Food for your hike
Food food glorious food never enough to lighten the mood.
When getting ready to take on the challenging hike through Namibia's Fish River Canyon, strategic meal planning can significantly enhance your experience.
Here’s a guide focused on lightweight dried and easy to make meals, along with essential snacks and luxury items to keep your spirits high and your body nourished along the Fish River Canyon hiking trail.
Dried meals are ideal for backpacking adventures due to their lightweight nature and ease of preparation. Consider the following options when packing food for your expedition.
- Dehydrated Backpacking Meals: Choose from a variety of options such as pasta dishes, rice meals with curry, or dehydrated stews that only require hot water to rehydrate.
- Snacks: In some ways snacks that you comsume along the Fish River hike are more important than your evening meal on the hike, drinking lots of water as you hike is great but the body needs something to absorb the water to make best use of it, so continue snacking as you walk will keep your energy levels stable throughout the day and help your body retain water, so walk, snack and sip.
- Luxury items: A few treats to lift your spirits as well as provide extra nutrients Dark Chocolate: A small piece of dark chocolate can provide a morale boost as well as a much needed dose of antioxidants.
- Hydration: Water is life. Carry a 1 or 1.5 litre drinking bottle - which you should drink every two hours as you hike and an additional 2 to 3 litres minimum in your pack as you pass water top up your supplies remember if you feel thisty you are already getting dehydrated.
Staying hydrated is absolutely imperative when taking on a trek like the Fish River Canyon. Dehydration can lead to fatigue, muscle cramps, and even more serious complications. Electrolyte sachets (rehydration salts) can be added to water to help your body keep up levels of salts and minerals, this is especially important in hot places like the Fish River Canyon. - Keep your food fresh Use lightweight, waterproof, and resealable bags or containers to store food items securely and keep them fresh.
- Leave nothing behind Take all waste out with you leave no trace to preserve the pristine environment of the Fish River Canyon.
Instant Noodles: Quick and easy to prepare, providing carbohydrates and some protein. Look for options that are low in sodium.
Freeze Dried Meals: These retain nutrients well and are lightweight.
Options include freeze dried fruits for snacks and main meals that you just need to add water to
Trail Mix: You can create your own or buy a mix that includes nuts, seeds and some dried fruit.
Energy Bars: Look for bars that are high in protein and fibre, with ingredients like oats, nuts, and dried fruits.
Biltong: Provides protein and can satisfy savoury cravings. Opt for varieties without added sugars or excess salt.
Dried Fruit: Apricots, figs, or mango slices provide natural sweetness and essential vitamins.
With careful planning and packing, you will have the nourishment and in turn energy necessary to conquer the awe-inspiring trails while also enjoying the marvels of one of Southern Africa’s most remarkable natural wonders.
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
Hiking route details
Gear for the hike What do you need?
What to Pack
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
Fitness preperation
Tips and tricks
Getting to Fish River Canyon
Where to stay
When to Hike Fish River Canyon
The Fish River hike is only open from 1st May to 14th September each year.