AUGRABIES The falls that thunder

Drive to Groblershoop and turn north onto the N10, then follow the Orange River to Upington. You’re now in the heart of the Green Kalahari, where about 10 % of South Africa’s grapes are grown – mostly table grapes and grapes for sweet wine and raisins. From Upington, take the N14 west and look out for a tall tower with a blinding white light at the top. It looks like the headquarters of a Bond villain, but it’s actually the Khi Solar One power station. Mirrors on the property direct sunlight (and heat) to the tower, which turns the energy into 50-megawatt steam power – enough electricity for 4 000 households. Don’t let the shiny behemoth distract you too much to miss the “Welcome to Keimoes” sign. The De Werf restaurant is on your right. Order the De Werf Special for breakfast – R65 will get you eggs, bacon, Kalahari sausage, mushrooms, tomato and toast. If you pass through later in the day, try the De Werf Dagwood (from R70). And when did you last have a Creme Soda float? There’s an information centre next to the restaurant where you’ll find books about the history of the region, the present-day agricultural industry and information about activities and accommodation options to keep in mind for your next visit. Just past De Werf, turn right onto the N14 to Kakamas. About a kilometre further you’ll notice a water wheel on the left. Farmers in the region built a network of canals as early as 1882 to irrigate their farms with water from the Orange River. Water wheels like this one were common, used to move water from a canal to higher-lying ground. The remaining water wheels in Keimoes were declared national monuments in 1987 and this replica was built to give visitors an idea of how the wheels work. Another kilometre further, you’ll see the Keimoes farm stall on the right. It’s owned by the Snyders family and they stock an astounding array of nuts, fruit rolls, dates, ginger pieces and rusks – enough padkos for your whole trip! Now it’s time to head directly to Augrabies Falls National Park, where the Orange River tumbles nearly 60 m into a gorge. The rest camp is close to the waterfall and walkways will take you to a series of viewing platforms. Walk down late in the afternoon and again in the early morning. The waterfall is also illuminated at night

PLAY PEN. The dunes in Witsand Kalahari Nature Reserve offer plenty of fun, even when the sand isn't “roaring”. Kick off your shoes and pretend you're seven years old again!