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South Africa🇿🇦 | national parksAugrabies Falls National Park56-meter gorge falls, Arrow Point, Moon Rock, quiver trees | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Augrabies Falls
🌟 Highlightnational park ranked #10
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

The Orange River drops about 56 meters into a granite gorge here, and in full flood the roar carries to the rest camp. Augrabies Falls National Park sits in the Northern Cape of South Africa, west of Upington, in dry Kalahari-edge country. The falls and the Klipspringer Trail are worth your time. The long drive-in loops through flat scrub are not, unless you want kokerboom (quiver tree) stands. Crowds stay thin, but there is no public transport to the gate. A ranger at the gate once told me, “Go at the viewpoints when the tour buses leave.” He was right. Rent a car in Upington and fuel up first, since the nearest reliable pumps are in town.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #10 national park in South AfricaWhat makes it a must-see national park

Augrabies Falls National Park suits backpackers who like making their own plans, because the main sights are a short walk from the rest camp and need no guide. The three-day Klipspringer Hiking Trail is the big draw for independent walkers, with basic huts, set group sizes and a route through gorge country you cannot see from the road. If you only want a day, the boardwalks to the falls viewpoints take an hour and cost nothing extra once you are inside. The other reason is variety in a small area. Within a short drive you get the Moon Rock granite dome, the Orange River gorge, quiver trees and dry plains with springbok and oryx. Tour groups mostly come for an hour, so evenings and early walks feel quiet.

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

  1. Augrabies Falls viewpoints: Boardwalks lead to platforms over the gorge where the Orange River plunges about 56 meters. Flow is biggest after summer rains upstream, so the spray and noise vary a lot.
  2. Arrow Point: This lookout gives a long view down the 18 kilometer gorge. The rock walls are pink and gray granite, and the drop is dramatic.
  3. Moon Rock: A huge granite dome that you can walk up for wide views over the plains. Good for sunset, though wear grippy shoes.
  4. Klipspringer Hiking Trail: A three-day guided-free trail along the river and gorge. Huts are simple and bookings are limited.
  5. Kokerboom Forest: Stands of quiver trees with their forked branches and yellow winter flowers. They are easy to photograph from the road.
  6. Wildlife drives: Look for springbok, gemsbok, klipspringer on the rocks and
… read more 👉
  1. Augrabies Falls viewpoints: Boardwalks lead to platforms over the gorge where the Orange River plunges about 56 meters. Flow is biggest after summer rains upstream, so the spray and noise vary a lot.
  2. Arrow Point: This lookout gives a long view down the 18 kilometer gorge. The rock walls are pink and gray granite, and the drop is dramatic.
  3. Moon Rock: A huge granite dome that you can walk up for wide views over the plains. Good for sunset, though wear grippy shoes.
  4. Klipspringer Hiking Trail: A three-day guided-free trail along the river and gorge. Huts are simple and bookings are limited.
  5. Kokerboom Forest: Stands of quiver trees with their forked branches and yellow winter flowers. They are easy to photograph from the road.
  6. Wildlife drives: Look for springbok, gemsbok, klipspringer on the rocks and rock hyrax near the camp. Black rhino also live in the park, but are rarely seen.
  7. Orange River Rafting Stretch: Outfitters run canoe and raft trips on the river below the falls, giving a very different view of the gorge.
See the main falls viewpoints in about two hours, and give a full day to add Moon Rock and a drive loop.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?When to go for the best experience

  • Winter (May to August): Days are dry and sunny at 18 to 25°C (64 to 77°F), but nights in the Orange River valley can drop to 3 to 8°C (37 to 46°F). Daylight lasts roughly 10.5 to 11 hours. Hiking is comfortable and the Klipspringer Trail is at its best.
  • Summer (November to March): Expect 35 to 42°C (95 to 108°F), with days over 11 hours long. Walks must happen at dawn. Thunderstorms in the catchment can swell the falls dramatically.
  • Flood Season (February to April): Rain upriver gives the falls their loudest, muddiest flow, and this is when the photos are best.
  • Spring and Autumn (September to October, April): Mild 25 to 32°C (77 to 90°F) days, wildflowers after good rains, and fewer crowds. Prices stay steady, but South African school holidays fill campsites and chalets.
Book rest camp chalets … read more 👉
  • Winter (May to August): Days are dry and sunny at 18 to 25°C (64 to 77°F), but nights in the Orange River valley can drop to 3 to 8°C (37 to 46°F). Daylight lasts roughly 10.5 to 11 hours. Hiking is comfortable and the Klipspringer Trail is at its best.
  • Summer (November to March): Expect 35 to 42°C (95 to 108°F), with days over 11 hours long. Walks must happen at dawn. Thunderstorms in the catchment can swell the falls dramatically.
  • Flood Season (February to April): Rain upriver gives the falls their loudest, muddiest flow, and this is when the photos are best.
  • Spring and Autumn (September to October, April): Mild 25 to 32°C (77 to 90°F) days, wildflowers after good rains, and fewer crowds. Prices stay steady, but South African school holidays fill campsites and chalets.
Book rest camp chalets months ahead for school holidays in December, January, April and July.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: good for travelingFEBFebruary: good for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: good for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

The best option is the Augrabies Rest Camp inside the park, which has campsites, family chalets, and cottages a short walk from the falls viewpoints. Camping runs about US$20 to 35 per site for two, and chalets about US$80 to 150, booked through SANParks. There is no dorm-style hostel in the park itself, and a swimming pool, shop, and restaurant sit within the camp.

Outside the park, the small settlement of Augrabies, around 12 km away, has guesthouses and self-catering rooms for roughly US$40 to 80. Backpackers on a tighter budget can look at Riemvasmaak, a community-run area west of the park … read more 👉
The best option is the Augrabies Rest Camp inside the park, which has campsites, family chalets, and cottages a short walk from the falls viewpoints. Camping runs about US$20 to 35 per site for two, and chalets about US$80 to 150, booked through SANParks. There is no dorm-style hostel in the park itself, and a swimming pool, shop, and restaurant sit within the camp.

Outside the park, the small settlement of Augrabies, around 12 km away, has guesthouses and self-catering rooms for roughly US$40 to 80. Backpackers on a tighter budget can look at Riemvasmaak, a community-run area west of the park with simple camping. Kakamas, about 40 km east, has guesthouses, a few farm stays, and grocery stores, making it a practical base for stocking up. Upington, around 120 km east, is the largest town nearby, with hostels, supermarkets, car rental, and the airport. Fill up on supplies before arriving, as park prices are higher.
Best hostels in South Africa


Best quality hotels in South Africa

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

Augrabies Falls National Park costs a backpacker roughly US$85 to 120 a day with a tent, a self-catered kitchen and a rental car shared between travelers. Entry is charged per person per day, and international visitors pay the highest rate. Everything is paid in South African rand, and cards work at the gate and the restaurant.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feeUS$9 to 14Charged per person per day for international visitors. Children pay less. A Wild Card can save money on longer South African trips.
CampingUS$22 to 35Grassy sites with power points in the main rest camp. The price is per site, so sharing with a friend cuts the cost.
Chalets and cottagesUS$70 to 130Rest camp units with kitchens. They are pricier in school holidays and winter weekends.
Local transportUS$15 to 30No public
… read more 👉
Augrabies Falls National Park costs a backpacker roughly US$85 to 120 a day with a tent, a self-catered kitchen and a rental car shared between travelers. Entry is charged per person per day, and international visitors pay the highest rate. Everything is paid in South African rand, and cards work at the gate and the restaurant.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feeUS$9 to 14Charged per person per day for international visitors. Children pay less. A Wild Card can save money on longer South African trips.
CampingUS$22 to 35Grassy sites with power points in the main rest camp. The price is per site, so sharing with a friend cuts the cost.
Chalets and cottagesUS$70 to 130Rest camp units with kitchens. They are pricier in school holidays and winter weekends.
Local transportUS$15 to 30No public buses reach the gate. A shared rental car or a transfer from Upington (about 120 km) is the usual answer, plus fuel.
Food and suppliesUS$10 to 25Stock up in Upington or Kakamas, since the park shop is small. The restaurant serves mains for about US$8 to 14.
ActivitiesUS$0 to 35Walking the falls viewpoints is free with entry. Guided game drives and sunset trips cost extra.
Total Daily BudgetUS$85 to 120Based on a camping night in high season, entry, shared transport and mostly self-catered meals.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsTrail guide for Augrabies Falls national park

Augrabies Falls National Park has walks for every energy level, from short boardwalks to a multi-day route. Terrain is rocky granite, loose gravel and sand, with little shade, so carry water.
  • Falls Boardwalk: About 1 kilometer round trip, 30 to 60 minutes, easy. Paved and stepped to several viewpoints over the gorge.
  • Moon Rock Walk: Roughly 1 to 2 hours, easy to moderate. A scramble up smooth granite with wide plains views and quiver trees below.
  • Dassie Nature Trail: About 5 kilometers, 2 to 3 hours, easy. Loops from the rest camp past gorge views and rocky outcrops where dassies sun themselves.
  • Klipspringer
… read more 👉
Augrabies Falls National Park has walks for every energy level, from short boardwalks to a multi-day route. Terrain is rocky granite, loose gravel and sand, with little shade, so carry water.
  • Falls Boardwalk: About 1 kilometer round trip, 30 to 60 minutes, easy. Paved and stepped to several viewpoints over the gorge.
  • Moon Rock Walk: Roughly 1 to 2 hours, easy to moderate. A scramble up smooth granite with wide plains views and quiver trees below.
  • Dassie Nature Trail: About 5 kilometers, 2 to 3 hours, easy. Loops from the rest camp past gorge views and rocky outcrops where dassies sun themselves.
  • Klipspringer Hiking Trail: About 35 kilometers over 3 days, moderate to hard. Overnight huts, river views, steep rocky sections and limited group size.
  • Wildlife: Klipspringer, springbok, gemsbok, dassies and lizards are common, and birdlife along the river is good.
Public transport does not reach the gate, so most visitors come by rental car from Upington, and the last stretch is paved. Crowds are modest outside school holidays and weekends. A daily conservation fee applies, payable at the entrance gate in rand by card.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Augrabies Falls National Park is straightforward and well managed, and the main hazard is heat. In summer temperatures often pass 38°C (100°F), so walk at dawn, carry at least 3 liters of water per person, and wear a hat. Rock surfaces around the falls are smooth and slippery when wet, so stay behind the railings and viewpoints. Multi-day hikes such as the Klipspringer Trail require booking, and the paths are rocky with little shade. Wildlife is mostly klipspringers, baboons, and dassies. Keep food locked away because baboons raid unattended camps, and never feed them. Scorpions and snakes hide in cracks, so shake out boots and watch where you put your hands. Swimming in the river is dangerous because of currents and the drop above the falls. Mobile signal is patchy away from the rest camp.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Augrabies Falls

Two days is enough for Augrabies Falls National Park, with three if you want to hike the Klipspringer Trail, a 3-day, 2-night circuit of about 40 km. One day lets you see the falls, the 18 km Dassie Trail area, and a short drive to Echo Corner. Upington is about 120 km away, so a night in or near the park saves a long return drive.
Visiting Augrabies Falls National Park without a car is difficult, since no regular public transport reaches the gate. The most practical option is to take a bus or minibus to Upington, then hire a car or arrange a shuttle for the roughly 1.5-hour drive of 120 km. Some guesthouses in Kakamas and Augrabies village can arrange transfers, and inside the rest camp the falls are within walking distance.
Yes, Augrabies Falls National Park charges a daily conservation fee, about US$6 to 10 per adult for international visitors, with lower rates for South African residents. Wild Card holders enter free. Entry is paid at the gate by card, and the Klipspringer Trail requires a separate booking through SANParks, with overnight hut fees on top.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

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We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Augrabies Falls National Park has a quiet night sky that many first-timers sleep through. I would stay up after dark, walk away from the camp lights and look up at the Kalahari stars. Bring a headlamp and a warm layer, because desert nights cool fast.

✈️ When did I visit South Africa?
I have visited South Africa, before and after my Zimbabwe trip in 2001.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in South Africa, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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