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The deep, winding Fish River Canyon in southern Namibia seen from the rim

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/Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, Namibia · Namibia

Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail trek: grade, cost & permits

Everyone photographs the Fish River Canyon from the rim viewpoints near Hobas; very few walk the 85-90 km along its floor. It is one of the hardest hikes in southern Africa: a steep chained descent of up to 550 m, then days of boulder-hopping, deep sand and river crossings, with hot springs at Palm Springs and a soak at /Ai-/Ais at the end. There are no huts, no marked path in places and only two emergency exits, so this is for fit, experienced backpackers in a group.

Photo: Olga Ernst · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

GradeVery hard
Duration4-5 days
Highest point900 m
SeasonSouthern winter only, roughly May to mid-September (summer heat in the canyon can reach 48°C). Sources disagree on the exact opening day (15 April or 1 May); the end date is 15 September. In 2026 the trail opened late, on 17 July, after high river levels, so check the season with NWR every year.
Cost from base₹19,000per person
BaseHobas (start, near the canyon rim) and /Ai-/Ais Hot Springs (finish)

Everyone photographs the Fish River Canyon from the rim viewpoints near Hobas; very few walk the 85-90 km along its floor. It is one of the hardest hikes in southern Africa: a steep chained descent of up to 550 m, then days of boulder-hopping, deep sand and river crossings, with hot springs at Palm Springs and a soak at /Ai-/Ais at the end. There are no huts, no marked path in places and only two emergency exits, so this is for fit, experienced backpackers in a group.

Good for couplesGood for groups
Live weather

On the trail now and the next 7 days

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Forecast for the trek's map point. It is usually colder and windier at the top.

Step 2 of 7Next: Route

The route

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On the map

Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail · Open in Google Maps ↗

The climb

850 m300 m280 m260 m240 m220 m200 m Start · 850 mEnd · 200 m 850 m

How to reach the start

No public transport reaches the trail; you need your own car. Windhoek (WDH) → /Ai-/Ais is about 700 km, roughly 8 hours by road; Hobas is about an hour's drive from /Ai-/Ais. Many hikers park at /Ai-/Ais and take NWR's shuttle up to Hobas on the morning they start, then walk back to their car.

Directions to the trailhead ↗Open in Google Maps ↗
Step 3 of 7Next: Permits

Permits and rules

Permit: Fish River Canyon hiking trail permit from Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR): N$540 per person (NWR rack rates 2025/26 and 2026/27), groups of at least 3 and no more than 30. Book by email at reservations@nwr.com.na (NWR's online booking system is currently down) or +264 61 285 7200. You also pay park entry and conservation fees for /Ai-/Ais: N$280 per day for foreign adults and N$60 per car (Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, from 1 April 2026). Each hiker must hand in a doctor-signed medical certificate on NWR's form; children under 13 may not hike. Sign in at Hobas before starting.
GuideNot needed
Seasonal closureClosed outside the winter hiking season (no hiking from mid-September to April/May). Can close in season after floods: in 2026 it reopened only on 17 July after the river dropped.

Official permit or booking page ↗

Rules change. Check the park office or official booking system before you travel.

Step 4 of 7Next: Gear

What to carry

Step 5 of 7Next: Cost

What it costs

Your group, from the base₹38,000
Couple · from Hobas (start, near the canyon rim) and /Ai-/Ais Hot Springs (finish)
Per person₹19,000

Covers local transport, permits or entry, a guide where needed and food on the trail. Getting to Hobas (start is extra.

Step 6 of 7Next: FAQ

Photos

Questions people ask

How hard is the Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail trek?

Very hard grade. It takes 4-5 days and climbs to about 900 m. Everyone photographs the Fish River Canyon from the rim viewpoints near Hobas; very few walk the 85-90 km along its floor. It is one of the hardest hikes in southern Africa: a steep chained descent of up to 550 m, then days of boulder-hopping, deep sand and river crossings, with hot springs at Palm Springs and a soak at /Ai-/Ais at the end. There are no huts, no marked path in places and only two emergency exits, so this is for fit, experienced backpackers in a group.

Do I need a permit for Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail?

Fish River Canyon hiking trail permit from Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR): N$540 per person (NWR rack rates 2025/26 and 2026/27), groups of at least 3 and no more than 30. Book by email at reservations@nwr.com.na (NWR's online booking system is currently down) or +264 61 285 7200. You also pay park entry and conservation fees for /Ai-/Ais: N$280 per day for foreign adults and N$60 per car (Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, from 1 April 2026). Each hiker must hand in a doctor-signed medical certificate on NWR's form; children under 13 may not hike. Sign in at Hobas before starting.

How do I reach the Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail trek?

No public transport reaches the trail; you need your own car. Windhoek (WDH) → /Ai-/Ais is about 700 km, roughly 8 hours by road; Hobas is about an hour's drive from /Ai-/Ais. Many hikers park at /Ai-/Ais and take NWR's shuttle up to Hobas on the morning they start, then walk back to their car. Base: Hobas (start, near the canyon rim) and /Ai-/Ais Hot Springs (finish).

What is the best season for Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail?

Southern winter only, roughly May to mid-September (summer heat in the canyon can reach 48°C). Sources disagree on the exact opening day (15 April or 1 May); the end date is 15 September. In 2026 the trail opened late, on 17 July, after high river levels, so check the season with NWR every year..

How much does the Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail trek cost?

From about ₹19,000 per person from the base, covering local transport, permits or entry, a guide where required and food. The journey to the base is extra.

What should I carry?

Fully self-supported: backpack with 4-5 days of food that needs no fridge, a gas stove (fires are banned), sleeping bag and mat (most hikers sleep on the sand with no tent), water filter or tablets (you drink from the river), sun hat, sturdy boots for boulders and deep sand, first-aid kit, trowel and toilet paper (no toilets), and a satellite phone or messenger, since there is no signal in the canyon.

Step 7 of 7Next: Sources

Sources and last check

Checked 11 October 2026. Fees, hours and rules change, so confirm on the official site before you pay.

  • nwr.com.na OfficialOfficial NWR rack rates Nov 2026-Oct 2027: Fish River Canyon hiking trail N$540 per person (min 3, max 30); Hobas campsite N$480 pp; hiking non-discountable
  • nwr.com.na OfficialOfficial NWR rack rates Nov 2025-Oct 2026: same N$540 permit (min 3, max 30); Hobas camping N$480 pp; /Ai-/Ais camping N$390 pp; shuttle /Ai-/Ais to Hobas listed with activities (N$500 pp, read from table)
  • nwr.com.na OfficialMinistry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism park entrance and conservation fees from 1 April 2026: /Ai-/Ais other foreign adults N$140 + N$140 = N$280; vehicles under 10 seats N$60
  • nwr.com.na OfficialTrail reopened 17 July 2026 after high water; online booking unavailable, email reservations@nwr.com.na
  • nwr.com.na OfficialNWR notice of 16 July 2026: reopening, slippery river crossings, reservations +264 61 285 7200
  • nwr.com.na OfficialMinistry hiking precautions: no fires, emergency exits, emergency phone numbers (MEFT Hobas, NWR Ai-Ais, Namibia Medical Rescue)
  • embassyofnamibia.fr OfficialMinistry of Environment and Tourism fact sheet (older): 90 km or about 80 km with shortcuts, 4-5 days, summer heat to 48°C, season 15 Apr-15 Sep, no children under 13, medical certificate, two emergency exits, chained descent, sign in at Hobas
  • nwr.com.na OfficialCanyon up to 550 m deep, about 160 km long
  • gov.uk OfficialNo advise-against areas listed for Namibia
  • stingynomads.comTrail 86 km (about 14 km less with shortcuts), 4-5 days, river water with filter, Windhoek-Ai-Ais ~700 km/8 h, Hobas ~1 h from Ai-Ais, shuttle practice, medical certificate no older than 40 days (updated Mar 2026)

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Costs are indicative ballparks for doing it yourself and change with season and demand. Always check live fares, rates and opening rules before you book. Trip Under is not a travel agency: we sell nothing, take no commission, and every booking link goes straight to the provider. Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; see credits.

By Gokul · Updated 11 October 2026 · Photo: Olga Ernst · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Zairon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Roelf · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · Photo: Martin Cígler · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · Photo: Zairon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

From the base · —
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