Hiking Trail Description

	Warm in the sun on a rock in the river

The Fish River Canyon hiking trail is unique among trails in Africa. The Canyon itself is the second largest in the world, only being surpassed by the famous Grand Canyon in Colorado. It is approximately 180 km long and stretches south from Seeheim down to the Orange river which forms the border between Namibia and South Africa. The trail itself, follows 90 km of this amazing wonder of nature, from the view site at Hobas to finish at the hot water spa resort of Ai-Ais.

The Trail: The trail starts from the viewsite situated on the tip of the Canyon about 12 km from the Namibian Parks Board camping site at Hobas. From the viewsite, the hikers descend steeply down the side of the Canyon for between one and two hours dependant partly on how one's knees can take the pressure. Some sections at the beginning of this downhill have chains to help.This descent is considered by most to be the toughest part of the whole trail. Usually one try to arrive at Hobas in time to go down into the Canyon in the late afternoon of the day prior to the start of the trail. This enables one to get a good start the following morning. At the bottom of the descent, there is a large sandbank that makes an ideal campsite for the first night of the trail.

The well-known "scooter"

The first part of the trail to Palm (sulphur) Springs: To take two days to accomplish the first leg of the trail to Palm Springs is considered in line with completing the trail to Ai-Ais in five days. It is important to realize that this is the most rugged part of the trail and takes time to negotiate. There is plenty of boulder hopping to be done and pools of water to find ones way around.

Palm Springs: Palm Springs is the site of a sulphur spring that gushes out of the earth at a constant temperature of 57 C. There are date palms that grow around the spring which give rise to the place's name. This is an ideal place for a break but we normally don't camp here due to the stench of the sulphur. It is better to walk on for an hour or two before looking for a suitable place to spend the night.

	Our family on day 4

Palm Springs to the Causeway: From Palm Springs, the walk down Canyon starts becoming easier. The Canyon becomes wider with less major obstacles to overcome. Indeed, rock-hopping gives way to sand trudging and crossing 'to and frow' across the pebble strewn river bed to take the inside curve of the bends. From here on, 20 - 30 km a day can be achieved, especially if the recognized shortcuts are taken. Just before reaching the causeway, hikers pass the grave of Lieutenant Thilo von Trotha, a German officer killed in a skirmish between the Germans and the local Nama people in 1905.

The Causewaye to Ai-Ais: This last part of the trail takes about four to five hours to accomplished. At this stage of the trail, all the hiker wants to do is to reach the end of the hike. Ice-cold beer, real food and the thought of being clean again is enough to squeeze the last effort out of weary and sore legs.

Facilities: There are no facilities provided for the hiker in the Canyon. Although there are no shelters provided,tents are not necessary as the area is classed as desert and it rarely rains in southern Namibia during the winter months (the only time that hiking in the Canyon is permitted). Water can be taken from the pools to be found along the route but should be sterilised. A medical certificate is required from hikers by the Parks Board.

Conclusion: Hiking The Fish River Canyon is an amazing experience. It should not be attempted by inexperienced hikers as the area is very rugged and a certain amount of skill is needed, especially should an emergency arise.

P.S. The Best office to call is Cape Town. Reservations should be done in advance as this is a very popular trail.

Visit website for booking information.