The ǀAi-ǀAis Hot Springs & Hunsberge Nature Reserve was proclaimed in 1968 and 1988 respectively. Since 2003 the area is officially merged with the Richtersveld National Park in South Africa to form the ǀAi-ǀAis Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. ǀAi-ǀAis is Khoekhoegowab and means “very hot”.
ǀAi-ǀAis is an area of hot springs which are well-known for its healthy, 60 degrees C warm water. The Hunsberge (Huns Mountains) is a mountainous area reaching a height of up to 1638 metres. The one border of this mountain range forms the Fish River Canyon, the world’s second largest canyon. The Apollo 11 Cave is also part of the area and is one of the most well known archaeological sites on earth.
The conservation area has a site of 6235 km² and is categorized as IUCN II.
Further information can be found on the official site of the MET at www.met.gov.na.
To Do and See
- Fish River Canyon
- Hiking (Fish River Hike starts from Hobas)
- Hot springs
- Bird watching
- Tennis (at ǀAi-ǀAis Hotsprings Spa)
How to get here
From Keetmanshoop (North): Follow the B4 in a westerly direction for 43 kilometres; turn left onto C12 (M28) and follow for 75 kilometres; turn right on C37 (D824) and follow for 32 kilometres until reaching Hobas. Follow further for another 62 kilometres until reaching ǀAi-ǀAis. The whole drive is well signposted.
From Noordoewer (South): Follow C13 (D207) in a northerly direction for about 70 kilometres; turn right onto D316 and left onto C10 until you reach ǀAi-ǀAis.
Accommodation
There are two accommodation options in the National Park (|Ai-|Ais & Hobas). These belong to Namibia Wildlife Resorts and can be booked through www.nwr.com.na. There are a handful of private accommodation options in the vicinity. Book accommodation around the Fish River Canyon through our partner Expedia.com*.
