Sesriem Canyon, Natural gorge in Hardap Region, Namibia.

Sesriem Canyon is a narrow gorge cut into pale tan and beige sedimentary rock in the Hardap Region, about 250 km southwest of Windhoek. Its walls, pitted and layered, rise steeply on both sides, with hollows, overhangs and a dark cave-like recess near the upper left. A flat sandy floor runs between the walls and curves out of view.

The Tsauchab River carved this geological formation over the past 2 million years, exposing sedimentary deposits that date back roughly 15 to 18 million years from an ancient wetter period.

The name comes from Afrikaans and means six rawhide thongs, referring to the method early explorers used to draw water from the canyon bottom by tying six leather straps together.

Visitors can walk along the shaded canyon floor to view layered rock formations and seasonal pools that form when the Tsauchab River flows during rainy months from November to March.

The narrow sections of the gorge measure as little as 6.5 feet (2 meters) wide and contain permanent water sources that attract desert wildlife including lizards and black toktokkie beetles.