National park · Namibia
National West Coast Tourist Recreation Area
Enter the park for N$50 per adult (check), hike the Cape Cross seal trail (2 km (1.2 mi), easy) in the early morning, and visit in May–Oct for cooler weather and fewer crowds.Enter the park for N$50 per adult (check), hike the Cape Cross seal trail (1.2 mi (2 km), easy) in the early morning, and visit in May–Oct for cooler weather and fewer crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2,500 km² (965 sq mi)965 sq mi (2,500 km²)
approximate
Established
1990
Best months
Apr–Jun
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Namibia ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Namibian government sources before booking: since 1 April 2025 citizens of 33 countries, including the US, UK, most of the EU, Canada and Australia, need a visa on arrival or an e-visa.
- Namibia ↗Taking a rental car into Botswana, South Africa, Zambia or Zimbabwe needs written permission from the rental company and the right papers; ask when you book.
- Namibia ↗Etosha gates open at sunrise and close at sunset: you must be inside a camp or out of the park by closing time.
- Erongo ↗Self-drive is the default; fill up in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Usakos or Karibib before any gravel leg.
- Erongo ↗Tracks inside Namib-Naukluft National Park need a permit; most need a 4x4.
- Erongo ↗Farm roads are private. Do not enter an open gate unless your destination is signposted there; close any gate you open.
At a glance
- Country
- Namibia
- Area
- 2,500 km² (965 sq mi)965 sq mi (2,500 km²)
- Approximate area of 2,500 km²; boundaries follow the coastline between Walvis Bay and the Ugab River mouth (check).
- Established
- 1990
- Best months
- Apr–Jun
- Permits
- For some areas
The National West Coast Tourist Recreation Area stretches along Namibia’s Atlantic shoreline, offering seal colonies at Cape Cross, historic shipwrecks, and the fence‑free community of Wlotzkasbaken. With modest entry fees and easy coastal trails, it’s suited for short day trips or as a stop on a coastal road trip.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1990.
Size and age
2,500 km² (965 sq mi)965 sq mi (2,500 km²) · national park since 1990
Approximate area of 2,500 km²; boundaries follow the coastline between Walvis Bay and the Ugab River mouth (check).
Why go
- Coastal wildlife and seal colonies along a long, undeveloped shoreline.
- Access to remote shipwreck sites and historic Portuguese crosses.
- Opportunity to see desert‑coast flora and the fence‑free Wlotzkasbaken settlement.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanWarm, but occasional rain.
- FebWarm, low crowds.
- MarMild, start of dry season.
- AprDry, comfortable temperatures.
- MayCooler, ideal for walking.
- JunCool, low humidity.
- JulCold nights, occasional fog.
- AugCold, possible strong winds.
- SepWarming up, still dry.
- OctWarm, start of summer.
- NovHot, occasional showers.
- DecHot, peak tourist season.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape fur sealsAll year · Large colonies at Cape Cross. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Desert-adapted wildlife (e.g., springbok, oryx)Mar–Oct · Best seen on early morning walks. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Walvis Bay
Drive north on the C34; park gate is sign‑posted near the Ugab River mouth.
30 min
From Swakopmund
Drive north on the C34 (approx. 120 km (75 mi)).Drive north on the C34 (approx. 75 mi (120 km)).
1.5 h
Open the page →
From Windhoek
Fly to Walvis Bay (30 min) then drive north.
≈3 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Cross | Seal colony and historic Portuguese cross replicas. | Open, free parking. |
| Zeila wreck site | Accessible shipwreck on the coast. | Reachable via C34, short walk. |
| Wlotzkasbaken settlement | Fence‑free holiday settlement. | Open, no facilities. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate central coordinates of the park; exact gate location near the Ugab River mouth.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult) | NAD 50 | person | Check official fee schedule. |
| Vehicle entry (car) | NAD 100 | vehicle | Check official fee schedule. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- NAD 50
- NAD 100
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Pets
- Dogs must be on a leash; no dogs on trails with wildlife.
- Camping
- Only in designated campsites; wild camping prohibited.
- Fires
- Open fires not allowed outside designated areas.
Where to stay
Near the park
Walvis Bay hotels
Range of budget to mid‑range hotels 15 km (9.3 mi) south of the park gate.Range of budget to mid‑range hotels 9.3 mi (15 km) south of the park gate.
Near the park
Camping at Walvis Bay
Formal campgrounds with facilities.
Safety
Heat and sun exposure medium
Remote location low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main trailheads at Cape Cross have paved parking and short, level paths.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails to protect fragile desert vegetation.
- Do not feed wildlife; keep a distance from seal colonies.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter National West Coast Tourist Recreation Area?
Entry is N$50 per adult and N$100 per vehicle (check official fee schedule).
What are the best hikes in National West Coast Tourist Recreation Area?
The Cape Cross seal trail (2 km, easy) and the walk to the Zeila wreck (short coastal walk) are the most accessible and rewarding.
When is the best time to visit National West Coast Tourist Recreation Area?
May to October offers cooler temperatures and lower crowd levels, while seal colonies are still active.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is allowed only in designated campgrounds; wild camping is prohibited.
Is the park accessible for people with limited mobility?
The main parking area at Cape Cross has level paths, but most trails are unpaved and may be challenging.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about National West Coast Tourist Recreation Area
Loading…
Was this useful?