Namibia - Botswana and Namibia - page 588

Fish River Canyon

Sights

1 Bushy Corner B3

2 Dolerite Dyke B2

3 Dolerite Dyke B1

4 Eagle Rock Viewpoint B2

5 Fool's Gold Corner A4

6 Four Finger Rock B3

7 Hell's Corner B1

8 Hikers' Viewpoint B1

9 Kanebis Bend B3

10 Kooigoedhoogte Pass B3

11 Main Viewpoint B1

12 Rock Pinnacle B3

13 Rockies Point B1

14 Sulphur Springs B2

15 Sulphur Springs Viewpoint B2

16 Sunset Viewpoint B1

17 Thilo von Trotha's Grave B3

18 Three Sisters Rocks B3

Sleeping

19 Ai-Ais Hot Springs Spa A4

AI-AIS
The hot springs (adult/child N$80/free; sunrise-sunset) at Ai-Ais (Nama for 'scalding
hot') are beneath the towering peaks at the southern end of the Fish River Canyon. Al-
though the 60°C springs have probably been known to the San for thousands of years, the
legend goes that they were 'discovered' by a nomadic Nama shepherd rounding up stray
sheep. They're rich in chloride, fluoride and sulphur, and are reputedly therapeutic for suf-
ferers of rheumatism or nervous disorders. The hot water is piped to a series of baths and
jacuzzis as well as an outdoor swimming pool.
A pleasant diversion is the short scramble to the peak, which rises above the opposite
bank (note that the trail is not marked). It affords a superb view of Ai-Ais, and you will