This hike offers everyone that participate an unbelievable experience. Frik Olwage, founder and owner of Eco Ventures, has hiked the ‘Fish’ more than 60 times as a guide. With Eco Ventures the Fish River Canyon becomes an unbelievable experience. We know all the easier foot paths and the stories, around the camp fire at night, make the history of the Canyon even more interesting. The Fish River Canyon is one of the most magnificent natural phenomena in Southern Africa.In 1962 it was proclaimed a Natural Monument and Nature Reserve. For its size and as a spectacle it has been compared with America’s Grand Canyon.
The Fish River Canyon is the oldest canyon in the world and America’s Grand Canyon the biggest. The Fish is 161km lo ng and in places 2.7km (Outer rim 6km) wide. Depth ranges from 457meters and height above sea level from 609 to 366 meters. The hiking trail starts from the main viewpoint near Hobas to Ai-Ais Hot Spring Resort. The trail is 86 - 96km long and takes an average of five days to complete. The 'Canyon' is only open to hikers from May to September each year. Hiking with us, you do not carry stoves and pots and we provide boiling water in the morning for coffee/tee and again at breakfast time for coffee/tee and for oats. We assist you with all the preparation – training, packing checklists and how to pack a back-pack.
We depart from CPT International Airport,with a Mercedes sprinter bus and can organise accommodation the evening before departure and a free airport shuttle or you can meet us at Norotshama River Resort in Namibia.
Pick up at Airport and transfer to accommodation (own account)to overnight near Clanwilliam
Leave early, via the N7, crossing the border into Namibia, at Vioolsdrift. Regular stops along the way and entertaining stories of the history, culture and people of Namaqualand assured an interesting day of traveling. Briefing before dinner and distribution of hiking food. Guides will check back-packs and boots.
Dinner at restaurant (own account)
Accommodation: Norotshama River Resort(B&B) (or similar)
Travel after breakfast, (included) via desert and mountain scenery to Canyon Road House for last refreshments - an interesting stop before we continue to Hobas, the starting point of our hike. Look out for Game and the rare mountain Zebra. Visit the View Point overlooking the Canyon. We will descent into the ‘Canyon’ to overnight at the bottom.
Overnight: At the bottom under the stars on the white sand banks of the river.
We will follow the course of the river. The amount of water in the river often determines the mood of the hikes. After a good rainy season, the river will have to be crossed several times. During a dry period hikers will have to carry more water but will be able to cross the river without changing shoes. There are stretches with small rocks, boulder – hopping to soft sandy banks. During the hike we will pass the sulfur springs –‘Palm Springs’, Table Mountain, Three Sisters, ‘Viervinger’ Rock, Van Trotha’s grave and finally ‘Big Bend’ ending the approximately 96km walk at Ai-Ais.
Dinner at restaurant (own account)
Accommodation: Norotshama River Lodge (B&B) (or similar)
Leave early via Noordoewer and N7 to arrive at CPT International Airport by 17:00
Highlights of the Trip
Includes:
Excluded:
Note: Gear is available for hiring e.g back pack
