But in 1893, it wasn't the river or the geology that was to be protected, rather the local antelope herds. Policing methods proved adequate though, hunting remain widespread and the antelope population remains a fraction of what it once was.Today, the entire park is named after its central feature, the massive and thundering waterfall, which the indigenous people had named Angrabies.

-Angrabies might mean a place of great noise, but this spot is deliciously quiet.

Some 12 kilometers from the Falls, birdsong and a gentle breeze are all that accompanied me along this day's river walk. After wandering through swine grasses, bleached white by the sun, the river slowly winds its way around the bank, known as Echo Corner.

-Right, let's test out the name of Echo Corner. HELLO! Not bad!

Ehco Corner is where the Angrabies Gorge starts in earnest. Upstream towards the Falls, valley tightens on the cliffs rise up, so this might be the last chance to see the Orange River in such a peace state.