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:: Holiday Styles
Guided Holidays
The Real Fish River Canyon Hike
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2008:
7 Days Guided Camping from Rand/N$9985 pp (May to September 2008) (Single Supplement Rand/N$350).
Departures from Windhoek every second Wednesday of the month during winter (May to September). Alternative dates during May to September can be arranged for groups on request.
Routing: Windhoek to Windhoek.
Highlights: Guided trekking through the Fish River Canyon , the World's second largest canyon.
Details: Professionally guided hiking safari utilising simple camping & 2 nights lodge accommodation, includes all meals on the hike (light and simple as all food has to be carried with the group), superb canyon scenery, maximum group number of 7, minimum age of 12.
The five-day Fish River Canyon Hike is one of the most popular hikes in Namibia. The 85km route starts at Main Viewpoint and ends at the hot springs of Ai-Ais. The hike is open between 1 st May and 15 th September due to the summer heat and the possibility of high water level in the rainy season. A very good fitness level is required and a doctors medical report which is not older than 40 days. Guests must sign an indemnity form and have to provide proof of medical evacuation insurance in advance. Equipment for hire includes sleeping bags, light iso mattress and back packs (recommended 55 litre plus), water bottles 2-3 litres. Clients have to carry weight up to 15kg (all equipment and food is to be shared plus personal belongings).
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Day 1: Gondwana Canon Park Lodge |
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Credit Trailhoppers |
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Pick up time at about 8h00 in Windhoek. Heading southwards via Keetmanshoop we will reach one of the lodges of the Gondwana Canon Park in the late afternoon. Here we will relax and prepare ourselves for the journey ahead. |
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Day 2: Palm Springs, Fish River Canyon |
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From the lodge to main viewpoint, the start of the hike, is only a short drive. For the 500m descent into the Canyon we need about 2 hours. The route is steep and leads across loose rocks, however this section with the view into the canyon landscape is spectacular.
Each day we will be on the move for about 8 hours. The water in the canyon is drinkable but you may us Micropur or similar purifying tablets as an additional precaution. The first 13km are quite exhausting because the route leads through boulders and rough sand. Overnight at Palm Springs campsite with thermal sulphur pools an enjoyment for our tired muscles. |
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Day 3: Three Sisters Rock Towers, Fish River Canyon |
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The route today mostly leads along the riverbed which has to be crossed several times depending on the water level. It is advisable to bring trekking sandals along for the river crossings. The ground today mostly consists of gravel, pebbles and deep sand. About 15 kms from Palm Springs we will pass "Table Mountain" named appropriately after its "mother" near Cape Town. We will overnight just before the Three Sisters rock towers, which turn blood red when they are illuminated in the light of the last rays of the sun. |
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Day 4: Riverbed campsite, Fish River Canyon |
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Credit Wild Dog Safaris |
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A shortcut leads to the top of a hill with a view of a rock formation consisting of four thick pinnacles, known as Four Finger Rock. Further along the trail we will pass "Von Trotha's grave." Second Lieutenant Thilo von Trotha, a nephew of the well-known Lieutenant General Lothar von Trotha, fell here in 1905 during a confrontation between German soldiers and native Namas. In former times the Fish River was considered an oasis of life and we may see some of the remains of this as we walk. Overnight along the riverbed. |
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Day 5: Riverbed campsite, Fish River Canyon |
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The trail gets easier today but we still walk through sand and across rocks as we traverse our way onwards towards the south of the Canyon where the gorge widens out. Overnight along the riverbed. |
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Day 6: Gondwana Canon Park Lodge |
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There are still 10km to go to Ai-Ais and afterwards a cold beer, hot shower and a soft bed await you. We should reach Ai-Ais around noon. The hot water from the natural spring is pumped into a swimming pool and here we can relax after our long trek. The name Ai-Ais means "hot hot" in the Nama language. Transfer per vehicle to the Gondwana Canon Park where we again can relax in one of their lodges. |
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Day 7: Return to Windhoek |
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After breakfast we drive back to Windhoek, enjoying lunch along the way. |
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