Cape Cross Seal Reserve, Namibia Travel Video - The best-known breeding colony of Cape fur seals along the Namib coast is this reserve, where the population has grown large and fat by taking advantage of the rich concentrations of fish in the cold Benguela Current. The sight of more than 100,000 seals basking on the beach and frolicking in the surf is impressive to behold, though you’re going to have to contend with the overwhelming odoriferousness of piles and piles of stinky seal poo. Bring a handkerchief or bandana to cover your nose – seriously, you’ll thank us for the recommendation. No pets or motorcycles are permitted, and visitors may not cross the low barrier between the seal-viewing area and the rocks where the colony lounges. Although it’s primarily known for the seals, Cape Cross has a long and illustrious history. In 1485 Portuguese explorer Diego Cão, the first European to set foot in Namibia, planted a 2m-high, 360kg padrão (a tribute to Portuguese king João II) at Cape Cross. In 1893, however, a German sailor Captain Becker of the Falke removed the cross and hauled it off to Germany. The following year, Kaiser Wilhelm II ordered that a replica be made with the original inscriptions in Latin and Portuguese, as well as a commemorative inscription in German. This cross remains at the site, in addition to a second cross, made of dolerite, which was erected in 1980 on the site of Cão’s original cross. There are campsites here on the water’s edge, which appear well set up a bit away from the stink, but were closed when we called through and it was unclear when they would reopen. Cape Cross Lodge has an odd but strangely appealing architecture, which is self-described as a cross between Cape Dutch and fishing village style. The nicer rooms have spacious outdoor patios that overlook the coastline, though you really can’t choose a bad room at this all-around stunner of a lodge, conveniently located just before the official reserve entrance. It’s a superb, isolated spot right on a sweeping bend of the bay overlooking blue seas and rollers lolling in and crashing over white sand beaches. The restaurant dishes (mains N$70 to N$100) out plenty of seafood including a fish sandwich (with admittedly weird mayo) and a seafood platter for N$195. Cape Cross is located 46km north of Henties Bay along the coastal salt road. Read less The best-known breeding colony of Cape fur seals along the Namib coast is this reserve, where the population has grown large and fat by taking advantage of the rich concentrations of fish in the cold Benguela Current. The sight of more than 100,000 seals basking on the beach and frolicking in the surf is impressive to behold, though you’re going to have to contend with the overwhelming odoriferousness of piles and piles of stinky seal poo. Bring a handkerchief or bandana to cover your nose – seriously, you’ll thank us for the recommendation. No pets or motorcycles are permitted, and visitors may not cross the low barrier between the seal-viewing area and the rocks where the colony lounges. Although it’s primarily known for the seals, Cape Cross has a long and illustrious history. In 1485 Portuguese explorer Diego Cão, the first European to set foot in Namibia, planted a 2m-high, 360kg padrão (a tribute to Portuguese king João II) at Cape Cross. In 1893, however, a German sailor Captain Becker of the Falke removed the cross and hauled it off to Germany. The following year, Kaiser Wilhelm II ordered that a replica be made with the original inscriptions in Latin and Portuguese, as well as a commemorative inscription in German. This cross remains at the site, in addition to a second cross, made of dolerite, which was erected in 1980 on the site of Cão’s original cross. There are campsites here on the water’s edge, which appear well set up a bit away from the stink, but were closed when we called through and it was unclear when they would reopen. Cape Cross Lodge has an odd but strangely appealing architecture, which is self-described as a cross between Cape Dutch and fishing village style. The nicer rooms have spacious outdoor patios that overlook the coastline, though you really can’t choose a bad room at this all-around stunner of a lodge, conveniently located just before the official reserve entrance. It’s a superb, isolated spot right on a sweeping bend of the bay overlooking blue seas and rollers lolling in and crashing over white sand beaches. The restaurant dishes (mains N$70 to N$100) out plenty of seafood including a fish sandwich (with admittedly weird mayo) and a seafood platter for N$195. Cape Cross is located 46km north of Henties Bay along the coastal salt road. Enjoy Your Cape Cross Seal Reserve, Namibia Travel Video!
Posted on: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 20:35:01 +0000
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