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This is reputedly the second largest canyon in the world after the Colorado Grand Canyon in Arizona (USA). It is absolutely magnificent and breathtaking in its immensity. Rock stratas of purples, greys and pinks formed over hundreds of millions of years stretch for 161 km. Yet it comes as something of a shock when you arrive at the canyon, as you have no idea it is there. It drops vertically by half a kilometre, out of a flat arid plateau without any warning. Remnants of the great Fish River appear as distant emerald pools in the base of the canyon and after rains, it looks like a straggling stream trying to muster up enough energy to be called a river. It is here that hikers pit themselves against the elements on one Southern Africa’s most famous hiking trails. The hike covers a distance of 86km in the base of the canyon, over 5 days with absolutely no facilities whatsoever. You carry everything with you and find whatever water you can in semi-permanent pools. The light at the end of the tunnel is that your destination is the Ai-Ais hot springs where a well deserved dunking in therapeutic hot water awaits you. Bear in mind that you must book the trail well in advance as it is closed during the hot dry season, and you need a certificate of fitness before being allowed to commence the walk.
From: www.go2africa.com/namibia/canyon-land/fish-river-canyon-park/