Fish River Canyon is one of Africa’s great natural wonders — a colossal gorge up to 550 metres deep and 27 kilometres wide, second in scale only to the Grand Canyon. This is a scenery and adventure destination: the viewpoints at sunrise and sunset are spectacular, the multi-day Fish River Hike is a southern-African rite of passage, and the Ai-Ais hot springs sit at the canyon’s southern end. Wildlife is sparse — klipspringer, kudu and zebra — but the landscape is the draw.
Ratings
Wildlife Density: ★☆☆☆☆ Infrastructure: ★★★☆☆ Photography: ★★★★★
Adventure: ★★★★★ Exclusivity: ★★★★☆ Value for Money: ★★★★☆ Scenery: ★★★★★
Location: Southern Namibia; viewpoints at Hobas, hot springs at Ai-Ais; nearest town Keetmanshoop
Key wildlife: Klipspringer, kudu, mountain zebra, baboon; dramatic geology
Best for: Scenery, photography, hiking (the Fish River Hike), road trips
Best time: May–September (cool; the hike runs ~Apr–Sep)
More about this area — the hike, viewpoints and lodges — will be added here over time.
25South 