for both hot and cold climates. During hot temperatures the tree stems from which the mats are created shrink, which allows gaps to appear – creating a cooling ventilation system. The inverse occurs during cold climates, as the stems expand to keep the cold out.[http://www.siyabona.com/south-africa-info-augrabies-falls-national-park.html Siyabona Africa."Augrabies Falls National Park, Northern Cape. South Africa". Siyabona Africa (Pty)Ltd - Private Tours and Safari. Accessed: 10 October 2018] The Trekboers who later settled in the area derived the name Augrabies. The name is sometimes spelt Aughrabies. There are many deposits of alluvial diamonds along the Orange River and legend has it that the biggest cache of diamonds in the world lies in the swirl-hole eroded into the granite at the foot of the waterfall by the thundering waters.{{cite web| title =Encounter South Africa: Augrabies Falls| url =http://www.encounter.co.za/article/89.html| access-date =30 July 2015| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20180126185720/http://www.encounter.co.za/article/89.html| archive-date =26 January 2018| url-status =dead}}

File:Sociable Weavers nest in Quiver Tree (Aloidendron dichotomum) (51008121987).jpg nest in a Quiver Tree.]]

The most characteristic plant in the park is the giant tree aloe (Aloidendron dichotomum) known locally as the quiver tree or {{Langx|af|kokerboom|label=none}}.{{cite web| title =Augrabies Falls, Northern Cape| url =http://www.southafrica.net/za/en/articles/entry/article-southafrica.net-augrabies-falls-northern-cape| access-date =30 July 2015 }} It is perfectly adapted to the dry semi-desert rocky areas found in the Nama-Karoo, able to withstand the extreme temperatures and the infertile soil. This tree, which grows up to five metres high, gets its name from the fact that the Bushmen (San) used the soft branches to make quivers for their arrows. The eye-catching silhouette of the quiver tree is typical of this part of Northern Cape landscape. When the tree flowers in the winter flocks of birds are attracted to their copious nectar, and baboons can be seen tearing the flowers apart to get the sweet liquor.

The Shepherd's tree, a stocky tree that grows in typically dry, open woodland and bushveld, can be found in the area. The Khoi and San communities around these areas hold this tree in deep reverence; its destruction is strictly forbidden.[http://sanparks.org/docs/parks_augrabies/tourism/dassie_trail_brochure_sandy.pdf Dassi Interpretive Trail."Augrabies Falls National Park, South Africa". SANPARKS. Accessed: 10 October 2018] This tree also grows in part of the Free State province.

There is an array of animal species on the 28 000 hectares of the Augrabies National Park. Game such as springbok, gemsbok and the endangered south-central black rhinoceros can be found here. Rare animals such as the Cape clawless otter can be spotted in the area, alongside the black-backed jackal, caracal, the bat-eared fox and the African wildcat.

File:Echo Corner in Augrabies Falls National Park.jpg

The Nile monitor, Africa's largest lizard, can be found along the water. The Double-banded sandgrouse can be found here, alongside the more commonly spotted Namaqua sandgrouse.

These are found in freshwater systems, lagoons, and the sea so long as fresh drinking water is available. A prominent landmark in the park is Moon Rock, a large exfoliation dome measuring around {{convert|700|m}} by {{convert|100|m}} and {{convert|30|m}} high.{{cite journal|author=African Protected Area Conservation and Science|title=Popups on Moon Rock, Augrabies Falls National Park|journal=Koedoe|year=1997|volume=40|issue=2|pages=75–84|url=http://www.koedoe.co.za/index.php/koedoe/issue/view/22|access-date=12 July 2010|issn=0075-6458|doi=10.4102/koedoe.v40i2.274|doi-access=free}}

Apart from the Augrabies Falls, key activities in the park include night drives during peak season; the Dassie trail and the Klipspringer 3 day trail hike. The Augrabies National Park is approximately an 8 hours drive from Cape Town, and 10 hours from Johannesburg.File:Hikers_in_Augrabies_Falls_National_Park.jpg

There are two hiking trails, both are self-guided and have waymark signs.{{Cite web |title=AUGRABIES FALLS NATIONAL PARK - Dassie Interpretive Trail |url=https://www.sanparks.org/docs/parks_augrabies/tourism/dassie_trail_brochure_sandy.pdf}}{{Cite web |title=AUGRABIES FALLS NATIONAL PARK - Klipspringer Hiking Trail |url=https://www.sanparks.org/docs/parks_augrabies/tourism/klipspringer_trail_brochure.pdf}}

The Dassie Trail is 5km in length.

The 3 day Klipspringer Trail is 14.4km in length.

Rainy season occurs mainly between the months of January to April.

{{Commons}}

• Broadley's Flat Lizard
• South African National Parks
• Yosemite National Park

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{{wikivoyage|Augrabies Falls National Park}}

• [https://www.sanparks.org/parks/augrabies-falls Official website]

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Category:Orange River

Category:Protected areas established in 1966

Category:Kalahari Desert

Category:National parks of South Africa

Category:Protected areas of the Northern Cape