Passing over the Namibian border wasn’t as hard as I expected. There were no armed guards or anyone intimidating, in fact the customs officer actually smiled.
We had started the day canoeing down the Gariep River, with South Africa one one side and Namibia on the other bank. It was a pleasant, although fairly strenuous paddle, from which we emerged tired but satisfied. We had seen some interesting birds along the way, including a pied kingfisher and a sea eagle, plus lots of cormorants.
Then it was a drive over the border and into the wilds of Namibia. It is such a ruggedly beautiful country, dry as chips but also grand and impressive. Fences are not so common so wildlife was far more plentiful. We saw oryx, springbok, mountain zebra, ostrich, a lone warthog, goliath heron, huge social weaver bird nests the size of thatched huts, and a magnificent sun ‘spider’, which is not actually a spider.
The enormous Fish River Canyon was breathtaking on sunset. It is reputed to be the second biggest canyon after the Grand Canyon. It is massive, an utterly spectacular and awe-inspiring sight, and geologically fascinating – and is Georgie’s new favourite place in the world. Photographs just cannot do this incredible canyon justice – but the memory of it will be forever imprinted on our minds.
Large scorpion burrows were common in our campsite but unfortunately we never managed to slap eyes on one of the beasties.
