Cape Cross Seal Colony Tour from Swakopmund, Namibia
Description
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.
Tour Options
Itinerary
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.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We pick up clients from their place of accommodation in Swakopmund, Namibia.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(4)
We had heard about the large seal colony so decided to make the trip from swakopmund to see the seals. Around 120 km each way for memory. Entry was about 350 rand for 2 people. When we got to the site from the gate, we were greeted with a horrendous stench. I’ve been to seal colonies before and smelt seals, but nothing like this. It was toxic. There were dead seals everywhere. Many baby seals were trapped on the walkway and their mothers couldn’t get to them. They were trapped. It was a truly awful experience and the smell of dead seal doesn’t leave when you leave. It’s such a strong smell it sticks to your skin and clothes. We drove back to swakopmund and showered to get rid of the smell. Maybe if you are driving past anyway, you could stop by to see a large number of seals, but not worth a special trip to see dead seals and be exposed to such a foul smell.
Dear client, It is true that there is an unpleasant odour at Cape Cross. The prevailing odour at the seal colony is one of life and death - a combination of dead seals, excrement and strong winds that stir the smells of the sea with those on land and is quite natural. The reason for the unusual number of dead baby seals was that we visited the seal colony in the breeding season, late November/early December, when 90% of pups are born at Cape Cross. The first weeks of life are perilous for the pups. There is a 30% infant mortality rate which explains the many dead pups we saw at the time. With kind regards, Hans-Dieter for KALLISTO TOURS & SERVICES
An experience in itself - I took a driver with a car, which always goes great in Africa and was overwhelmed ! Never thought you'd get so close and be allowed to walk between the animals. Odor was bearable after 5 minutes, a matter of getting used to. There are very few, if any, such places in the world. A MUST
Vielen Dank für Ihre freundliche Botschaft. Ich freue mich, dass es für Sie eine interessante Erfahrung war. Mit freundlichem Gruss, Hans-Dieter Göthje KALLISTO TOURS & SERVICES
Overpriced. R100 per person plus R50 for car! All you get is a pamphlet with the seal story. The walkway is closed - in disrepair? So you cannot look at seals on beach. Seals everywhere but they move away from humans - do they fear humans because of annual cull of Cubs? Nevertheless seals are interesting although very smelly. Disappointing- hopefully the money paid goes to conservation
There is no doubt that this visit and review does not apply to our company. Firstly, we did not do any tours in May 2021 due to the Covid 19 epidemic. Secondly, our clients do not pay for the entrance and the car. They pay in advance for the trip and no more. Thirdly, we do not issue a pamphlet with the seal story to our clients but rather tell tem all about the fur seals and explain their behaviour and other interesting facts about them. It is evident that the person who wrote this review visited Cape Cross on his/her own accord in his/her own vehicle and certainly did not visit the colony with a tour operator. Please be kind enough as to remove this review from our page. Kallisto Tours & Services.
We were picked up by Mr. Göthje on time from our hotel. The drive to Cape Cross was very informative and we saw a lot. Mr Göthje explained a lot to us. Then Cape Cross...It was really a highlight. You must have seen it. On the way back we were provided with sandwiches and drinks at a picnic on the Atlantic Ocean in Henties Bay. It was just great!!
