Fuel Shortage at Augrabies Falls National Park: What travellers need to know

update (09 April 2026)

SANParks has announced that Augrabies Falls National Park has diesel available again. To ensure all visitors are accommodated, please note that a 30L per vehicle limit is currently in place. 

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Travellers planning a visit to the spectacular Augrabies Falls National Park should take note of an important fuel shortage update from South African National Parks (SANParks).

As of 28 March 2026, both diesel and unleaded fuel are currently unavailable inside the park. While this is expected to be a temporary disruption, SANParks strongly advises all visitors to refuel before entering the park to avoid any inconvenience during their stay.

What this means for your trip

Augrabies Falls National Park is located in a remote part of the Northern Cape, where distances between services can be significant. Running low on fuel inside the park could disrupt game drives, sightseeing plans, or even your departure schedule.

To ensure a smooth and stress-free visit:

• Arrive with a full tank of fuel
• Plan your fuel stops in advance
• Allow extra fuel if you intend to explore surrounding areas

Closest fuel options to Augrabies Falls National Park

While there are no fuel facilities inside the park itself, several reliable options are available nearby:

• Augrabies (village) – closest
• Augrabies Agrimark
• Very limited hours
• Not guaranteed availability
• Not recommended as your primary refuelling stop
• Kakamas – approx. 25 km (best option)
• KLK Kakamas Forecourt & Express
• Expressmark (Caltex)
• Caltex Oranje Vulstasie
• Multiple stations, most reliable refuelling point
• Keimoes – approx. 50 km
• KLK fuel station
• Limited availability
• Upington – approx. 120 km (full-service hub)
• Multiple major fuel brands
• 24-hour fuel widely available
• Supermarkets, ATMs, and vehicle services

Travel Tip

In the Northern Cape, fuel stations can be far apart and occasionally affected by supply disruptions. As a rule of thumb, never let your fuel drop below half a tank—especially when travelling between Upington, Springbok, and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

Bottom Line

Until fuel supplies are restored inside Augrabies Falls National Park, travellers should plan to refuel in Kakamas as their primary stop, with Upington as a full-service backup.

 

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South Africa: Augrabies Falls National Park sees record water flow as Orange River surges! [update #3]

update (07 June 2025): Regional Communications Manager: Arid Parks at South African National Parks, Genevieve Maasdorp, confirmed in a posting on facebook that the picnic area for day visitors at Augrabies Falls National Park remains closed until further notice. 

update (14 May 2025): The Regional Communications Manager: Arid Parks at South African National Parks, Genevieve Maasdorp, confirmed in a posting on facebook that the game viewing area are currently only open for vehicles with high ground clearance and 4x4.

update (05 May 2025): The restaurant and the shop in the Augrabies Falls National Park are open!

Augrabies Falls National Park in South Africa’s Northern Cape is currently experiencing a spectacular natural event, as the Orange River thunders over the iconic 56-metre-high falls at an extraordinary flow rate of 3,991 cubic metres per second—a dramatic increase from the usual 30 to 50 m³/s.
This surge is the result of heavy rainfall across much of South Africa, leading to significant water releases from the Vaal and Gariep Dams upstream. The powerful torrent has transformed the Augrabies Falls into a breathtaking display, drawing attention from nature lovers and photographers eager to witness this rare phenomenon.

Due to rising water levels, certain areas within Augrabies Falls National Park have been temporarily closed for safety. These include the game viewing area and the popular picnic site, which offers braai facilities and a swimming pool. Currently, only three of the park’s viewing decks remain open, while the others have been shut as a precautionary measure.

Despite the closures, Augrabies Falls National Park remains open to the public, and the falls are delivering one of their most dramatic and thunderous displays in years. Visitors are encouraged to come and witness the extraordinary power of nature, with the high-water spectacle expected to continue for several more weeks.

Augrabies Falls National Park: Boardwalk to the main falls closed until further notice! [update]

update (02 May 2025): The viewing decks at the main falls are also closed!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the boardwalk to the main falls in the Augrabies Falls National Park in South Africa’s Northern Cape has been closed due to water on the pathway. Due to the high water levels and for safety measures it will stay closed until further notice.

Despite the closures, Augrabies Falls National Park remains open and accessible to all visitors. The park continues to offer breathtaking views of the mighty Augrabies Falls, where the Orange River plunges 56 meters into a stunning granite gorge. Known for its rugged desert landscape, quiver trees, and diverse wildlife - including klipspringers, giraffes, and even leopards - Augrabies Falls National Park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers, hikers, and photographers.

Please note that several day visitor areas are currently also closed due to the high water levels.

Safety notice: Day visitor areas closed at Augrabies Falls National Park! [update #2]

update (29 April 2025): SANParks has confirmed that the Gorge trail and the Dassie trail in the Augrabies Falls National Park have now also been closed until further notice. This is due to the high water levels and for safety measures.

update (28 April 2025): The Klipspringer Hiking trail in Augrabies Falls National Park has been closed and not open to the public due to the high water levels and for safety measures until further notice.

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced a temporary closure of the game viewing area and popular day visitor spots at Augrabies Falls National Park in South Africa’s Northern Cape. The Af en Toe picnic site, as well as the braai and swimming pool areas designated for day visitors, are currently closed to the public due to high water levels and safety concerns. These areas will remain closed until further notice.
Despite these closures, the rest of Augrabies Falls National Park remains open and accessible to all visitors. The park continues to offer breathtaking views of the mighty Augrabies Falls, where the Orange River plunges 56 meters into a stunning granite gorge. Known for its rugged desert landscape, quiver trees, and diverse wildlife - including klipspringers, giraffes, and even leopards - Augrabies Falls National Park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers, hikers, and photographers.

Augrabies Falls National Park: Af en Toe picnic site closed due to rain damage!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the immediate closure of the Af en Toe picnic site in Augrabies Falls National Park, located in South Africa’s Northern Cape. The site is currently inaccessible until further notice due to rain-related damage.
The Af en Toe picnic site is a popular rest area within Augrabies Falls National Park, offering visitors a scenic spot to relax while exploring the region’s breathtaking landscapes. Situated approximately halfway along the park’s 94-kilometer tourist gravel road, it serves as a convenient stopover for wildlife enthusiasts and self-drive tourists in the game viewing area of Augrabies Falls National Park.

Augrabies Falls National Park: Unleaded fuel is currently not available! [update]

update (06 May 2024): The management of Augrabies Falls National Park just confirmed that unleaded fuel is still not available.

The management of Augrabies Falls National Park in South Africa's Northern Cape just announced that unleaded fuel is currently not available in the National Park. However, Diesel is available. It is recommended to make use of fuel stations outside Augrabies National Park. The next fuel station outside the National Park is in the town of Kakamas, located about 40km from Augrabies Falls National Park entrance/exit gate.
Augrabies Falls National Park is located around the Augrabies Falls, about 120 km west of Upington in South Africa's Northern Cape. The National Park stretches along the Orange River and covers an area of 820km². Travelling from Upington on the N14 (that runs between Upington and Springbok) turn right just after Kakamas. From here it’s 28km further to Augrabies Falls National Park entrance/exit gate and another 3km to Reception and the Augrabies Falls Rest Camp.

Augrabies Falls National Park: New operating hours for the Park's only fuel station!

update (04 September 2019): Please note that fuel supply is currently limited as Total are experiencing some strikes at their workplace and deliveries are therefore delayed.

According to a Facebook posting by the Regional Communications Manager: Arid Parks at South African National Parks, the operating hours of the only fuel station inside Augrabies Falls National Park in South Africa's Northern Cape have changed. The new operating hours are daily from 07:30 - 13:00 and from 13:30 to 15:30. The fuel station is located in the Park's main camp.

 
Augrabies Falls National Park is located around its main attraction, the Augrabies Falls, about 120 km west of Upington in South Africa's Northern Cape. The Park covers an area of 820 km² and stretches along the Orange River.

Video series: Five films of five of South Africa's most beautiful National Parks!

update (10 September 2018): The fifth film "The Incredible Wildlife of the Marakele National Park" has been released! Enjoy!

South African National Parks (SANParks) teamed up with Cars.co.za, Total South Africa and DSTV to produce five films in five of South Africa's most beautiful National Parks. The result is a series of films tagged with the hashtag #LiveYourWild, which will be released in the run-up to SA National Parks Week 2018 (10 - 14 September 2018). So far (as of 08 September 2018), four films - "Segway, Kayak & Zipline in the Garden Route National Park", "The Flowers of the West Coast", "The Incredible Augrabies Waterfall" and "The History and Legacy of Mapungubwe" - have been released. Enjoy! We'll keep you posted!

South Africa: Free preview of the Summer 2013/14 digital edition of "Wild" out now!

A "preview" of the Summer 2013/14 (#25) digital edition of "Wild", Wild Card's free wildlife environment and travel magazine, is out since last month. The "preview" edition contains stories and reports about the hiking trails in the Augrabies National Park, a brand-new off-road trail in the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve, the best beaches in the Cape, the Waterberg and the Cederberg and about how South Africa's National Parks plan to turn the tide against poaching. Enjoy!

Augrabies Falls National Park: Bridge at Kakamas currently closed

Due to major damage to the Orange river bridge at Kakamas, the bridge was closed on 08 February 2012 until further notice. If you are going to drive through Upington, on the way to Augrabies Falls National Park you should make use of the gravel road from Keimoes to Kakamas. For any questions about the condition of the road, please contact the Kai Garib Municipality Call Centre 054 461 6700. (via SANParks)

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South Africa: Augrabies Falls National Park - flood updates

There have been many facility closures as well as one road closure due to the recent flooding at the Augrabies Falls National Park.

The following facilities are currently available:

• The road into the scenic area, including the three lookout points overlooking the river namely Oranjekom, Ararat and Echo Corner are open for day drives. 
• All roads into the game area are accessible although the game area for sedan vehicles is open up to Oranjekom lookout point (including Arrarat- and Moonrock lookout point). From Oranjekom only 4x4 vehicles are allowed. 
• Boardwalks leading to only three of the six lookout decks are still open for visitors. Following the river course, decks 1-2-4 are closed due to flood damage.

Augrabies National Park: Closure of various facilities due to flooding

There have been many facility closures as well as one road closure due to the recent flooding at the Augrabies Falls National Park.

The following facilities are not available:

• All roads into the game area are not accessible due to the floods.
• The day visitor/picnic area, including the braai and swimming pool facilities for day visitors.
• Boardwalks leading to only two of the six lookout decks are still open for visitors. (This includes the first deck downstream of the main falls.)

The following facilities are available:

• The road into the scenic area, including the three lookout points overlooking the river namely Oranjekom, Ararat and Echo Corner are now open for day drives.
• The game area for sedan vehicles is open up to Oranjekom lookout point (including Arrarat- and Moonrock lookout point). From Oranjekom only 4x4 vehicles are allowed.

Visitors should wear appropriate footwear as the rocks can be slippery when wet. (via sanparks.org)

South Africa: Augrabies Falls National Park - flood updates

Only the central section of the Augrabies Falls National Park is open for game drives. The western section is still closed due to the damaged roads caused by the floods. Daily drives can be taken up to the “Fonteintjie” (or the fly-over).


Augrabies Falls National Park Time Lapse from Wegvideo on Vimeo.

The day visitor/picnic area, including the braai and swimming pool facilities for day visitors are currently not available. The road into the scenic area, including the three lookout points overlooking the river namely Oranjekom, Ararat and Echo Corner, had to be closed due to damage to park roads. Boardwalks leading to only three of the six lookout decks are still open for visitors. (This includes the first deck downstream of the main falls.) Visitors should wear appropriate footwear as the rocks can be slippery when wet. [src. sanparks.org]

Augrabies Falls National Park Accommodation >>

Augrabies Falls National Park: Road Closures

All the roads leading into the game area in Augrabies Falls National Park - as well as the Day Visitors Picnic Site - are currently (26 Jan 2011) not accessible due to the recent floods.

update (27 Jan 2011): The following facilities are not available:

• The Day visitor/picnic area, including the braai and swimming pool facilities for Day visitors.
• The road into the scenic area, including the three lookout points overlooking the river namely Oranjekom, Ararat and Echo Corner, had to be closed due to damage to park roads.
• Boardwalks leading to only three of the six lookout decks are still open for visitors. (This includes the first deck downstream of the main falls.)

Visitors should wear appropriate footwear as the rocks can be slippery when wet.


View Larger Map

Only three out of six view points are accessible to view the waterfalls. We will keep you informed of the latest developments. [src.]

Augrabies Falls National Park Accommodation >>