The Walvis Bay Lagoon was designated a Ramsar wetland of international importance in 1995, and it’s one of the most significant coastal bird habitats in Southern Africa. Both greater and lesser flamingos are present here year-round, with numbers building toward a peak between November and March.
Two flamingo species, side by side
Greater flamingos are the larger, paler of the two, standing taller with a black-tipped bill. Lesser flamingos are smaller and noticeably deeper pink, a colour that comes directly from the blue-green algae that make up most of their diet. In the lagoon the two species are often seen together, feeding side by side in the shallow water, which makes for an easy comparison if you’re trying to tell them apart for the first time.
Why this lagoon matters
The shallow, saline water between the harbour breakwater and the open ocean is unusually productive, driven by the same cold, nutrient-rich Benguela Current that supports the region’s seals and dolphins. That productivity feeds the algae and brine shrimp flamingos rely on, and the small fish that sustain the lagoon’s pelicans and cormorants. During peak season, flamingo numbers alone can reach into the tens of thousands.
Where to view them
A public walkway runs along the lagoon’s edge, making it an easy, free stop before or after a boat tour; some flamingos feed within a few metres of the path. For a closer, on-water view, our boat tours and kayak trips pass along the lagoon’s edge as part of the route.
Frequently asked questions
When are flamingo numbers highest?
Between November and March, as migrant birds arrive from breeding grounds inland and further afield.
Can I see flamingos without joining a tour?
Yes: the lagoon walkway is public and free, and flamingos are often visible right from the path.
For the full species picture, see our flamingos guide and broader coastal birds guide.
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.