The Canyon Klipspringer Trail is a 4 day hiking trail that offers an alternative for participants who wish to experience some of the hiking adventures of the longer Canyon Fish Eagle Mule Trail, but condensed into 4 days of hiking instead of 5. All of your camping & personal equipment is transported by a mule train and all you need to carry is a small day pack, allowing you to experience the beauty of hiking in this part of Namibia without the discomfort of carrying a huge backpack.

On the Canyon Klipspringer Trail hikers can expect a unique and exciting adventure in a wilderness area around the northern part of the Fish River Canyon. Tours can be organized between 15th March and 15th October.

This trail runs through the Nama Karoo and your guide will lead you to a number of unique and fascinating plants such as the quiver tree, candelabra euphorbia and tamarisk. Game resident in the area includes mountain zebra, ostrich, duiker, springbok, kudu and klipspringer, from which the trail is named. Water birds such as the hamerkop and African fish eagle can also be spotted.

Highlights are much the same as the Canyon Fish Eagle Trail:

• Diverse canyon scenery characterized by meandering gorges up to 500m deep.
• The high plateau offers 360 degree panoramic views of gorges and springs.
• Relax and refresh by swimming or fishing in natural pools.
• Learn about the fascinating plant and animal world of the Nama Karoo Desert.
• 1 x nights sleeping in a tent or in the open under the spectacular Namibian starry night skies.

Children are accepted from the age of 12 years old and over.

Hiking in Namibia

Day 1: Canon Outpost

Guests can either make their own travel arrangements to Canon Outpost, or they can request an optional extra and tour with a transfer from and to Windhoek. Passengers choosing the optional tour will be picked up from their accommodation and be driven the 650km, with a light lunch en-route. Arrival time should be no latter than 17hh00 for self-drive guests, as the evening is set aside for a preparation which includes a tour briefing and equipment familiarity.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Canon Outpost

Day 2: Mule trekking from Canon Outpost to Echo Pools Camp

An early breakfast precedes the loading of the mule teams and once the supplies have been loaded, the Canon Klipspringer Trail sets off ±07h00. The trail initially heads away from the gorge of the seasonal Gaap River on ancient zebra paths, before clambering up to the top of a high plateaus traversing along them, pausing at strategic viewpoints to admire the stunning scenery of the Fish River Canyon.
A picnic lunch is scheduled at around noon in a shady spot. The mules and supply teams will move on ahead to set up camp for the evening. Hikers can expect a steady descent in the afternoon. It will be down an escarpment and then along steep and uneven valleys, crossing stony and sandy plains before arriving at the Fish River. Expect to encompass sporadic patches of river pebbles alternating with slabs of rock and sand dunes, an opportunity for your guide to inform of the country's dramatic change of landscape over a period of millions of years. The information can be gathered from the formation of the massive layers of rock.
On the way there will be the possibility of encountering deep pools of water, ideal for a splash and a dip or you might want to try your hand at a spot of fishing. A shady site will be selected nearby, and a welcome picnic lunch will be served after your swim. Refreshed, hikers can enjoy another session of hiking in the canyon until the team reaches Echo Pools Camp - named after the echo reverberating from the arched rock faces and tonight's overnight stop. The sight as the rock reflects the light of the setting sun with an impressive array of colours, is an outstanding backdrop to enjoy a sundowner before dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Echo Pools Camp
Distance: 18km

Day 3: Mule trekking from Echo Pools Camp to Horse Shoe Canyon

Today is the shortest leg of the trail, but before you get too excited, it's also the most strenuous. It begins with a steep and stony incline on a zigzag path to the top of a high plateau. The view at the top is amazing, well worth the extra calories, and the 360º panoramic view across the canyon is as far as the eye can see. The stunning vistas extend as far as 40km and beyond into every direction possible - a welcome sight compared to the limited field of vision previously experienced in the canyon.
An early picnic lunch in a shady area is scheduled for noon. After lunch it's time to stretch your legs as the trail continues across the plateau, passing clusters of quiver trees along the way. The arriving at a small spring could herald an amazing feature, and depending on the time of year, hikers could be rewarded with an amazing sight - a high waterfall! The highlight of the tour is still to come though - this evenings camp is pre-pitched next to the rim of Horse Shoe Canyon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Horse Shoe Canyon
Distance: 10km

Day 4: Road transfer from Horse Shoe Canyon to Canon Outpost

After breakfast it's time for some tired and aching limbs to hop aboard an open vehicle for the final stretch of the trail. The 2hr drive takes in some stunning canyon scenery, as more photographic opportunities present themselves along the way. On arrival at your destination, the Canon Outpost, the trail has come to an end.

Included

• Luggage and equipment are carried by mules
• Stages are 10-18km/day, equivalent to 6-10hrs walking/day (including breaks).
• Hikers only need to pack water, snacks and camera's for the day’s hike.
• A qualified and knowledgeable guide accompanies you to explain geology, flora and fauna.
• A mule driver takes care of the pack animals.
• A supply team is in charge of the camps.
• Camp equipment includes tent, mattress, table, chairs, crockery, cutlery, WC and shower
• Meals are cooked on an open fire.
• Shower and toilets offer a spectacular view into the open wilds.

Excluded

• Beverages (other than water, coffee & tea), drinking bottle (about 2 litres)
• Light rucksack (day pack ± 25 litre)
• Sleeping bag (-5 °C)
• Personal insurance
• Tips
• Souvenirs/presents
• It is not possible to ride the mules