S1 - Ep 277 - Augrabies - Our Visit to the Town and the Falls!

[@katleholetsaba]

I Gotta Visit This Place Again. I Had The Pleasure To See The Waterfalls But Couldn't Do The 4x4 Trail Due To Time. Truly An Awesome And Refreshing Place 💯

[@munesumangava9751]

Just beautiful everywhere I look👌

[@annacassisa9151]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FORTHE MEMORIES. I WENT THERE IN 2009, ITS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE TO ACTUALLY BE THERR PHISICALLY. AGAIN, THANK YOU. YOU GUYS ARE AN INSPIRATION TO MANY OR SHOULD. I SAY, YOU SHOULD BE SAFE TRAVELLING TO THE PAIR OF YOU. B/DORP

[@breitie804]

I am amazed to learn about the tremendous development around the Augrabies area. I wonder how all those plantations on the river fared these last few weeks after the raging floods upriver. I am from Namibia and never gave Augrabies much attention because for us it is the Fish River Canyon that is the big attraction, second only to the Grand Canyon in Colorado. Great video series! After a lifetime of living in Southern Africa I am only now beginning to really learn about the country, thanks to you.

[@DustBugsTravel]

We were gobsmacked when we saw footage and images of the falls and surrounding areas barely ten days after our visit! 😳🌊 One can never underestimate the power of water! We're so happy to be taking you along as we discover and explore the numerous fantastic smaller places and town in this incredibly country! Thank you for watching! 🚙😁

[@annawitter5161]

This a place I have so wanted to visit and never had the opportunity. Grappa...ah yeah, I have had some fine grappa at memorable times in my life. Maybe they distill grappa from wine from all those vineyards. The making of grappa is a fine art, its not just mampoer. Am I the only one who notices the utterly magnificent skies? Maybe I am just wolkverskrik. Any way, I am not interested in skiing, I will be sipping a wonderful Cabernet under the trees looking at the clouds! Its so right that they have provided a wheelchair ramp to the falls, good on them for that. The falls are truly majestic. There are many good raisins to visit Augrabies

[@DustBugsTravel]

I completely forgot to ask if they produce grappa at Lake Grappa or whether the name has another meaning. It's a beautiful place nonetheless, for those who love skiing and for those who just enjoy the beautiful nature this area has on offer. We always notice the skies and clouds, in fact we can't stop looking at them sometimes! 😍☁️ I haven't seen the falls in a very long time, so was super happy to be able to witness this miracle of nature again. I'm glad that we could show you Augrabies! 🚙😁

[@annawitter5161]

@@DustBugsTravel it was very special . Got to watch again, just to see that beautiful cascade of water. Thanks again

[@munesumangava9751]

Augrabies Falls Lodge and Camp👌👌👌👌 Lush indeed!

[@munesumangava9751]

All the churches in these small towns just grab me! Soo beautifully done👌

[@patshes1951]

It was really cool to see the Augrabiesfalls. That is worth the traveling.

[@DustBugsTravel]

I'm glad you enjoyed the falls too! We haven't been back there in many a year and realised all over again what a special place it is! 😍🌊

[@andrewwilson3054]

Yet another fantastic video, and I must visit Augrabies in person, looks fantastic.

[@DustBugsTravel]

It really is a fantastic place and well worth a visit! 🌳🌊 I hope you get the opportunity to visit in the near future, I'm sure you'll love it even more in person!🚙😁

[@1812nico]

Hi you two! Thanks for this amazing trip under the beautiful sky. Talk about open spaces! I agree with Sonia about the greenery, the arid surrounds makes it all the more beautiful. One thing is sure; you can spend time or live there without being trampled upon! The roaring waters must be one of the most unique places in the country. One should e.g. not compare it with the Victoria Falls, which is after all just one (albeit impressive too) waterfall of many to be found all over the world. Thank you for your hard work to bring us to the beauty of our country. Keep safe!

[@DustBugsTravel]

You're right, the wide open spaces in this part of the world are incredible and to top it off, the skies and clouds are just unbelievable. And the green everywhere, is the cherry right on top! 🌳💚 We're also not in the business of comparing any one place to another. I always struggle when someone asks me to pick a favourite place, beach, mountain or waterfall for that matter. I simply don't have one because each place, etc has its own unique character and charm. I think therein lies the very reason for us travelling, to find the next gorgous place. And fortunately we always do! 😁🚙

[@1812nico]

@@DustBugsTravel You're so right!

[@ronnykenny3965]

Hi Curtis & Sonja, no words can describe my joy @ seeing Augrabies . Ridiculously beautiful, thank you, just got back from a 2 day @ Nature's valley, think it was your 199 th episode . Hopefully get to Augrabies 1 day. Can't thank you enough for taking us little dustbugs with you

[@DustBugsTravel]

I'm sure you had a fantastic time in Nature's Valley! The intense beauty of that area is incredible! 🌳💚 I'm so happy you enjoyed seeing Augrabies, you'll have a fantastic time when you do decide to head that way. It's our pleasure to take you along to all these places, it wouldn't be the same without you! 🚙🌊

[@charlietreston4035]

Hi guys what a great idea man made lake for skiing date palms lining lining the gravel road lovely lawns. Loved the sign no dust. I mentioned before about auto bahns in Germany doesn't surprise me they are in the area for speed trials. Great story about camping in caravan outside the gate of national Park. The Falls absolutely stunning. Lovely camping place with hotel looked like a real man's bar .I never knew there were so many RC churches in South Africa this one with separate tower .DEF church was definitely 60s style. More dried raisons incredible real eye opener thanks for another great video cheerio till the next one. I had a funny experience going to Kruger Park went passed the gate kept going for miles kept seeing signs for HEK eventually spoke to a guy explained HEK is Afrikaans for gate 😆

[@DustBugsTravel]

Fantastic story about you driving past the 'Hek' sign, I can imagine that happening very often to tourists from abroad! 🤣Lake Grappa was really a fantastic place to visit. I could definitely relax there for a few days, although I'm not a skiier. We haven't been to the falls in many years, but they were still as spectacularly beautiful as I remember and what a treat to see them again! 😍🌊 I found those car parts in the bar very interesting and super cool to hear that test drivers sometimes stay over there, it really is a beautiful place too with such atmosphere. We did see more RC churches in this area than ever before, but perhaps we're just getting better at spotting them or reading the signs! I'm so glad you enjoyed the Augrabies area with us! 🚙💒

[@philyew3617]

Thank you so much for this video. I visited Augrabies and the falls only once and unfortunately it was in 2018, the year of the severe drought and water shortage. It was like someone had turned off the valve and the falls were nothing but a trickle. I so want to visit again and experience what you have just shown to us. I remember walking around those pathways, seeing Dassies everywhere and hundreds of tiny Flat Lizards. The car park near the reception and shop, there was a big troop of Vervet Monkeys, they were in the trees all around the reception area. I remember the rangers keeping a watch on them to keep them off the cars. The net covered vines in the surrounding area seemed to go for miles. Another place nearby I want to re-visit is Riemvasmaak, a town with a troubled history but now recovering well from the past. The entire area is beautiful, Green Kalahari is such a true description. I so much want to go again after watching this video. Health permitting maybe the end of this year or early next. Drive safely and enjoy your travels (and a glass or three of South African wine).

[@DustBugsTravel]

It was our pleasure to take you back to the falls! 🤩🌊 The rivers weren't in flood when we were there, but everything changed about ten days or so after we left. 😳 Luckily there was still enough water around at the time of our visit to at least observe the falls in all their glory. Your visit certainly sounds like a very rewarding one otherwise! We really only entered the National Park for a peek at the falls and didn't spot any animals, not even a single vervet monkey at the car park. 🐒 The Green Kalahari is indeed a very apt name for this region of South Africa. I continue hoping that you'll indeed be able to visit again in the next year or so. I'll have a beer to that! Cheers! 🍻🇿🇦

[@mariusroos]

Absolutely a beautiful one. Thank you so much to always have the back seat available for me to travel with you. Now i also saw and experienced it. Keep it up.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Your spot has been reserved permanently! 😁🚙 We're just so happy to have you along to all these incredible places, so thank you for always joining us! Augrabies is indeed a great place with beautiful scenery and of course, that waterfall! 🌊🤩

[@flodillon991]

Another very beautiful place the lake for skiing, the falls everything is stunning. I just wish I could see it but am grateful to you for these videos they are absolutely amazing. Thank you for this episode. 😊❤

[@DustBugsTravel]

You're always with us on our backseat as we explore these amazing places! 😍🚙 We haven't seen the falls in such a long time and it was as amazing as the first time we were there! I also thought the skiiing lake at Lake Grappa was fantastic and a great facility for folks who wish to spend a few days in the area. 🌊🏄🏻

[@BrendonSchaferCT]

Oh. I remember when I was last there. It was after lockdown. Around September or October that year. Everything was still 'closed' and not functioning properly, but people had started moving about. Everything at Augrabies was closed. It was good to see a little light and goods on sale at the reception of Augrabies. I'd love to have seen the falls a few weeks back when they were in flood. Glad you enjoyed the 'hood.

[@DustBugsTravel]

You make an interesting point. With every trip, an increasing number of local folks in almost every place we get to visit, comment about things finally picking up after lockdown. Most of them are in the hospitality industry and it's great to hear that visitors are starting to return! 👌🏻I couldn't believe it when I saw the images and videos of the falls a mere ten days after I had walked on that walkway to go and check out the falls. That must be quite a sight to experience with one's own eyes! 😳🌊

[@BrendonSchaferCT]

@@DustBugsTravel I think the falls were still quite a bit better than the little trickle I saw back then. Was still awesome though.

[@sonelvanas4441]

Beautiful video, thank you so much for your review,, on behalf of Augrabies Falls Lodge & Camp we would love to welcome you back in the future, on the house of course😊 Kind regards Sonel

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you so much, we are super happy to hear that you enjoyed our video of your beautiful area. We loved your hotel and facilities and it was an absolute pleasure to walk around there. We look forward to visiting again in the future! 🤩🚙

[@toscabrutus1781]

Augrabies is so mooi! Pragtige program!

[@lorenv44]

You visited between the November ad March floods. Most of those viewing platforms were closed it was so much water.

[@DustBugsTravel]

Indeed! We missed the rising rivers by about ten days or so. 🚙🌊

[@majbudricks5404]

Where the Water Thunders - On my Bucket List .

[@DustBugsTravel]

I hope you're able to tick this one off in the near future, it's well worth the trip out there! The great noise at the waterfall is something I could easily experience again and again! 🚙🌊

[@mawandegongota8251]

Beautiful

[@DustBugsTravel]

It really is, I'm glad you could join us! 🚙🌊

[@frederikbrits9559]

Visit the falls twice from Pietersburg and stay over in the bungalows once. Both time the water level was low. Also visited the park with it's plenty rhino, other side of the game reserve is the ruins of Genl Manie Maritz fort 1914/5

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you for the interesting info about the ruins, I didn't know that! I was happy to see the falls again after so many years and was quite surprised to see images of them ten days later when the rivers were coming down in flood. 😳 It really is a great National Park where one can just relax and be close to nature. Hopefully the next time you see the falls, there will be more water and it will put up a special display for you! 🌊🚙

[@geraldinemethven8112]

Thank you for taking us with on this trip. I’ve always been fascinated by the Augrabies Falls. I wonder why they have not been used for electricity generation ? So interesting to see the agriculture in such an otherwise barren landscape.

[@DustBugsTravel]

I would imagine the reason for not using the falls for power generation is because they're located in a National Park, but I'm really not sure. I would hope that they would always leave certain parts of our country untouched and just for us to admire and enjoy without always having to interfere with nature. We haven't seen the falls in many years and they were as spectacular as always, I'm so glad we took the time to go and check them out again! 🤩🌊 The landscape is barren for sure, but still so fertile when enough water is around. Absolutely amazing. Thanks for joining us on this trip! 🚙😁

[@desh7120]

13k Subscribers 🎊

[@DustBugsTravel]

Yippee! 🍾🥂

[@Human-fw1zr]

love ur content best couple

[@ebaab9913]

My wife and I have so enjoyed your travels towards and through the Orange river towns. I have a story as to why, my Father-in-law was there in WW2. While so many of his compatriots were in Tobruk and Monte Cassino fighting and dying for us, he was sent to Upington. He was a small man and short-sighted and tried hard to enroll in the SA Army in the 1940's, but was initially rejected, but finally due being a BSC graduate he was accepted as a Meteorologist, and sent to Upington. When he arrived there he found that many school girls from around the country had been sent there, so with the small army post, there were about 50 girls for every man 😮. Due to him being in his early forties and a farmer he was wealthy enough to have his own car, which he brought with him. So here he was in 1943, an officer with a car, with hundreds of young ladies needing entertainment. So he spent his War years at picnics and on joy rides, as far from the front lines as you can get. Some of the joy rides included Augrabies falls, and we have a B&W picture from then. I just love this story because it is just so absurd, that even in Wartime someone could land so ass deep in the butter.

[@DustBugsTravel]

That is indeed a fantastic story and just goes to show that, even in the most dire times, humans will still find humour and fun, however scarce it may be. Thank you for sharing that special story with us. To think I stood at the falls more or less where he and no doubt a female companion must've stood all those years ago, is quite a thought! That story and the falls luckily are still around today! 🚙🌊

[@munesumangava9751]

I’m seeing a lot of Palm trees in the Northern Cape 🤔🧐

[@chrisandragrobbelaar5341]

1000 000 likes ❤

[@DustBugsTravel]

Thank you, thank you! 🤩🚙

[@ingeborgvanderveer789]

Aha vandaar dat Duitse auto’s van top kwaliteit zijn; ze worden getest in Zuid Afrika 🎉🏎️. Geef ze eens ongelijk die Duitsers, in zo’n prachtige omgeving, zonder Baustelle (die zijn nu talrijk op de Duitse autobanen) en een heerlijk verpozen na afloop in die fraaie bar. Rijden jullie nog steeds in een Franse Renault? Volgens Nederlanders staat dat merk voor Roest En Narigheid Achtervolgen U Lange Tijd 😉. Al lijkt de trouwe DustBug gelukkig geen pech onderweg te hebben, ooit op die lekke band na. Safe trip to the next destination en volgende hoeksteen met psalm 👍👍

[@DustBugsTravel]

I was also fascinated to learn about the test drivers in that part of the Northern Cape and happy to see some of the car parts in that bar! 😎🍻 We indeed still drive a French Renault and are still very happy with it! No rust and misery for us while driving that little car, we only have good things to say about it, no matter its nationality! 🤣 Although we rent a different one every time, it's still incredible that we've only ever had one flat tyre. We hope you enjoy the next stop on our trip! 🚙😁

[@guykukard9638]

Rolls-Royce were testing their first EV car there in a hot environment

[@DustBugsTravel]

Interesting, I never knew that! 🥵🚗 Thank you for the info!

[@georgekoen7414]

The sign, "Thank You For You're visit" has a typo. It should your....You should let them know. (Sorry, I detest bad spelling and grammar).

[@DustBugsTravel]

Nope, that's not why we travel. If we have to point out every little spelling and / or grammar error on our travels, we'll stay at home and never set foot out of the door again. We didn't even notice the error, the surroundings were just too gorgeous to focus on anything else! 🤷🏼‍♂️🚙