Augrabies National Falls attracts more tourists

The recent rainfall in the Northern Cape has turned the Augrabies Falls near Kakamas into a spectacular sight. This year’s spectacle is due to good rains and the opening of sluices in the Vaal and Orange river systems.

Hundreds of tourists are flocking to the area to view this wonderful sight. The waterfall is now flowing at nearly 2000 cumecs per second.

“At the moment the water is a little below 2 000 cubic meters, which means 1000 litres of water per second. So, what we have here is almost 2000 tons of water per second which is a lot. We have seen more in the past but it is a lot for now. It is very spectacular,” says Acting Manager at the Augrabies Falls National Park Nardus du Plessis.

Northern Cape Economic Development and Tourism MEC Abram Vosloo says the site has boosted the tourism sector in the province.

“This is a wonderful spectacle we are seeing here. I have been here before, but this is wonderful, fantastic. It is the best I have seen in many years. For the tourism industry in the Northern Cape and in this particular area, there has been a serious bloom, not only in terms of tourists but from the economic perspective. Indeed if you look at the accommodation in this area, not only, the bed and breakfasts, they are booked to capacity.” –Reporting by Katleho Morapela 

There are about 9 000 tourists who have visited the place since the New Year: