About this experience
Our clients get to see some 80,000 to 100,000 Cape Fur Seals at close quarters. This is an experience of a lifetime. During October, large adult males haul out to establish breeding territories, and those that do, stay for six weeks or more. The bulls expend considerable energy reserves and lose weight establishing and maintaining territories, herding females and fighting other males. A single pup is born in late November or early December and during a 34 - day period, 90% of the pups are born. The black pups suckle soon after birth and the females remain with it for the first week. This close association establishes a strong maternal bond between the pup and its mother. The initial bonding period is very important as it enables her and the pup to identify one another amongst the thousands of other seals. Without milk from the females, the pup's chances of survival are virtually nil. When they are separated the mother bellows for her pup and miraculously they find one another.
At a glance
- Duration: 5 hr
- Private experience
Plan your experience
Set aside 5 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What is included
- Clients have a choice between mineral water, Coca Cola or Fruit Juice.
Itinerary and highlights
Depart from Swakopmund and travel along the Skeleton Coast in the direction of Cape Cross. En route visit some salt-pans where flamingos can be seen. Your guide will explain the nature and characteristics of these shore birds. Continue along the coast and stop to take a closer look at a ship wreck. Your guide will relate the history of this wreck. Inspect some endemic lichen-fields which occur near Cape Cross.
Proceed to Cape Cross seal reserve. Here in 1486 a Portuguese explorer named Diego Cao, the first European to set foot in Namibia, erected a stone cross in honour of King Juan of Portugal. Today there is a large colony of Cape Fur Seals which can be viewed at close quarters and is an experience of a lifetime. Since the introduction of legislation controlling the utilisation of seals in Namibia in 1922 the seal population at Cape Cross has increased to more than 250,000. Your guide will provide all relevant information about the seals.
The return journey to Swakopmund includes a sightseeing tour of the small holiday resort, Henties Bay. Henties Bay developed from a mere sprinkling of fisher huts into a very popular holiday resort within a few decades. Your guide will relate the origin and history of this settlement.
Meeting and pickup information
- In front of the Strand Hotel
- We pick up clients from their place of accommodation in Swakopmund, Namibia.
Languages and tickets
- German — Guide
- English — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Kallisto Tours & Services
Meeting points and locations
Accessibility and practical details
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Questions about this experience
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