A Shining Light – Pelican Point Lodge
Waking up in the morning to the sounds of seals, the call of sea birds and the soft hum of the antique lighthouse rotating . . . Pelican Point Lodge – located on a sandbar off the coast of Walvis Bay – offers its guests a truly unique opportunity to compl
We arrived in Walvis Bay one cloudy Monday afternoon, but the sky didn’t reflect our mood – we were excited to see what this once sleepy coastal town had to offer. After arranging a pick-up with the lodge, we piled into the cars and headed off towards the salt pans. Hues of white and pink lit up our view as we proceeded cautiously along the dirt roads. The flamingos became brighter and brighter as we ventured deeper into the semi-untouched wilderness.
Once clear of the salt pans, the fun began. With our 4X4 expert at the wheel of our Toyota Prado, we had little fear that our trusty mudslinger would get us stranded in the soft sand. After about 40 minutes of excitingly bumpy sand cruising, a shape emerged from the mist.
An antique and well-worn lighthouse – it was built in 1932 – stood out against the eerie seaside backdrop, with the stylish and modern lodge in stark contrast to it.
We were greeted by friendly porters who helped us transfer our heavy bags into the warm lodge. Once inside and away from the wind, we were shown to our rooms. Our party occupied two rooms, the Pelican and the Lighthouse. Both rooms are fitted with luxuriously comfy queensized beds, sliding glass doors onto the balcony which look out towards Walvis Bay, a spacious bathroom, warm blankets and comfy seats to sit on while taking in the view. Each room features an EcoSmart Fires – ethanol burners built into concrete ledges, with a very easy and safe lighting process. Sitting in a comfortable bed, watching the waves lap the shore, with a warm fire burning in your peripheral vision is perhaps the best way to spend a cloudy afternoon at the coast.
Once you have had your fill of wave watching, there is a wide array of activities to choose from – from boat cruises to bike rides, and seal viewing to jackal tracking. We each mounted a “fat bike”, as they are affectionately known, and started the 18 km round trip to the end of the sandbar. We passed three giant colonies of sleeping seals, a flamboyance of flamingos, three lonely jackals, and even a pod of dolphins a little off shore – talk about a coastal game ride!
Sunset at Pelican Point Lodge is best described as a feeling – contentment. Watching the sun disappear behind the horizon while throwing vivid colour across the sky would fill even the grumpiest of travellers with pure peace and satisfaction. This is the kind of true relaxation that fills every inch and stimulates every nerve in your body. This is the feeling you get at Pelican Point Lodge.
Upon departure, we were shepherded to the final experience of our stay – the dolphin cruise. Whisked away on a trusty boat, our guide introduced us to a selection of her ocean friends, namely Nelson the Seagull, too many pelicans to count and the hungry Nicholas, a Cape fur seal. Nelson accompanied us through the cruise which took us to the very point of the sandbar, the oyster farms, past seal colonies and finally to the Walvis Bay waterfront. Snacks were served and of course, oysters were on the menu. What a way to finish off a stay at one of the most unique lodges in Namibia.
For more information on Pelican Point Lodge, visit their website at www.pelicanpointlodge.com.