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Sesriem canyon formed some 2 million years ago as the then mighty Tsauchab River cut its way through the sedimentary rocks creating a gorge with a depth of between 30 and 40m. It is a popular place to visit when traveling to Sossusvlei, one of the top destinations for a safari in Nambia.
Need Advice?The Canyon is four and a half kilometers from the entry gate to the Namib Naukluft National Park and roughly sixty kilometers from Sossusvlei.
It is a unique feature in this part of the Namib desert. A popular refreshment stop for thirsty travelers and their animals in earlier days. The name Sesriem derives from the fact that six leather straps had to be tied together to reach the water at the bottom of the Canyon. The area is home to various wildlife species adapted to live in this barren place. The most common large antelope are springbok and gemsbok. At night, listen for the haunting cry of the spotted eagle owl and the far-off yowling of black-backed jackals.
A walk through Sesriem Canyon provides visitors with the area's geological history - visible in sedimentary rock layers. About 15 to 18 million years ago, layers of sand and gravel were deposited when Namib was wetter.
The river often flows during the rainy season from November to March, though rarely very strong. Visitors to Sesriem can swim in pools formed in the river during most years.
Some fascinating creatures you could see are lizards that put only 2 feet down at a time, and the black 'toktokkie' beetle, which leans forward to run droplets of morning mist down its body and into its mouth.
