Take photos of waterbirds

The lagoon and salt pans on the southern outskirts of town attract thousands of greater and lesser flamingos. The pans are about 7 km from town along the D1986. You can also see birds like ruddy turnstone, little stint, curlew sandpiper, Damara tern, cormorant and pelican. You’re not allowed to walk on and around the salt pans (it’s an operating salt factory, after all), but you can park and take photos from next to the road.

There’s also a conservation area behind Dunes Mall on the eastern edge of town where you can get great shots of flamingos in the wetlands among the dunes. You can see them from the M36 road. There’s a spot to pull over if you want to park and walk closer, but don’t leave valuables in your car. There are also jeep tracks deeper into the dunes but be careful of the mud – you can get stuck. Birding tour? For a birding outing in the area, contact The Naturalist Collection

00 264 81 639 1775 thenaturalistcollection.com

Sam Nujoma Avenue. Weekdays from 7 am to 4.30 pm; Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm.

00 264 81 864 3788

Dolphins Coffee Shoppe, corner of Atlantic and Esplanade streets. Weekdays from 7 am to 3 pm; Saturday from 7 am to 2 pm; Sunday from 9 am to 1 pm. 00 264 81 442 7544

Anchors Waterfront Restaurant, Walvis Bay Waterfront. Daily from 7.30 am to 10 pm.

00 264 64 205 762

WALVIS BAY TOURISM OFFICE

There are many more fun things to do in Walvis and nearby Swakopmund, like horse riding, sandboarding, quad biking, skydiving and a tour of a Topnaar settlement. Pop into the tourism office for ideas.

Where? Corner of Union Street and 5th Road. Opening times: Weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm; Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm.

Contact: 00 264 64 207 444

walvisbaytourism.com