Fish River Canyon & South
Canyons, ghost towns, and wild horses 🌵🐎
Landscapes of the South
Southern Namibia is a land of vast horizons and geological wonders. The centrepiece is the Fish River Canyon, a gigantic ravine that winds for 160 kilometres. While the multi-day hike is restricted to adults and older teenagers, families can easily access the main viewpoints at Hobas. The sheer scale of the drop-off is awe-inspiring, though parents of active toddlers will need to be vigilant near the unfenced edges. The climate here is extreme: scorching summers and freezing winter nights, so timing your visit for the milder shoulder seasons is advisable.
Giants and Ghosts
Near Keetmanshoop, the Quiver Tree Forest and Giant's Playground offer a surreal landscape of aloe trees and dolerite rock formations. The rocks are stacked like building blocks, providing a natural maze where children can scramble and explore (with supervision). Further west towards the coast lies Kolmanskop, an abandoned diamond mining town slowly being swallowed by the dunes. It is a fantastic place for family photos and history lessons; kids find the sand-filled houses fascinating and slightly spooky. Nearby Luderitz offers fresh seafood and distinct German colonial architecture.
Wild Horses and Hot Springs
On the drive between the interior and the coast, near Aus, families can stop at the waterhole at Garub to look for the feral horses of the Namib. Seeing these hardy animals survive in such a harsh environment is a memorable experience. For relaxation, the hot springs at Ai-Ais at the southern end of the canyon provide thermal pools, though facilities are basic. The Orange River, forming the border with South Africa, offers gentle canoe trips suitable for families, drifting through stark, beautiful mountain scenery.
Travel Tips
Distances in the south are vast. Parents should plan stops carefully to avoid cabin fever. Stock up on fuel and water whenever possible, as towns are far apart. The roads are mostly gravel; while generally good, they require lower speeds to prevent tyre punctures.
Click a region to explore
Activities & Best Times
Hiking, wildlife, outdoor exploration, ecotourism
Home to the world's second-largest canyon, this region offers a superlative wilderness experience characterized by dramatic geology and world-class stargazing. Peak months provide the cool, dry conditions necessary for exploring the canyon floor, whereas summer temperatures frequently exceed 35°C, making deep-canyon exploration dangerous.
Scenic drives, countryside tours, route-based travel
The vast, open landscapes and unique flora like the Quiver Tree Forest provide a quintessential Southern African driving experience on well-maintained gravel routes. The winter months (May-Sep) offer crystal-clear visibility and comfortable daytime driving temperatures, while the intense summer heat can make remote desert travel taxing for families.
Sport tourism, fitness activities, active recreation
The Fish River Canyon hike is one of the most prestigious multi-day treks in Africa, attracting elite hikers globally. Access is strictly limited to the cooler winter window (May-Aug) for safety; the extreme heat of the canyon floor during the rest of the year makes the primary active offering of the region impossible.
Urban tourism, museums, historical sites, architecture
Lüderitz provides a surreal glimpse into German colonial architecture and maritime history on the edge of the Namib Desert. While unique and authentic, it lacks the depth of global cultural capitals, making it a strong secondary highlight rather than a primary cultural destination.
Learning experiences, scientific sites, historical education
The region serves as an exceptional outdoor classroom for ancient geology, paleontology, and astronomy with some of the world's lowest light pollution. Peak conditions align with the dry winter season when clear skies for astronomy are most consistent and outdoor fossil tours are comfortable for children.
Spa retreats, wellness centers, peaceful getaways
Natural thermal springs at Ai-Ais and secluded high-end lodges offer a 'digital detox' and solitude-based wellness. The experience is best in the peak of winter (Jun-Aug) when the contrast between the cool desert air and the hot springs is most restorative; summer humidity and heat are less conducive to outdoor relaxation.
Attractions (39 total)
Water Park / Splash Park / Aquatic Centre
Ai-Ais Hot Springs Resort
Ai-Ais
Located at the southern end of the Fish River Canyon, this desert oasis offers visitors natural thermal pools and a large outdoor swimming basin perfect for relaxing after a canyon hike.
Visit website →Adventure Park / Outdoor Activity Center
Amanzi Trails River Adventures
Noordoewer
A premier river rafting base offering guided multi-day canoe expeditions through the spectacular rock formations of the Orange River, perfect for active families.
Visit website →Felix Unite Provenance Camp
Noordoewer
An established outdoor center providing professionally guided canoeing trips on the Orange River with excellent facilities and a safe environment for all ages.
Visit website →Beach / Coastal Recreation Area
Diaz Point
Lüderitz
A rugged coastal headland featuring a classic lighthouse and a replica of the historic 1488 Padrão erected by explorer Bartolomeu Dias.
Agate Beach
Lüderitz
A popular swimming and recreation spot north of town where visitors can hunt for small agates along the shoreline.
Grosse Bucht
Lüderitz
A wild and scenic bay on the southern end of the Lüderitz peninsula known for its dramatic surf, flamingos, and shipwrecks.
Landmark / Monument / Iconic Urban Attraction
Fish River Canyon
Hobas
One of the world's largest canyons, offering breathtaking vistas and family-friendly hiking paths along the dramatic rim.
Visit website →Felsenkirche
Lüderitz
An iconic Neo-Gothic church built in 1912 on a rocky hilltop, known for its beautiful stained glass and panoramic harbor views.
Quiver Tree Forest
Keetmanshoop
A striking natural landmark featuring hundreds of ancient, tree-like aloes growing among giant dolerite boulders at the Giant's Playground.
Visit website →Hiking & Cycling Routes
Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail
Hobas
85km expert-level multi-day trek through the world's second-largest canyon. Typically takes 4-5 days with an elevation loss/gain of approximately 1,000m. Requires a medical certificate and is only open from May to September. No equipment rental available; hikers must be fully self-sufficient.
Visit website →Diaz Point Coastal Walk
Luderitz
5km easy coastal walk along the Luderitz peninsula. Typical duration 1.5 hours with minimal elevation gain. The route leads to the historic Diaz Cross and lighthouse, passing rocky inlets frequented by seals and flamingos.
Visit website →Schutztruppe Trail
Aus
12km moderate hiking trail following historical paths used by German colonial troops. Typical duration 3-4 hours with 380m elevation gain, offering views of the Namib Desert dunes in the far distance. Well-marked path through the Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park.
Visit website →Geister Canyon Trail
Aus
15km moderate day hike through the Aus Mountains, exploring granite formations and historical Schutztruppe ruins. Typical duration is 4-5 hours with an elevation gain of 450m. Part of the Klein-Aus Vista trail network. Bike rental for nearby routes: Klein-Aus Vista (klein-aus-vista.com).
Visit website →Wild Horse Mountain Bike Trails
Aus
65km network of mountain bike trails ranging from easy to expert. The most notable is the 35km Eagle’s Nest loop with 600m elevation gain. Trails traverse the Pro-Namib desert plains. Bike rental: Klein-Aus Vista (klein-aus-vista.com).
Visit website →Castle / Palace / Historic Site
Kolmanskop Ghost Town
Lüderitz
An atmospheric abandoned diamond mining town where families can explore sand-filled houses and learn about the early 20th-century desert life.
Visit website →Diaz Point Lighthouse and Padrao
Lüderitz
The site where Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias erected a stone cross in 1488, featuring a lighthouse and views of seals and penguins.
Keetmanshoop Museum (Old Rhenish Mission Church)
Keetmanshoop
Located in a beautiful 1895 stone church, this museum showcases the local history, culture, and missionary heritage of southern Namibia.
Felsenkirche (Rock Church)
Lüderitz
An iconic 1912 neo-Gothic church perched on Diamond Hill, famous for its beautiful stained glass and views over the Atlantic coast.
Goerke Haus
Lüderitz
A grand 1910 German colonial villa built into the rocks, offering a glimpse into the luxury of the diamond boom era with historic furnishings.
Science Museum / Natural History Museum / Discovery Centre
Kolmanskop Ghost Town Museum
Kolmanskop
Housed in a restored building within the famous ghost town, this museum provides a fascinating look at the early 20th-century diamond rush, desert mining science, and local geology.
Visit website →Lüderitz Museum
Lüderitz
This museum features extensive natural history exhibits, including regional geology, marine life of the Benguela Current, and the unique flora of the Namib Desert.
Farm Park / Petting Zoo / Rural Experience
Quiver Tree Forest and Cheetah Park
Keetmanshoop
A unique desert farm experience featuring a dense forest of ancient quiver trees, volcanic rock fields, and scheduled cheetah viewings.
Visit website →Naute Kristall Cellar and Distillery
Keetmanshoop
A rural distillery on a desert farm offering tours and tastings of artisanal schnapps and gin made from locally grown dates and grapes.
Visit website →Mesosaurus Fossil Site and Quiver Tree Park
Keetmanshoop
A family-run farm tour showcasing prehistoric marine fossils and a massive forest of quiver trees in a rugged desert landscape.
Road Trips & Scenic Drives
The B4 Highway (Trans-Oranje Corridor)
Keetmanshoop
330km fully paved highway (approx. 3.5 hours) connecting the interior to the Atlantic coast. Key highlights include the Quiver Tree Forest near Keetmanshoop, the scenic Aus Mountains, the wild desert horses of Garub, and the Kolmanskop ghost town before arriving in Luderitz.
Visit website →The D707 (The Namib Garden Route)
Aus
120km scenic gravel road (approx. 2.5 hours) frequently cited as the most beautiful drive in Namibia. It skims the edge of the Namib-Naukluft Park, providing views of the deep red sand dunes of the Namib Desert meeting the yellow grass plains and purple-hued Tiras Mountains.
Visit website →The Fish River Canyon Route (C37/C10)
Hobas
75km loop of gravel roads (approx. 1.5 hours) connecting the main canyon viewpoints at Hobas to the thermal springs of Ai-Ais. This route provides access to the world's second-largest canyon, featuring multiple lookout points over the dramatic 550m deep chasm and the winding Fish River below.
Visit website →C13 Orange River Scenic Drive
Noordoewer
170km well-maintained gravel road (approx. 3-4 hours) running along the northern bank of the Orange River between Noordoewer and Rosh Pinah. The route offers a dramatic contrast between the lush green riverbanks, commercial vineyards, and the jagged, arid mountains of the Richtersveld Transfrontier Park.
Visit website →National Park / Nature Reserve
Diaz Point Nature Reserve
Lüderitz
A historic coastal landmark featuring a lighthouse and a stone cross monument, offering dramatic Atlantic Ocean views and sightings of seals and flamingos.
Ai-Ais Hot Springs
Ai-Ais
Located at the southern end of the Fish River Canyon, these natural thermal springs provide a relaxing oasis for families in a dramatic mountain setting.
Visit website →Tsau //Khaeb National Park
Lüderitz
A vast and pristine coastal wilderness where guided tours lead families through untouched dunes and historic diamond mining ruins meeting the Atlantic Ocean.
Natural Feature / Scenic Site
Garub Wild Horse Viewpoint
Aus
A scenic desert outpost where visitors can watch the famous feral wild horses of the Namib as they congregate at a man-made waterhole.
Giant's Playground
Keetmanshoop
An unusual landscape of massive dolerite boulders stacked on top of each other, creating a natural labyrinth that looks like a giant's toy box.
Zoo / Wildlife Park / Safari Park
Halifax Island African Penguin Colony
Luderitz
A nature reserve housing Namibia's most significant colony of endangered African Penguins, viewable via boat tours from the mainland.
Naute Game Park
Keetmanshoop
A state-run wildlife park surrounding Namibia's third-largest dam, featuring springbok, gemsbok, and diverse birdlife in a rugged desert setting.
Wild Horses of Aus (Garub Viewpoint)
Aus
A dedicated viewing area within Tsau //Khaeb National Park where visitors can observe Namibia's unique population of feral desert horses.
Historic Town / Village / Cultural Area
Keetmanshoop Museum
Keetmanshoop
Set in a historic Rhenish Mission church from 1895, this museum explores the heritage of the Nama people and colonial history through engaging displays.
Aquarium / Sea Life Centre
Lüderitz Aquarium
Lüderitz
A compact public aquarium showcasing live marine species from the cold Benguela Current, including local sharks, rays, and crustaceans.
Natural Hot Spring / Thermal Bath / Historic Bathhouse
Warmbad Hot Springs
Warmbad
Historic thermal springs and bathhouse dating back to the late 18th century. Features naturally heated mineral pools and a restored German colonial-era bathhouse. The site includes a museum documenting the history of the Bondelswarts people.
