Best way to pack your Backpack

You really want to pack as light as possible as well as  packing efficiently for a multi-day hike in Fish River Canyon Namibia.
This requires careful planning and consideration of essentials while minimising unnecessary weight. Here are some do’s and don’ts to help you pack your backpack effectively:

Packing Tips
  • A rough guide to how much you should carry on a multi day hike is a maximum of 25% of your body weight, so if you weigh 60kg your backpack fully packed (including water) should be 15kg or less. Lighter is better.
  • Only pack what you really need for the hike, make clothes do several days (no-one will smell you along the way), dont skimp on socks and underwear but one long sleeve top will do,dont pack luxury items that serve no practical purpose.
  •  Pre prepare meals for the hike, (dont take ingredients to make a meal), dehydrated energy packed meals arevnot the most appetising looking food but can be quite tasty and are light to carry.
    Snacks should be high energy light weight iems like nuts dried fruit and energy bars.
    Don't pack tins of food.
  • Heavier items should be placed in your backpack to be close to your back and lighter items towards the outside, this helps balance the backpack better and makes ift more managable on your back.
  • Snacks, sunscreen, daily water should go in outside pockets that are quick and easy to access
  •  Pack clothing items into compression sacks organised by days, for example, I put 2 x walking socks, 2 x pants, 1 x tshirt and 1 x long sleeve shirt  in one sack that I open on day three putting in the previous two days dirty items.
  • Do a couple of tests with all your gear, lay it all out, pack it up, shoulder your backpack and go for a walk, months before the hike,  this will help you streamline your packing and sort out any niggles, a daily walk around the neighbourhood with a full pack will soon get you used to how it is going to feel, (as well as getting the neighbours asking if you are homeless).  
  • Take two big rubbish bags with you, dont bury any rubbish in the canyon (animals WILL dig it up) take all your rubbish out with you, even if you consider it "biodegradable" Namibia's envoirnment is very different to most other places around the world, the dry desert heat dries things out before they have time to decompose, did you know an orange peel  normally takes 4 to 8 days to tottally decompose in most places while in the Namib Desert  an orange peel can take YEARS to decompose! So please leave nothing behind.
  • However 'comfortable' your backpack may feel as you go for a short walk overpacking is a sure way of making the hike more difficult than needed, each item in your pack should have a very specific use.
  • Carry enough food for the hike plus one extra day (in case of emergencies) 
  • Try to buy/take lighter compact gear for the Fish River hike  remember you will have to carry your bag for multiple days as you navigate different terrains through the canyon

Packing for a hike in Fish River Canyon requires careful consideration of your gear and supplies. By following these suggestions you can ensure that your backpack is packed efficiently, making your hiking experience safer, more comfortable, and more enjoyable. Remember to adjust your packing list based on the specific conditions and duration of your hike.

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.