The Khoi people called it 'Akoerabis', the place of the Great Noise, referring to the Orange River thundering its way downwards for 60 metres in a spectacular waterfall. Picturesque names such as Moon Rock, Ararat and Echo Corner are descriptive of this rocky region, characterised by the 18-kilometre abyss of the Orange River Gorge and craggy outcrops dominating scrub-dotted plains. Klipspringer and kokerboom (quiver trees) stand in stark silhouette against the African sky, silent sentinels in a strangely unique environment where only those that are able to adapt ultimately survive. The 88 000 hectares on both the northern and southern sides of the Orange River provide sanctuary to a diversity of species, from the very smallest succulents, birds and reptiles to springbok, gemsbok and the endangered black Rhino. In this region of dramatic contrasts, the mighty Orange River surges across a rocky lunar landscape and suddenly plummets in a torrent of sound and fury into a deep ravine. This is the Augrabies Falls (88 kbyte file). The name Augrabies is derived from a Bushman phrase meaning 'place of great noise'. The Augrabies Falls National Park lies 120 km west of Upington in the Northern Cape, and access roads are tarred. 

Seasons: Hot summers and cold nights during winter. January to April is the rainy season. March to October are the most pleasant months in the park. 

Wildlife: You should see: giraffe, eland, gemsbok, kudu, springbok, klipspringer, baboon, vervet monkey, rock dassie You may see: steenbok, leopard, black-backed jackal, caracal, bat-eared fox, African wild cat and mongoose.