Trans Augrabies Gravel 2-Day Stage Race

Taking the N7 from the Western Cape is the most scenic and straightforward way to reach Augrabies. You’ll be trading the coastal greens for the dramatic, arid beauty of the Northern Cape.

Here is a breakdown of the route, which covers roughly 800 km to 900 km depending on your starting point in the Western Cape (using Cape Town as the baseline).

Route Overview: The Great North Road

The N7 is a well-maintained highway, but it is a long haul. Expect about 9 to 10 hours of driving time, excluding stops.

1. Cape Town to Springbok (The Long Stretch)

• The Path: Head north on the N7 passing through Malmesbury, Piketberg, and Citrusdal.

• The Climb: You'll head over Piekenierskloof Pass into the Olifants River Valley.

• Refuel Point: Vanrhynsdorp or Garies are good spots to stretch your legs.

• Destination: Continue north until you reach Springbok. This is your primary pivot point.

2. Springbok to Kakamas (The Turn East)

• The Switch: In Springbok, look for the off-ramp to join the N14 highway heading East toward Pofadder and Upington.

• The Landscape: You are now entering the "Bushmanland." It’s flat, vast, and stunningly desolate.

• Pofadder: Keep an eye on your fuel here; it’s the only major stop between Springbok and Kakamas.

3. The Final Approach

• Arrival in Kakamas: As you reach the lush green vineyards of the Orange River Valley in Kakamas, look for signs for the R359.

• The Finish Line: Turn left onto the R359 (following signs for Augrabies Falls).

• Entrance: Drive for approximately 28 km until you reach the main gate of the Augrabies Falls National Park.

Travel Tips for the N7

• Check the Season: If you're traveling in August or September, the N7 corridor is famous for the Namaqualand wildflowers. Traffic will be slower, but the views are world-class.

• Wildlife: Once you hit the N14, be wary of stray livestock and small game (like tortoises or antelope) crossing the road, especially at dawn or dusk.

• Supplies: Kakamas is your last chance for "city-priced" groceries and supplies before entering the park.

Choosing the route via Calvinia is the ultimate "scenic detour." While it adds a bit of time compared to the direct N7, it takes you through the heart of the Hantam Karoo and the spectacular Boesmanland.

This route primarily follows the R27, which is known for its incredible isolation and stark, open-world beauty.

Route Overview: The Hantam Karoo Path

• Total Distance: Approximately 850 km – 880 km (from Cape Town).

• Travel Time: ± 9.5 to 10.5 hours (the R27 is quieter but has fewer high-speed sections than the N7).

• Key Waypoints: Calvinia $\rightarrow$ Brandvlei $\rightarrow$ Kenhardt $\rightarrow$ Keimoes.

1. Reaching Calvinia

Depending on where you start in the Western Cape, you have two main ways to hit the R27:

• Via the N7: Take the N7 North, turn off at Vanrhynsdorp, and head up the spectacular Vanrhyns Pass (R27) toward Nieuwoudtville and Calvinia.

• Via the R44/R355: For a truly rustic Karoo experience, head through Ceres and take the R355 (note: this involves long stretches of gravel; check your tires).

2. The R27 "Great Desolate" Stretch

Once you leave Calvinia, you are on one of the most remote tarred roads in South Africa.

• Calvinia to Brandvlei (160 km): A very straight, flat road. Watch for sheep and the occasional "dust devil."

• Brandvlei to Kenhardt (145 km): Continue north-east. Kenhardt is a great place to stop for a quick "padstal" snack.

• Kenhardt to Keimoes (75 km): You’ll eventually reach the N14 intersection at Keimoes, where the landscape suddenly turns green with Orange River vineyards.

3. The Final Leg to Augrabies

• At Keimoes, turn Left (West) onto the N14 toward Kakamas.

• Drive through Kakamas.

• About 10 km past Kakamas, turn Right onto the R359 (signposted for Augrabies Falls).

• Continue for 28 km to the park gate.

Important Considerations for the R27

• Fuel Strategy: Do not skip a fuel station. There is a massive distance between Brandvlei and Kenhardt with zero services.

• Heat: This route gets significantly hotter than the coastal N7. Ensure your air conditioning is working and you have plenty of water.

• Phone Signal: Expect "dead zones" where you will have no mobile reception for an hour or more at a time.

The drive from Gauteng to Augrabies Falls via the N14 is a classic South African road trip. Often called the "Diamond Route," this highway takes you from the bustling Highveld through the maize triangle of the North West and into the red sands and green vineyards of the Northern Cape.

Route Overview: The N14 "Diamond Route"

• Distance: Approximately 800 km to 900 km (depending on your starting point in Johannesburg or Pretoria).

• Travel Time: ± 9 to 11 hours of driving.

• Key Waypoints: Krugersdorp $\rightarrow$ Ventersdorp $\rightarrow$ Vryburg $\rightarrow$ Kuruman $\rightarrow$ Upington.

1. Leaving Gauteng

• From Johannesburg: Head west on the N14 (from the Diepsloot/Krugersdorp side).

• From Pretoria: Take the N14 South/West toward Krugersdorp.

• Once you pass Krugersdorp, the road becomes a single-carriageway national road heading into the North West Province.

2. Through the North West (The Maize Triangle)

• Continue on the N14 through Ventersdorp and Sannieshof.

• Refuel Point: Delareyville or Vryburg are the most reliable spots for a halfway break and fuel. Vryburg is a major agricultural hub with plenty of food options.

3. Entering the Northern Cape (The Kalahari Edge)

• Kuruman: Follow the N14 into Kuruman. This is a great place to see "The Eye," a natural spring in the heart of the town.

• Kathu: You will pass the massive iron-ore mines of Kathu. The road here is often busy with heavy trucks; exercise caution.

• The Long Stretch: The section between Kathu and Upington is long and straight. Watch for wandering livestock and keep your hydration up—it gets very hot.

4. The Final Approach

• Upington: Upon reaching Upington, follow the N14 signs to stay on the highway heading west toward Keimoes.

• Keimoes to Kakamas: The scenery shifts to lush green vineyards along the Orange River.

• The Turn-off: About 10 km past Kakamas, look for the R359 turn-off to your right (clearly signposted for Augrabies Falls).

• Follow the R359 for approximately 28 km to reach the park’s main gate.

While the N14 is the most direct way from Gauteng, choosing the N10 offers a unique route that dips further south through the Karoo and joins the Orange River earlier. This is a great alternative if you want to avoid the mining traffic of the North West or if you're starting from southern Gauteng (like Vanderbijlpark).

To use the N10, you will first travel on the N1 South or N12 West to reach it.

Route Overview: The Great Karoo to Orange River

• Distance: Approximately 900 km to 950 km.

• Travel Time: ± 10 to 11 hours.

• Key Waypoints: Kimberley $\rightarrow$ Britstown $\rightarrow$ Prieska $\rightarrow$ Upington.

1. The Connection (Gauteng to the N10)

• Option A (Via N12): Head west on the N12 through Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp to Kimberley. From Kimberley, take the N8 west to Groblershoop to join the N10.

• Option B (The Deep Karoo): Take the N1 South toward Cape Town. Just past Colesberg, turn onto the N12 toward Britstown. At Britstown, you will officially join the N10 North.

2. Up the N10 Corridor

• Britstown to Prieska (125 km): This is the heart of the Karoo. The road is quiet and surrounded by vast sheep farms.

• Prieska to Groblershoop (135 km): As you continue north on the N10, you will eventually meet the Orange River. The arid landscape begins to show ribbons of green.

• Groblershoop to Upington (115 km): This stretch follows the river. You’ll pass through small settlements like Grootdrink, famous for its wine cooperatives.

3. The Final Leg

• Upington: Follow the N10 into Upington. At the main intersection, follow signs to join the N14 West toward Keimoes/Kakamas.

• Kakamas: Drive through the town of Kakamas.

• The Turn-off: Approx. 10 km past Kakamas, turn Right onto the R359.

• Arrival: Follow the R359 for 28 km to the Augrabies Falls National Park entrance.

"For a scenic Karoo approach, take the N12 to Britstown and join the N10 North. Follow the Orange River through Prieska and Upington, then transition to the N14 West. Turn right onto the R359 past Kakamas to reach the park."

Traveling from the Free State to Augrabies via the N10 Highway is a classic "Trans-Karoo" trek. Since the Free State shares a long border with the Northern Cape, your journey typically begins by heading West on the N8 or N1 to intercept the N10 corridor.

Here are the directions optimized for a travel website, using Bloemfontein as the primary starting point.

Route Overview: Across the Great Karoo

• Total Distance: Approximately 750 km (from Bloemfontein).

• Travel Time: ± 8 to 9 hours.

• Key Waypoints: Petrusburg $\rightarrow$ Kimberley $\rightarrow$ Groblershoop $\rightarrow$ Upington.

1. Leaving the Free State (The N8 West)

• From Bloemfontein, take the N8 West toward Kimberley.

• Continue through the small farming towns of Petrusburg and Koffiefontein (via the R48) or stay on the N8 through to the Northern Cape border.

• Once you reach Kimberley, follow the signs to stay on the N8 heading toward Griekwastad and Groblershoop.

2. Joining the N10 (The Junction)

• Continue on the N8 for approximately 280 km through the vast, open plains of the Northern Cape.

• At the town of Groblershoop, the N8 intersects with the N10 Highway.

• Turn Right (North) onto the N10 toward Upington.

3. The Orange River Valley (N10 to N14)

• Groblershoop to Upington (115 km): This stretch of the N10 follows the Orange River. You will see a dramatic shift from dry scrubland to lush green vineyards.

• Upon entering Upington, follow the signs to merge onto the N14 West (direction Keimoes/Kakamas).

4. The Final Stretch

• Drive through the town of Kakamas.

• The Turn-off: Approximately 10 km past Kakamas, look for the R359 turn-off to your right (clearly signposted for Augrabies Falls National Park).

• Follow the R359 for 28 km to reach the main entrance gate.

The route from the Eastern Cape to Augrabies Falls via the N10 Highway is one of the most iconic "Trans-Karoo" journeys in South Africa. The N10 is the primary artery connecting the coast to the interior, taking you from the green hills of the East through the vast Great Karoo and into the Kalahari transition zone.

Here are the directions optimized for a travel website, using Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) as the primary starting point.

Route Overview: From the Coast to the "Place of Great Noise"

• Total Distance: Approximately 950 km to 1,000 km.

• Travel Time: ± 10 to 12 hours (a full day's drive).

• Key Waypoints: Cookhouse $\rightarrow$ Cradock $\rightarrow$ Middelburg $\rightarrow$ Britstown $\rightarrow$ Prieska $\rightarrow$ Upington.

1. The Ascent (Eastern Cape Midlands)

• Departure: Leave Gqeberha heading North on the N10.

• The Climb: You will pass through Paterson and over the Oliphantskop Pass.

• Towns: Continue through Cookhouse and Cradock. This section is characterized by mountain views and citrus farms.

2. Crossing the Great Karoo

• The Junction: At Middelburg, continue on the N10 West (briefly merging with the N9).

• The Plains: Follow the N10 through Hanover (where you cross the N1) and on to Britstown.

• Britstown to Prieska (125 km): This is the heart of the Karoo. The road is very straight and quiet. Ensure you have plenty of water and a full tank of fuel.

3. Joining the Orange River

• Prieska to Groblershoop (135 km): As you continue North on the N10, the landscape begins to change from scrubby Karoo to the red sands of the Kalahari edge.

• Groblershoop: Here, the N10 meets the Orange River. Turn Right (North) to stay on the N10 toward Upington.

4. The Final Stretch (The Green Belt)

• Upington: Upon reaching Upington, follow signs to merge onto the N14 West (toward Keimoes/Kakamas).

• Kakamas: Drive through the town of Kakamas.

• The Turn-off: Approximately 10 km past Kakamas, turn Right onto the R359 (signposted for Augrabies Falls).

• Arrival: Follow the R359 for 28 km to the main park gate.