Just outside of south africa lies the fish river canyon in the south of namibia. There is a fiveday fish river canyon hike is one of the most popular hikes in namibia. T he second largest, natural canyon after arizonas grand canyon on earth, the fish river canyon, lies in the south of namibia. Top 10 hotels in fish river canyon, namibia cancel free. Hiking fish river canyon in namibia traveling german. In the far south of namibia, the fish river rises in the centre of the country, before flowing south into the orange river, on namibias border with south africa.
Is fish river canyon really worth the drive in windhoek. After the hike youll reach aiais and there you can book a camp site or into the lodge. Fish river canyon information and accommodation guide. This hike manages to tick quite a few of the boxes in preparing you for the fish river canyon. Fish river canyon is one of the largest canyons in the world with expansive views throughout the plain. Arrival in windhoek, get rental 4x4 and drive to mariental. How to survive hiking the fish river canyon getaway magazine. Taking a leisurely road trip up south africas cape namibia route officially known as the n7 from cape town means you can arrive at this breathtaking attraction within 2 days. It starts at the view site at hobas and finishes at the aiais resort. A multiday hike through the worlds second largest canyon is as challenging as it is unforgettable. What are the most popular tours in fish river region. Here is our guide to hiking the fish river canyon yourself. It is the second biggest canyon next to arizonas grand canyon.
Dimensions have never seemed as dizzying as that of africa and the southern hemispheres largest canyon fish river canyon. The intense 85km trail through it, which takes hikers through 1. Driving route to fish river lodge fish river canyon. Once you are in the canyon it is impossible to get out and in the case of. The fish river canyon ends at ai ais and the river then flows into the orange river, the border to south africa. Fish river canyon hiking trail hiking south africa. Journeys namibia office requires a doctors certificate of fitness for every hiker taking part in the canyon hiking package activity. Aug 06, 2015 just outside of south africa lies the fish river canyon in the south of namibia. The fish river canyon in namibia is the largest canyon in africa and you know it when youre there. The lodge has its own airfield and can offer transfers on request. Welcome to hobas camp fish river canyon namibia accommodation. It will give you a good indication of your fitness levels and the second day provides a long and.
The fish river is the longest river in namibia and runs over 650 kilometres. Fish river canyon was almost the first thing we did. Explore fish river canyon holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. The larvae of other species of tip such as queens purple and doubledays orange use the leaves of caper bushes and shepherds tree to feed on.
You have to book well in advance and be able to produce a doctors certificate. Fischfluss canyon, is located in the south of namibia. It can be somewhat of a shock to those who arrive and witness the flat plateau suddenly plummet at the canyons rim, but this shock is soon overpowered by the sheer beauty of the place, where sands of kaleidoscopic colour that have been formed over millions of years. The history of some of the oldest rocks in namibia. The 5 day, 85 km fish river hiking trail is reputed to be one of africas top walks for nature enthusiasts. The river flows intermittently, and floods in the late summer. Less experienced hikers can book a sevenday guided hike with the. I heard people lose their toenails on the steep descent. These two attractions are some of namibias most stunning and fantastic. Unfortunately, since a tourist was killed in the canyon on an unsupervised day hike, the canyon is closed now to hiking of any nature apart from the 4 day trail. Fish river canyon adventure in namibia global travel press. Even in namibias hinterland one will find adequate camping facilities which are a great, adventurous way of exploring a very diverse country by car.
It is the largest canyon in africa and the fish river is the largest interior river in namibia. It is the largest canyon in the southern hemisphere. It is the largest canyon in africa, as well as the second most visited tourist attraction in namibia. Fish river canyon cuts through a stony semidesert with drops 500m deep and is home to the seasonal fish river that flows only if rain falls in its catchment area. Earn free nights and get our price guarantee booking has never been easier on hotels.
It is approximately 180kms long and stretches south from seeheim down to the orange river which forms the border between namibia and south africa. The canyon is 161 km long, 27 km wide and up to 550m deep. In between, it has formed the great fish river canyon the largest canyon in the southern hemisphere, and probably only second to arizonas grand canyon in. One of namibia s most widespread and common butterflies, the red tip, flutters around the fish river canyon. The formation and history of fish river canyon the stage was set for the fish river canyon about 1. Fish river canyon hiking, namibia with a guide from grand view lodge you will be able to enjoy some trekking along the 30 km hiking trail in the heart of fish river canyon.
Canyon day hike full or half day canyon drive full day canyon fat bikes. World africa namibia one of the best hikes in the world is fish river canyon fish river canyon trek is one of the most popular in southern africa. Gc14tvh fish river canyon, namibia earthcache in namibia. The surrounding canyon national park covers 45,000 hectares and offers hiking and birdwatching opportunities. It has 25 stone chalets, a restaurant and a swimming pool. Its source lies in the eastern naukluft mountains and flows southwest of aiais into the orange river. Visrivier afgronde in namibias south is one of the worlds largest canyons and one of namibias most recognised natural wonders. The 86 km hike through the fish river canyon takes 5 days. The immense scale and rugged terrain draws visitors from all over the world. Guests are free to go on walks, additionally several guided excursions are being offered, like drives to the fish river canyon, horseback tours and game drives.
At the southern end of the fish river canyon is the aiais hot springs resort, which is owned and run by namibia wildlife resorts. 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 towering rock faces and the ravines of the canyon were formed by water erosion and the collapse of the valley due to the movements in the earths crust over 500 million years ago. Take on the ultimate hiking challenge or simply enjoy the beauty of the worlds second largest canyon. The graben was formed through tectonic processes about 650 million years ago. Fish river lodge can arrange guided walks, sunset drives or hikes along the base of the canyon, where native animals can often be seen. 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. The fish river canyon is located in namibia iit is the second largest canyon in the world and the largest in africa. By taking this route, you will add at least 800 km to your route and for the time you have i wouldnt recommend that. Fish river canyon namibia cardboard box travel shop. Taking a leisurely road trip up south africas cape namibia route officially known as the n7 from cape town means you can arrive at this breathtaking attraction within 2 days the canyon is widely acknowledged as namibias second most popular tourist attraction, and for good reason. Fish river canyon in the far south of namibia, the fish river rises in the centre of the country, before flowing south into the orange river, on namibias border with south africa.
Just as impressive is the period of time during in which it was formed. At a glance located in the south of namibia 85km the standard route many take a short cut walking only. The fish river canyon in namibia is the largest canyon in africa and. The fish river canyon is located in the southern part of namibia and is easily accessible from south africa. Fish river canyon to windhoek 2 ways to travel via train. The fish river canyon is the largest canyon in africa and the second largest in the world after the grand canyon. Many attractive campsites are found close to attractions on private and communal land like lodges, farmsteads and. It has been commissioned by and drawn up for expert africa. Rome2rio is a doortodoor travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Find all the transport options for your trip from fish river canyon to windhoek right here.
The route from cape town to namibia and the fish river canyon is also a great route, but its about 400km longer then driving from windhoek. There are lots of very nice places if you take the route south from windhoek. Start planning your tailormade holiday by contacting one of our namibia specialists. My partner and i are hiking the 5 day fish river canyon trail in namibia with departure date 7th of june 2011 and are looking for 1 or 2 trekking buddies to join us on this epic adventure. 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 road house is about 15 kilometres from the fish river canyon and a great place to rest a weary head after the long drive up from cape town. Dec 17, 20 continuing my epic trip from cape town to namibia, the second part of my journey took me into namibia where i visited the fish river canyon and namib desert. Fish river canyon information guide namibia travel booking service. We were there for a four day hike into the canyon, along with some guides and a geologists. Namibia travel guide hiking in fish river canyon siyabona africa. How to do it the fish river canyon is usually visited as part of a selfdrive holiday.
The towering rock faces and deep ravines were formed by water erosion and the collapse of the valley due to movements in the earths crust over 500 million years ago. And that bugs crawl into your ears at night so you have to stuff them. The fish river canyon in namibia is the second largest canyon in the world, after the grand canyon in america and the largest canyon in africa. Camping in fishriver canyon, namibia my guide namibia. The fish river canyon is seen as the largest canyon in africa and second largest canyon on earth. Their campsite is a fantastic option just make sure to book all of this. Information on the second largest canyon in the world. During the months of april to september the fish river lodge offers 25 day guided hikes in the fish river. After the hike youll reach ai ais and there you can book a camp site or into the lodge. It features a gigantic ravine, in total about 100 miles 160 km long, up to 27 km wide and in places almost 550 meters deep. The fish river canyon is best visited in the winter months when it is cooler, particularly if you want to do the 5 day hike which is only permitted midmay to midseptember.
These two attractions are some of namibia s most stunning and fantastic. The complete guide to the fish river canyon no speed limit. The fish river itself is the longest interior river in namibia. The fish river is the longest interior river in namibia and it cuts deep into the dry, stony plateau, which is sparsely covered with hardy drought resistant succulents. The fish river hiking trail is one of the most famous hikes in southern africa. So vast that your eyes cannot cope with the full view all at once. The fish river canyon in namibia is allegedly the 2nd largest canyon in the world after the grand canyon. Along the way, visit brukaros crater, keetmanshoop and quiver tree forest. Dec, 2017 hiking in namibia is a completely different experience compared to traditional hiking regions e. In between, it has formed the great fish river canyon the largest canyon in the southern hemisphere, and probably only second to arizonas grand canyon in terms of size. No children under 16 years old may take part in the canyon hiking package activity.
The giant ravine, the second biggest canyon in the world, is in total about 160 km long, up to 27 km wide and almost 550 meters deep. At the northern end of the gorge are amazing viewpoints and the start of a 5day, 86 kilometre 54 mile hike, along the river in the belly of the ravine. Fish river canyon namibia message board tripadvisor. With a guide from grand view lodge you will be able to enjoy some trekking along the 30 km hiking trail in the heart of fish river canyon. Oct 26, 2011 some scenic footage from our hike through the fish river canyon. Fish river canyon is africaas longest canyon and the second largest in the. Fish river canyon information guide namibia travel booking. Along the rivers lower reaches one will find the fish river canyon, the 2nd largest canyon in the world the largest being the grand canyon with a depth of 550 metres and a length of 160 kilometres. The rest of the year it is a chain of long narrow pools.
The fish river canyon hiking trail is unique among trails in africa. Start of the trail palm sulphur springs camped 2km before, 5 hours. In the worlds second largest canyon the hiker awaits grand landscapes, breathtaking vistas, unforgettable sundowners, intensive game and bird viewing, fascinating insights into the geology of namibia and much more. Top 10 hotels in fish river canyon, namibia cancel free on. The canyon itself is the second largest in the world, only being surpassed by the famous grand canyon in colorado.
Hiking in namibia is a completely different experience compared to traditional hiking regions e. Whether youre getting a taste of the sheer scale and beauty of the place from one of the lookouts, or hiking for five days to immerse yourself in its multifaceted charm, fish river canyon is a special place. Fish river canyon, aiais resort and hobas resort namibia. Over millennia, major changes began taking place in the landscape and tectonic shifts created an enormous valley stretching from north to south. Fish river canyon, often compared to americas grand canyon, is one of namibias least visited wonders with incredible scenery but often challenging trekking conditions. It is firstly an overnight hike that will help you to sort out what equipment you will need to take with you to the fish, although it does have a very comfortable overnight hut, which fish does not.
Add to this the dry and hot climate of the desert and youll get an idea about namibia hiking experience. The spectacular fish river canyon, second only in grandeur to the grand canyon. Situated in the far south of namibia, the startlingly beautiful fish river canyon is 550m deep, 27km wide and 160km long. The descent to the bottom of the canyon took us a bit less than 1 hour. Chris davies and i tackled this infamous, and stunningly beautiful, 90km trail in namibia. Fish river canyon, aiais resort hot springs spa and hobas.
Please check with namibia wildlife resorts for the latest fees when making your booking. The fish river canyon can be reached driving down south on b1, turning to b4 towards luderitz, turning left on c12 and follow signs. Aside from the skeleton coast, the namib desert is perhaps. Along the way, visit brukaros crater, keetmanshoop and. Sep 22, 2017 nicola rowe 5day hikes, namibia, trails 37. This map of the fish river canyon area is an original. The geological history of the canyon began when the fish river started flowing along the base of a graben. Rome2rio makes travelling from fish river canyon to windhoek easy. Canyon hikes midapril to midseptember hiking the fish river canyon is an amazing experience however it should not be attempted by inexperienced hikers as the area is very rugged. Visit fish river canyon, namibia tailormade trips audley. The main attraction of the park is fish river canyon hike see information below. Fish river canyon trek is one of the most popular in southern africa. The hike is 90kms long, but if you take all the shortcuts it works out to about 75km. The immensity of this magnificent landscape is truly breathtaking.
The 85km trail starts from the view site situated on the lip of the canyon about 12kms from the namibia wildlife resorts camping site at hobas, takes 5 days, with absolutely no facilities whatsoever. The 85km trail along the floor of the canyon is only accessible from may. We were in the gondwana canyon park is in the south of namibia not far from the border with south africa. Public view points can be found the around the camp site and this part of the canyon is part of the aiais richterveld transfrontier national park. The fish river canyon commences at seeheim, at the lower course of the river. Canon lodge is located in the gondwana canon park about 20 km away from the fish river canyon. There are no mountains, no snow, not even trees and water is scare. Fish river canyon, often compared to americas grand canyon, is one of namibia s least visited wonders with incredible scenery but often challenging trekking conditions.
1256 792 1385 632 708 1086 1464 46 1138 752 1465 704 260 991 951 999 214 1491 1029 737 173 911 1036 1464 1152 905 1091 1548 970 503 764 75 1495 160 1471 854 24 502 1357 1051 187 490 1199 918 779