Orange River 20km Gorge Ride
Augrabies Falls is one of the most underrated national parks in South Africa — a 56-metre main falls dropping into an 18km gorge carved by the Orange River through ancient Precambrian granite, surrounded by quiver trees, Kalahari scrub and game that includes klipspringer, gemsbok, ground squirrel and baboon. The main falls is the sixth-largest waterfall on earth by volume during peak flood events. Despite this, Augrabies receives a fraction of the visitors that the better-known Kruger and Cape parks attract.
The 20km Gorge Loop
The park’s gravel road and jeep track network provides approximately 20km of cycling from the main gate to the various gorge viewpoints — Moon Rock, Ararat, Oranjekom — that reveal the full scale of the Orange River gorge from above. The standard visitor road (sealed and gravel mixed) covers most viewpoints and is suitable for any fit cyclist. The 480km of gorge accessible from the park provides a dramatic backdrop that increases in drama as you move further from the main falls.
Khamkirri River Camp
Khamkirri River Camp (23km northwest of the park gate) provides the most mountain-bike-focused experience: 7km of riverside loop, MTB hire, guided rides to the park and a stunning riverside setting with the Orange River flowing through the camp. The 100km guided return route to Riemvasmaak and back can be added for an epic multi-day adventure.
Getting There
Augrabies Falls NP is 25km from Kakamas on the N14. GPS: -28.5922, 20.3386. Tel: +27 54 452 9200. From Upington: N14 west 120km to Kakamas then park turn-off.