Flamingoes, sand dunes, desert, and moonscapes—welcome to Namibia, country no. 89 on our journey!
Arriving in Walvis Bay, or Whale Bay, if translated to Afrikaans, felt like stepping into a new hemisphere; the contrast between our previous West African destinations and here was stark and breathtaking.
Today, we embarked on a half-day tour called "Treasures of the Namib Desert" on the Splendor with Regent Seven Seas. Our lovely guide, Arthur, greeted us with his off-road vehicle, ready to lead us through the beautiful, desolate Namib Desert.
Our first unexpected surprise was witnessing a flamboyance of beautiful greater and lesser flamingoes. A sea of pink, these majestic birds were feeding just after we left the port.
It is home to the largest seal population on Africa's west coast, with 250,000 seals culled annually due to the dense numbers, as there are no natural predators to manage the overpopulation. A large seal can consume up to 25 kg of fish daily, impacting the food chain and posing challenges to the fishing industry. To manage the breeding, they try to identify the frisky older males on the beaches. The culled seals are utilised in various ways: their Omega-rich oils and leather are used for products like belts and bags, while the meat is processed into a smoky sausage.
Soon after our Flamingo viewing, we exited Walvis Bay and drove past the impressive dunes toward Namib Naukluft Park. We stopped at a viewpoint to marvel at the 350-million-year-old Moonscape. The vastness and nothingness left us all in awe.
After capturing the impressive natural views, we continued past Goanikontes, where Arthur narrated fascinating insights about the lichen plants. Next, we found ourselves bumping and bouncing down the riverbed. This river has only had the pleasure of free-flowing water three times in recorded history: in 1927, 2010, and, more recently, in 2020.
Our journey took us over the Dolerite ridge, where we laid eyes on the well-protected 350-year-old Welwitschia plant, which grows just 1 cm every 10 years.
Returning to Goanikontes, we enjoyed a refreshing stop at a local campground called Goanikontes Oasis, where live scorpions were on display.
Revitalised with drinks and snacks, we set out on a mission to collect a Namibian flag as a souvenir for our fellow passengers. Thanks to Arthur's connections, we managed a quick tour through the beautiful town of Swakopmund. Formerly a German colonial town, Swakopmund's streets boast impressive old colonial buildings. We were all gifted a flag as a perfect memento.
Our final experience was a drive along the Skeleton Coast on the dune belt road. The road's name comes from the whale and seal bones littering the beaches and shipwrecks. To our left, the desert stood with its stunning golden sand dunes, while the deep blue Atlantic Ocean stretched to our right. We journeyed along a packed salt road that wove a narrow path between these contrasting landscapes. This 500 km coastal road is often referred to as "the end of the earth!"
Afrikaans language tips:
Baie dankie – The pronunciation is similar to saying "buy a donkey", which translates to "thank you very much".
Lekker – Pronounced "lacquer" but has nothing to do with furniture polish. It actually means "good" and is a common phrase used to express enjoyment or approval.
Fun Facts:
Walvis Bay means "Whale Bay" in Afrikaans.
Sailors found Walvis Bay a good place to catch whales in the 1700s.
The Namib River has only flowed freely thrice in recorded history (1927, 2010, and 2020).
Namibia's population: 4.2 million (excluding illegals).
2nd largest port is Walvis Bay on Africa's west coast.
2nd highest road deaths in Africa
No.1 crime is corruption
If you are caught poaching wildlife, you are sent straight to prison
Other notable facts include Bushman's salt and pepper, significant oil discoveries in Lüderitz, marble and granite, green hydrogen, and it even snows in southern Namibia.
This half-day tour was an unforgettable adventure through some of Namibia's most captivating landscapes and natural wonders!
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