The Fish River Canyon

Pics of a trip to the Fish River Canyon two weekends ago - it's just up the road from my present location, about 200 kms:


The deepest part of the Fish River Canyon is situated within the Ai-Ais/Richterveld Transfrontier National Park and the northern Entrance Gate is at Hobas.

Hobas is like an oasis in the desolate landscape and also a convenient Camp site 10km from the Main Canyon Vantage Point.

The camp looks pleasant enough. It's neat and tidy, the sites are shady and there's a small swimming pool and kiosk.


The Main Vantage Point overlooking the Canyon - a new structure, it wasn't here at my last visit a few years ago.


Hell's Bend - The view from the Vantage Point.

The Fish River Canyon is reputedly the second largest in the World after the USA's Grand Canyon. It is one of Namibia's main tourist destinations.


Two kilometres north of the vantage point, a group of hikers prepares to set out on the tough, 5-Day Fish River Canyon Hike.

There are no facilities along the way; hikers sleep under the stars and must carry their own supplies. Water is normally available in the Fish River but must be boiled or cleaned with purification tablets.


The trail is 85 kilometres long and, once in the canyon, there is no way out except for one or two emergency exit points. Earlier this year, a group of hikers had to be evacuated when the Fish River came down in flood.

Hikers must present a medical certificate of fitness and complete an indemnity form prior to commencing the trail.

A group of hikers descends into the canyon.

Many people claim that this 2-3 hour descent is the toughest part of the whole trail.

I'd love to walk the Fish River Canyon but I fear that this jarring, steep decline would mess my knees up completely.


The view from another point a few kilometres south of the main vantage point.

In total, the Canyon is 160 km long, up to 27 km wide and in places almost 550 metres deep.


Rain had fallen in this arid area and patches of tiny red succulents, combined with the natural colour of the rock, gave the ground a pinkish hue.


To commemorate their visit - in a 'Kilroy Was Here' kind of way - many people build little cairns. There are probably a few hundred on the edge of the canyon.

Above is one of the more creative examples.


A last look at the canyon from another vantage point - photographs can't really capture the magnificence of the scene - you'll have to come check it out yourselves - April to September are the best times if you're planning a trip ... :)

.