The Fish River is one of the longest rivers in Namibia. It rises in the highlands southwest of Windhoek and flows 800 kilometres before it reaches the Orange River. The section described is from the lookout point over the Fish River Canyon, down the descending route of the hiking trail to Ai-Ais, some 70 kilometres further south.

The canyon is very steep and between 450 and 550 metres deep. Several hot springs occur on its floor, the most notable being Ai-Ais which, according to one translation means very hot or burning in the Nama language. The thermal water is rich in sulphates and fluorides and with a temperature of approximately 60 degree celsius.

The most spectacular section is 65km long and the canyon reaches a depth of 549m.

The Ai-Ais Resort is renowned for its thermal springs and marks the end of the 85km long Fish River Canyon Hiking Trail, one of the top hikes in southern Africa. Ai-Ais is closed during the summer months (between November and February) as the heat collects in the narow gorge of the Fish River and temperatures can reach 45 degree celsius and higher.

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