Beyond flamingos and pelicans, the Walvis Bay wetlands host over 150 recorded bird species and are one of the most important coastal birding sites in Southern Africa.
A migratory crossroads
Many of the birds seen here aren’t residents at all: they’re Palearctic migrants that travel 10,000–14,000km from Europe and northern Siberia to spend the summer months feeding in this lagoon before making the return journey. Species like the chestnut-banded plover, African oystercatcher, and a wide range of waders, turnstones, and sandpipers can all be found working the shallow water and mudflats through the summer.
Why serious birders come here
The scale and diversity of birdlife at Walvis Bay is unusual even by the standards of major wetlands: the lagoon regularly supports well over 100,000 individual birds in peak season, and the combination of resident species (flamingos, pelicans, cormorants) with seasonal migrants makes for a consistently rewarding visit regardless of when you come.
Tips for birders
Bring binoculars regardless of which tour you join. While our boat and kayak tours pass directly through prime birding habitat, having your own optics makes a real difference for identifying waders at a distance. Early morning tends to offer the calmest conditions and best light for both viewing and photography.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best time of year for birding at Walvis Bay?
Summer months (roughly November to March) bring the highest numbers as migrants arrive, though resident species like flamingos and pelicans are present year-round.
Do I need a dedicated birding tour to see the wetland birds?
No: our standard boat and kayak tours pass directly through the lagoon and bay area where most species are found.
See our flamingos and pelicans pages for the two most-seen species on tour.
Ready to book?
Three decades of catamaran cruises on the bay, kayaking among the seals at Pelican Point and 4x4 trips through the dunes to Sandwich Harbour, under the wide-open Namib sky, with a Walvis Bay crew who know every tide and wind on this coast.