Are you ready?

The Fish River Canyon Hike is one of the most challenging in Africa, the combination of distance, heat, varied terrain, no ressupply for 4  to 5 days and the remoteness all add up to challenge both your body and mind while restoring a little bit of your soul.

How to prepare for the Fish River Canyon hike
The Fish River Canyon hiking trail, albeit a walk, is not by a long shot a cakewalk. This voyage demands preparation, both physically and mentally. Before lacing up your boots, consider the sheer intensity of the trail.
With careful planning and thorough preparation, it is absolutely conquerable, even for those who aren't seasoned hikers.  

Preparing your body for the physical demands of the Fish River Canyon hike is absolutely vital.

Here are some guidelines you can use to prepare and make sure that you are ready to conquer the trek.
Firstly, focus on building overall endurance, strength, and cardiovascular fitness. Incorporate a variety of exercises into your routine such as running, cycling, and swimming to improve your cardiovascular endurance.
Strength training exercises like squats, lunges, and deadlifts will help build the necessary muscle strength, especially in your legs and core.
To simulate the conditions of the hike, include specific training sessions.
Walks on soft sand and rocky trails with a weighted backpack and hiking boots will condition your body to the terrain and the gear you'll be using. This, both helps condition your muscles and allows you to familiarise yourself with the feel of carrying a loaded bag as well as walking in your hiking boots over long distances. 

Consistency is key. Gradually and steadily increase the intensity and duration of your workouts to progressively build up your stamina.
Remember to listen to your body and incorporate rest days to allow for recovery and muscle repair.
Pay attention to your nutrition and hydration.
Fuel your body with a balanced diet rich in carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats to support energy levels and muscle recovery. Hydrate well before, during, and after training sessions to maintain optimal performance.
Lastly, mental preparation is just as important as physical conditioning. Visualise yourself successfully completing the hike, staying focused and motivated throughout the journey.

 By following these guidelines and preparing diligently, you can equip yourself enough to tackle the Fish River Canyon hike and fully appreciate the extraordinary beauty of the canyon.  

Essential Information for hiking Fish River Canyon

Permits and prices

Hiking permit  N$535 per person.

National Park Fees 
Namibian Citizens: N$50 pp per day
SADC Nationals: N$100 pp per day
Foreign Nationals: N$150 pp per day
How to book

Booking the Fish River hike You can email (booking for link here) to book through Madbookings.com or the NWR office in Cape Town (email here).

Hiking route details

Depending on your fitness levels you can hike the Fish River Canyon in 4, 5, or 6 days. The normal practice is to take 5 days - 4 nights sleeping in the canyon with the 5th night at Ai Ais Resort.

Gear for the hike What do you need?

All your gear should be worn in and comfortable, you will need a backpack, water bottle, camping stove, camping pan, food, snacks, torch, sleeping mat, first aid, water filter/tablets, matches/lighter, cutlery, bowl, sleeping bag, hiking boots, socks, clothes, hat, sunglasses, towel, toilet paper, toothbrush, personal medication, camera/phone, spares and repairs, small shovel. That covers the basics!

What to Pack

Lightweight camping food, water, cooking gear, first aid, sleeping mat, clothing, torch, toiletries, water filtre/tablets.

How to pack

Pack light and pack smart, there is an art to packing a backpack to carry on a 5 day trail.

Food on the hike

Dried pre-prepared meals are the way to go, snacks and a couple of luxury items to keep nutirents and spirits up on the hike, dont take tins.

Fitness preperation

The Fish River Hike is not technically difficult but quite physically challenging so a good level of fitness and being accustomed to walking with a loaded backpack are essential. When did you last walk 18km?

Tips and tricks

Preperation is everything, pack smart not heavy, weather yourself before the hike, break in boots and backpack MONTHS before the hike, dont take new untested equipment, test trail meals in advance so you can take only your favourites!

Getting to Fish River Canyon

Fish River Canyon is in the South Of Namibia and can be accessed by road in a normal sedan car either from Windhoek or South Africa.

Where to stay

There are 5 places to stay close to the Fish River Canyon: Hobas, best for start of hike (chalets and camping). Ai Ais, where hike ends (rooms chalets and camping), Canyon Village for a little more comfort (rooms), Canyon Lodge for more luxury (chalets) and Canyon Roadhouse for some of the best food in the area (rooms and camping). Further away is Grunau (65km) which has a selection of places to stay.

When to Hike Fish River Canyon

The Fish River hike is only open from 1st May to 14th September each year.

Satellite phones

There is no cell phone reception in the Fish River canyon so some people may wish to take a Satellite phone for emergencies.

Insurance

Normal travel and household insurance does NOT cover ther Fish River Canyon Hike because it is considered too extreme should you need to be rescued it is nnormally via helicopter to the nearest hospital so very expensive. SATIB offer special insurance for this hike.