Africa >> Southern Africa >> Namibia >> Southern Namibia >> Fish River Canyon Park

The Fish River Canyon in Namibia is one of the largest canyons in the world.

Background

The Fish River Canyon (Afrikaans: Visrivier Afgronde) in Namibias South is one of the worlds largest Canyons and one of Namibias most recognised Natural Wonders. For more than 160 km the Fish River, Namibias longest river, washed into the ground up to 550 meters deep and up to 27 km wide.

The Fish River has its source in the Eastern Naukluft Mountains and in Richtersfeld flows into the Orange River, after travelling for more 650 km through the desert of Southern Namibia. In its lower part (between Seeheim and Ai-Ais) it crosses a mountain range and thereby forms the Fish River Canyon. Today nearly all of the Canyon is preserved by Nature Reserves: In the South where the deepest part is located by the Ai-Ais / Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, in the North by private Nature Reserves such as the Canyon Nature Park or Vogelstrausskluft.

Travel to Fish River Canyon Park - Visa Requirements

By Car

  • Southern Part (National Park): (Hobas Viewpoint) From Karasburg and B1, take C12 to C37 to the main Fish River Canyon Viewpoint. From Keetmanshoop, take B4 to C12, then to C37. (Ai-Ais) To go directly to Ai-Ais Hot Springs from B1, take C10 to Ai-Ais. The hiking trail, begins near Hobas on D601 and ends at Ai-Ais Hot Springs at the C10.
  • Northern Part (Private Nature Reserves): From Keetmanshoop or Lüderitz take B4 and turn on D463.

By Airplane

The Fish River Canyon Area supplies several airstips for private and charter flights:

  • at Ai-Ais
  • at Canyon Nature Park and Vogelstrausskluft
  • at Seeheim
  • in the vicinity at Grunau, Keetmanshoop and Bethanie

Tours and Getting around Fish River Canyon Park

Fish River Canyon Park tourist attractions and sightseeing

Fish River Canyon Park city tours

  • Fish River Canyon Trail: Though a very tough trail, the Fish River Canyon Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Southern Africa. It is an 85 km hike from Hobas to Ai-Ais. Beware that temperatures of 40C are not uncommon on the trail.
  • One- or Two-Day Trips inside the Canyon: Vogelstrausskluft offers one or two-day excusions into the Canyon and to several Viewpoints.
  • Scenic flights from several vantage points

Fish River Canyon Park souvenirs and shopping

Fish River Canyon Park Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Fish River Canyon Park nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

When doing the hiking trail, water is mostly available in large pools in the river, but in dry years the quality can deteriorate drastically. Always use water purification tablets and if possible boil the water before use. Larger pools generally have cleaner water than smaller stagnant pools. The turbidity of the water gives a rough indication of the quality. Always carry at least 2 liters of water with you at all times, especially when making use of shortcuts as no water is available there.

Fish River Canyon Park cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

Camps in the Park:

  • Hobas Campsite, [1].  
  • Ai-Ais, [2].  

Lodging outside the Park:

  • Cañon Lodge.  
  • Cañon Roadhouse.  
  • Vogelstrausskluft Country Lodge, (on D463), ☎ + 264 (0) 63. 68 30 86(info@vogelstrausskluft.com, fax: + 264 (0) 63. 68 30 67), [3].  

Get out

This page was last edited by David. Based on work by Nick Roux, Marty Greengrass, Colin Jensen and Felix Gottwald, Wikitravel user(s) WindHorse and Kingjeff and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. - Content on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0 license

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