Eco Dune Tour

See all (3)

Summary

This half day tour takes place along the eastern part of the major dune belt which lies between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. Here the ecology of the dunes is concentrated on explaining the evolutionary aspects and the uniqueness of these adaptations. The theory part is dealt with in an informal way and the various desert adapted creatures are then searched for and the various interesting adaptations are pointed out to you. The main animals looked for are the Namib Sand diving Lizard, Web-footed Gecko, Namaqua Chameleon, Peringuey’s Adder(Sidewinder), Namib Sand Snake, Namib thick-tailed Scorpion, the fog basking Tenebrionid Beetle and several other insects only found along the dune belt. From the dunes we walk through a place known as ‘The Horse Graveyard'. Here, the mass slaughter of South African military horses marked the turning point of Namibia's (then South West Africa) involvement in the First World War. This area, holding some 1,600 carcasses, signifies the key role that Swakopmund and Walvis Bay played in the development of Namibia.  A brief description of the minerals found in the dunes is also explained as well as the formation of the dunes and the importance of the coastal fog to all the living organisms and vegetation found along the dunes. The only birds that may be encountered here depending on rainfall are Tractrac Chat, Red-capped Larks, Gray’s Lark, Stark’s Lark, Burchell’s Courser, Ludwig’s Bustard, Rock Kestrel and Rufous-eared Warbler. Excellent photographic opportunities.

Tour info

Duration
5 hours 30 minutes
Group Size
Pricing (From)
Commentary
Meeting Point
Dropoff location

Why take this tour?

Complimentary transfers for central Swakopmund Alternative meeting point Batis Birding Office or Desert Explorers Pick ups between 07h45 - 08h15 (Summer) and 08h15h - 08h45 (Winter) Drop offs between 12h30 - 13h00  Duration +/- 4.5 hours Minimum of 4 participants in total to run the tour (option to join existing bookings) No private tours Included are English speaking guide, vehicle, bottled water and soft drinks, as well as a bite size snack Bring walking shoes, warm jacket, hat and sunscreen Weather dependent

Show more

What’s included?

  • Bottled water

  • Snacks

  • Professional guide

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

  • Gratuities

Things to know

Before you book

  • Duration: 5h 30m

  • Mobile tickets accepted

Covid Policy

  • Regular temperature checks for staff
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands

Cancellation Policy

    All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.
Operator Website

Operated by:

Batis Birding Safaris and Day Tours

About operator:

We are a family operated company based in Swakompund, Namibia. We offer Desert Day Tours including an Eco Dune Tour better known as "Living Desert" as well as Night Walks, Welwitchia and Moonlandscape excursions and specialized bird watching tours as part of Batis Birding Safaris in and around Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, including day trips to Spitzkoppe and Brandberg. Batis Birding Safaris will focuses on bird watching and photography specifically. Guided and self-drive tours are offered throughout Namibia as well as guided tours to Angola, Madagascar, Uganda, Ghana and Ethiopia. Namibian Naturalist offers guided and self-drive tours focusing on photography, general wildlife as well as specialized tours including herpetology, entomology and botany within Namibia only.

Show more
  • 132 reviews