You can see thousands of flamingos near Swakopmund. They live at Walvis Bay Lagoon. These pink birds look amazing against the brown desert and blue water. It’s weird to see so many birds right next to a desert. But they’re there and they’re beautiful.
Two Kinds of Flamingos
There are two types here. Greater Flamingos are the tall ones. They have light pink feathers and black on their wings. Lesser Flamingos are smaller. They’re brighter pink because they eat different food.
Flamingos get their pink color from what they eat. They eat tiny shrimp, algae, and other small stuff in the water. The more they eat, the pinker they get. A bright pink flamingo is a healthy flamingo.
Where to Find Them
Walvis Bay Lagoon is the main place. You can see flamingos from the road. Or you can walk on the path next to the water to get closer. There’s parking and good spots to stand and watch.
The Bird Sanctuary is another place. It’s on the C14 road. They built water pools there and birds come to drink. You can walk around and see flamingos up close. It’s near Dune 7 where the desert starts.
Sandwich Harbour is farther away. It’s south of Walvis Bay. Here the sand dunes come right down to the ocean. Flamingos walk in the water between the dunes. You need a 4×4 car to get there. Most people join a tour.
Best Time to See Them
Flamingos are here all year. But you see more at different times. Winter is April to September. That’s when the biggest groups come. They gather in certain spots so they’re easy to find.
Summer is November to March. More birds fly in during summer. The rainy season fills up the water spots. Over 150,000 birds visit then.
How to Watch Birds
Stay back from the birds. Don’t chase them or make loud noises. They get scared easily. Use binoculars to see them better. This way you don’t have to get close.
Tours are available. You can go on a boat or walk with a guide. Guides know where the birds are. They teach you about them. They also make sure people don’t bother the birds.
Planning to Visit
Swakopmund is 5 hours from Windhoek by car. You can fly there too. The town has hotels and restaurants. Most people stay 2 or 3 days.
Go in the morning to see birds. The light is better. Birds are more active. Bring warm clothes. Mornings by the ocean are cold.
If you went kayaking in the lagoon before, seeing the flamingos makes the trip even better.
