Booming waterfalls and serene hot springs

Take a winding drive through the lesser-known side of Augrabies Falls National Park and explore the backroads of Riemvasmaak's community land.

- Cyril Klopper

You spent all yesterday driving from the city to Augrabies - a 10-hour trip from Pretoria, nine hours from Cape Town and eight from Bloemfontein - but you're finally here, and from now on, the trip only gets better.

The falls at Augrabies usually flow at their strongest during the autumn months of April and May, when the sluices at the Vaal and Gariep dams are opened. The park is rarely, if ever, fully booked (even when the falls are in full flow) and there are also plenty of guesthouses, lodges and camping spots just outside the park itself.

Some visitors to the park only see the falls and never explore the rest of the natural beauty. There's a small section of the park you can visit in an ordinary sedan, but a 4x4 vehicle is a must to explore all the routes inside the park.

We set off from the campsite and head back to the reception building. Near the fuel station behind reception, there's a sign pointing right onto the park's game-viewing route. We drive through at least three streams of fast-flowing water - if it's rained recently - but they're shallow, and even sedans should manage. Take off your shoes and walk through if you're unsure.

Four kilometres later, we reach a sign that directs you right to Moon Rock. This landmark is a granite dome where the rock flakes off in layers like dry skin. It's an easy walk up the dome - it took us less than 10 minutes - and the views from the top are lovely.