TRAVEL. NAMIBIA
When a River Flows Through the Desert
Exploring the Gaub Canyon, Namibia
On our latest trip through the vast landscapes of Namibia, we got to explore some spectacular parts of the Namib desert. Landscape features which not every traveler gets to explore.
Driving on roads that aren’t roads. Following trails that aren’t leading anywhere. If a destination is what you are looking for.
But when you are open for nature to show you its best then this is what you want to see and explore!
While staying at a friend’s lodge for another friend’s birthday we took their tour vehicle to explore the farmland. Since there aren’t tourists in the country they won’t need the car today to drive foreigners around for sundowners or other attractions.
We follow the semi vanished trail into the Gaub Canyon. A river that comes down from the mountains and got some decent rain a few weeks ago. Still flowing a bit today.
We’re getting out of the car to explore the area on foot. Putting my ear onto the water level to soak in the sound of flowing water. In the desert. A lovely moment of listening to nature.
We’re walking downriver until we can’t walk further. The canyon narrows down to a thin gorge filled with water. Big fish are swimming in the rock pool. The water is cool.
It wasn’t just us whose journey ended here. There must have been a horse looking for water and trying to get down when it slipped and fell. All I can hope is that it died a fast death.
But I won’t know. All I know that there wasn’t a predator involved in this scenario. The skin of the horse is still in perfect condition. If a leopard would have caught this animal the skin would have been ripped into pieces.
Trying to distract me from this ugly scene I’m shifting the focus onto the bundles of grass growing on the rocks. On the rocks. That is exactly what I’m saying.
Pushing their roots into tiny gaps in the boulders and trying to collect some soil around themselves these seeds of grass grew wherever they got blown onto. And wherever they end at up being when the rain started.
Walking back up the river towards the parked vehicle we find some more stunning rock pools just upriver from us. The water is refreshing. After a small hike in the desert.
And the water is incredibly clear. Crystal clear. Nothing of those muddy and milky rivers running down the sandy riverbeds. It might be the same river. Or the same water.
But a different situation. At a different location. Can result in a totally different outcome. Which is right now clear and clean water.
I’m enjoying looking at all these differently shaped rocks and boulders. Shaped by water. Shaped by a running river. Over a period of thousands of years.
Some trees are growing too in this canyon. Deep down there. Where they always get to the water with their roots. Big seeds growing on them at the moment.
We make our way back up the rocks. With the vehicle in a 4x4 setting. Slowly climbing over rocks and boulders to the edge of the canyon. And then we’re back on the plains.
On those plains where you almost can’t see that it had been raining. Nothing of the magic that happened down at the Gaub Canyon. Now and then you’ll find some small bundles of grass. Or a plant like this one. But it’s rare to see.
We’re passing one of the biggest weaver nests on the farm. These birds are fascinating. How they start their nest out of nothing. And eventually, create a house that big it will take up an entire tree. Making its branches break off after a while.
In the setting sun, we’re cruising along the side arms of the valley. Sand dunes were blown over the top. This is what the desert looks like.
Another lovely day out in the wild comes to an end. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring us.
More about my photo stories about desert life…
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