 • 1000 million
years old
The Fish River Canyon, situated in southern Namibia, is second in
size and splendor only to the Grand Canyon in Arizona, U.S.A. Fish
River Canyon is an incredible, immense show of rock valleys along
a 100-mile course. According to the San Bushmen a serpent named
Kouteign Kooru, in an attempt to escape its captors, created the
massive curves and turns. But geologists report that it was initially
formed by a fracture in the earth's crust 500 million years ago,
and that it has deepened and widened over the years, due to the
action and erosion of glaciers. It drops suddenly along a flat plateau
by 1,800ft (550m), and is, at some points, an astonishing 17 miles
(27km) wide.
After a rainy season, a stream flows through the canyon where the
great Fish River once flowed. There are a few small pools that can
be seen from a distance, but this is primarily an expanse of dry
depths. It is down in the canyon floor that visitors will find wonderful
hiking trails. These trails cover a distance of 54 miles (86km),
which can take days to navigate, and hikers have no conveniences
or facilities whatsoever. It is rough and demanding, and the National
Park's office insists on a certificate of fitness before allowing
visitors to begin the hike.
There is little game in the canyon, because of the rugged rocks
and ravines. Sometimes springbok and steenbok can be seen, as well
as kudu and mountain zebra, although these sitings are rare. There
may be baboons in the area, but most notably, there is a wide variety
of birds and raptors such as rock kestrals and lanner falcons. The
landscape and the scenery in are absolutely magnificent, and photography
is a must.
The temperatures are the hottest between November and April, with
an average mid-summer temperature that ranges between 97°F and
100°F (36°C-38°C). At its height it reaches 104°F
(40°C) or even higher in the canyon by the middle of the day.
In contrast, the months between May and September are cooler, but
are still sunny and warm on most days, and it can get hot at times.
The temperature drops at night during this season, with a mid winter
minimum of 44.5°F (7°C) or less, especially in the canyon
in July. The annual rainfall in this area varies between 2 inches
(50mm) and 4 inches (10mm) per year.
AIS-AIS
Ais-Ais hot springs can be found within the Fish River Canyon conservation
area. The name Ais-Ais means “burning water” in Nama,
as the water is measured at temperatures of around 60ºC. These
sulphurous springs originate deep underground and are rich in minerals,
which have been reported to be beneficial for those with rheumatic
or nervous disorders. Ais-Ais hot springs are a public facility,
attached to a resort that includes an indoor spa with Jacuzzi. Given
the heat of the summer, the hot springs resort is closed between
November and March.
|
