Tourists visiting Terrace Bay in the Skeleton Coast Park of Namibia should be wary of the highly sensitive environment.

The Namibia Wildlife Resorts and some tourists have urged all visitors to do their part in conserving the environment. 

Nicknamed "anglers' paradise," Terrace Bay is located about 290 kilometers north of Henties Bay.

Although it is a long drive on the salt road, the journey to Terrace Bay is scenic, with a combination of mountains, sand dunes, and flora.

The harsh desert environment found in Skeleton Coast Park is evidenced by an old, abandoned, rusty oil drilling rig and numerous shipwrecks.

Surrounded by a fragile environment, Terrace Bay is located in an undisturbed spot where beautiful sunsets can be witnessed.

"It was a pretty long drive, and we were all tired, but when we came here, it was all worth it because the sea view, as you can see, is very beautiful. It's also a good feeling to know that our founding president is here. He stayed around here, it's also pretty memorable, and I hope to come back here to make more memories," said David Hanstein, a tourist visiting the area.

The Namibia Wildlife Resorts run Terrace Bay, where there are 20 double rooms and two beach chalets. 

According to Beata Onesmus, NWR's acting manager at Terrace Bay, there are a number of activities tourists can engage in. "We go on dunes adventures, dune driving, but it should be guided; we also take you fishing; we braai the fish you catch at sea for you, and we cook lunch for you on that side of the island."

The NWR Terrace Bay Management says conservation efforts in the Skeleton Coast Park are important, and most visitors obey the rules.

"As the clients enter the park, passing through Ugab or Springbok, a note with the words 'Please do not litter' is already there. You don't throw anything in the park. Keep the park clean and follow all those types of rules. So they know, and they are really keeping up with it when they don't throw anything. They just come driving through, keeping their waste in their cars, and they come and throw it at Terrace Bay."

Helen Jordan is another visitor to the park, and she called on fellow tourists to keep the park beautiful. "Don't leave your papers on the beach or everywhere in the desert; it's a protected area. As a result, you try to keep it as far away as possible while also protecting it. You drive on designated roads."

The Skeleton Coast Park is home to over 100 different species, which include birds and wildlife such as hyenas and desert lions. There are also several rivers that run into the Atlantic Ocean when there is enough rain.

Photo Credits
Renate Rengura
Author
Renate Rengura