When it Rains at Africa’s Largest Canyon

And the country turns into a field of flowers

It’s the second most popular tourist destination in the country. The Fish River Canyon. The second-largest canyon in the world. Which is just as dry as the world-famous Grand Canyon.

I’ve been there before. When I traveled southern Africa six years ago. As a backpacker. I drove hundreds of miles just to see this majestic landmark. A rocky canyon with a little bit of water at the bottom.

The Fish River isn’t very visitor-friendly. With temperature averages around 40 degree Celsius during the daytime, it is not recommended to go on hikes. Exploring the canyon is only possible during wintertime. As a guided tour.

Dehydration is too dangerous to play around with. That’s why most visitors drive to the edge of the canyon, take a few scenic shots, and leave again. Like I did too.

But this time there’s something different. It had rained. A few days ago. In the entire country. Which means it also rained at the canyon. And its surrounding fields.

Rocky slopes. That’s what this landscape is characterized by. Rocks. Small ones. Big ones. Up to mountains made of rock.

But in between all this rock, the green comes out. A sign of life. The sign it had rained here. The sign there’s life here. Next to the canyon. There are plants thriving and animals feeding on grass.

This rocky terrain isn’t great soil for every plant. But one specific plant is home in this area. Looking across the vast landscape I can see fields of white. Fields of white flowers.

The desert lilies.

I’ve never seen them before. Not before going on this trip. I haven’t heard about them. Yet they are here. Covering the entire landscape. And not only that. They reach the edge of the canyon.

I can’t stop taking pictures. I can’t stop focusing again and again on this flower. Who knows when I will see this again. Who knows if I will ever get to experience this again. Maybe never.

So here she is. The little beauty. Appearing in numbers today. Putting a white layer onto the rocky landscape.

Eventually, I do manage to turn around and look at the canyon. At least for a bit. Because the canyon is impressive. There’s no doubt about that. But the canyon will still be there. In a week’s time. Months. Years.

But who knows how long these flowers will bloom? Most probably only for a few days. And then all their beauty will disappear. All their magic will be gone. And the soil will fall asleep again. Until the next rain.

So now I got both in the shot. The canyon. And the flowers at the edge of the canyon. But I take many more. Photographs. Because this is simply breathtaking. The canyon. And the flowers.

The sun is burning down on my back while I bend down to get the right angle on my shot. It’s hot. Brutally hot. Despite it being just past 9 a.m. This is why life in and around the canyon is tough. The sun shines every day. All-day long.

But these little flowers don’t care. They got some rain. And now they’re thriving. For as long as they can withstand the heat. They will grow. They will multiply. They will bloom.

They will be here welcoming visitors to the canyon. They will distract the visitors from having an eye on the canyon.

Looking down into the canyon you can see the brown water. It looks like it’s standing water. But if you keep quiet you can hear the water flowing. The roaring sound of rapids gets carried up over the edges of the cliffs.

These cliffs are steep. Lots of loose rock on the side of the canyon can lead to dangerous falls. Stay away from the very edge and look where you are going. This is not the place to walk with your phone in your hand.

You need open eyes. Not just to watch your step. But to embrace the beauty of this place as well.

I guess this was it. My second visit to the canyon. It has been a short one. Again. But a very memorable one. One I will never forget. Because of the desert lilies. Thanks to the flowers.

No other cars arrived while we were up here. It is a very peaceful place. Some lone birds are flying around. Chirping in the morning sun. Insects are occupying the fields of flowers.

And then there’s that brutal heat raising from the canyon. These boulders heat up incredibly. One day I will make it to the bottom of this canyon. In wintertime. Then I’ll explore it on foot. Not now. Too dangerous.

Looking back one last time I say goodbye to the magic place. To the place, many tourists drive hundreds of miles for. Just to have a peek over the edge. Because it’s worth all the driving.

Especially now.

As we are getting back into our car and leaving this place, we get followed by the white flowers. For a while still, they decorate the sides of the road. The landscape up to the mountains.

The windows are rolled down. I stick my head out in the wind and embrace this feeling. And the view. Of nature’s beauty. I am grateful. For what I’ve experienced today.

I am grateful for having been at the right time at the right place. Once again. Because that is what travel is about. Experience those special moments. Living the life on the road.

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