Augrabies Falls has a government run restcamp that offers a friendly welcome. It is the only place to stay inside Augrabies Falls National Park and is an ideal base from which to explore this lovely corner of the northern Cape.
Augrabies Falls Restcamp is large, well-organized, and set in very pretty surroundings; it has all the amenities that you will need for a short stay. The central complex houses the reception and a well stocked shop that supplies a choice of food as well as beer, wine, spirits, souvenirs, books and even local fruits (in season).
Near to the shop is the restcamp's restaurant, which is tastefully decorated and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The large indoor dining room has stone tiled floors, stone water features and its walls are adorned with sepia-toned photos of the Augrabies Falls. There's also the option to eat al fresco on the covered veranda which overlooks the well tended gardens.
In front of this is an information area, where boards describe some of the varied flora and fauna found in the area, various community projects and the history of the park and the falls.
Augrabies Falls Restcamp also has three swimming pools which gives all the guests a chance to cool off after an exerting walk around the falls.
The restcamp offers accommodation in brick chalets with corrugated iron roofs. There are 59 of these chalets in total:
- 24 chalets have twin beds and a sleeper couch;
- 16 chalets 'with view' each have twin or double beds with sleeper couch, and views towards the gorge and mountains
- 10 triple chalets each have three single beds;
- 9 family cottages each have two bedrooms, with two single beds in each room.
All are broadly similar in feel; they tend to have large rooms which are simply furnished, typically with bedside tables, a wardrobe and a set of drawers. Each chalet has its own bathroom with a hot shower, a toilet and a wash-basin. Towels are provided, but don't expect complementary toiletries! Each chalet also has a kitchenette, where you'll find a plastic table and chairs set on a stone tiled floor. Each is usually equipped with two hobs, a fridge, a kettle, a toaster and a decent selection of kitchen utensils.
In front of each chalet is a solid table with seating and bar-b-que facilities (locally referred to as 'braai' facilities); great for the warm summer evenings!
Like most restcamps, Augrabies Falls Restcamp has a camp site and a fuel station.
Although the restcamp itself is not particularly attractive, in front of it you'll find a network of wooden walkways – which link a series of view points dotted along the edge of the gorge. These offer breathtaking views towards the gorge and the main Augrabies Falls. These views alone would be a good reason to stay here!
Walking along these at sunset, large numbers of rock dassies skip about playfully, adding to the attraction of the whole area. Keep an eye out also for the birds, as the restcamp area has a mix of dry (mostly acacia) and riverine vegetation which attracts a wide range of bird species. Orange River white-eyes (recently separated from Cape white-eyes), red-eyed bulbuls, red-headed finchs, rosy-faced lovebirds and Karoo scrub robins are all common, whilst golden-tailed woodpeckers, acacia pied barbest, pririt batises, ashy tits and dusky sunbirds are amongst less common sightings.
In short, Augrabies Falls Restcamp isn't a fancy place to stay but it does off unrivalled access to a starkly beautiful park that has a limited number of overseas visitors.
Lodge overview
Lodge type: Safari
No. of bedrooms: 59 rooms
Season: Open Year Round
Ideal length of stay: 2 nights; unless hiking then more are needed.
Directions: From Upington, keep on the N14 and pass through Kakamas. The park is signposted from town; 10km after Kakamas you will turn right on the R359. Continue for about 30 km then turn right towards Augrabies Falls. From here it is another 3 km to the entrance gate, and a further 3km to the restcamp.
Accessible by: Self-drive
Key personnel
Owner: South African National Parks
Food & drink
Usual board basis: Room Only
Food quality: The pleasant restaurant at Augrabies Falls offers good value for money; on our last visit the food quality was pretty good, but don't expect anything fancy!
In the evening, there's an à la carte menu with starters from between R25 – R50. Main courses include kudu goulash, springbok stroganoff, steaks, schnitzels, fish, salads and vegetarian options range from R45 to 120R – all come with vegetables and chips or jacket potatoes. Puddings range from R25 – R40.
The restaurant opening times are adhered to pretty strictly:
Breakfast is from 07:30 – 11:00 Lunch is from 11:00 – 18:00 Dinner is from 18:00 – 21:00
Dining style: Inidividual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Drinks included: No drinks are included.
Special interests
Birdwatching: Despite its apparent aridity, a wide variety of habitats can be found at Augrabies, including riverine vegetation, reedbeds, cliffs, acacia thickets and rocky scrubland. Because of this, the park has a relatively high diversity of birds: over 180 species. Favourites include Verreaux's eagle, African fish eagle, bee-eaters, kingfishers, falcons and smaller species such as rosy-faced lovebirds, weavers and bulbuls.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for birdwatching in The Cape
Walking: There are a number of walking opportunities in Augrabies Falls, ranging from an hour or two pottering next to the gorge, through to three to four hours self-guided nature walks with stunning views, right up to a seasonal three-day hike through the gorge.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for walking in The Cape
Children
Attitude towards children: Very good
Age restrictions: All ages welcome
Generally recommended for children: Yes
Notes: Augrabies is relatively family-friendly, although the longer walks would prove very tough for most younger children – and only a few of the areas around the vertical drops of the steep gorge are child-proof.
Central communications
Power supply: Mains Electricity
Communications: There are public phones that accept cards.
Health & safety
Malarial area: No
Medical care: Nearest doctor is in Kakamas which is about 50 km away.
Dangerous animals: Low Risk
Security measures: Unarmed security guards are at the entrance gate to the park 24 hours a day.
Fire safety: There is an extinguisher in every room.
Extras
Disabled access: In Place
Laundry facilities: 0
Money: The restcamp cannot change money; there is a bank in Kakamas.
Accepted payment: The restcamp does not accept any foreign currency – but will accept Visa, Mastercard, Amex and debit cards.
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