Fish River Canyon, the continent’s largest canyon, is in Namibia.
The canyon lies in southern Namibia within the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. The Fish River carved the gorge through an arid plateau, creating a spectacular landscape of cliffs, ravines and seasonal pools. Its main canyon extends for about 161 kilometres, reaches up to 27 kilometres in width, and is approximately 550 metres deep in places.
The canyon’s geological history is far older than the modern river. Rock formations in the area record ancient geological processes, while erosion gradually shaped the present gorge. The viewpoint near Hobas is one of Namibia’s best-known natural attractions, and a demanding multi-day hiking trail runs through parts of the canyon during the cooler months.
Fish River Canyon is sometimes confused with the Grand Canyon in the United States or with Blyde River Canyon in South Africa. Blyde is often described as one of the world’s largest green canyons, but Fish River Canyon is the African landmark associated with the continent’s largest canyon distinction.