Keetmanshoop

23 MAY 2023

We turned south from the B4, and headed across the Klein Karasberge region towards Fish River Canyon, close to the South African border.

On route, we stopped at a settlement of farms in a valley lush with palm oil trees and wine vines. A dam controlled the water flow allowing a range of plants to grow.

We met the owner of one of the places, a resident from South Africa who shared how COVID had hit the community hard. Private clinics had been set up in these isolated areas, suspicions had been rife, and many refused to be vaccinated taking their own precautions. Businesses had really been effected and they were slowly starting to recover.

The Fish River Canyon

The Fish River Canyon is breath-taking. The scale and beauty of this place is incredible. The canyon measures 160kms in length, up to 27kms in width and the dramatic inner canyon reaches a depth of 550km in places. We walked along the top escapement and marvelled at this geographical and geological marvel in the middle of the desert landscape. I haven't seen anything quite like this before.

Quivertree Forest Rest Camp

Our camping place for the night was at the Quivertree Forest Rest Camp on the outskirts of Keetmanshoop. We made it in time to see the feeding of the resident Cheetahs; rescued animals brought to this camp where the owner has land and the expertise, to care for them well.

As the sun went down, we were able to wander through the forest of Quiver trees, an area inhabited by these unique trees and by many mammals. It was quite magical to watch the sun go down behind the silhouettes of these trees, particularly as the moon was out right next to Venus.