Fish River Canyon

In what is claimed to be the world's second largest canyon - up to 550m deep, 27 km wide and over 100 km long, it is you against a tough world. There is no way out until 86km have been completed (apart from an optional "escape route" on the second day). This is true wilderness. There are no trails, no phone signal, no signposts until near the end of the trek, and your only supply of water is from the river. Expect some wading.  Combining demanding walking with the intense heat, this walk is challenging at the least. However, some 3,000 people undertake it each year.

The canyon was formed over millions of years by the Fish River carving down into a fault in the high Namibian plateau. This is harsh, dry, but dramatic and beautiful scenery. Along the way, you will probably see a range of wildlife, from klipspringers and baboons, to rock kestrels and geckos.

The trail is usually walked from Hobas (a well known viewpoint) to Ai-Ais. The 500m descent down a cliff into the canyon is difficult (some say the hardest part of the walk), with some chained sections. At the bottom is a good campsite, so many start in the late afternoon.

The next few days are then spent clambering over boulders, clambering up and down hills, and trying to discover shortcuts. To Palm Springs is 1-2 days, and a relentless, tough clamber over large boulders for much of the first day. From Palm Springs to Ai-Ais, some 5 hours after the Causeway, takes 3 days or so. The canyon is wider and the going (relatively) easier, although involving sand trudging in places.

When you finally reach the end of the trek, apart from the deep sense of satisfaction awaiting you, the sulphurous Ais-Ais springs are also there to sooth aching muscles.