Beyond the dunes themselves, Sandwich Harbour supports a surprising range of desert-adapted wildlife, all suited to one of the driest environments on Earth.
On the dunes
Black-backed jackals are commonly spotted trotting along the sand, opportunistic and well adapted to this harsh terrain. Springbok are also seen grazing on the sparse vegetation that survives on moisture from coastal fog rather than rainfall. Keep an eye out too for small dune-adapted beetles: several species here are known for “fog-basking,” tilting their bodies to collect drinking water from morning mist, a striking example of how life persists in the Namib, the world’s oldest desert.
Where the lagoon meets the ocean
At the point where Sandwich Harbour’s small lagoon meets the Atlantic, shorebirds gather to feed in the shallows, part of the same wetland system that makes the Walvis Bay lagoon further north so important for birdlife. See our broader coastal birds guide for the species you’re most likely to see on the way.
Frequently asked questions
Will I definitely see jackals or springbok on a tour?
Sightings aren’t guaranteed since these are wild animals, but both are seen regularly along the dune route.
Are there dangerous animals at Sandwich Harbour?
No large predators are a concern here: the wildlife you’re most likely to encounter is jackals, springbok, and birdlife, none of which pose a real risk on a guided tour.
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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.