Founded in 1892 as the main German port, Walvis Bay is 350km from Windhoek, 375km from Sossusvlei and only 43km from Swakopmund or a 30 minute drive.

South west of the town, how about 45,000 shallow and sheltered hectares of lagoon. At certain times of the year this is the home for tens of thousands of flamingoes and a stop-over for many more wetland species. This place is highly regarded both nationally and internationally. In fact, many ornithologists consider it the most important coastal wetland in southern Africa and one of three most important in Africa. Cormorant, pelican, chestnut banded plover, curlew sandpipers, white chinned petrel, Wilson's storm petrel, Cape gannet, black oystercatcher, even jackass penguin. Occasionally the rare Damaris tern.

Namibia is a country where fishing, mining and farming account for nearly two-thirds of the economy. And salt is a big deal. Especially in Walvis Bay.

A 3500 hectare salt pan sits southwest of the lagoon. It supplies over 90% of South Africa's salt. It’s basically produced after the sun evaporates sea water. It’s then harvested, cleaned, processed and packed for market. Some of the ponds are pink. This is the plankton, which procreates in salt water and is responsible for the colouring. When the harvesting company started in 1964, it produced 50 000 tonnes of salt per year. Today, it produces about a million. It’s an old business too with evidence suggesting humans have been harvesting and processing salt for more than 8 000 years. Not necessarily at Walvis Bay though.

The large bay and sand dunes help make Walvis Bay a tourist mecca. A hotbed of adrenaline fuelled activities. Also worth a visit, is the local museum in the Civic Centre, the Birdlife Information Centre and the wooden Rhenish Mission Church, built in 1880.

For nature lovers it’s right there. Explore the flamingo colony. Thousands flock in shallow water near the beach. Ballet dancing just 50-100m away from you.

You can kayak on the lagoon too. For those after a rush you can sky dive or try dune boarding and quad biking. Dune 7 is said to be the tallest dune in the area.

If you’re an angler or an ornithologist or just fancy another stunning lagoon take the 48 km drive to Sandwich Harbour, a freshwater beauty surrounded by dunes and 10km of bird colonies. 120,000 birds including pelicans and flamingos. If you’re not booking an official tour you’ll need a 4x4.

Some stretches go through soft sand, and you have to walk the last bit. You also need to find out about the tides. 20 miles north is seaside resort, Swakopmund. With one full day you can do the Skeleton Coast tour to the Cape Cross seal colony and back.