Trifter

Fish River Canyon is the second largest (not deepest) canyon in the world behind only the Grand Canyon in Arizona (though some dispute this). Located on the continent of Africa in southern Namibia, the Fish River Canyon is some 100 miles long, up to 16.5 miles wide and up to 1,800 feet deep in places.

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Image via Wikipedia

Located along the lower reaches of the Fish River, Namibia’s longest river at 404 miles, Fish River Canyon is one of Namibia’s most popular tourist destinations and is especially popular with hikers. As one approaches the canyon you only get glimpses of what is to come

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until you reach the rim.

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Hiking in the canyon is mostly limited to the winter months because the summer months are too hot and present the danger of flash floods from thunderstorms. Temperatures in the canyon can rise to 120 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer.

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Today except during periods of heavy rain the Fish River has a very low flow of water but beginning some 500 million years ago the river had a much higher volume flow which helped to carve out the canyon. Geologists today believe that the canyon was also formed by a collapse of the valley bottom due to movements in the earth’s crust.

Unlike the Arizona Grand Canyon which is entirely a national park, a great deal of Fish River Canyon is privately owned. The private owners run their own nature parks or reserves for tourists like Fish River Canyon Park, Gondwana Canyon Park and Aussenkehr Park. Guided hiking and horseback tours are offered at many of the privately run nature preserves along both sides of the canyon.

Animals found in the Fish River Canyon include mountain Zebras, wild horses, Baboons, Leopards and four species of antelope, the Springbok, the Kudu, the Steenbok and the unbelievably cute Klipspringer.

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Birds found in the canyon include Ostrich, Fish Eagles, Black Eagles, Kingfishers, Herons and even Pelicans.

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Trees found in the canyon include the buffalo thorn, camel thorn and Namibia’s national tree the quiver tree or kokerboom.

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Venomous snakes hikers should watch out for in the Fish River Canyon include two cobras, the Cape Cobra and the Black Spitting Cobra as well as two vipers, the Puff Adder and the Horned Adder.

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At the southern end of the canyon is the popular hot springs resort of Ai-Ais (pronounced eye-ice and means burning water). The resort closes in the hot summer months November thru February.

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Fish River Canyon is truly a wonder of nature.

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For more great sites in Namibia please see Magnificent Animals of Etosha National Park and Namib Desert: A Hauntingly Beautiful Place.