A well-known highlight of the southern region of Namibia is the Fish River Canyon. This is the largest canyon in the Southern Hemisphere, second only in the world to the Grand Canyon.
Fish River Canyon
The Fish River Canyon was formed over hundreds of millions of years; caused by a fracture in the earth’s crust, and then further carved by erosion of the Fish River. It measures 160km (99 miles) in length, 27km (79 miles) wide, and is around 550m in depth. The gorge winds through the arid desert landscape, cutting through the great plateau and surrounded by imposing cliffs and large boulders. The immensity of this magnificent landscape is truly breathtaking. The Fish River itself is seasonal and generally only flows in the rainy season from January to April.
The Fish River Canyon is popular with hikers in winter. This area is quite strenuous and you should have a very high level of fitness and good health.
The canyon comes to an end at Ai-Ais (meaning Burning Water); where the therapeutic hot water spring is believed to cure rheumatism.
Ai-Ais / Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
In August 2003, the Ai-Ais and Richtersveld Parks merged to form the first borderless nature reserve by the governments of Namibia and South Africa. Almost three-quarters of the Transfrontier Park are in Namibia.
The rugged mountain ranges of the park form part of the succulent Karoo; one of the richest and most valuable plant kingdoms on earth; no less than 6000 different succulent plant species. Many odd and unique species of plants, especially succulents occur only here; adapted specifically to the arid climate. The well-known but extremely rare “Halfmens” (literally meaning “half-human”) is an endemic succulent up to 5-meters tall that earned its name because it looks like a human being from a distance. Also typical to the greater region is the Quiver tree; a soft-barked tree of the aloe family that can grow for centuries. Its name originates from the fact that the San people used its hollowed-out trunk as an arrow quiver.
Namibia Quiver Tree
During the rainy season; this landscape turns into colorful fields of flowers. In this area you will hardly encounter much game, however, the intense green banks of the Orange River provide a habitat for hundreds of bird species, including many birds of prey.
