National park · Namibia
Fish River Canyon ParkVisrivier Canyon Nasionale Park
Enter Fish River Canyon Park: pay N$40 per person + N$10 per car (2026 estimate, check), hike the 85 km (53 mi) trail (15 Mar–15 Sep) or do the short Sulphur Springs walk; go March–May or September for the hiking season and fewer crowds (check).Enter Fish River Canyon Park: pay N$40 per person + N$10 per car (2026 estimate, check), hike the 53 mi (85 km) trail (15 Mar–15 Sep) or do the short Sulphur Springs walk; go March–May or September for the hiking season and fewer crowds (check).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²)
approximate
Established
1968
Best months
Mar–May, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Namibia ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Namibian government sources before booking: since 1 April 2025 citizens of 33 countries, including the US, UK, most of the EU, Canada and Australia, need a visa on arrival or an e-visa.
- Namibia ↗Taking a rental car into Botswana, South Africa, Zambia or Zimbabwe needs written permission from the rental company and the right papers; ask when you book.
- Namibia ↗Etosha gates open at sunrise and close at sunset: you must be inside a camp or out of the park by closing time.
- ǁKaras ↗The Sperrgebiet between Lüderitz and Oranjemund is restricted diamond ground; Kolmanskop is visitable on your own ticket, Pomona and Elisabeth Bay only on a booked tour.
- ǁKaras ↗Farm roads are private. Do not drive through an open farm gate unless your destination is signposted there; if you open a gate, close it.
- ǁKaras ↗Since April 2025 most Western passports need a Namibian visa: apply for the e-visa pre-approval online or pay N$1,600 on arrival.
At a glance
- Country
- Namibia
- Area
- 500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²)
- Part of the Ai‑Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park; the national park area is roughly 500 km² (check).
- Established
- 1968
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Keetmanshoop
Fish River Canyon Park protects a 160 km stretch of the Fish River where the canyon reaches depths of up to 550 m and widths of 27 km, making it one of the world’s deepest canyons. The southern section lies within the Ai‑Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, while the northern rim is bordered by private nature reserves. The park offers dramatic viewpoints, a demanding 85‑km multi‑day trail, and a short Sulphur Springs hike, all set in a stark desert environment.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Ramsar wetland · 1995Fish River Canyon is part of the Orange River Mouth Ramsar site (check).
Size and age
500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²) · national park since 1968
Part of the Ai‑Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park; the national park area is roughly 500 km² (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Keetmanshoop.
Why go
- See one of the world’s deepest canyons with dramatic cliffs up to 550 m.
- Hike the challenging 85 km (53 mi) Fish River Canyon Trail for a remote desert adventure.Hike the challenging 53 mi (85 km) Fish River Canyon Trail for a remote desert adventure.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctAvoid
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanSummer heat, high fire risk
- FebVery hot, crowds
- MarTrail opens 15 Mar, cooler mornings
- AprDry, moderate temperatures
- MayIdeal weather, fewer hikers
- JunHiking season, but heat increasing (check)
- JulHiking season, but heat peaks (check)
- AugHiking season, very hot (check)
- SepTrail still open until 15 Sep, cooling down
- OctTrail closed after 15 Sep
- NovTrail closed
- DecTrail closed
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desert-adapted birds and small mammalsMar–Sep · Spotting requires patience. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Hobas viewpoint | Main entrance, parking, ticket office, short scenic outlook. | Open with entry fee. |
| Fish River Canyon Trail | 85 km (53 mi) hike from Hobas to Ai‑Ais hot springs.53 mi (85 km) hike from Hobas to Ai‑Ais hot springs. | Guided or self‑guided with permit. |
| Sulphur Springs area | Short descent to natural hot springs near Hobas. | Permit required, same fee as trail. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate; main visitor centre at Hobas viewpoint.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (foreigners) | NAD 40 | person | plus N$10 per car; 2026 estimate (check) |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Doctor's permit for Fish River Canyon Trail permit or guide
Sulphur Springs hike permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without park authority permission.check
- Permits
- Doctor's permit mandatory for any hike.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use portable stoves only.
- Camping
- Only at designated campsites (Hobas, Ai‑Ais).
- Vehicle access
- 4WD recommended on access roads; some sections may be closed after heavy rain.
Where to stay
In the park
Hobas Campsite
Basic camping area near the viewpoint, no facilities.
Near the park
Ai‑Ais Hot Springs Lodge
Lodge with rooms and hot‑spring pool, book ahead.
Near the park
Fish River Lodge
Only lodge on the rim, offers rooms and campground.
Safety
Extreme heat high
Getting lost high
Quicksand medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Viewpoint area reachable by standard 2‑WD vehicle with short walk.
- Long trail requires 4WD and is not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out all rubbish; no waste dumping.
- Use refillable water containers and treat water before drinking.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Fish River Canyon Park?
N$40 per person plus N$10 per car for foreign visitors; fee paid at the Hobas ticket office.
What are the best hikes in Fish River Canyon Park?
The 85 km Fish River Canyon Trail (5‑day trek, March‑September) and the shorter Sulphur Springs day hike.
When is the best time to visit Fish River Canyon Park?
Trail open 15 Mar–15 Sep; March‑May and September offer cooler weather and fewer hikers.
Do I need a permit to hike?
Yes, a doctor’s permit is required for any hike; obtain it at the Hobas office before starting.
Can I camp anywhere in the park?
Camping is only allowed at designated sites such as Hobas campsite and Ai‑Ais lodge area.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Fish River Canyon Park
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