Fish River Canyon

Today the canyon measures 160km long up to 27km wide and almost 550m at its deepest. It is located in the far south of Namibia and can be incorporated beautifully into a southern Namibia circle, including Sossusvlei and the Skeleton Coast.

Self-drive tourists, hikers, photographers and nature lovers world-wide are attracted to this long, thin, meandering river. The river flows intermittently, usually flooding in late summer; the rest of the year it becomes a chain of long narrow pools.

The environment of this spectacular scenery embraces a number of habitats bringing together several species of mammals, an abundance of reptiles, insects and fish that live in natural pools and the Fish River itself.

The focus here is not on wildlife, but more on the indescribable landscape, the photography, and getting on your feet.

Cañon Roadhouse is situated on the doorstep of the magnificent Fish River Canyon National Park in the privately owned Gondwana Canyon Park. It offers an affordable alternative for guests wanting to explore this beautiful area.

Cañon Village is situated at the foot of a rocky mountain in the private Gondwana Cañon Park. It offers the ideal base for guests wanting to explore the area as well as the famous Fish River Canyon.

Cañon Lodge was an old farmhouse that was restored and converted into a traditional lodge and offers comfortable chalets with en-suite facilities.Cañon Lodge offers comfortable chalets built from natural stone, thatch and wood into the surrounding granite

How to Get There

Namibia can be considered self-drive country, and with the vastly unoccupied landscape, there is some distance between major towns. Even these major towns are diminutive compared to other developed countries.

Guests wanting to drive themselves to teh Fish River Canyon from Windhoek (where they will most like fly into the country) can expect an approximate 6 hour journey and will easily accomplish this drive in one day.

Sun Safaris will arrange flights into Windhoek, from where guests wanting to visit the Canyon will connect with a short flight to an airstrip in or near the Fish River Canyon. This will cancel out self-driving and guests will be guided and taken care of by lodge staff throughout their stay. A representative from the lodge will meet guests at the airstrip and take them on the scenic drive to their accommodation.

Fish River Canyon Game Viewing and Activities

The landscape here is barren, dusty and rock strewn, however the hills and gorges are enticing. The area is too hot to visit during the summer months and the recommended time to visit is between April and September, this is also the only time when visitors can walk the Trail. Ais-Ais Hot Springs falls within The Fish River Canyon conservation area and the hot springs are a public facility.

Wildlife in the area is limited however springbok and steenbok are occasionally seen on the plains at Hobas. Some kudu inhabit the densely vegetated lower reaches of the canyon. The riverine bush of the canyon attracts an interesting variety of colourful birds and raptors such as rock kestrals and lanner falcons ride the thermals.

A variety of activities is available in the area and includes guided excursions to the Fish River Canyon; scenic flights, hiking trails, horse trails; scenic drives as well as game viewing.