The Fish River Canyon in the southern part of Namibia is the second largest canyon in the world and is called “Africa’s Grand Canyon”.

In the main photo here we see Jim Hyde and Mike Meyer coming down along the canyon rim after we all rode up to put ourselves and our bikes in ridiculously dangerous photogenic spots at the canyon’s edge. It really is quite a wild and open place – a visitor centre and viewing platform that has sensible fences but just a few yards away there is nothing. A spectacular place to ride and explore.

We are well and truly into Namibia now – one of the least densely populated countries in the world. Nothing for miles. For large stretches we could imagine ourselves in any semi-arid desert environment, like riding in Death Valley, and the temperatures have topped 100F every day. Every stop we drink heavily to avoid dehydration and then pour water inside our riding suits so the evaporation gives the next best thing to air conditioning.

But just when you think you are in Arizona, you see Oryx or Springbok by the road and warning signs to avoid the Ostriches – apparently they do not attack by pecking but by slashing with their very sharp feet that can do a lot of damage to careless humans. Yesterday we ate Ostrich kebabs and Kudu for dinner – like venison with big curly horns and very tasty and low fat.

The tree is a Quiver Tree; a species of aloe that is indigenous to Nambibia and the Northern Cape of South Africa.