Besides the Grand Canyon, the Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world. It is approximately 161km long, 30km wide and 550m deep. Centuries ago, the canyon must have carried a huge amount of water to erode it to this extent. Today the Fish River is a small stream drying up in winter except for a few water holes.
The main viewpoint is accessible from the D324. Make time to hike down into the canyon (minimum time: approximately 2 hours return trip). A 3 to 5 day hiking trail tour winds through the Fish River Canyon starting at the main viewpoint and ending at Ai Ais. The trail has no fixed overnight camps and is closed in the hot summer months because of the extreme heat in the canyon. Ai Ais affords you the possibility to bathe in hot springs.
The canyon is the habitat of some small hardy mammals such as rock-hopping Klipspringer Antelope, little Dassies (rock hyrax) and Baboons. There are also Kudu, Leopard and Mountain Zebra, whose spoor you might come across, but are unlikely to see. Birdlife is more prolific with well over 60 species.
