It turns out that the second largest canyon in the world after the legendary Arizona natural landmark of the Grand Canyon is in Namibia. Canyon Fish River, which was formed as a result of giant tectonic activity, has an impressive age: one hundred and fifty million years.
How to get
The canyon lies south of Windhoek and many brave souls begin their walking pilgrimage from there. The route runs past Hardap-Dam, the largest dam in Namibia and Hobas, from where the unique canyon begins. Also from Windhoek to the canyon can be reached by car, it is about 550 km or 6-7 hours, or by air for 2, 5 hours.
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Climate
The climate is tropical, dry. The average temperature from December to April varies from +28 ° C to +32 ° C during the day, and from +15 ° C to +24 ° C at night. In summer, from October to March, usually produces a lot of precipitation in the form of thunderstorms. This is the hottest and wetest period, during which the temperature is kept around 30-40 ° C.
Campings and lodges
Since the Fish River canyon is part of a natural park, there should not be problems with overnight accommodation. The nearest hotel with all conditions is at a distance of ten kilometers. Camping Hobas, where the canyon usually begins, is a bit expensive: 100 rand (400 rubles) for a camping place, plus 100 rand for each person. And keep in mind that the only local soldier closes at 4 pm.
In the Fish River Canyon area, you can choose one of 10 campsites, each of which is designed for 8 people and 2 cars. Someone will like the Canyon Lodge or Canyon Roadhouse, located 20 km from the main canyon observation deck. It is necessary not to reach the entrance to the park on the road D601. Prices here range from 70 rand to 40 rand, there is a decent restaurant and a funny decor of the rooms. Another nice option is the Canyon Village hotel.
- To reach one of the characteristic stone mounds, piled at a distance of 30 minutes from the edge of the canyon for orientation on the terrain, one of these leads to the iron coffin of a German soldier, who died in 1905, who came to these lands to fight on the side of the Boers and died in the canyon. $
- Spend a day at the resort of Ai-Ais, whose name from the language of the Nama tribe translates as "hot-hot." After several days spent in the wild, the phenomena of civilization: a swimming pool, a bar, a comfortable bed - acquire special significance.
- Try to see mountain zebras, which are rare for Namibia.
- See the common plant here Milk Bush - a milk bush. The plant, by the way, is poisonous, and the only animal that likes to eat it is a rhinoceros.
Entertainment, excursions and attractions of the Fish River Canyon
The main pride of the harsh terrain is, of course, the unfriendly cliffs and insidious gorges lost in the dense forests of aloe, among the amazing basalt rocks .Gigantic rocks shimmer with the most unexpected shades of brown, green, pink, white and black..On these stone walls you can trace the history of geology of southern Africa, starting from 650 million years ago .Despite the apparent uninhabited terrain, travelers periodically come across eloquent traces of mountain goats, kudu, zebras, damans, jackals and baboons .
Picturesque mountain "God's finger" ("Finger of God"), the crater of the extinct volcano Brukkaros (in the vicinity of the city Keetmanshoop). The thin elongated line of the national park along the canyon from the southern edge is backed by the hot springs of Ai-Ais, and from the north - by a lot of observation platforms.
Trekking
Most tourists are attracted by the inciting appetite for exploring the bottom of the canyon, for which it is necessary to embark on a two-day trek with a romantic overnight stay on the bank of the Fish River, a small river that cuts through the rocky bottom..Lovers of hiking can taste all the delights of the surrounding natural beauties in a five-day journey along the riverbed, the route of which is generally equivalent to eighty-six kilometers .But for this feat it is necessary to issue a special permit in Windhoek, since it is considered one of the most severe and unsafe in Namibia .This trip ends at the resort of Ai-Ais (Ai-Ais) in the southern part of Fish River, where the tired body of the traveler is gaining strength in healing hot springs .
Here you will find many accommodation options, starting with a tent camp ending with private apartments and luxury apartments. By the way, you can go down into the canyon only in the winter. True, no one will let you into the reserve at another time, because the entrance to the canyon is allowed from the middle of April to the middle of September. It is important to take care of the appropriate clothing in advance: the daily temperature difference can reach 30 degrees. And you have to carry a stock of food and drinking water.
Sight place
Main observation point Main Viewpoint is 10 km from the entrance to the Hobas camping site and this is truly the most picturesque place in the canyon .The species that open from this point are crazy beautiful..Two kilometers to the north, there is another viewing platform - Hiker's Viewpoint, from where the footpath that leads to the bottom of the canyon and up to Ai-A's itself begins officially - $ .Not so famous, but still not inferior in beauty viewing platforms are south of .3 km south of the main lookout you can find the Sulfur Springs Viewpoint, named after the sulfur springs located at the bottom of the canyon .
Who needs to add an exotic African nature, you can continue your journey towards a nearby nature reserve, the southern part of which merges with the Richtersweld National Park in South Africa and forms the cross-border Ai-Ais / Richtersveld National Park.
| Fish River |
| Lightning over the Fish River |
| Fish River bends |