All activities / Trekking / Hiking / Fish River Canyon
Trekking / Hiking in Fish River Canyon
Africa's largest canyon and the continent's classic multi-day desert trek: an 86km, four-to-five-day self-sufficient hike from Hobas to Ai-Ais, open for one short winter season a year.
Why here
The Fish River Canyon hike is one of Africa's great walks and its most honest. The trail runs 86km along the canyon floor from Hobas to the hot springs at Ai-Ais, four to five days over sand, boulders and river crossings, carrying everything on your back with no huts and no bail-out points once you drop in. It is open only from May to mid-September, when the heat eases and the river is low, and permits are capped and issued by Namibia Wildlife Resorts to self-sufficient groups of at least three. If the full trail is too much, Fish River Lodge sits alone on the western rim and runs guided two and three-day hikes into the canyon with permits, gear and camps arranged.
Best months
The trail is open May 1 to September 15 only, and closed the rest of the year for heat and flash-flood risk. Winter days are mild at 20-25C, nights cold. Hikers must be fully self-sufficient, medically cleared, and in a group of three or more; there is no phone signal and no resupply.
Getting there & around
The trailhead at Hobas is a long drive from anywhere; most hikers arrange a shuttle back from Ai-Ais. Permits come only from Namibia Wildlife Resorts and sell out for the short season, so book months ahead. The guided lodge hikes handle logistics but still need booking well in advance.
Skill levels: intermediate, advanced
Schools & guides (2)
Fish River Lodge
GuideThe only lodge on the canyon rim, running guided two and three-day hikes into the canyon from April to September with permits, meals, transport and overnight camps set up, for small groups of two to ten.
Namibia Wildlife Resorts
OutfitterThe state resort authority that manages the Fish River hiking trail and is the sole issuer of the capped seasonal permits for the full 86km Hobas-to-Ai-Ais route, which is walked unguided by self-sufficient groups.