As we leave Swakopmund behind and journey south toward Walvis Bay, the road unfolds like a storybook of contrasts. We pass avenues of nearly 1,600 palm trees, planted generations ago to frame the desert road with an unexpected burst of green. Along the way lies a solitary grave, a quiet reminder of the coast’s human history. The old railroad line still lingers, and at the historic station where two rail crossings once connected, one can almost hear the echoes of locomotives from a bygone era. On one side, the Namib Desert and its rolling dunes rise in golden waves; on the other, the cold Atlantic sends its mist inland. Running alongside us is the water pipeline, lifeline to both towns, proof of how nature and necessity shape life on this desert shore.

Walvis Bay Lagoon The Walvis Bay Lagoon is one of the most important wetlands in southern Africa and is internationally recognised as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. Stretching in a graceful curve along the shoreline, the lagoon is a haven for birdlife — with over 150,000 birds recorded in peak season. It is especially famous for its flamingos, both greater and lesser species, which turn the shallows into a sea of pink as they feed on the nutrient-rich mudflats. Pelicans, avocets, terns, and countless migratory birds also make the lagoon their home, some travelling thousands of kilometres along the East Atlantic Flyway to reach this sanctuary. Beyond its ecological importance, the lagoon is breathtakingly beautiful — calm waters framed by desert dunes, alive with the constant movement of birds and the occasional dolphin offshore. It is a place of quiet wonder, where you can pause to watch the interplay between desert, ocean, and sky.

Walvis Bay Salt Works – Namibia’s “Snow Factory” Stretching across shimmering white plains, the Walvis Bay Salt Works is the largest producer of solar sea salt in southern Africa. Locals fondly call it Namibia’s “snow factory” — a surreal landscape where mountains of salt glisten like snowdrifts under the desert sun. The contrast of bright salt pans, turquoise waters, and flamingos feeding nearby makes this both an industrial marvel and a photographer’s dream stop along the coast.

Pelican Point Lodge – At the Edge of the Ocean Set on a remote peninsula near Walvis Bay, Pelican Point Lodge offers an experience unlike any other. At its heart stands the old harbour lighthouse, now lovingly transformed into a boutique lodge, surrounded by endless ocean views and untamed wilderness. Here, guests wake to the sound of crashing waves and barking Cape fur seals, with flocks of flamingos, pelicans, and cormorants painting the skies. Jackals often trot along the shoreline while dolphins and whales glide past offshore. It is a place where nature is not just observed but felt — raw, wild, and deeply intimate. From sunrise walks on the beach to sundowners overlooking the Atlantic, Pelican Point Lodge is a sanctuary for those seeking tranquillity, romance, and unforgettable encounters on Namibia’s Skeleton Coast.

Where the Dunes Meet the Ocean In the Namib-Naukluft Park lies one of Namibia’s rarest wonders: Sandwich Harbour, where towering dunes plunge into the Atlantic in a breathtaking clash of desert and sea. Recognised as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, it shelters flamingos, pelicans, cormorants, terns, and colonies of Cape fur seals, while springbok, oryx, ostriches, and even jackals roam the sands. Once fed by the Kuiseb River, shifting dunes gradually sealed much of the lagoon, leaving today’s surreal mix of ocean, wetland, and desert. From the high dunes, sweeping views of sand and sea capture the magic of this iconic Namibian landscape.