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Fish River Canyon | Namibia Travel Region

Overlooking Fish River Canyon

The Fish River Canyon, in the Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, is where Namibia's longest river makes its way through the biggest canyon in the southern hemisphere. One of Namibia's best-kept secrets, this immense natural wonder can still be admired in more or less crowd-free peace. So vast is the Fish River Canyon that one of Africa's most challenging and beautiful hiking trails takes an arduous five days to walk along a gruelling 86km (54mi) section of this 160km (99mi) long fissure.

* Fish River Canyon | Namibia Highlights

  • ∞Considered the second largest canyon in the world and one of Africa's most impressive natural wonders
  • ∞Unforgettable, stark landscapes and breathtaking views 
  • ∞Unique Nama and Succulent Karoo desert ecosystems of the Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
  • ∞Walking along the rim of the canyon and photographing this natural wonder
  • ∞Hiking in the canyon, even fishing and swimming when water levels are high enough
  • ∞Profound sense of vastness and peace in a pristine place, free from human development
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Sunlit fish river canyon Lonely quiver tree, fish river canyon Hiking fish river canyon Fish river canyon, valley Fish river canyon view Fish river canyon slopes Campfire, Fish River Canyon Quiver tree overlooking fish river canyon

A sight too vast to appreciate with one look and too magnificent to be adequately captured on camera, the Fish River Canyon is a natural spectacle some 550m deep, 27km wide and 160km long. This astounding canyon cuts through the Koubis massif in southern Namibia, from Seeheim to the confluence of the Fish and Gariep River, the latter which forms the natural border between Namibia and South Africa. Approaching the canyon from the open plateau to the north, the vertical drop into this fissure opens up dramatically and unexpectedly, presenting breathtaking views over the rocky gorges and lunar-like landscape.

Fish River Canyon Attractions

  • Spectacular views - from the main viewpoint near Hobas restcamp and from other spots along the rim 
  • The Ai-Ais Hot Springs - a soothing soak in the mineral springs, conveniently located at the end of the five-day hiking trail
  • Desert Karoo - lunar-like scenery on the flat plateau and protected areas where a few creatures can be spotted
  • Canon Roadhouse - an eccentric spot for a cold drink, affordable bite or interesting stopover in creative Route 66-style
  • Hiking trails - short walks into, along and around the canyon and the notorious hiking trail, best done during the cooler months
  • Activities - scenic chartered flights, mule trekking, horse riding, nature drives and kayaking in season

Life in the Fish River Canyon

The canyon is mostly dry, with the Fish River flowing seasonally and shrinking to a few pools along the canyon floor for most of the year. However, during the rainy season (January to April) the Fish River usually floods, turning into a turbulent fast-flowing waterway. Although the canyon is largely dry, there are pockets of green where more leafy plants, palms and trees grow in oasis-like patches. Generally, you will come across drought-resistant plants, like euphorbias, aloes and the occasional quiver tree.

Although it's not a game-viewing destination, you may be lucky enough to spot small klipspringer antelopes and dassies (rock hyrax) darting over the rocks. Bigger mammals commonly sighted include baboons and in the Ai-Ais Richtersveld Park surrounding the canyon, kudu and Hartmann’s mountain zebra. Leopards are found here, but very rarely seen. You are more likely to come across an assortment of reptiles in this harsh, arid habitat.

If you keep a keen eye out you may spot several bird species including kestrels, herons, pigeons, hammerkops, kingfishers, plovers and wagtails, as well as soaring black eagles. Near Ai-Ais, you may spot the Karoo eremomela and on the plateau ostriches and bustards can be seen, among others.

As for humans, traces of inhabitance in the canyon date back to around 50 000 years ago. The days of the Fish River Canyon serving as an oasis for our Stone Age ancestors are, however, long gone. Today, tourists and hikers come and go with a scattering of people living near, but not in, the canyon. 

The Formation & History of Fish River Canyon

The stage was set for the Fish River Canyon about 1.8 billion years ago with the formation of a shallow sea that covered huge parts of southern Namibia. Over the millenia, major changes began taking place in the landscape amd tectonic shifts created an enormous valley stretching from north to south. After about 200 million years of steady erosion by the elements, the Dwyka Ice Age saw large glaciers that carved deeper into the earth, reshaping the valley. Hot springs, such as Ai-Ais, welled-up from the fault lines in the earth's crust, within the deep valley. About 50 million years ago, the Fish River began the task of shaping the inner walls and carving striking rock formations into the sides and floor of the canyon.

The Fish River travels some 650 kms from the Eastern Naukluft Mountains down into the Ai-Ais National Park, which was established in 1969. In 2003, the larger Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park was established, joining the Ai-Ais Hot Springs Game Park with the Richtersveld National Park in South Africa. The Fish River Canyon now falls within this 5 920 km² peace park, a surprisingly rich and biodiverse area, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Canyon Conditions

In this extreme and rugged terrain, temperatures can be as stark. Winter night temperatures can dip below 5° C (40° F) with midday temperatures soaring over 30° C. In the more humid summer months, sweltering daytime temperatures can climb over 40° C (104°F). Despite its seasonal flow, the Fish River is still the only one of Namibia's rivers that retains some water in its deepest reaches during the heart of the dry winters.

Sunblock, a sun hat, sunglasses and loads of drinking water are must-haves when you visit here.

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Tours & Safaris to Fish River Canyon

  • TripAdvisor

Certainly worth viewing, the Fish River Canyon is vast and impressive. Very arid and with little vegetation, it has steep sides and, other than participating in the gruelling five-day hike through the canyon floor, it's mostly viewed from one of the many look-out points. It's also worth taking in the Ai-Ais hot springs if you're in the area.

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Accommodation in Fish River Canyon

The Fish River Canyon is the longest canyon in Africa and the second most-visited attraction in Namibia. Up to 550 metres deep in places, it is a gigantic crevice cutting deep into the dry, stony and arid surrounds.

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Canyon Roadhouse

Canyon Roadhouse By Night

Quirky personality and a sense of bygone times give Canyon Roadhouse its special charm. The roadhouse-style lodge is located 25km from the impressive Fish River Canyon, arguably the second largest canyon in the world. This unique spot is praised for its friendly staff and creative flair, offering a fun and laid-back stay in remote southern Namibia. The 24 spacious, en-suite rooms are set around courtyards featuring the unusual flora of this arid region and the main restaurant brims with vintage decor that adds to the sense that time has stood still at Canyon Roadhouse.

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Traveller's Reviews From TripAdvisor.com

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