Skip to main content
African Safaris By Uyaphi.com
Uyaphi.com
African Safaris And Tours

call +27 (0) 87 898 8043
email Contact Us

Uyaphi.com Navigation

  • South Africa
  • Namibia
  • Botswana
  • Zimbabwe
  • Zambia
  • Mozambique
  • Malawi
  • Uganda
  • Tanzania
  • Kenya
  • Ethiopia
  1. Home
  2. Namibia
  3. Attractions
Fish River Canyon

Fish River Canyon

Absolutely magnificent and breathtaking in its immensity, The Fish River Canyon in Namibia is the second largest canyon in the world. Formed by water from the Fish River flowing through an arid environment over millions of years, the landscape here is desolate, dusty and rock-strewn with enticing hills and chasms.

Fish River Canyon Facts

  • Size: 160km long, up to 27km wide and up to 550m deep
  • When to visit: Year-round
  • Rainfall: Erratic, 10mm to 40mm per annum, varying with flash floods occurring often
  • Altitude: varies from 366m to 609m above sea level
  • Location: South-Eastern Namibia
  • Accommodation: Lodges near Fish River Canyon

Information On Fish River Canyon

Absolutely magnificent and breathtaking in its immensity, The Fish River Canyon in Namibia is the second largest canyon in the world.

Formed by water from the Fish River flowing through an arid environment over millions of years, the landscape here is desolate, dusty and rock-strewn with enticing hills and chasms. It is surrounded by high, forbidding cliffs, and winds along a distance of approximately one hundred miles through the fissured Koubis Massif all the way down to the sulphurous Ai-Ais Hot Springs. The fantastic views of this majestic canyon make it a popular hiking destination, and there is a terrific 5 day, 86 km trek along the canyon floor.

After heavy rainfall, The Canyon quickly turns into a raging river although it usually carries only a small amount of water, being dammed up in the town of Hardap. The main viewpoint for the Canyon is at Hobas near the northern end of the canyon. The 60ºC sulphurous springs at Ais-Ais (from the Nama word meaning 'burning water') originate deep underground and are rich in minerals which are reputedly beneficial for those with rheumatic or nervous disorders. Ais-Ais falls within the Fish River Canyon conservation area, and the hot springs are a public facility.

The fantastic 5-day hike offers thrills to adventure seekers and travellers alike. Absolutely no facilities are provided, and you carry everything with you and find whatever water you can in semi-permanent pools. Due to the risk of flooding and the high summer temperatures, the hiking trail is only open from May 1st to August 31st.

Wildlife, while not as concentrated here as in other areas (such as Etosha and Caprivi), do include troops of Chacma baboons and isolated groups of klipspringers while mountain zebra and kudu are rare. The area attracts an interesting variety of colourful birds and raptors such as rock kestrels, and lanner falcons ride the thermals.

Where is Fish River Canyon located?

Located within the /Ai / Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park (Namibia and South Africa), the canyon though is situated in the southeastern region of Namibia. 

  • Luderitz to Hobas = 418km
  • Luderitz to Ais-Ais = 458km
  • Sesriem to Hobas = 568km
  • Sesriem to Ais-Ais = 630km
  • Vioolsdrif (South Africa/Namibia border post) to Hobas = 168
  • Vioolsdrif (South Africa/Namibia border post) to Ais-Ais = 121km

Here is a link to a map of the canyon; Google Maps - Fish River Canyon

Best Time to Visit Fish River Canyon?

One can visit the canyon year-round, although it must be noted that the summer months can be exceptionally hot, with temperatures in the late 30's and early 40's (degrees Celcius).

Winter mornings can be very cold, with temperatures dropping below zero (degrees Celcius).

If you are not affected by heat, look at the Fish River canyon as a year-round destination, but if you are looking to avoid the heat, look at the winter and autumn months (June to October).

Main Attractions Of Fish River Canyon

  • The second-largest canyon in the World
  • Stunning views, especially at sunrise and more so, sunset
  • 86km Fish River Canyon hike
  • Therapeutic hot springs at Ais-Ais
  • Sunsets drinks at the viewpoint near Hobas
Namibia Travel Information
Namibia Safari Images
Photo Galleries Of Namibia Lodges
Top Tourist Attractions In Namibia
Travelling To Namibia
Travelling Around Namibia
Namibia Weather Charts
Namibia Distance Chart
Namibia Visas
Map Of Namibia
Namibian Malaria Information
Namibia Lodges
Lodges In Namibia
Lodges In The Namib Desert
Lodges In Etosha
Lodges In Damaraland
Lodges Near The Fish River Canyon
Hotels In Swakopmund
Hotels In Windhoek
Lodges in Zambezi Region
Lodges In Namibia's Kalahari
Safaris In Namibia
Safaris in Namibia
Camping Safaris in Namibia
Fly-In Safaris in Namibia
Self Drive Safaris in Namibia
Planning A Safari In Namibia
Guided Accommodated Namibia Safaris
Windhoek Day Tours
Swakopmund Day Tours
Safaris In Etosha
Sossusvlei Safaris
Namibian Lodges Showcased
Namibia Budget Travel
Namibia Family Friendly Lodges
Namibia's Most Luxurious Lodges
Namibia Honeymoon Lodges
Remote Lodges In Namibia
Best Baths In Namibia
Best Spas In Namibia
Travel To Namibia Now
Fish River Canyon Lodges Map
Popular Namibia Lodges
  • Serra Cafema Camp
    Serra Cafema Camp
    Serra Cafema Camp, one of the remotest destinations in all of Africa, perched on the banks of the Kunene River, the region is shared with the beautiful and colourful Himba people, some of the last true nomadic people of Africa.
    Serra Cafema Camp
  • Onguma Bush Camp
    Onguma Bush Camp
    Situated on the eastern side of Etosha, accommodation consists of six en-suite luxury bungalows and one family room. Bush Camp is ideal for families who would like to have a base from which they can explore Etosha National Park.
    Onguma Bush Camp
  • Hoanib Valley Camp
    Hoanib Valley Camp
    Hoanib Valley Camp situated in Kaokoland surrounded by a multitude of desert-adapted wildlife surrounds the camp including free roaming desert lion, elephant, rhino, giraffe, and hyena, oryx and mountain zebra.
    Hoanib Valley Camp
  • Omarunga Lodge
    Omarunga Lodge
    Epupa Falls is one of the highlights of the Kaokoland region of Namibia, it is here that one can find Omarunga Lodge located on the banks on the Kunene River. Epupa Falls are easily accessible from the lodge, a mere 2-minute meander and one is standing above the falls.
    Omarunga Lodge
  • Damaraland Camp
    Damaraland Camp
    Damaraland Camp is a camp situated in the Huab River Valley in one of the best wilderness areas in Namibia; as such it offers endless vistas across stark plains, ancient valleys and soaring peaks of the Brandberg Mountains.
    Damaraland Camp
  • Halali Rest Camp
    Halali Rest Camp
    Halfway between Okaukuejo and Namutoni and is situated at the base of a dolomite hill, amongst shady Mopane trees, a floodlit waterhole which is viewed from an elevated vantage point provides exceptional wildlife viewing.
    Halali Rest Camp

Catch us on

  • mood About Us
  • whatshot Safari Blog
  • flight Flights to Africa
  • nature_people Conference Planning
  • add_circle_outline Facebook
  • add_circle_outline Instagram
  • add_circle_outline YouTube
  • add_circle_outline Twitter
  • add_circle_outline Pinterest
  • add_circle_outline LinkedIn

About Uyaphi.com

We at Uyaphi.com are specialists in arranging tailor-made African holidays and safaris and have been doing so since 1999.

We are passionate about all of Africa as well as creating that dream safari experience of a lifetime, so we invite you to experience one of the finest safari destinations on the African continent with us.

Explore Africa with us.

Our Guarantee

  • info No credit card surcharges
  • info No booking fee surcharges
  • info Unbeatable prices
  • info 100% Financial protection
  • info We partner only with the best
  • info Uyaphi.com, made in South Africa
  • info In business since 1999
  • info Chat with our Experts
  • info Uyaphi.com is Owner run
  • info Emergency support 24-hour

Contact us

  • Our Office Hours :)
  • access_time Mon - Fri 8:30am to 5:30pm (CAT)
  • access_time Sat 8:30am to 12pm (CAT)
  • phone Tel: +27 (0) 87 898 8043

Our Address

PO Box 31178
Tokai
Cape Town
Western Cape
South Africa 7966

Copyright © 1999 - 2022 Uyaphi.com more_vert All Rights Reserved more_vert Copyright Notice & User Agreement more_vert Booking Terms and Conditions