The Fish River is the longest river in Namibia (650 kilometres long). Its source lies in the eastern Naukluft Mountains and flows south-west of Ai-Ais into the Orange River.
Fish River canyon - Namibia
The Fish River Canyon, situated along the lower reaches of the Fish River, is one of the most impressive natural wonder of the southern part of Namibia.
The Fish River Canyon is said to be 500 million years old.
With a depth of up to 550 metres, the Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world, after the Grand Canyon in America.
The gorge also meanders along a distance of approximately 160 kilometres.
The Fish River is dammed in Hardap near Mariental, which explains why it only contains a small amount of running water.
In winter, during the dry season, the river bed is often completely dry. However, after rainfalls in summer the river can become quickly and for a short period of time a raging torrent.