Zebra River Canyon — World's Oldest Shelly Fossil

The dramatic canyon on Zebra River Lodge’s 12,600-hectare farm holds one of the most significant palaeontological discoveries in recent years: the Namacalathus hermannastera — the world’s oldest known shelly fossil, at approximately 548 million years old. The canyon also exposes stromatolites (ancient bacterial mats, among the earliest life forms on Earth) in its layered rock walls. Guided geology walks, signed hiking trails and 4×4 tracks explore the gorge. Even without the science, the canyon scenery alone justifies the detour.