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Augrabies Falls photo by South African Tourism –

Top 10 Facts about Augrabies Falls

An area in a river or stream where water pours over a vertical drop or several steep drops is called a waterfall. Falls also happen when meltwater spills over the edge of an ice shelf or a tabular iceberg.

There are various ways that waterfalls may occur, but the most typical manner is when a river runs over a top layer of hard bedrock before descending to softer rock, which erodes more quickly and results in an increasingly steep fall. The effects of waterfalls on the animals that live there and nearby have been researched.

Since ancient times, people have had a special affinity with waterfalls, visiting, investigating, and naming them. One of such renowned waterfalls is Augrabies Falls.

The Augrabies Falls is a cascading waterfall that is located in the Province of the Northern Cape, within the Republic of South Africa. Here are the top 10 facts about the falls.

1. The waterfall’s original Khoikhoi inhabitants gave it the name “Ankoerebis”

Augrabies Falls, Orange River, Augrabies National Park, Northern Cape, South Africa photo by South African Tourism –

Since this enormous flow of water is released from rocky surroundings characterized by the 18 km abyss of the Orange River Gorge, the Khoi people called it 鈥淎nkoerebis,鈥� which means place of Great Noise. This refers to the Orange River, which thunders its way downwards for 60 meters in a spectacular waterfall.

From this, the Trek Boers, who eventually made this location their home, acquired the name “Augrabies”. Klaas Pofadder, who resided on an island upstream of the falls now known as Klaas Island, was the last chief of the area’s indigenous people.

2. The falls were named Augrabies by a Swedish explorer

Hendrik Wikar, a Swedish mercenary, was the first European to discover the falls. In October 1778, he discovered Augrabies while he was lost and travelling near the Gariep River after leaving his station in Cape Town in 1775 due to financial difficulties.

The falls were given the name Augrabies by the Swedish explorer Hendrik Jakob Wikar in 1799. He was aware of a name with a like pronunciation used by the local indigenous or native population.

3. Augrabies Falls is located on the Orange River

Tributary into Orange River canyon below the Augrabies waterfall photo by RudiBosbouer –

The Augrabies Falls are a waterfall on South Africa’s largest river, the Orange River. Since 1966, the waterfall is set in a desolate and rugged milieu. The falls are around 56 meters (183 feet) high.

Some sources state that the height is around 480 feet, although this is not the height of the falls itself but rather the height from the bottom of the canyon to the top of the cliffs.

The falls occur where the Orange River leaves a plateau formation of resistant granite. The main fall of water is 184 feet (56 meters). At the bottom, the depth of the plunge pool probably exceeds 140 feet (43 meters).

The width of the falls at flood time extends over several miles, with 19 separate waterfalls tumbling into a ravine 11 miles (18 km) long.

In actuality, the waterfall is created when the river exits a granite plateau formation and plunges into a plummet pool that, during the wet season, exudes a powerful and ominous impression of strength.

4. They form the central feature of Augrabies Falls National Park

Augrabies Falls National Park, Augrabies Falls, Northern Cape, South Africa photo by South African Tourism –

Augrabies Falls National Park is a national park located around Augrabies Falls, about 120km west of Upington. It was established in 1966.

The Augrabies Falls National Park covers an area of 820 km虏 and stretches along the Orange River. The area is very arid. The waterfall is about 60 meters high and is awe-inspiring when the river is in flood.

The gorge below the falls averages about 240 m deep and runs for 18 kilometres. The gorge provides an impressive example of erosion into a granitic basement.

5. Augrabies Falls have numerous folklores associated with them

According to folklore among South African prospectors during the first half of the 20th century, the Orange River’s currents carry diamonds down over the waterfall into the pool beneath the King George Cataract.

A serpentine creature known as the Grootslang is also said to have its lair in the pool.

6. Augrabies Falls recorded its highest water falling in 1988

Niagara Falls deck photo by GyozaDumpling –

During the dry season, as there is not a lot of water within the river, the waterfall is not as powerful as it is previously. When there were floods in 1988, the Augrabies Falls measured 7,800 cubic meters (280,000 cu ft.) of water every second (and 6,800 cubic meters (240,000 cu ft.) when there were floods in 2006).

This is more than three times the 2,400 cubic meters (85,000 cu ft.) per second average high season flow rate of Niagara Falls, more than four times the yearly average, and higher than Niagara’s record of 6,800 cubic meters (240,000 cu ft.) per second.

A striking example of granite erosion is the gorge at the Augrabies Falls, which is 240 meters (800 feet) deep and 18 kilometres (10 miles) long.

7. Augrabies Falls presents awe-inspiring views

Still, if one is not mesmerized by the forceful power the waterfall emits, the gorge will create jaw-dropping awe as it is 240 meters (800 feet) deep and 18 km (10 mi) long.

There is a viewing platform from where every visitor is always welcomed to come and gaze upon the Augrabies Falls which simply never fails to amaze even the most difficult to amaze a person. A true natural gem from the Northern Cape that is sometimes well hidden.

8. Augrabies Falls may pose danger to careless individuals

The Augrabies waterfall and gorge can be very dangerous, especially during times of flood where the river completely overwhelms the surrounding area. Five individuals have been carried over the falls since 1966, while more than 20 have plummeted to their deaths in the canyon.

However, a tourist from Scandinavia who fell into the gorge in 1979 and a guy who was washed over the falls in October 1981 both survived. Others were trapped in the below-ground plunge pool and their remains were never recovered.

Cattle and hippopotamuses, among other species, have also been washed over the falls.

9. It鈥檚 a habitat for many species of lizards and salamanders

Photo by Jelle Taman on

Around Augrabies Falls, there are several lizard species and salamander varieties that can be found on the rocks. Eagles and the antelopes known as klipspringers also reside in the area surrounding Augrabies Falls National Park.

The park is home to a variety of trees and bushes, including quiver, wild tamarisk, sweet thorn, jacket plum, and white karee.

10. The Augrabies Falls are accessible all year round

The Augrabies Falls National Park’s main attraction, the Augrabies waterfall and impressive gorge, are accessible all year round. This was made possible after bridges, causeways and a series of protected outlooks were built which allow visitors to safely view the gorge and waterfall even when the river is in full flood.