Fish River Canyon, Namibia Fish River Lodge
On the edge of the canyon
Fish River Lodge is the only lodge directly on the western rim of the Fish River Canyon, at 550 metres deep one of the largest canyons in the world. The chalets stand only five to eight metres from the edge. Dry-packed stone walls and large windows direct the eye to a landscape whose rock layers show 500 million years of Earth’s history. The lodge lies in the 45,000-hectare Canyon Nature Park, a wide landscape of quiver trees, rocky plateaus and dry plains. Hartmann’s mountain zebra, kudu, oryx and springbok live here, and on guided tours guests swim in the rock pools deep in the canyon. The house was built in 2008/09 and underwent an extensive interior renovation in early 2023.
Location
On the western rim of the Fish River Canyon in the Canyon Nature Park, with the chalets five to eight metres from the edge
764 kilometres and about seven hours by car from Windhoek
Keetmanshoop, the nearest town, is two and a half hours away, and the last 19 kilometres run over gravel. Alternatively, you can fly from Windhoek to the lodge’s airstrip.
Highlights
The only lodge directly on the rim of the Fish River Canyon
19 chalets with canyon views and an outdoor shower
Canyon drive, sundowner drive and a multi-day hike from rim to river.
Over 240 bird species and wildlife such as mountain zebra, kudu and oryx in the park
Amenities
19 chalets (36 sqm each) · Walk-in shower with dressing room · Outdoor shower with canyon views · Pool · Bar and restaurant with deck · Fireplace in winter · Solar power · Platform for yoga or a night under the stars · Guided canyon experiences
Impressions
Cuisine
The restaurant serves good home cooking with stylish touches on handcrafted tables, beside crackling fires in winter and outside on the deck in summer. Drinks are served indoors and on the deck overlooking the pool and the canyon. The kitchen caters for special dietary needs and children, given advance notice, as all supplies come from Keetmanshoop.
Experiences
On the canyon drive, a guide takes you into the heart of the gorge in an open safari vehicle, with a swim in the rock pools and a picnic. On the afternoon sundowner drive, you stop at two viewpoints on the canyon rim. Easy trails make the rim walk suitable for exploring on your own or with a guide, and e-bikes lead along the canyon edge on guided tours.
From April to September, a day hike descends to the rock pools in the canyon. The two- or three-night hike from rim to river, with overnights at Camps Eternity and Edge, is demanding (grade 4 of 5), requires a doctor’s fitness certificate and is open from age 16. A three-course dinner under the open sky is part of it.
Room categories
Fish River Lodge has 19 chalets along the canyon rim, spaced far enough apart for privacy and quiet. All have a walk-in shower with dressing room and a secluded outdoor shower overlooking the canyon, a fan and a tea and coffee station, and hot water is brought in flasks from the kitchen.
The chalets (36 sqm) with a double bed or two single beds have dry-packed stone walls and large windows, so the view falls from the bed straight into the canyon. They sleep two guests.
The Family Chalets (36 sqm) are designed like the other chalets and can be extended for families: two chalets sleep four guests, and two more sleep three.
Your journey in best hands.
Fish River Lodge – Stillness on the canyon rim
Fish River Lodge combines 19 chalets of stone and glass with a view that falls on the canyon from sunrise to sunset. A place for travellers seeking space, silence and walks in one of Africa’s oldest landscapes.
Let us help plan your dream trip to Fish River Lodge – get in touch for a no-obligation travel enquiry.
More hotels
