augrabies falls, 3-day hike (northern cape, south africa, april 2015)

As the final activity on our final trip in southern Africa (for now), we decided to explore the Northern Cape and a fairly remote park called Augrabies Falls. We were super impressed with how well-run and popular this park is, and were really happy we decided to do a three-day hike along the Orange River and the canyon that runs through the park. 

The hike was beautiful (also hot), through desert landscape for the first day, then down into the river canyon on the second day, and back out and over the desert again on the third day. We saw klipspringer (small deer), two giant jet-black snakes, each about 5-6 feet long (we think they were Cape Cobras), a monitor lizard, the tracks of a clawless otter, and some beautiful birds. 

The river itself and the waterfalls were also stunning. 

Sunset at camp the night before we head out.

Starting things off well! About an hour in to the hike, we got to detour to this beautiful spot on the canyon. Hundreds of swallows were flying back and forth across the water eating insects. It was an incredibly peaceful place (until you looked down!)

Hiking across a ravine with a deep hole.

We also got treated to a visit from a vervet monkey family! They galloped and played around us for 5-10 minutes. Very cute.

That point is where we were standing an hour or two before.

Blurry picture of a klipspringer watching us from atop a rock pile!

Nice spot for lunch.

Some desert plants.

Camping digs! Not bad. We were so glad to have the roof over us when it started pouring rain a bit later!

Our spirit tree! It smelled beautiful. 

Walking along the river the next morning.

Otter tracks!

Good camo! Spot the beetle?

Hut camp, night #2. 

Sunset over the desert

Last morning! We got an early start to beat the heat. Jim is still half asleep.

Jen and a quiver tree.

Jim on Moon Rock, a large gneiss mound.

Last river crossing before we finish the hike! 

View for part of the 1000 or so kilometers back to Cape Town. We're definitely in the Western Cape here - nowhere in Northern Cape gets this green.

We recognize that mountain!