Mountain climbing Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon on the planet is kind of thrilling, isn’t it? This hike was on our bucket record for a few years and eventually, we did it! Some information books say that is the hardest hike in Africa. I’m undecided about it we haven’t achieved many hikes in Africa a few routes in South Africa together with the well-known Otter Path and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Should you like climbing Fish River Canyon is certainly the hike so as to add to your bucket record. Even for those who’re not planning to hike it the canyon continues to be value visiting; it’s some of the stunning locations n Namibia.
The overall distance of the path is 86 km, the river itself is longer however as a consequence of many shortcuts, your strolling distance is about 14 km much less. This publish is a step-by-step climbing information; Fish River Canyon route map, price range, reserving particulars, lodging choices, shuttle, packing record, and extra.
Fish River Canyon hike route overview
- Distance – 86 km
- Variety of days – 4-5
- Greatest time – Might to mid-September
- Start line – Hobas
- Ending level – Ai-Ais Sizzling Springs
The perfect time for climbing Fish River Canyon
The canyon is open for climbing between the first of Might and the fifteenth of September. Outdoors this era hikers should not allowed within the canyon as a consequence of excessive temperatures. We walked Fish River Canyon at the start of Might and it nonetheless was highly regarded in the course of the day. If you wish to get extra snug temperatures it’s higher to do the hike in June – July. The nights within the canyon are fairly chilly even in the summertime. In June – July evening temperatures go down to five°C and even under. It’s extremely advisable to convey heat garments for sleeping and a superb sleeping bag.
The price of the hike
- The hike itself prices NAD500/US$35 per individual.
- Park entrance price – NAD160/US$11 per individual.
- Shuttle Ai-Ais – Hobas NAD300/US$20 pp.
Whole: NAD960/US$67 pp.
The Namibian Greenback (NAD$) is the same as the South African Rand (ZAR). The present trade price with USD you could find right here.
Methods to ebook the Fish River Canyon hike?
Reserving is obligatory. First, you cellphone one of many numbers offered to inquire about availability. In Windhoek, Namibia (+264 61) 285 7333 [email protected]. In Cape City (+27 21) 422 3761 [email protected]. If any appropriate to your dates can be found you ebook them over the cellphone. After that, you will have 48 hours to pay a deposit (10%) to substantiate your reserving. Then you definitely ship an electronic mail with a affirmation of the fee. The overall quantity have to be paid 30 days previous to the hike.
Consideration! In keeping with the foundations it’s a must to be a minimal of three individuals to make a reservation. You possibly can at all times ebook for 3 and present up solely two with some excuses that your climbing buddy received sick and attempt to hook up with different hikers at the beginning after you’ll be able to stroll by yourself.
How lengthy beforehand do it’s a must to ebook the path?
We booked at the start of April for the second week in Might, after we phoned there have been nonetheless 4 or 5 days with 5 or so spots in Might open so it’s potential to ebook only a month earlier than. However when you’ve got particular dates we’d counsel reserving the hike two or three months beforehand. Solely 30 folks per day are allowed to begin the hike. A French couple we met climbing booked it simply 5 days earlier than and so they nonetheless may get a spot.
You can begin coaching for the hike a few months upfront to verify it gained’t be too powerful. Should you reside in Cape City or close by there are various superb climbing trails within the metropolis that you are able to do over weekends. Begin with strolling with a day pack and after a few routes add extra weight and attempt to stroll with a heavier backpack much like the one that you just’re planning to tackle the Fish River Canyon hike. The hardest a part of the route is a steep and lengthy ascent to the underside of the canyon on the primary day. You possibly can stroll down one of many Desk Mountain climbing trails (Platteklip Gorge, Kasteelspootr, or Skeleton Gorge) to see the way you’re doing strolling down with a backpack.
Medical certificates for the trek
Essential to convey a medical certificates proving you don’t have any well being issues. The certificates should not be older than 40 days. A type shall be despatched to you after you make a fee for the hike or you’ll be able to obtain it HERE. This type have to be stuffed in by a physician. We don’t know what can occur for those who arrive with out it very possible you gained’t be allowed to stroll. At Hobas the very first thing they requested us was our certificates however they didn’t actually look via simply took them and put them in a folder. We thought it was ridiculous however really yearly there are folks rescued by helicopter or park rangers (from emergency exit) as a result of they’ll’t proceed the hike. We met a person who spent 2 days ready for the rangers to get to him he received a warmth stroke and couldn’t stroll anymore.
Methods to get to Fish River Canyon?
The canyon is located close to the border between Namibia and South Africa, about 200 km north of Noordoewer border management. We drove from Cape City to Ai-Ais, 800 km, in in the future with a few brief stops for lunch and snacks. It took us about 9 hours. When you’ve got extra time on the best way from Cape City to Namibia you’ll be able to spend a few days on the West Coast particularly for those who do the journey in August – September when you’ll be able to see wildflowers in Namaqualand. One other vacation choice is to mix the hike with a Cape City to Namibia street journey.
Should you’re coming from Windhoek, Ai-Ais is 700 km south of the capital, an 8-hours drive.
Border crossing course of
The border management Vioolsdrift/Noordoewer is open 24 hours although we’ve heard they won’t mean you can undergo after the sundown so ensure to reach earlier than the darkish. The border crossing course of is fast, it takes about 20-Half-hour. In spite of everything formal procedures and passport stamps, they search your automobile and allow you to via.
To enter Namibia along with your automobile you will have:
- legitimate passports for all passengers
- Legitimate driver’s license
- automobile registration papers
- In case your automobile continues to be being financed, convey a letter of authority from the financial institution (should embrace dates of journey) with the car license papers. They won’t ask for it but it surely’s higher to have it with you.
- ZA sticker in your automobile, you should purchase it at any outside retailer or some petrol stations
- a stuffed type that you just get on the border, convey a black pen with you to fill it
- N$320/US$21 price that you just pay to enter Namibia along with your automobile.
After the border management there are two petrol stations, each settle for playing cards, a small store and Wimpy. You possibly can fill your cat at Ai-Ais however they settle for solely money.
Locations to remain earlier than the hike
Mainly, you will have two choices; staying at Hobas Campsite (NAD400/US$28 per campsite as much as 8 folks) or Ai-Ais Sizzling Springs (NAD400/US$28 per website as much as 4 folks). Most individuals together with ourselves keep at Ai-Ais for a superb cause the campsite there may be nicer; a inexperienced grassy space with bushes for shadow, many bogs and showers, electrical stoves for cooking, and naturally the spotlight the recent springs. You possibly can’t think about how good it’s after the hike to calm down in sizzling springs!
Ai-Ais campsite amenities
- Sizzling bathe – Sure
- Flushing bogs – Sure
- Electrical energy – Sure
- Retailers – Sure
- Working water – Sure
- Wi-fi – No
- Braai place – Sure
- Ingesting water – Sure
- Different – electrical stoves, coated space for cooking, indoor swimming pools.
Should you’re planning a Namibia street journey and like tenting try our publish on one of the best campsites in Namibia. We visited many campsites throughout our 2-months journey throughout the nation.
The place to go away your automobile?
You possibly can park your automobile totally free both at Ai-Ais (sizzling springs) or at Hobas (start line). Each locations look equally secure which one to decide on is as much as you. We left our automobile at Ai-Ais and took a shuttle to Hobas within the morning earlier than the hike. That labored out rather well. Once we lastly arrived at Ai-Ais on the final day our automobile with all of the stuff was right here. Consider me, you’ll be drained after 4-5 days of strolling and gained’t really feel like driving for an hour to Hobas to get your automobile. Our French associates parked their automobile at Hobas and needed to look forward to the shuttle until 5pm.
Methods to get from Ai-Ais to Hobas?
The path begins at Hobas, you will have two choices; to take a shuttle earlier than the hike or after the hike relying on the place you allow your automobile. There may be at all times a shuttle going to Hobas within the morning at any time after 6am. You don’t must ebook it beforehand we organized it when arrived at Ai-Ais. The shuttle can take 11 passengers directly.
What to anticipate from the Fish River Canyon hike?
The hike could be very totally different from many of the hikes we’ve achieved. The path just isn’t very straightforward to stroll; sand, rocks, river crossing and so on.
The climate; it will get highly regarded in the course of the day and really chilly at evening so that you want each solar safety and heat clothes/sleeping bag.
Solar, you stroll within the solar all day you get a little bit of shade right here and there early within the morning and late night however probably the most a part of the day there may be nowhere to cover.
Ingesting water on the path
Water is at all times out there because you stroll alongside the river but it surely’s advisable to take some purifying drugs or water filters. You don’t wish to get sick or have abdomen issues within the canyon. We at all times use our LifeStraw Water Bottles when climbing. Their membrane microfilter system removes 99,9% of micro organism and parasites. One filter can be utilized to wash 4000l of water. It’s very straightforward to make use of you’ll be able to drink from a bottle or straight from a water supply. You should buy LifeStraw via Take A Lot or at Cape Union Mart.
An alternative choice is to make use of chlorine drugs however it’s a must to look forward to about Half-hour earlier than it’s able to drink and it tastes like swimming pool water, not the most suitable choice contemplating you drink so much on the hike.
The Fish River Canyon hike – our full 4-day itinerary
Day 1. The start line – Palm Sulphur Springs, 5 hours
We began the trek at 10am. The descent to the underside of the canyon took us a bit lower than 1 hour. It was fairly steep however not as powerful as we thought. As soon as on the backside in 2km you attain the river and for the subsequent 4-5 days, you’ll simply observe it. We walked about 20km on the primary day it took kind of 7 hours together with a lunch break. If you wish to take it straightforward you’ll be able to camp proper after the descent, on the river, there’s a good sandy seaside.
At the present time we didn’t see any indicators exhibiting the space or instructions but it surely’s not possible to get misplaced you simply observe the river. There are not any ups and downs on the route however you stroll on sand and rocks on a regular basis so it’s not very quick strolling. You possibly can camp wherever you need, simply discover a good sandy spot subsequent to the river. We camped someplace between the primary emergency exit and Palm sulfur springs.
Day 2. Palm Sulphur Springs – Three Sisters, 6 hours
We began at 8.30 and walked for about an hour earlier than we reached the Sizzling springs. Really, if you’re a superb walker and begin your first climbing day early sufficient you may make all of it the best way and camp right here the primary evening. The new spring is, the truth is, is a stream that goes into the river and water in there may be highly regarded it’s a must to combine it with chilly river water. We spent about 40min. swimming and chilling right here it was very nice.
On the second day the path goes via tough terrain; sand and rocks so that you make sluggish progress plus we made two lengthy swimming/resting stops. By 4pm we fairly drained and my ft had been destroyed so we determined to camp on a small seaside subsequent to the river. We had a unbelievable evening sky and the complete moon didn’t even want our headlamps. In my view, the canyon at evening time is one of the best! At the present time once more we didn’t see any indicators or distance marks.
Day 3. Three Sisters – Von Trotha’s Grave, 6 hours
An early begin at 7.30 or so and perhaps the longest climbing day for us, we walked for 8 hours however in a manner, it was our personal fault we missed one shortcut. The third day is the primary shortcut day on the hike. There are three vital shortcuts; we missed the primary one the place you climb over the mountain, the second at 50km was straightforward to identify from far there’s a huge phrase “Quick lower” written on the rocks, the third one comes proper after that whenever you attain the river. For the terrain the third day was most likely probably the most tough as effectively some river crossing, rock leaping and sand strolling.
By 4pm all of us had been fairly drained and my ft had been fairly destroyed. We discovered a pleasant spot on the seaside not removed from the emergency exit and camped there. This evening was the coldest of three we spent within the canyon, it was freezing! All of us awoke a few instances in the course of the evening to placed on increasingly garments. By the subsequent morning, I and Campbell had been sporting every part we had in our backpacks. However the sleeping luggage that we took with us had been very skinny for 11C min. So when you’ve got hotter sleeping luggage not less than for 5C or decrease you’ll be okay.
Day 4. Von Trotha’s Grave – Ai-Ais, 5 hours
The surroundings on the final day was the least spectacular, the canyon reduces considerably it reminds a rocky valley greater than a canyon. On account of a really chilly evening, all of us awoke fairly early at 5am packing didn’t take lengthy and in 30min. we had been able to roll. It was the simplest and the shortest day for us; within the first half you stroll on a 4×4 path, then some sand and rocks, and eventually a pleasant straightforward path all the best way to Ai-Ais. We arrived there at 1pm and had been completely comfortable to take off our footwear and to get a chilly Ginger beer for me and a few beers for guys.
After 4 days in mud, warmth and chilly drained and with blisters we had been completely comfortable to calm down within the sizzling springs and to eat some steaks! Our mission was accomplished! We walked it in 4 days with none specific cause however I’d advocate do it in 5 days you’ll have extra time to take pleasure in, relaxation, take pictures, swim, and so on.
What to pack for the Fish River Canyon hike?
Don’t pack an excessive amount of the extra you pack the extra you carry!
Sneakers
Our predominant subject on the hike had been footwear, each I and Campbell had been sporting climbing boots and each had horrible blisters throughout our ft and we had hiked in them quite a bit earlier than. Actually, I couldn’t stroll in my boots on the second day and placed on sneakers. Our French associates that we met had precisely the identical downside and a lady ended up strolling in her flip-flops with thick socks. Our third hiker was sporting path trainers and had no points in any respect, they had been very snug for strolling on sand and leaping over rocks. We are inclined to blame the warmth it was highly regarded within the boots and so they had been stuffed with sand on a regular basis.
Garments
We’d advocate sporting lengthy pants and a protracted sleeve shirt it’s one of the best safety from the solar and also you’ll be sizzling and sweating anyway even for those who stroll bare.
A hat, sun shades, sunscreen – all must-haves, Namibian solar is extraordinarily sturdy.
Snug garments (e.g. fleece, pants, flip flops) to vary, at all times good to sleep in clear garments.
A towel, there shall be a risk for “showering” within the river every single day, in the future you even get sizzling sulfur springs.
Underwear, socks, what number of pairs to take as much as you.
Mountain climbing gear
Most individuals don’t carry a tent neither did we. It provides 2-4kg to your baggage which is so much, it’s positively hotter to sleep in a tent however a correct sleeping bag solves this downside. Furthermore, the evening sky within the canyon is unbelievable it’s good to go to sleep below it.
A mattress, we had self-inflatable small mattresses and had been very pleased with them however for those who take foam rolled up one you’ll be okay you camp on sand so it’s already smooth sufficient.
A sleeping bag, take a superb one, we had our summer time bag for 11C min and one evening had been freezing in them we needed to placed on all our garments to final until morning. And we hiked in Might for those who do in In June/July it’ll be even colder. We’d say take a sleeping bag that may go to 0C.
Mountain climbing poles, we by no means use them however many individuals do for me they take advantage of sense for steep downs and river crossings, right here you’ll have each so it’s as much as you to take them or not, they aren’t actually heavy.
A water bottle with a filter or purification drugs
A headlamp/torch.
A route map, you should purchase it at Ai-Ais or Hobas. Should you hike Fish River Canyon for the primary time it’s essential.
Cooking gear
Range, we’ve a small moveable gasoline range that we at all times take climbing, it’s adequate to boil water, cook dinner pasta or oats. Gasoline depends upon what number of you’re and the way a lot cooking you wish to do however we’d say take 500ml it’ll final for 4-5 days for certain.
Pots, we had a set of two; one for meals one for boiling water for those who can handle with one solely a bit extra uncomfortable. Swiss knife, we love this factor many purposeful; opens cans, cuts, slices and so on.
Cutlery, take plastic or bamboo forks and spoons. Cups, we had two very gentle plastic cups. Lighter/matches to your range, no hearth allowed within the canyon.
Meals
It’s as much as you what and the way a lot meals to tackle the hike relying in your weight loss program, preferences, and so on. Right here is our meals record;
- Breakfast – instantaneous flavored oat sachets (3 for 2 folks), espresso.
- Snack – vitality bar/nut combine.
- Lunch – biltong/droewors (we at all times take it when climbing), crackers. Don’t lower biltong it’d get moldy within the warmth reasonably convey an enormous piece and lower it as you eat.
- Dinner – a can of tuna, 250g of pasta, one tomato sauce sachet (for 2 folks).
First-aid equipment
You may make your individual first-aid equipment or purchase a preassembled one at any outside retailers.
- Platers
- Bandages
- Hand sanitizer
- Cleaning soap
- Drugs: Ibuprofen and an antidiarrheal
- Scissors
- Antiseptic wipes