Namibia - Fish River Canyon east

View from the Main Viewpoint

Fish River Canyon is, by many measures, the second largest in the world after the US's Grand Canyon. However there is little serious commercialisation of this. On the eastern side of the canyon there is a campsite, within the National Park, a few lodges some km outside the park, a main viewing area and a few viewpoints.

Hikers' Viewpoint

Descending into the bottom of the canyon from here, at Hikers' viewpoint  is prohibited except as part of an organised hike – taking 5 days. There is apparently only one "emergency exit" so hikers have to be well prepared, fit and self sufficient.,

View across to Fish River Lodge

From Hikers'Viewpoint we could see our next accommodation, Fish River Lodge, on the western rim of the canyon – 11 km away

Main Viewpoint from Hiker's Viewpoint

Further down

Each viewpoint gives a slightly different perspective.

and further

 The road to one of the viewpoints has a sign "4WD ?".While we reckon it could have been reached in a 2WD vehicle, we were glad we had a 4WD!

Ai Ais

By contrast, the end of the canyon at Ai Ais, where there is a large resort and campsite, is somewhat disappointing