Walvis Bay, Namibia

Walvis Bay is a town situated on the central west coast and is the major harbour and industrial centre of Namibia. It is widely known for its beautiful lagoon and bird watching areas.

The special attraction of Walvis Bay is the huge natural lagoon with its overwhelming abundance of seabirds. 120,.000 bird were counted lately in the lagoon, innumerable flamingoes and pelicans among them. Every year they are joined by 200,000 migratory birds.

Also worth seeing in Walvis Bay is the local museum in the Civic Centre, the Birdlife Information Centre and the wooden Rhenish mission church from the year 1880. "Dune 7" at the outskirts of town is the highest sanddune in the area. Once you have climbed to the top, you can enjoy stunning views. The town has to offer numerous good restaurants, cafes and bars. The Raft restaurant deserves a special mention, it is built on stilts in the lagoon and reached by a short bridge. This is a pleasant place to enjoy a meal completely surrounded by water while entertainment is provided by the birds, jelly fish and even the occasional seal.

A very special experience is the adventurous 48 km drive to Sandwich Harbour, a freshwater lagoon which is surrounded by dunes, a favourite amongst anglers and ornithologists. For this drive a 4x4 is indispensable. In parts the course of the road is difficult to identify, and long stretches lead through deep soft sand. The last piece has to be done by foot.

Take a magnificent off-road excursion into the dunes of the Namib Desert. You will discover the fauna and flora of this living desert.