Fish River Canyon’s southern Namibia location places it further from the major tourist hubs than Etosha or Sossusvlei. The drives are long, the roads are mostly good, and the remoteness is part of the experience.
From Keetmanshoop (176km south, 2 hours)
Contents
Route: B1 south from Keetmanshoop → C37 west → Hobas The standard approach from the north. The B1 is tar; the C37 is good gravel. The Quivertree Forest (14km east of Keetmanshoop) is passed on this route; allow 2 hours for both the forest and the 176km drive.
Keetmanshoop from Windhoek: 500km south on the B1 (5 hours on tar).
From Sossusvlei (530km, 6 hours)
Route: Sesriem → C19/C14 north → Maltahöhe → D826/C14 south → Keetmanshoop → C37 → Hobas
This drive passes through southern Namibia terrain that is rarely visited: the orange escarpment country south of Maltahöhe, and the transition from the Namib to the arid succulents of the south. One overnight in Maltahöhe or the farm accommodation options along the route is recommended.
From the South African Border (68km north, 45 minutes)
Route: N7 (South Africa) → Noordoewer border crossing → B4 north → C37 east → Ai-Ais and Hobas
Fish River Canyon is the natural first destination for visitors arriving overland from South Africa via the Atlantic coastal route. Ai-Ais (68km from Noordoewer) is the immediate stop; Hobas (another 240km north by road) requires a longer drive or an overnight at Ai-Ais first.
From Lüderitz (260km east, 3 hours)
Route: B4 east → Grünau → C37 → Hobas
Lüderitz connects naturally to Fish River Canyon on the southern Namibia circuit; visitors completing the Kolmanskop and Lüderitz section continue east to the canyon.