Fish River Canyon

Fish River Canyon is the largest canyon in Africa and the second largest canyon in the world (after the Grand Canyon in the United States). The canyon started to be formed over 650 million years ago. The Fish River, which has helped carve the canyon, is the longest river in Namibia. Due to upstream damming, the river turns into a series of stagnant pools during the winter months (the dry season). During the summer (the wet season), Fish River Canyon is prone to flash flooding.

Hiking the Fish River Canyon is incredibly popular. The trail follows 86 km through the canyon floor and is generally completed in 4 to 5 days. However, Ryan Sandes, a South African ultra-marathoner, ran the length of the canyon in 6 hours and 57 min. Permits to hike the canyon are only issued during the winter months, due to the risk of flash flooding and the punishing summer heat. The canyon reaches a depth of almost 550 meters.

There is lots of cool wildlife to see in the canyon, from birds to zebra to hyena, but one of the most unique residents of the canyon is the klipspringer. This small antelope is adapted to life on the steep canyon walls and appears to walk on its tip-toes (much like a ballerina walking on point).

A group of us are considering hiking Fish River Canyon before the seminar begins in Windhoek. I am excited to see all the incredible things the canyon has to offer!

-Christina Savvides

Sources:
https://vimeo.com/47355798
http://www.namibia-travel.net/travelguide/southern-namibia/fish-river-canyon.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_River_Canyon#cite_note-VimeoRyan-9
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/namibia/southern-namibia/fish-river-canyon-national-park/travel-tips-and-articles/hiking-namibias-fish-river-canyon/40625c8c-8a11-5710-a052-1479d277e241
http://www.namibian.org/travel/wildlife/klipspringer.html
http://www.namibian.org/travel/namibia/fish_river.html

https://lonelyplanetwp.imgix.net/2012/05/fish-river-canyon-hiker_cs.jpg?fit=min&q=40&sharp=10&vib=20&w=1470

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/87/Klipspringer.jpg

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSr_qmdSR20TYxgDa4VR9OudLFVSEXNJhJgrLib_jke50RX0r1r