One particular destination that should never be missed while you are planning your Namibia tour is the Fish River Canyon. It is the second largest canyon in the world. Located in the southern part of Namibia and this one of those places that draw the attention of visitors from across the globe. The breathtaking landscapes of Fish River Canyon offer adventure enthusiasts an unmatched experience.
Engaging in an adventurous journey
Exploring the geological wonder of Namibia, the Fish River Canyon, definitely promises you a journey that is truly extraordinary. It is second largest only after the Grand Canyon in the United States. There is a captivating history associated with the formation of the second largest canyon in the world. Over the years, the tectonic forces had led to the creation of rift valleys and other geological land formations in the continent of Africa. The formation of Fish River Canyon began around 500 million years ago. The Fish River began carving its way through the landscape millions of years ago and that was aided by the tectonic activities.
As time elapsed, the river started cutting deeper into the landscape and that gave rise to the steep cliffs and gradually the canyon got its shape and unique form. The tectonic movements led to the upliftment of the land around the Fish River Canyon and get to know more about this iconic place with the help of fish river canyon tours operator.
Experiencing the iconic place with fish river canyon tours operator
The Fish River Canyon is around 160 kilometers long; it reaches depths of up to about 550 meters, and has widths of about 27 kilometers in some of the places. Rock layers that are exposed, deep ravines, and also rugged cliffs – these are some of the geological formations that the canyon exhibits. The different geological eras are represented through the rocks that are a part of the canyon.
The climate here is hot and arid and this has ensured the preservation of the different features of the canyon. The region experiences limited rainfall and due to lack of rich vegetation, the exposed rock surfaces continue to remain unchanged.
It is during the winter months (May to September) that we offer the adventure tour packages to Fish River Canyon. It is just the perfect time to explore the hot springs at Ai-Ais and also for hiking. This is the ideal season to visit the largest canyon in Africa. The days are warm and the nights are cool.
Hiking Experience
You can go hiking and sightseeing during this time of the year. The Fish River Hiking Trail is open only during the winter months and with Reon’s Tours, you are sure to create some of the best memories by allowing us to take you on a journey of a lifetime.
There is little or no rain during this time of the year and the sky is clear and absolutely crisp and this kind of weather condition enables you to have a great view of the canyon. You also get to see the stunning starry night sky.
The second largest canyon in the world is home to a wide range of species. If you are lucky then you could get to spot mountain zebras, kudus, a rare species of leopard, baboons, black eagles and so on during the dry winter season.
The stunning landscape and the fascinating geological history makes Fish River Canyon an extremely popular tourist destination and Fish River Canyon tours make this journey even more fascinating. Nature enthusiasts are drawn towards the challenging hiking trails along the rim of the canyon.
The Fish River Canyon is located within the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. The canyon is situated in the southern region of Namibia which is quite close to the border with South Africa. The town which is nearest to the canyon is Keetmanshoop and it is around 160 kilometres to the north-east. Hobas, which is a small settlement area located in the northern part of the canyon, has proven to be of real help to visitors as they can easily access the different facilities that are available amidst the desolate beauty of southern Namibia.
The spectacular and challenging Hiking Trail
The Fish River Hiking Trail happens to be a very popular as well as challenging trek that takes the adventurous hikers through the awe-inspiring landscapes of Fish River Canyon. The trail is around 86 kilometres long and it takes around 5-7 days for the successful completion of the hike. The trail is open during the winter months in Namibia (as mentioned above) and that is from May to September and the temperatures are quite pleasant during this period.
The requirements
The Fish River Hiking Trail with its rugged terrain, the river crossings that are quite challenging is well known for the immense difficulty that hikers face. Physical fitness and preparedness – these are something that the hiker should ideally be equipped with.
The starting point
Hobas, which is located at the northern part of the Fish River Canyon, happens to often be the starting point of the trail. This place, that is to say, Hobas offers impressive viewpoints of the canyon. The hikers get to know beforehand what actually is coming their way during the trek and the guided Fish River Canyon tours also prove to be of immense help in this respect.
The areas of interest
Richtersberg offers sweeping views of the canyon. Kokerboomkloof is an attractive section of the canyon and here you will find kokerboom vegetation and extremely unique rock formations. Palm Springs is a very popular spot for camping and also there is a natural spring here and this place provides a great spot for hikers where they can actually get refreshed.
The ending point
Ai-Ais is located at the southern part of the Fish River Canyon and it is well known for being the end-point for the trail. The Ai-Ais Hot Springs Resort is popularly known for its intriguing thermal baths and it paves the way for hikers to actually rejuvenate and also relax after the completion of the trek that was quite challenging.
The distinguishing aspects
There are a number of river crossings and hikers should be prepared for and they happen to be one of the distinguishing aspects of the trail. The water levels of these crossings keep varying depending upon the rainfall and also the season.
The essentialities
It is necessary for the hikers to be prepared with sufficient food and water as the facilities that are available along the trail are quite limited. Also a permit is required in order to go hiking the Fish River Canyon Trail and this can be easily obtained with the help of Fish River Canyon tours.
Getting to know the place
The trail provides great opportunities to view the distinctive flora and fauna of the place and this includes the wildlife that has adapted to the desert climatic conditions and also various plant species.
When you go on hiking the Fish River Canyon Trail, then it provides hikers with the opportunity to blend in with the spectacular landscapes of the region and natural marvels of the one of the largest canyons of the world.
Reaching this ever-welcoming place in Namibia – Fish River Canyon
When you plan to visit the Fish River Canyon, then you need to travel to the southern part of Namibia. When you travel by air then you need to fly to Windhoek and the main international gateway to Namibia is Hosea Kutako International Airport located in the capital city of Windhoek. From the capital city, you can always take a domestic flight to Keetmanshoop which is the nearest settlement area to Fish River Canyon.
There are tourists who prefer to travel by road to reach Fish River Canyon. This can be done by renting a car and driving to the canyon. From Windhoek it takes around 8-10 hours to reach the second largest canyon in the world. The option of guided tours is also there.
Final Note
Reon’s Tours provides you the opportunity to experience the stunning beauty of nature in Namibia. Get to explore astounding destinations like Fish River Canyon and create memories to be cherished forever. Also seasoned professionals guide you all along the way ensuring that you are safe and making your journey enjoyable.