We returned to Augrabies Falls National Park just 9 years after our previous visit in 2012. Like most park guests, we took a look at the 56 meter-high waterfall and surrounding landscapes while keeping an eye out for mammals, birds, and reptiles.

The Orange River splits into many channels above the falls and then regroups at the base of the cascades to continue through the 18 kilometer-long gorge. The word Augrabies means “place of great noise” and originates from the Khoi language.

We stayed for two nights in a cottage overlooking the gorge. A patio with picnic tables serves as the roof of the cottage and most park visitors don’t even realize there is a large studio-type accommodation below. The area is only for day use, so the evenings were quiet and peaceful. And the sunrises were amazing!

The arid landscape is sprinkled with a bit of plant life, large rock formations, and dark ridges.

Fortunately our visit coincided with the winter flowering of the Quiver Trees, unique to the Northern Cape Province of South Africa and southern Namibia. Photosynthesis occurs through the leaves and scaly bark, while white powder on the branches reflects the rays of the sun. The name Quiver Tree came about because the San people who used tree branches to make quivers for their poisonous hunting arrows.

A few more bird photos

Augrabies Falls National Park, covering 820 square kilometers, is not known for its abundant wildlife, but we did see a few beautiful animals.