Fish River Canyon Accommodation

 

The Fish River Canyon is located in Namibia. It is the second largest canyon in the world and the largest in Africa, as well as the second most visited tourist attraction in Namibia. It features a gigantic ravine, in total about 100 miles (160 km) long, up to 27 km wide and in places almost 550 metres deep.The Fish River is the longest interior river in Namibia, but its flow in the present is a puny trickle compared with the immense volume of water that poured down its length in ages past. It cuts deep into the plateau which is today dry, stony and sparsely covered with hardy drought resistant plants such as succulents.

The river flows intermittently, usually coming down in flood in late summer, and when it ceases to flow it becomes a chain of long narrow pools on the sandy rock-strewn floor of the chasm. At the lower end of the Fish River Canyon, the hot springs resort of Ai-Ais provides an oasis in the desolate rocky wastes. The public view points can be found around Hobas, a camp site 70 km north of Ai-Ais. This part of the canyon is part of the Ai-Ais / Richterveld Transfrontier National Park (Peace Park).

But there is an aspect of this wonderful land, which makes it quite different from the Grand Canyon in the USA: the fact that about 90 km of this canyon is privately owned and incorporated into Private Nature Parks (such as the Canyon Nature Park or Vogelstrausskluft). Therefore, other places of interest and equally spectacular viewpoints are found on private land on both sides of the Fish River Canyon.In the canyon you may encounter several species of mammals, such as wild horses, Mountain Zebra (Hartman Zebra), Kudu, Klipspringer, Leopard, Steenbok, Baboon and Springbok. The most common rodents include mice, rats, dassies, and dassie-rats. Bird life includes surprises like Pelicans, Black Eagles, Fish Eagles, Kingfishers, Lovebirds, Wild Ostrich and various species of waterfowl and wading birds, like Herons.

Reptiles and insects are in abundance and you may come across huge Leguan lizards; snakes (such as Cape Cobra, Black Spitting Cobra, Puff adder and Horned adder) as well as Geckos. Different species of locusts, butterflies and moths are also present. In the natural pools of the Fish River are found an abundance of fish, such as Barbled catfish and Yellow fish.

Whatever kind of holiday you're looking for, our selection of Fish River Canyon accommodation will have something to suit your tastes. Please feel free to browse the below selection of lodges and send through your enquiries for a free no obligation quotation.

Canon Lodge

Cañon Lodge lies in the shelter of a granite hilltop on the sweeping plains of Gondwana Cañon Parks. The 25 thatched en-suite chalets, built from natural rock and nestled among massive boulders, convey the impression that you are living in the lap of nature. The farmhouse with the reception and restaurant was completed back in 1913. Numerous implements, lovingly arranged as decoration, are reminiscent of the pioneering days of farming. Hearty game dishes and scrumptious side dishes for the buffet are conjured up in the kitchen. Yoghurt, cheese and cold meats as well as your breakfast eggs are supplied by the butchery, cheese dairy and smokehouse run by our Self-Sufficiency Centre. The little farming business also produces fruit, vegetables and herbs fresh from the garden!

 

Canon Village

Cañon Village sits picturesquely at the foot of a sweeping rock face in Gondwana Cañon Park. 21 comfortable chalets (42 rooms) in the Cape-Dutch style and a thatched restaurant of generous proportions are grouped together to form a little hamlet. A rural atmosphere also prevails in the restaurant building which sports a coffee shop and a rustic bar between massive granite boulders. Namibian artists have adorned the walls of the restaurant and the chalets with murals depicting the daily life of the Bondelswart Nama, the original inhabitants of this area. At our evening buffet we spoil our guests with several meat dishes, fresh vegetables and a choice of salads. Meat and sausages, yoghurt and cheese, vegetables and fruit, by the way, come fresh from our Self-Sufficiency Centre which runs a greenhouse, cheese dairy, butchery and smokehouse.Allow Luggage and Suitcase to welcome you: they are no doubt the two most photographed donkeys south of the equator and will happily deliver your luggage to your chalet. And enjoy a break at the 'Pool with a View' – a view of the virtually endless plain of Gondwana Cañon Park.

Canon Roadhouse

Thirsty? Hungry? Tired? Exhausted after hours on the road? Wouldn’t you enjoy a refreshing cold beer, a hearty meal and a good night’s rest before you abandon yourself to adventure at the Fish River Canyon? Cañon Roadhouse offers 9 immaculate en-suite rooms, built around a friendly courtyard. Campers can pitch their tent on a camping site with soft river sand and large camel thorn trees. We spoil our guests with the excellent cuisine of our à-la-carte restaurant. Fresh produce - fruit and vegetables, yoghurt and cottage cheese, cheese and cold meats, eggs and meat - is supplied by our Self-Sufficiency Centre, a small farming business which runs a butchery, cheese dairy and smokehouse. The restaurant, the gorgeous shaded terrace and our by now famous Wheels Bar celebrate the good old times of the automobile with many details in the carefully composed decoration. There is also a petrol station on the Roadhouse grounds.

Canon Mountain Camp

Unpretentious Cañon Mountain Camp is just the place for the more adventurous, self-catering guest. Even groups will find an undisturbed and secluded spot for themselves.Located at the foot of picturesque dolerite hills, eight en-suite rooms are grouped around a u-shaped courtyard. Apart from a fully equipped kitchen and lounge there is also a lapa (a roofed-over terrace) and a barbecue area. Those who grow tired of cooking for themselves are of course always welcome to dine at the Cañon Lodge restaurant, just 6 km away. The swimming pool and activities offered at the lodge are also available to guests at Mountain Camp.