Cape Cross
Cape Cross
4
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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4.0
433 reviews
Excellent
211
Very good
146
Average
43
Poor
13
Terrible
20
Hayley K
4 contributions
Dec 2019
We travelled quite a distance to the Seal Colony.
You pay Park fees of R60 pp and R10 per car.
You drive a few hundred metres only to be greeted by a vile smell and death smell. Numerous carcass's of baby seals lay in the parking area and more just followed as well as everywhere you looked. Then you enter the walkway which is very low and find more dead baby seals lying on such walkway/ The old ablution block is no longer and seals have taken over.
It is a very distressing sight to see more baby seals lying dead, rotten , squashed. Walkway is not maintained and people keep trying to touch the seals through the broken parts.
No security around and no one to explain or guide you as to questions of the area or why the carcass;s are just left, esp in the walkway.
We asked a guide on a different trip and were told not maintained by the Reserve and that this is Africa.
If you go up there just prepare yourself for the not so overwhelming sight of amazing seals but rather a sight and smell you did not expect.
Hope in future they maintain the reserve better from all the funding they obtain from the culling done at the Cape Cross Seal Reserve!
You pay Park fees of R60 pp and R10 per car.
You drive a few hundred metres only to be greeted by a vile smell and death smell. Numerous carcass's of baby seals lay in the parking area and more just followed as well as everywhere you looked. Then you enter the walkway which is very low and find more dead baby seals lying on such walkway/ The old ablution block is no longer and seals have taken over.
It is a very distressing sight to see more baby seals lying dead, rotten , squashed. Walkway is not maintained and people keep trying to touch the seals through the broken parts.
No security around and no one to explain or guide you as to questions of the area or why the carcass;s are just left, esp in the walkway.
We asked a guide on a different trip and were told not maintained by the Reserve and that this is Africa.
If you go up there just prepare yourself for the not so overwhelming sight of amazing seals but rather a sight and smell you did not expect.
Hope in future they maintain the reserve better from all the funding they obtain from the culling done at the Cape Cross Seal Reserve!
Written 3 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doug M
Washington Dc, District Of Columbia182 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
The seals are beautiful and there’s so many of them! You can get very close (but not too close!) - definitely close enough to get some great close ups of their faces. Like everyone says, boy does it stink though! I wouldn’t necessarily recommend coming all the way here unless you already plan on driving up the Skeleton Coast, unless you’re deeply passionate about seals, but it’s a must do if you’re passing by.
Written 13 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yann Renaud
Switzerland847 contributions
Jun 2021
Very impressive colony of seals... I would however never go back there. First the smell of all these animals is horrific, we couldn't get ride of it for days. Then, we really didn't feel comfortable with all these agressive animals arround us, fighting with each other. The wooden pathway for toursits is in a terrible state, with wholes allowing seals to go on the narrow pathway where toruiste are. We could even see the bones of a dead seal, giving an idea of the time that passed since it died on the wood pathway... Really not worth stopping by.
Written 8 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David Fleming
Darwin, Australia420 contributions
Feb 2020
I expected to sea a reasonable amount of seals - but I was truly awestruck at the number of seals that was making up this colony.
Although there is a fence here (not sure what purpose it has), which detracts from the 'nature' side of some photos - it is still completely amazing how many seals there are - and you can even walk amongst them.
Definitely worth taking the drive to see this seal colony.
Although there is a fence here (not sure what purpose it has), which detracts from the 'nature' side of some photos - it is still completely amazing how many seals there are - and you can even walk amongst them.
Definitely worth taking the drive to see this seal colony.
Written 6 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marcel BZH
M.S100 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
Very impressive seal colony, interesting to see them so close. These are wild animals so indeed, they are smelly and they can be fighting each other, but we never had an issue. By just respecting basic common rules with wild animals I find it very safe even with children.
One star is lost because the tourist bridge could have been repaired by the reserve staff.
One star is lost because the tourist bridge could have been repaired by the reserve staff.
Written 8 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndrejaKo
Maribor, Slovenia1,042 contributions
Nov 2021
first thing that hits you is the smell. but that is just how it is. hundreds of animals eating, defecating and dying in the same place.
and it is very loud. seals have so much to talk about.
they own the place. picnic spot overtaken, beach overtaken, rocks overtaken.
they sunbathe in the rocks like puppies. bellys exposed to the sunrays.
but that's just how it is when you enter the animal world.
some people have no boundaries and invade their space, even when walking trail is clearly marked.
if you never seen this chaos, it's fun to go, but you are also really happy when you leave.
and it is very loud. seals have so much to talk about.
they own the place. picnic spot overtaken, beach overtaken, rocks overtaken.
they sunbathe in the rocks like puppies. bellys exposed to the sunrays.
but that's just how it is when you enter the animal world.
some people have no boundaries and invade their space, even when walking trail is clearly marked.
if you never seen this chaos, it's fun to go, but you are also really happy when you leave.
Written 10 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
D1ktw23765
Dumfries, UK126 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
This was an incredible experience. Thousands of seals both in an out of the water. Yes it smells a bit and there are fights between the seals. It’s nature and it was fantastic to get so close to it. It was one of my absolute highlights. The road from Swakopmund was largely paved. Stop at the wreckofZeila enroute. If you want an encounter with seals which is clean and boring go to a zoo. If you want to see the largest seal colony in the world go here. Go on the walkway if you can. The actual entrance was blocked by seals so we climbed over at another area.
Written 27 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ross
Denver, Colorado, USA18 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
This "reserve" profits off the clubbing of baby seals in the morning before tourists arrive. It's clear they do not care for the animals in any way after you arrive. Would HIGHLY recommend a little research prior to coming here. Also, there are natural colonies up north you can visit for free. AVOID this depressing place.
Written 28 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jozi Gal
Sandton, South Africa1,505 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Beautiful Location with lovely sea views from dining area and bedrooms. Staff are the best, friendly and efficient. Loved the lit fire in the lounge/dining area. Complimentary tea and coffee available at bar all day. WiFi is a nightmare, only available in the dining area and bar and even then kicks you out constantly.
Rooms are basic fitted with a safe tea and coffee. Shower Gel, shampoo, handwash and shower cap provided.
Food was basic and underwhelming for me, but that’s just for me.
Fuel available for purchase @ 30 Namibian dollars per litre.
Rooms are basic fitted with a safe tea and coffee. Shower Gel, shampoo, handwash and shower cap provided.
Food was basic and underwhelming for me, but that’s just for me.
Fuel available for purchase @ 30 Namibian dollars per litre.
Written 23 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louise P
Manchester, UK22 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Terrible and distressing, the walkway designed to let tourists see the seals from close up has been closed, and it’s pupping season… hundreds of baby seals were stuck in the walkway, or the wrong side of it. Their distress calls, and those of the mothers trying to reach them were truly upsetting. There are more dead seal pups than I’ve seen in any colony before and the stench of death an decay stayed with us all all afternoon. Contrast with the brand new, fancy staff village and air-con offices filled with staff doing nothing and this is possibly the worst conservation location I’ve ever visited. Shame on the Namibian Wildlife Service!
Written 21 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do they still kill 80000 seal pups a year here? I understand it is carried out with pick axes and the beach cleaned before the visitor centre opens?
Written 6 October 2018
Yes of course, and the sand on the beach is washed every morning in a huge laundry maschine ... do you believe in aliens? Stop watching horror TV!
Written 25 November 2018
Will we see any seals in April or is it just for the beading season December and January?
Written 19 November 2017
We were there in April and there were more than plenty (100000s I'd say)...
Written 22 November 2018
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