TOURISM

Orange River

Activities in Namibia - Balooning

Namib Sky-Balooning with Champagne Breakfast

Mail address to Namib Sky Adventure Safaris

Activities in Namibia - Birdwatching

With a wide range of habitats from coastal wetlands or savannahs to riverline forest, Namibia is home to over 630 species of birds.

Birdwatchers should head for the parks and reserves along the Caprivi Strip, which has the highest concentration of birds in the whole country, and also the wetlands of Walvis Bay and Sandwich Harbour. Here, pelicans and flamingos are common and this is the breeding ground of the endangered Damara tern, while the nearby dunes are home to the Gray's lark and the dune lark.

More regional information about birdwatching

Activities in Namibia - Boat Cruises

Walvis Bay

A number of companies offer dolphin and seal tours from Walvis Bay. These are usually half-day tours of the harbour and lagoon areas and you can expect excellent sightings of seals, dolphins, flamingos and pelicans. Boats usually depart from the Walvis Bay Yacht Club (WBYC) each morning and go through the harbour and past the fishing factories to Bird Island and Pelican Point and back via the lagoon. Seals are often fed by hand, and most trips include fresh oysters and champagne.

Different companies:

* Aquanaut Tours- Departs daily from WBYC at 8.30. 3-hr trip to see dolpins and seals (incl.champagne and seafood platter)

* Catamaran Charters- Trips out to Pelican Point and out to see dolphins and seals on a 12-m catamaran. Daily departs from WBYC only by arrangement

* Levo Fishing and Pleasure Tours- at the WBYC at the lagoon. Seal and dolphin cruises and quality fishing tours with local fishermen who have years of experience. Deep-sea trips also available.

* Mola Mola Safaris- Daily 4-hr dolphin and seal tours around the harbour and fishing trips for the entusiast Ask for Neels or Megan-office and coffee shop is on Atlantic St.,off the Esplanade, opposite the entrance to the Yacht Club

Lüderitz

The red-sailed schooner Sedina departs every morning at 0800 from the waterfront jetty, weather permitting, and it carries up to 20 people. The full trip lasts for about 2½ hrs. The route takes you between Shark Island and Penguin Island, past Angra Point and on to Diaz Point. Under ideal conditions you will sail to Halifax Island to view the colony of jackass penguins. You can also expect to see Heaviside dolpins and the colony of Cape fur seals.

Price: US$35 adults, US$18 children.
Book a day in advance at its office in Goerke House or through the Lüderitz Information Centre. Minimum of 6 people, maximum of 20. Dress warm, with windproofs.

Mail address to Sedina Boat Trips

Sturmvogel: Runs the same excursion for about the same price daily from the jetty at 0900 and another shorter sunset cruise out to sea that lasts 2hrs with drinks and oysters for US$16 at 1700

Activity - Canoeing and whitewater rafting

A canoe trip of one of Namibia's perennial rivers is great fun, whether it's a 30 minute paddle on the Zambezi or a fully fledged expedition down the Kunene or Orange rivers.
For wildlife enthusiasts, gliding down the river in a canoe is an excellent way of getting a close look at birds and game without frightening them away.
A number of organizations arrange trips with a reasonable price.
With a four-or five-day trip starting at around US$300 all inclusive.

Felix Unite, headquartered in Cape Town.