City Slicker’s Guide to NWR’s Ai Ais Hot Springs
Keen to head to Southern Namibia? Great idea! We completed 2 x 5000km round road trips within the past 5 years and love to explore Namibia. Most recently, we collaborated with NWR (Namibian Wildlife Resorts), exploring various locations, including the Ai-Ais hot springs resort.
It was a joy to experience the hot springs as well as seeing the hikers arrive after a gruelling 5 days in the Fish River Canyon. If you’re like us and you prefer your creature comforts, here’s our City Slicker’s Guide to Ai-Ais!
Table to Contents
- Ways to get to Ai Ais Hot Springs Resort
- Types of Ai Ais Accommodation
- Wifi at Ai Ais
- Things to do at Ai Ais
- Ai Ais Activities with NWR
- Ai Ais Hot Springs Restaurant and Food
- Ai Ais Bar
- Ai Ais Shop
- Booking at Ai Ais
Please note: There was extensive flood damage to the property 2 years ago, which has left it needing some TLC. It is all clean and safe, however, you may find a few missing tiles or chipped edges, etc. Repairs are a work in progress.
1. Ways to Get to Ai-Ais Hot Springs
Ais-Ais is located on dirt roads a 90 minutes from the Vioolsdrift border between South Africa and Namibia. Of the 120km journey, the road is tarred for 40 kms and dirt for 80kms. The untarred portion of the road is absolutely beautiful, however, it is very rustic and game can be a hazard as they run into the road at low light and it can be incredibly dangerous. (Particularly with no mobile reception.)
- If you’re in a Sedan: Stay on the B1 and turn left just after Grootplaas onto the C10. This will take you directly to Ais-Ais over a distance of 73 kms.
- If you’re in a 4×4, you can take the D316 road for 72 kms, turning left from Korabib on the B1. At the end of the D316, turn left onto the C10 and you will reach Ais-Ais in 11kms’ time.
Warning: We broke down on the D324 on a previous trip and were saved by men working for NWR on their way to Ais-Ais. So always have a spare tyre and don’t arrive too late as traffic is scarce in general, never mind the later it gets.
2. Types of Ais-Ais Accommodation
There are a number of accommodation options at Ais-Ais, which includes 7 Bush Family Chalets, 16 River View Double Rooms (this faces the mountain), 20 Mountain View Double Rooms (this faces the camping site) and 100 camping sites. We’ve compiled them into our YouTube guide so you can see more thoroughly:
Please note: single rates are higher than dividing the couple’s rate into two. See rates online.
Bush Family Chalets (Ai Ais Hot Spring Chalets)
We popped in to check this accommodation and the house was huge – almost a pity it’s only 2 rooms that sleeps 4 adults because they could easily convert the lounge into another bedroom and have ample space. We could hear people braai-ing (BBQing) and enjoying their evening on the porch. We’d definitely recommend these to a family or friends who want to stay in the same house.
- High Season Cost: R1800 per person sharing (R3600 / couple or R7200 for 4 adults).
- With NWR card: less 25% = R5 325 (if each visitor is SADC).
- Low Season Cost: R1650 per person sharing (R3300 / couple or R2 475).
- 2 bedrooms (best for 2 couples or a family) – 2 x single beds & 2 x double beds.
- Includes braai facilities, microwave, stove, kettle, tea station, toaster, fridge, aircon, dining table & chairs, DSTV, dishes, cutlery and large lounge.
River View Double Room (A1)
We stayed in a River View hotel room, which included breakfast, dinner and access to the indoor pools. Our suite was absolutely HUGE and included 2 showers, a large balcony, small indoor seating area, desk and very large bed. #DownToDoubleBeds
- High Season Cost: R1650 per person sharing (R3300 per couple per night)
- With NWR card: less 25% = R2 475 (if each visitor is SADC).
- 1 Large bedroom, best for a solo traveller or couple. Huge beds!
- Breakfast included, but not if a family shares this room (max 2 adults & 2 children).
- Bar fridge, coffee table, desk, aircon, tea station, towels and luggage stands.
Mountain View Rooms
These are located are upstairs, above the hot pools (hence why the close at 5pm so guests aren’t disturbed) and are smaller than the ground floor River View suites, but are equipped the same:
- High Season Cost: R1 350 per person sharing (R2 700 per couple per night)
- With NWR card: less 25% = R2 025 (if each visitor is SADC).
- 1 bedroom with 2 x single beds. (Maximum occupation is 2 adults & 2 children.)
- Breakfast included, but T’s & C’s apply – please check.
- Kettle, bar fridge, aircon, tea station, towels.
Camping at Ai-Ais
There is enough space for about 100 campers, give or take, with a maximum of 8 adults per camping spot. There are ablution blocks and power points scattered throughout the campsite. The kitchens only have hot water due to the hot springs. The grass section is not a camping area. It’s used to keep the ravine cooler and allow for picnicking. Camping is reserved purely for the gravel area.
Ai-Ais Camping Rates:
In high season, it’s R350 per person to camp, R320 in the low season.
3. Technology at the Ai-Ais Hot Springs
Here’s what you need to know if you’re a City Slicker and love your tech!
- Load Shedding – Ai-Ais (and Namibia) has no load shedding (organised power cuts by the South African government).
- Mobile Reception – There’s no reception if you’re on a South African SIM card here. You may get 1 or 2 bars to call but absolutely no internet.
- Wifi – The resort advertises internet, but we weren’t able to get it to work. The sweet lady in the office even rebooted the router for me, but it’s behind a closed door so made no difference. Your best bet is at the reception side of the bar where you may get the odd Whatsapp.
- Working Remotely – If you need the internet, forget about it.
- Backing Up Your iPhone – The wifi is too weak to provide this service. Bring your laptop and cable.
- C-Pap Machine – If you a have sleep apnea, electricity is available in the chalets and at some of the camping point. If you are camping though, we do recommend bringing your EcoFlow.
- Apple Watch Cover – I broke my cover on the first day at Ai-Ais, make sure you’re using one!
- Action Camera – We used our DJI Action camera in the hot swimming pools and it worked well. Don’t forget your charging dock.
- Drones – Drones can not be flown in Namibia (anywhere) without a permit.
- Google Maps – Don’t rely on this as it won’t load when you need it most! Paper map FTW.
4. Things To Do at Ais-Ais Hot Springs
1. Ai-Ais Hot Springs: Visit the Source!
Ai-Ais means “burning water,” as the source of water exceeds 60 degrees celcius. While too hot to touch, visitors are encouraged to view the spring’s source, experiencing this remarkable natural phenomenon firsthand.
2. Enjoy the Indoor Pools
The two indoor pools differ in temperatures. The pool nearest the reception is cooler, while the one further down is much hotter at around 55 degrees. Despite unknowingly entering the hotter pool first, we found the experience relaxing and thoroughly enjoyed soaking up the benefits of the natural waters.
It’s free to use if you’re staying at Ai-Ais, however, day visitors are also allowed and the rates are:
Ai-Ais Indoor Pool Swimming Rates 2023
- Opening Times: 9am – 5pm
- Campers Fee: R20
- Children over 5: R10
- Children under 4: Free
- Day Visitors: R50
3. Swim in the Outdoor Pool
The outdoor pool wasn’t very hot this time due to some unusual rain in the area. The water colour can also differ due to the additives used to make it safe, however, they keep the chemical intervention to a low in order to retain the natural benefits of the spring water. This will impact the colour of the pool, but it’s perfectly healthy and safe to use.
4. View Fish River Canyon
The Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world – after the Grand Canyon. It’s also is 47 kms away from Ais-Ais, and is the starting point for the 5 day hike. Apparently there are no park fees if you stay at Ai-Ais, but we didn’t test it this time.
To Access the Canyon
If you drive to the Hobas camp and book a drive (with NWR) from Hobas to the actual canyon OR take a NWR bakkie straight from Ai-Ais to the canyon for R400 per person. We’d recommend doing this as the roads are super rough.
We visited in a Corsa last time and it was great to park our car, hop onto an NWR bakkie and head to the canyon. Day trips into the actual canyon are not allowed, but it’s worth visiting just for the incredible views. Here’s our post on visiting the Fish River Canyon viewpoint.
5. Watch the Hikers Come In
We strolled down to the exit of the canyon (located at the bottom of the camp site) and watched hikers complete their trip. This is marked by each hiker ringing the bell at reception to share their achievement, before they tuck into an ice cold Tafel lager (after 11am only).
5. Ai-Ais Activities with NWR
NWR also offers a few activities which include:
- Guided morning drives: R650 pp
- Guided afternoon drives: R650 pp
- Guided Night Drives: R750 pp
6. Food at Ai-Ais
The restaurant had recently sold out due to a large group of hikers exiting the canyon a few days earlier. There were no burgers, chips or bacon/breakfast extras during our 2 night stay. The manager did apologise, but there’s literally nothing that can be done about it in such a remote location as the food trucks only visit once a week (we saw it on the day we left!).
With that, I didn’t have a problem with the food as it fills and warms you up – just what I was looking for after a long day’s drive. The breakfast had an acceptable spread, with a mix of standard cold and warm items available.
Namibian Wildlife Resorts (and the country as a whole) is most about the basics and that is reflected in their offering. Here’s what was on the menu in July 2023:
7. Ai-Ais Bar
The bar at Ai Ais is always well stocked with cold drinks. Enjoy a nice cold drink in the warm afternoon sun or visit the bar early in the evening to have a few toots as most people arrive early, retire early.
8. Ai-Ais Shop
October 2024 Update: Since our visit, we have since learnt that the shop at Ai-Ais isn’t well stocked so we don’t recommend camping unless you are total self reliant.
The shop at Ai-Ais has a few basics such as snacks, clothing, liquor, cigarettes and a few consumables. It’s basic but will fill the gap if you’re missing something (don’t expect to do a big shop here). The prices of the liquor is ULTRA expensive though (for eg. about R700 for a bottle of Jameson’s). So choose wisely what you invest in!
Tip: If you need to go grocery shopping, the Spar is permanently closed in Rosh Pinah now so locals use the Shoprite. The Oranjemund Spar is well stocked for consumables. Alternatively, check out our City Slicker’s Guide to Road Tripping Namibia.
Booking at Ai-Ais
Ai-Ais is a great pitstop on your journey through Southern Namibia. Stay for the night and head to the canyon in the morning as you make your way up north.
Booking is done exclusively through the NWR website. Don’t forget to log in to get the SADC rates if you managed to secure your NWR card.
Blog post made in collaboration with NWR. No payment was received for this content.
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