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Swakopmund Salt Works

Swakopmund, Erongo  >  Namibia

Salt pans that are home to a variety of birds, including flamingos, cormorants, gulls, terns and pelicans.

Added* by Thomas de Vries
Most recent update 30 Ekim 2024

Description

The saltworks lie adjacent to the sea on the central Namib desert coast and have been extensively altered to create numerous evaporation ponds. Immediately inland lie the gravel-plains of the Namib desert. The salt pans are shallow and of varying salinity. Apart from a few halophytes, the saltworks are devoid of vegetation.

The area occasionally supports massive numbers of waterbirds, especially Cape Cormorant (up to 45,000 birds) Cormorants aside, the area may support more than 50,000 other waterbirds, including large numbers of Greater Flamingo and Lesser Flamingo, African Oystercatcher, and up to 100,000 Common Tern. Breeding species include Damara Tern and Chestnut-banded Plover.

Details

Access

The saltworks are situated about 7 km (4 miles) north of Swakopmund, off Route 76 to Terrace Bay. Press P on the map for directions or coordinates.

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland

Conditions

Flat , Open landscape , No shadow

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Route

Unpaved road

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Car , Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

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