Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
even see the four pinnacles of Four Finger Rock rising far to the north. The return trip
takes approximately two hours.
Amenities include a shop, restaurant, petrol station, tennis courts, post office and, of
course, a swimming pool, spa and mineral bath facilities.
Be advised that during the summertime, there's a serious risk of flooding - Ai-Ais was
destroyed by floods in both 1972 and 2000.
Activities
Fish River Hiking Trail
(per person N$250)
The five-day hike from Hobas to Ai-Ais is Namibia's most popular
long-distance walk - and with good reason. The magical 85km route, which follows the
sandy riverbed past a series of ephemeral pools, begins at Hikers' Viewpoint and ends at
the hot spring resort of Ai-Ais.
Due to flash flooding and heat in summer months, the route is open only from 15 April
to 15 September. Groups of three to 30 people may begin the hike every day of the season,
though you will have to book in advance as the trail is extremely popular. Reservations
can be made at the NWR office in Windhoek.
Officials may need a doctor's certificate of fitness, issued less than 40 days before your
hike, though if you look young and fit they may not ask. Hikers must arrange their own
transport to and from the start and finish as well as accommodation in Hobas and Ai-Ais.
Thanks to the typically warm, clear weather, you probably won't need a tent, but you
must carry a sleeping bag and food. In Hobas, check on water availability in the canyon.
In August and September the last 15km of the walk can be completely dry and hikers will
need several 2L water bottles to manage this hot, sandy stretch. Large, plastic soft-drink
bottles normally work just fine.
HIKING
FISH RIVER CANYON HIKING ROUTE
From Hobas, it's 10km to
Hikers' Viewpoint
, which is the start of the trail - hikers must find their own transport
to this point. The steep and scenic section at the beginning takes you from the canyon rim to the river, where
you'll have a choice of fabulous sandy campsites beside cool, green river pools.
Although some maps show the route following the river quite closely, it's important to note that the best route
changes from year to year. This is largely due to sand and vegetation deposited by the previous year's floods. In
