Snapshot – Fish River Canyon

Sticking with Africa for today’s A to Z Challenge post. Heading south from where we were yesterday, we arrive in Namibia. Hands down, without question, Namibia is one of my favourite countries … I’ve already written about my three favourite places in Namibia if you’d care to follow the links and find out why 🙂 . It has a wealth of things to offer visitors – from the wildlife of Etosha National Park, to the desert landscapes of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, and the coastal waters of the adventure capital Swakopmund. But further south still is Fish River Canyon.

My friend Jacques taking in the view

Part of the Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, the Fish River Canyon is the largest canyon in Africa. It is 160km long, 27km wide and 550m deep. Fitting for its location in one of the most arid countries, it’s a rocky dry landscape. Popular with hikers but not without it’s perils, particularly during a rare downpour. I’ve been fortunate enough to have stood at the edge of this natural wonder on two occasions. Usually spending the night prior at the Norotshama River Lodge about 90 minutes drive away on the Orange River, near the town of Aussenkehr. In fact, the last time I visited the canyon, the night prior, we journeyed by 4WD vehicle into the hills around Aussenkehr to a deep ravine. There we found our lodge had set up a rich and sumptuous dinner, under the stars, by the light of tens of small candles, with whispers about the chances of leopard in the hills above us … ultimately seeing just the adorable and tiny Klipsringer (antelope) bounding through the landscape. A magical night in the wilderness before a day exploring the breathtaking views of the Fish River Canyon. Because words can’t do it justice, I’ll leave you with photographs:

Fish River Canyon

The unique and unmistakable quiver tree

Aussenkehr

My hut at Norotshama River Lodge

Sunset over the Orange River

This post is part of my contribution to the April 2017 A to Z Challange

Click Here for a list and links to all my challenge posts.

And for those interested in revisiting my 2016 challenge post for “F”, here’s the link: That special F word …