Fish River Canyon

The second largest, natural canyon after Arizona’s Grand Canyon on earth, the Fish River Canyon, lies in the south of Namibia. The river that carved this more than 500m deep and 161km long canyon over millions of years rises in the centre of Namibia and flows into the Orange River on the border of South Africa. It is a seasonal river that floods during the rainy months from January to April. The harsh rocky landscape forms many steep spectacular cliffs all along its edge which form wonderful lookout points. The river snakes its way southwards and sometimes almost curves back on its self before it joins the Orange river.

In the past thirty years it has been possible to hike down parts of the canyon from a northern lookout all the way south to Ais-Ais, a hot spring resort that is popular as a holiday destination. Since the temperature in the southern summer rises above 40°C in this part of Namibia, hiking is limited to the cooler winter and early spring months from May to September. The resort closes its doors from October to April each year. On request a hiking permit and transport can be arranged to Ais-Ais with various options i.e. by air to a nearby airstrip, small tour bus or 4 x 4 Safari tour company.

The hike however requires you to be fit, healthy and able to carry food, clothing and other necessities for four days by backpack. Since there is no mobile phone connection a satellite phone is the only way to make contact with the outside world. A tour guide can, on request, accompany the group. Fish River Lodge in the Canyon Nature Park on the western side of the canyon offers shorter day hikes as well as fully supported, guided hikes over five days.