Written by Jess Tyrrell

Did you know that Namibia is home to the world's second-largest canyon, second only to the Grand Canyon? What we do know is that the Fish River Canyon's stark, arid beauty will take your breath away - whether owing to the panoramic views from along the rim or quite literally if you brave the world-famous 90 km 5-day hike that meanders through the chasm. Expect uncrowded desert vistas of the 500 million-year-old canyon, its unique fauna and flora, rocky gorges and famed fiery sunsets. Whichever way you choose to experience it, marvelling at Namibia's greatest geological wonder is a bucket-list worthy adventure. It may come second in terms of size, but Africa's oldest and largest canyon is our number 1 ;) 

For a comprehensive, all-you-need-to-know guide to Namibia’s majestic Fish River Canyon, read on.

Location

The mesmerising Fish River Canyon cuts through the Koubis massif in southern Namibia, from Seeheim to the Orange River at Namibia’s border with South Africa. The southern section of the 160 km long, 27 km wide canyon is in the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, at the southern tip of Namibia. It is the deepest in this region, reaching a staggering 550 m. Here you’ll find Hobas Rest Camp – the entrance to the canyon and the start of the Fish River hiking trail. Further south, deeper into the park, the 90 km hiking trail ends at the Ai-Ais Hotsprings and Spa, an oasis for hikers and non-hikers alike. The northern section of the Fish River Canyon extends into private nature reserves, Gondwana Nature Park, Vogelstrausskluft and Canyon Nature Park. 

How to get there

By car

Despite its sprawling length, the canyon is surprisingly hard to access. The few gravel roads have deteriorated and you’ll need a high clearance vehicle to get by (but a 4x4 is not absolutely necessary). Check out Viatu’s self-driving tips.

The southern section

The northern section (Private Nature Reserves)

By plane

There are several airstrips for private and charter flights into The Fish River Canyon area:

• at Ai-Ais

• at Fish River Lodge and Vogelstrausskluft

• at Seeheim

• in the vicinity at Grunau, Keetmanshoop and Bethanie

Best time to go

The Fish River Canyon is a great destination to travel to all year round, but those hoping to avoid the rainy season (a mere 10 to 50 mm at most) should go between May and October. Autumn (March to May) is the best (and busiest) time of the year to visit the Fish River Canyon, with temperatures ranging from 26°C to 41°C and the evenings pleasantly cool. Summer (December to February) is also a popular time to go however it is VERY hot, with daily temperatures cruising between 38°C and 41°C. Spring (September to November) is less busy, with daily highs ranging from 31°C to 38°C. The winter months (June to August) are comfortably cool (20-25°C) and rainless, making winter the best time to do the Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail.

What to do

Where do we even start?!

Main Attractions  

The Fish River Trail 

This is one of the most popular treks in southern Africa and one of the most strenuous. Only open for 30 hikers per day between May 1st and September 15th, hiking the Fish River Canyon from Hobas to Ai-Ais is the best way to experience the stark and rugged canyon scenery. The traditional route is a self-guided 90km trail (80km if you find the shortcuts!) that can be done in 5 to 7 days. You will have to pack all of your food, sleeping equipment and clothes, but the lug will have been so worth it when you take refreshing dips in the river, sleep under the twinkling milky way and marvel skyward at ancient rock formations. 

Take note:

• You will need to prebook your hike (up to a year in advance!) through Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) in Windhoek (+264) 61 285 7333 reservations@nwr.com.na or in Capetown (+27) 21 422 3761 ct.bookings@nwr.com.na

• Approximate prices: The hike itself is €18 (N$330) per person; park entrance fee of €3 (N$60), or €4 (N$80) for foreigners; shuttle from the end (Ai-Ais) to the start (Hobas) €15 (N$270)

• You will need a minimum of 3 people in your group and a maximum of 20

• All hikers will need to present a doctors letter sent by NWR stating that they are fit and healthy enough to do the hike (no older than 40 days)

• Pack a GPS and map (a map can be bought at Hobas and Ai-Ais). Check out this handy map with the route, points of interest and recommended rest stops indicated

• You can park your car for free at either the Ai-Ais camp or Hobas Campsites

• There are only 2 emergency exits from which you can exit the canyon: The first is 16 km into the hike near Sulphur Springs and the other is after another 50 km (check the map below)

• Remember your gas cooker as you will have to boil the river water (from larger pools) for drinking and food. Alternatively, you can use water purification tablets or a mobile purifier

• Always carry a minimum of 2 litres of water on you at all times

• Prepare for 40°C weather even in winter  

• You may want to bring a pole along for river crossings in the rainy season

• For handy hiking tips for this trail, check out this video 

Viewpoints

Slackpacking the Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail

3 to 4 days with Gondwana Collection

Gondwana Collection Namibia offers adventurers the option to hike the northern reaches of the canyon over 3 to 4 days, without having to carry your food, clothes or sleeping equipment (only water and snacks for your hike). Instead, all your equipment and luggage will be transported to your wondrous self-catering unit each day along the route. This means you can see more while carrying less!

There are 3 slackpacking routes to choose from: the Klipspringer Trail (17 km hike, 3 nights), the Zebra Trail (35 km, 3 nights) and the Fish Eagle Trail (35 km, 4 nights). There are a total of 4 ‘Klipspringer Camps’ (Base Station, Battlesnake, Koelkrans and Horseshoe), some along the rim and others in the canyon, where you will overnight depending on your chosen trail. All trails include drop-off at the start and collection at the end. All routes promise breathtaking scenery, enormous starry skies, and memorable campfire stories. Trails only run in the winter months, from April to September and a minimum of 4 people and a maximum of 14 are allowed per group. 

If you do not want to do the guided multi-day hikes, but would like to stay in one or more of the Klipspringer Camps and do some day hikes, you can book these with Viatu. However, you will have to drive with your own 4X4 to each rest stop as Gondwana does not offer transfers. You will have to be totally self-sufficient – there are no staff members at the camps, nor food or water.  

2 to 3 days Rim to River

In the area: 

Visit the Quiver tree forest, Giant’s Playground and Mesosaurus Fossil site near Keetmanshoop

150 km North of Hobas Rest Camp, en route back to Windhoek, you will pass through the desert town, Keetmanshoop. Here you can visit a national monument of Namibia – the Quivertree Forest, where 250 specimens of Aloidendron dichotomum (Quivertrees) sit amongst the desert boulders. The San people used to use the branches of these upside-down looking trees as quivers, the tallest of which are up to 300 years old! From June to July, bright yellow flowers bloom and attract a large variety of insects, birds and mammals.

Close to the forest is Giants Playground, a peculiar geological formation. The large piles of haphazardly placed dolerite rocks look as if they are the abandoned toy blocks of giants! At the nearby Mesosaurus Fossil site, you can marvel at the well-preserved fossils of an early aquatic relative of reptiles – Mesosaurus. These are convincing evidence for continental drift as the same fossils in the same rock type are found here and in South America.  

Wildlife 

You might be amazed to hear that there is in fact life in and around the desolate Fish River Canyon! The Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park supports a variety of wildlife, including the classic Namibian representatives: Ostrich, oryx and zebra. Look out for desert-dwelling dassies, jackals, bat-eared foxes, klipspringers, vervet monkeys and the endemic Nama padloper tortoise. The park falls within the Succulent Karoo Biome and features many unique and ancient plant species, including the rare and bizarre-looking ‘halfmens’ (half-humans) which can reach up to 5 m tall, and large, soft-barked aloes called Quiver trees. Keep an eye and ear out for the beautiful African fish eagle and its haunting call!

Accommodation

Basic 

Gondwana Collection Klipspringer Camps 

Available all year round for non-hiking groups that want exclusive access to the beautiful northern section of the canyon. Completely immerse yourself in nature and experience uninterrupted peace, quiet and exquisite day and night time scenery. A 4X4 is required to access all camps as there are no transfers. All camps are between 8 to 16 km away from one another and they are entirely self-supporting and self-catering (no plug points, electricity or bedding). Hiking – even day hikes from your camp – are only permitted between April and September. 

Stay in your choice of 4 rustic and unforgettable camps. All cost €19 (N$350) pp/night:

Medium

Fancy

How to include the Fish River Canyon in your Namibian adventure 

Being in the southernmost point of Namibia, the Fish River Canyon is quite far removed from other Namibian sights, however, it is well worth the extra effort. After landing in Windhoek at Hosea Kutako International Airport, rent a vehicle (preferably a 4x4) and drive south towards Keetmanshoop, making sure to take in the beautiful moonscape scenery and wildlife that straddles the road. This 500 km journey will take you around 5 hours, after which you can rest up in Keetmanshoop before leaving for the Fish River Canyon. From Keetmanshoop, it is a short 150 km, 2-hour drive to Hobas and the canyon. You can then return to Windhoek or drive to the coastal town Lüderitz, then to Sossusvlei and finally end up back in Windhoek.

Similarly, if you travelled to Sossusvlei first, you can drive south to Lüderitz and then inland to Keetmanshoop, and finally to the Fish River Canyon. From here you can travel north to Windhoek. 

Viatu offers a sensational trip, the Extended Self-Drive Package: Namibia's Wildlife & Wilderness, that incorporates the Fish River Canyon and the best wildlife experiences. This tour allows you to meet the country’s famous desert-adapted animals at Etosha and the Kalahari Desert, and to enjoy the vast open wilderness of the Fish River Canyon and rocky Damaraland.

Despite being Namibia’s second most popular attraction, less than 1% of the total number of annual tourists to the Grand Canyon make it to the Fish River Canyon every year. Talk about undiscovered! Here you can have an unadulterated natural experience, in a gobsmackingly dramatic desert landscape, whether you are a hiker or not. This is one drama you should want to participate in, so don’t miss out, get packing! Find more Namibia inspo at Viatu.