Fish River Canyon hiking trail reopens after flood delay

Namibia’s iconic Fish River Canyon hiking season is officially back on track after a delayed start caused by flooding inside the canyon. Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) has confirmed that the Fish River hiking trail reopened today, 15 May 2026.

The hiking season had originally been scheduled to begin on 01 May 2026, in line with the traditional annual opening of the Fish River Canyon trail. Like in the previous year, unusually high water levels inside the canyon forced authorities to postpone the start of the season while conditions were closely monitored.

Following recent assessments along the route, water levels have now subsided to safe and manageable levels, allowing hikers to once again experience one of Namibia’s most spectacular outdoor adventures. The reopening will come as welcome news for travellers, tour operators and adventure enthusiasts who had been waiting for conditions to improve following recent flooding in southern Namibia.

Widely regarded as one of Africa’s premier multi-day hikes, the Fish River Canyon trail attracts visitors from around the world during Namibia’s cooler winter months. Hikers can expect dramatic canyon landscapes, rugged terrain and unforgettable desert scenery along the route.

NWR thanked hikers, travel partners and stakeholders for their patience during the postponement period, stressing that visitor safety remains the organisation’s highest priority. The decision to reopen follows careful consideration of current conditions inside the canyon.

Travellers planning to tackle the hike are reminded to comply with all safety regulations, follow official guidance and help preserve the pristine environment by keeping the canyon clean.

The Fish River Canyon is located within the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, a cross-border peace park shared between Namibia and South Africa. It holds the title of Africa’s largest canyon and is often considered the second-largest canyon in the world, after the Grand Canyon in the USA.

The Fish River Canyon hiking trail is one of Africa’s most famous multi-day hikes. Spanning approximately 85 kilometers, the route typically takes 4 to 5 days to complete. The trail begins at Hobas, located on the canyon rim, and ends at the soothing Ai-Ais Hot Springs Spa.

The Fish River Canyon hike is only open during the cooler months, generally from 01 May to mid-September, due to extreme summer temperatures and the risk of flash flooding. The trail is closed for the rest of the year for safety reasons. 

 

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