Ogreibis Falls National Park
South Africa, Northern Cape Province, Upington
Description:
Augrabies Falls National Park is located 120 km west of Upington in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. The park was founded in 1966.
Stretching in the valley of the Orange River, the reserve covers an area of 820 hectares. The waterfall, breaking down from a sixty-meter height, roars all corners of a long rocky gorge. In Aboriginal language, the name of the waterfall Ogreibis sounds like a “loud noise”, which gave the name to the park.
Coastal areas of the Orange River are a treasure trove of diamonds. According to legend, at the foot of the waterfall, where a huge water funnel is formed, there is the world’s largest deposit of precious stone.
Due to the arid climate, the most common plant in the park is aloe, well adapted to difficult conditions. The height of some trees reaches a five-meter height. Local tribes used soft branches of aloe as bags for arrows, hence it is called the quiver tree.
The flowering of trees in winter attracts thousands of birds, feasting on sweet nectar. It’s also fun to watch baboons fight for flowers.
A popular attraction of the park is the Moonstone, which is a massive dome, about 30 meters high.
Near the Orange River are concentrated many species of exotic animals, birds and reptiles. Of particular importance is the nesting of the Black Eagle.