Namibia

 Luderitz & Walvis Bay

Namibia

April 6-8, 2025

Namibia is situated on the southwest corner of Africa. This was our second visit to Luderitz, so we opted to stay aboard. But we could see that it retains much of its Bavarian flavor, even though Germany essentially departed back in 1915.

On the other hand, this was our first time in Walvis Bay.  Named for the whales that lured fishing vessels to its plankton-rich waters, Walvis Bay, or “Whale Bay” in Afrikaans, enjoys a deep harbor and the protection of the Pelican Point sand spit. 

The city is frequently shrouded in fog as the cold air from the ocean meets and mingles with the warm air from the desert.

The saltwater lagoon hosts one of Africa’s largest concentrations of flamingos. Unfortunately, because of an extremely wet rainy season, most of the flamingoes have migrated far inland to nest and reproduce. 

The port was long valued by explorers making their way around the Cape of Good Hope, but it was the British who occupied it by 1884 and eventually incorporated it into their Cape Colony. The natural beauty of its coast is awash in golden dunes spilling over from the Namib Desert which surrounds the city. Dune 7 is the region’s tallest and most spectacular.  Its peak measures more than 1250 feet tall.

Our first stop was to view the Walvis Bay salt works.  Salt in Walvis Bay is produced primarily through solar evaporation, a method that is both efficient and environmentally friendly. The process begins with seawater being pumped into large evaporation ponds, where it is left to evaporate under the sun.  The region’s high temperatures, strong winds, and low rainfall accelerate the evaporation process, leaving behind concentrated brine. This orange-colored brine is then transferred to crystallization ponds, where salt crystals form. The harvested salt is washed, graded, and processed before being packaged for distribution. Walvis Bay salt works is capable of producing almost one million tons of salt annually.

After the salt works, we continued on to Sandwich Harbour.  We spotted some oryx, a small herd of springboks, and an ostrich along the way.

Our guides, Hans and Hennie, were kind enough to provide a small picnic lunch before we headed back to the Sky.

After a full day of exploring, we returned to the ship, only to be transported back to the Dune 7 for an Al Fresco dinner under the stars. The evening’s celebration began as the sun set. We were treated to a genuine African Spit Braii – see the menu below. 

We enjoyed the freshly prepared dishes, the rhythm of the Namibian Marimba band, and the skilled fire dancers. 

As we departed, there was a field of glowing lanterns beneath an astonishing canopy of brilliant stars. We are continually amazed at the variety of ways that Viking discovers to keep the itinerary interesting!