It is not particularly easy to hike the second-largest canyon in the world, but it is worth the effort. Due to the complexity of booking the adventure, and the precautions and logistics of carrying it out, there are several things to know and do before hiking Fish River Canyon.Fish River Canyon, in Namibia, is unlike most canyons and resembles a giant 100-mile (160 km) crack in the surface of the Earth, right in the middle of the desert. Running through it, the Fish River is teeming with life, creating an oasis in the desert for a number of birds, mammals, and reptiles.

Logistics

The first thing to know is that there is only one authority that deals with all the logistics. Prospective hikers must book their adventure through the Namibia Wildlife Resorts. Usually, slots to hike the canyon are booked for up to a year, and the canyon itself is only open to the public from May 1 to September 15.

Only groups with at least three people are eligible to book the hike, and a 10% deposit must be paid to schedule a date.

The reason why booking must be done so far in advance is that only 30 people are allowed in the Canyon at any one time, and there is a constant, perennial demand for slots.

  • It costs around $45 per person to book the Fish River Canyon

The next thing to know is that all hikers must fill out a health form and provide a medical certificate of good health from an accredited doctor. The certificate must be no more than 40 days old. The reason for this is that the hike is physically taxing and in an extremely remote area. If anything were to go wrong while inside the canyon, the only hope of rescue is by airlift, and even that is dependent on having a phone signal.

To enter the park where the canyon is, every car must pay a nominal entrance fee, it shouldn't be more than a few dollars per person.

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  • The hike takes between three to six days to complete

The edges of the canyon are marked by sudden drops so hikers can only make the 2000 ft (550m) descent at one entry point, which is relatively more gradual. The closest camp near the entry point is at Hobas, which is a little over seven miles (12km) away.  Most hikers recommended staying overnight at Hobas before commencing the journey.

On the other end of the hike is the Ai-Ais Resort, which is a popular place to stay at the end of the journey, as it has hot springs and luxurious facilities.

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Preparedness

Physical fitness is important, and most hikers will prepare by going on smaller hikes and hitting the gym.

Since the journey takes several days to complete, and hikers are completely responsible for their own survival, packing should be comprehensive. A good pair of waterproof hiking boots are needed to scramble over boulders and cross the river.

Most people sleep under the stars, since using a tent means carrying extra weight and there's little risk of rain during the months that the canyon is open. It can get cold at night, so a good sleeping bag is necessary.

Since it's impractical to carry a week's worth of water rations, hikers must collect and drink water wherever they find it. To protect against waterborne illnesses, use purification tablets, and boil water wherever possible.

  • The river begins to dry up by September, so water may be more of a challenge to come by

Trekking poles are useful as they provide balance while river crossing and can also be used as splints or crutches in the event of an injury.

Carry a comprehensive medkit and learn how to treat basic injuries. For ablutions, use a mini-shovel and bury or burn toilet paper.

Climate

The canyon is only accessible in the winter, between May 1 to Sept 15, because the summers are too hot and carry the risk of flash flooding.

During these months, expect it to be hot in the day and cold at night.

Moonlight is accentuated in the canyon, so plan the trip around the moon cycles. If groups plan on hiking at night when it's cooler, the full moon will provide enough illumination to do it. However, it can obscure the stars, which are spectacular from the gorge.

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The Actual Hike

Day One: Descending Into The Canyon

Descending into the canyon is the hardest part of the entire hike. It takes around two hours to drop 1,800 ft (550m). This part can be taxing on the knees, and without good boots, hikers may dislodge their toenails.

At the bottom, there's a rock pool that's perfect for taking a dip in. From there, to stay on schedule, it's a good idea to hike at least three miles (5km) before sundown. Feel free to set up camp anywhere.

Day Two

This will be the first full day of hiking, so it's wise to cover a lot of ground. It will involve several river crossings and hikers will probably pass various animals like zebras, ostriches, and deer.

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If paced well, hikers should reach Palm Sulphur Springs by the end of day two. There are hot springs here, so it's a great way to unwind after a long day.

Day Three

If on schedule, hikers will come across the Causeways, which is a huge hill where they can see the Four Finger Rock, massive pillar-like rock formations.

There should be several rock pools along the way, depending on the time of the year.

Day Four

Covering around 12 miles a day, this should be the last stretch that leads to Ai-Ais Hot Springs, the official endpoint. This is often the most intense day of hiking as there's a deadline to make it there before sunset.

Extra Night

There are no restrictions on taking longer to complete the 50-mile (80km) hike, so it's ok to take an extra day to finish. Just make sure to pack extra food.

There's a detour along the way that adds an extra day to the entire journey. Long Bend is an untouched riverside beach area that's well worth the extra day of hiking. While a map is not strictly necessary for the normal hike, taking this detour might require it, so pick one up at Hobas.

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