Cape Cross Lodge

May 19, 2017
2 min read

The beautiful Cape Cross Lodge welcomes you and invites you to explore the beauty of its natural surroundings. This is the only small hotel north of the seal colony in this unique, unspoiled location. The Cape Cross Lodge also has camping facilities and enjoys many day-visitors that appreciate the WiFi-connection and the unexpected high quality of food the lodge has to offer regardless of its remote spot, along the oldest desert in the world. We were lucky enough to be hosted in one of the stunning sea-view-suits that extended its balcony above the quiet beach. I was especially impressed with the exclusive vegetarian section the menu featured and very grateful that the kitchen was able to cater all dishes for me as a vegan. Otherwise the three-course-dinner entails a selection of fresh fish or meat. We really enjoyed a lovely stay at http://www.capecross.org

Skeleton Coast Park

There are many marked 4x4 routes on the drive towards Henties Bay which allow for a scenic drive along the beach or opportunities to drive in the dunes.

The name of the area was created due to the many sailors who lost their lives in the Namib Desert, which claims the land all along the Atlantic Ocean. To enter the Skeleton Coast Park a permit is required and is also only recommended to passionate fishermen, we therefore only made our way to the large seal colony.

Henties Bay is the last town before the Skeleton Coast so food, water and petrol should be stocked up to prevent making the name of this National Park relevant once more ;)

There are a number of activities and tours for Eco-friendly tourists in this remote spot. Judging by the group of kids surfing, this area is not only ideal for fishing.

We started our day with a visit to the rocks which accommodates the Cape Fur Seals situated nearby the Cape Cross Lodge. The ten-thousands of seals are a beautiful site from the boardwalk, but I must warn about the strong scent that accompanies the colony, also I would advise anyone interested in visiting to wear long clothes. Nick and I only endured watching the seals as they played, swam and slept, for a short period due to our unprotected legs and arms getting bitten by fleas and my sensitivity to the signature seal scent. Besides it being a ‘harsh’ environment when not wearing protective clothing, it must be the best place to capture images of these adorable mammals in their natural habitat.

The male seals can weigh up to 360kg and they are very territorial whilst looking after their harem of 5 to 25 females. The Cape Cross Seal Colony is the breeding place of the about 80 000 to 100 000 Cape Fur Seals, which are actually a species of Sea Lion.