Late rain: Fish River Canyon Trail only open from today

Huge disappointment for dozens of hikers who wanted to hike the Fish River Canyon Trail from its originally scheduled opening on May 1. Because the Fish River was still flowing at full width in many places, the opening had to be postponed twice. But now came the good news: As of today, May 15, 2026, the trail is open.

This was announced by the state-owned company Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) in a post on its Facebook page. "Following recent assessments and monitoring of conditions along the hiking trail, water levels within the Fish River Canyon have now subsided to safe and manageable levels."

The NWR accommodation group includes the rest camps Hobas near 'Hiker's Point' at the descent into the Fish River Canyon and |Ai-|Ais at the endpoint of the trail. NWR is also responsible for the operation and maintenance of the trail. Hikers must register at Hobas and check out at |Ai-|Ais.

In April, unusually heavy rainfall occurred across large areas of southern Namibia. As a result, the Fish River caused the Neckartal Dam, located about 120 km north of the canyon, to overflow.

Its largest tributary, the Löwen Rivier (dry river), flowed even more heavily. It filled the Naute Dam to over 110 percent capacity (see 'Weekly Dam Bulletins' on the Facebook page of the state-owned company NamWater).

NamWater had to repeatedly open the sluice gates (see video clip from 29 April 2026). The Naute Dam is located just a few kilometers upstream from the Lion Rivier's mouth into the Fish River. This explains the large volume of water in the canyon (see also Elize de Wet's Facebook post from 2 May 2026).

Flows in full width at the endpoint of the Fish River Canyon Trail: The Fish River, photographed by Phil and Henriette Voigt near Ai-Ais on 1 May 2026, according to a Facebook post by Eric McLaren.

Last year, the Fish River Canyon was also quite full. However, after careful consideration, it was decided to open the trail on 1 May.

"Pack die Badehose ein (Pack your swimsuit)"...

... Cornelia Froboess advised already in her catchy German tune back in 1951. Eight years later, Bobby Darin commented: "Splish Splash". Both songs are perfect hiking anthems and are especially aimed at hikers venturing into the Fish River Canyon as from today.

All joking aside: Experts warn of the numerous strenuous river crossings along the approximately 85-kilometre trail. This was also the case last year (see the Namibian.org report from May 2025). At the same time, hikers who arrive in Ai-Ais after five or six days rave about a unique nature experience.

The hiking season in Fish River Canyon begins every year on 1 May and ends on 15 September. From mid-September to the end of April, it is generally too hot. The sun heats up the rocks throughout the day.

Fish River Canyon is considered the second largest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon in the USA. It is located in the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. The Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail is approximately 85 km long.

You must book the hike well in advance (see NWR website) and it can only be undertaken in groups of at least three people. Up-to-date information and impressions can be found in the Facebook group 'I hiked The Fish River Canyon'.