On the Edge of Africa's Greatest Canyon

Fourteen campsites set among shady trees at the top end of Fish River Canyon — one of the few camping spots in this part of Namibia that offers real shade. Each site includes a braai area, and campers share well-maintained ablution facilities. The setting is quiet and remote, with the vast canyon landscape just beyond the camp perimeter. Hobas fills up quickly during peak season and hiking season, so book ahead.

For those who prefer a roof over their heads, Hobas offers a limited number of comfortable bush chalets with ensuite bathrooms. Simple and functional, the chalets are designed to keep you connected to the landscape while providing the basics for a good night's rest after a day at the canyon. Numbers are limited — book well in advance, particularly during the main hiking season (May to September).

The Hobas swimming pool is a welcome refuge in the intense southern Namibian heat — this is one of the hottest parts of the country, and summer temperatures regularly exceed 40°C. A small kiosk stocks basic provisions, cool drinks, and light snacks. There is no fuel at Hobas, so fill up before you arrive — the nearest town is Grünau, roughly 70 km away. Bring everything you need for your stay.

Located inside the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park in the very south of Namibia, the Fish River Canyon is one of the largest canyons in the world — 160 kilometres long and in places more than 500 metres deep. The main viewpoint at Hellskloof (Hellsbend) is just 10 km from Hobas and delivers one of the most spectacular views in all of Africa: a vast, ancient, silent chasm carved over hundreds of millions of years.

Ranked among the great multi-day hikes of Southern Africa, the Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail begins at the northernmost viewpoint above the canyon and follows the river for approximately 85 kilometres south to the thermal hot springs at Ai-Ais. The trail takes five to six days, hemmed in by towering canyon walls with the river winding below. It is only open from May to September, and all hikers must provide a certificate of medical fitness before booking.

Book the hiking trail well in advance — permits are limited and demand is high during the season. Pre-hike overnight stays at Hobas are popular and should be booked alongside your trail permit.

Hobas is the best-positioned base for the Fish River Canyon — the closest NWR camp to the main viewpoints and the only one on the north rim. The hiking season runs May to September; outside these months the trail is closed due to extreme heat and flash-flood risk. Canyon visits are possible year-round, though summer (November–March) brings temperatures that make midday activity inadvisable.

Hobas is approximately 650 km south of Windhoek via the B1, turning off at Grünau onto the C37. The road is tarred most of the way. Fill up with fuel at Grünau — there is no fuel at Hobas or in the immediate area. Self-drive is the standard way to reach Fish River Canyon; the roads are suitable for 2WD vehicles in dry conditions.