The Best Canyons & Gorges in Africa

Southern Africa

Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga, South Africa, is a green gorge cut into red sandstone, roughly 800 m deep. Visitors look down from rim viewpoints such as the Three Rondavels, walk short trails to waterfalls, or take a boat on the reservoir. Meiringskloof near Fouriesburg is a sandstone gorge with cliffs, caves and a river that runs high after rain. Visitors wade through streams to reach its water tunnels. Fish River Canyon in Hobas, Namibia, is a deep desert canyon of layered rock, and visitors mostly view it from rim viewpoints reached by gravel roads.

Kenya

Marafa Hell’s Kitchen near Marafa, Kenya, has sandstone cliffs, towers and narrow gorges in soft red, orange and white rock that shift colour at sunset. Visitors see it from the rim or walk down into the gorges with a local guide. The walk takes 45 minutes to one hour.