Fish River Canyon · the southern end of the canyon

Ai-Ais Camping

Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, Namibia

Fifty campsites laid out along the Fish River at the Ai-Ais hot springs, where the canyon ends and the hiking trail finishes. Power, water and a braai at every site, with thermal pools, a restaurant and a shop a short walk away.

The stay

Camp where the canyon runs out

Over millions of years the Fish River, which flows only part of the year, has cut a canyon more than 160 km long, up to 27 km wide and in places over 550 metres deep. At its southern end, inside the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, the walls open out around a set of sulphurous hot springs, and that is where you pitch your tent.

The campsite belongs to the Ai-Ais Hot Springs Resort, run by Namibia Wildlife Resorts. Fifty demarcated sites line the river in rough, rocky country, and campers share the resort’s facilities: the thermal pools and spa, the restaurant, and a shop for supplies.

It is a favourite with Namibian and South African families in the school holidays, and with hikers coming off the Fish River trail, for whom a soak in hot water after days in the canyon is the whole point. Book early for either.

The Fish River Canyon above Ai-Ais

Ai-Ais in the Fish River valley

Where you will sleep

The campsites at Ai-Ais

Fifty campsites along the river, each for up to eight people. If you would rather have a roof, the resort’s rooms and bush chalets are a few steps away.

Campsite along the Fish River at Ai-Ais

Campsites at Ai-Ais

Demarcated campsite at Ai-Ais

Camping beneath the mountains at Ai-Ais

Ai-Ais in the Fish River valley

Hot-spring pool at Ai-Ais

Campsite

Fifty spacious, demarcated sites for up to eight people each, laid out along the Fish River.
Every site has its own water tap, electrical point and braai. The shared ablutions have hot showers, toilets and basins.
This is semi-desert, so the sites are not grassed — bring a groundsheet for under the tent.

Campers can use the indoor thermal pool for a small additional fee, and the restaurant and shop are open to everyone.

Prices Book

What to do

Why camp at Ai-Ais?

Few campsites in Namibia come with a hot spring. After a day on gravel roads, or four or five days walking the canyon, the thermal pools are the reason to stop here, and the water is reputed to be good for rheumatism as well as tired legs.

This is the view of the canyon from the bottom, looking up at the walls. The famous lookout points are at the northern end, near Hobas, roughly 70 km away. Many travellers split their stay: one night up top for the viewpoints, one down here for the springs.

Other options in the area range from the resort’s own rooms and chalets to the Gondwana lodges near the rim: Canyon Village, Canyon Lodge and Canyon Roadhouse.

Before you book

Sites are not grassed — bring a groundsheet
There is no running cold water — the spring water is cooled, so cold water runs on a set schedule
Campers pay a small extra fee for the indoor thermal pool
The pools close at night for safety
Park entry fees are payable separately
Very busy in school holidays — book early
On site: hot springs and spa, indoor and outdoor pools, a restaurant, and a supply and curio shop

Activities

Hot-spring pools and spa treatments — indoor thermal pool, outdoor pool and spa
The Fish River hiking trail, about 85 km through the canyon, finishing at Ai-Ais — open only in the cooler months, roughly May to September, and booked well in advance
Guided nature drives and walks
Mountain climbing on the slopes around the resort
The canyon viewpoints at the northern end, near Hobas

Getting there

At the southern end of the Fish River Canyon, inside the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, in the Karas Region
About 128 km west of Karasburg and 224 km south-west of Keetmanshoop
Roughly 70 km south of Hobas and the main canyon viewpoints
GPS: 27°55′43.0″S, 17°29′00.0″E (−27.92861, 17.48333) — open in Google Maps

Hot-spring pool at Ai-Ais

Ai-Ais Hot Springs Resort

Photos

Ai-Ais camping in pictures

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Video

Camping at Ai-Ais on film

A look at the riverside campsites and hot springs at the foot of the Fish River Canyon.

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