Why Namibia's Entire Coastline is a National Park
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- čas přidán 8. 07. 2024
- The Skeleton Coast. The Namib Desert. The Namib Sand Sea. These are names synonymous with a harsh, inhospitable landscape. Namibia even used to be called, “the land God made in anger.”
But, I’m here to tell you, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Namibia is a place full of life and wonder and awe. In fact, the entire Namibian Coastline is protected as a National Park, which protects and conserves the many amazing wonders of Namibia’s most striking coastal features.
This “megapark” is actually made up of 4 smaller parks: the Skeleton Coast National Park, the Dorob National Park, the Namib-Naukluft National Park, and the Sperrgebiet National Park. Each of these parks are incredibly diverse, protecting a wonderful array of plants, animals, and unique geological features.
In this video, I’m going to tell you about these parks, as well as the reasons for their existence. I’m going to tell you… Why Namibia Protected Its Entire Coastline.
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I drove the Skeleton Coast, Swakopmund to Terrace Bay, a few years ago. The fog, the wildlife, the dunes and mountains just blew me away. I’ve never been or felt so remote.
That's one of the main reasons I want to go lol
Sound perfect for me
IT'S MY HOME!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for the nice comments! !!!!!
@@namibia4lifeafrica953 beautiful home!
tbh that makes me want to go to
As a Namibian I'm happy to see the positive well researched recognition, thank you for the spotlight!
You bet! Your country is stunning and I was HAPPY to help people learn about it!
Truly impressive! You guys are a real example for the rest of the world's approach to conservation
Great job! I’ll never make it to Africa but Namibia or the Karoo are the very top of the list! Thanks for the conservation … everyone seems more concerned with consumption
Holy crap, go Namibia, this is amazing! Countries everywhere should emulate this!
Right?!?!
It is also the one of richest per capita and safest country's in Africa.
When the pandemic hit and tourism shut down over night for months on end, it was a scary time for most namibians that depend on tourism to make a living. We have come to appreciate the natural wonders of Namibia even more now.
I can't even imagine. I hope things are looking up for you now. Namibia is a beautiful country and I hope more and more people continue to come see it and experience it.
Yeah it was terrifying at times. For months I couldn't do anything except stay at home. I'm in Luderitz, one of the towns along the Namibian coast, and I work at the FelsenKirche, which is a historic building in our town. When the pandemic hit I had to close it for months. It was only in October where I could slightly open again.
@@sigisoltau6073 So sorry to hear that, but glad to know things are looking up! Stay safe out there!
@@NationalParkDiaries Thanks, you as well.
I'm Namibian and I have to say this is an amazing video. 😂 Our country is like one big tourist attraction
Thank you! I learned so much about Namibia producing this video and it seems like such a wonderful country. I can't wait to come visit!
Home of Commiphora kraeuseliana
Am a Namibian and I thank you for showcasing us to the world 🌎 🇳🇦❤️
You are very welcome, you have a very special country!
Amazingly done by the Namibian desert. what is even weirder is that Namibia has 2 deserts in its territory. both the namib and the kalahari ( dont know if thats how you spell it in english) . maybe one of the next vid could talk that desert too. thank you for the vid man. keep up the great work.
you got kalahari right
Thanks! And, I'll keep that in mind, would definitely be an interesting subject.
When talking about kalahari desert also talk about botswana 🇧🇼
@Talebird Kincorrect. Aids rate depends on population size. So small countries by population can easily be high by ratio only. Thus if Brazil has 5 million Hiv patients and Namibia or Botswana has 100,000 Hiv persons, the latter will be high by ratio not by number though it has less number of infected persons than Brazil!
Namibia is quietly the best country in Africa.
Nice. I thought you would stick to America.
The Namibian conservation effort is really inspiring.
love how you're branching out from the US, not that I don't love the US parks but it's very interesting to hear about places I've heard less about
There are so many good park stories outside the US! I want to sprinkle them in as much as I can. Sometimes it's harder to find footage/documentation for them, but they're definitely worth telling.
If only Zimbabwe could do the same. We are trying but deals with foreign companies gas been threatening our parks.
That is why I believe in localization and heavier limits on foreign trade. To give an incentive to that localization and further incentive to environmental protection and land and water preservation, that is why I am a staunch supporter of tariffs and protectionist trade policies.
Hay
Hay
It’s that for every single African nation and it’s disgusting the world turns around and blames the people for the issues.
@@indigotaylor-noguera7119 honestly i think you’re 100% right. it’s unfortunate that limits on foreign trade are seen as hostile, because localizing trade is the solution to so many problems. it’s nice having imports but i think i’d rather have humanity & greater biodiversity make it through the climate disaster than have a few exotic fruits in my grocery store until those fruit trees go extinct ._.
You did my country justice with this one. Well researched 🇳🇦
So glad to hear that, thanks for watching. You have a beautiful country and I hope to come visit one day.
I'm extremely jealous of how forward thinking your country is. (As a American, who's military is the world's largest source of pollution and who's military bases often poison the communities they are in)
Thank you, Namibia for setting an example for the rest of the world!
It's such a great model!
Namibia is definitely one of the worlds most unique countries and one of my personal favorites! Thanks for this enlightening and well made video!
Thanks for watching!
As a fellow Namibian, I am always glad to see our country being talked of on international sources. The other name for the spergebiet is a name given by the black natives. I am may not be a native and I may be mistaken, but as far as I know the // in front of Tsau //Khaeb is a sound made by clicking the tongue between the teeth.
I'm happy to highlight your country, it's a wonderful place. And thanks for the pronunciation tip!
Clicking the tongue between the teeth, absolutely true
finally someone who can pronounce the name “namibia” properly!
Haha, I finally got a pronunciation right on this channel!
It’s so good to hear these no nonsense conservation techniques.
I did not expect to be as captivated as I was. Definitely got a new subscriber. Namibia has always been on my bucket list but I think it's just moved a few spots higher. Great stort telling 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Thank you so much and welcome to the community! Namibia has also moved a few spots higher on my list as well lol.
I'm glad to see your channel blowing up dude!
Thanks Jackson, hope you're doing well!
Wow what an example. That's great to hear. I hope the country reaps it's rewards.
Slava Namibia 🇳🇦
Thanks for marketing Namibia, you deserve alot of recognition.... We love you!
I'm happy to highlight it. You all have something special down there and I'm so glad I got to learn about your country and highlight its wonderful parks!
The production and presentation of these videos continues to just keep getting better!
Thanks Grant, I really appreciate that!
I'm happy to see you cover this. Namibia's coastline is very bio-diverse and incredibly beautiful. My girlfriend and I are hoping to go on a road trip there at some point in the future... I'll just have to learn to drive on the opposite side of the road. Very nice video! ~ Mike
Thanks Mike! I learned so much about Namibia researching this episode and I can't wait to go there at some point. Just as a conservationist, I feel like I have to see this place. But yeah, driving may be a challenge lol.
As someone from Namibia, I can easily say that this video is very accurate and one of the best ive watched in a long time
That means a lot, thank you! Glad I could do your wonderful country justice!
I watch "Namib Ocean Conservation" channel. They work hard at saving the seals when they get wrapped up in fishing nets or garbage. They are a very worthwhile group and interesting to watch. They are in that same area.
Somebody turned me on to them last week! I've been watching since lol
I just want to congratulate on the effort put into making this video. Also to thank you for teaching us about Namibia, i did not know much abut it so this os very usefull. I hope you will continue to do this magnifficent work. 😊😊
Thanks for watching Tarik, glad I could help! I'll keep making them if you keep watching them!
@@NationalParkDiaries I will !
This made me smile. 👏👏 Go Namibia! 🇳🇦
Thanks for watching!
You're doing fantastic work. No doubt this channel will see big growth 👍
Much appreciated!
Great work as always man. Keep it up 💕😎
Thanks Nick!
I didnt know learning ab wildlife could make me happy anymore, glad to here something’s being done
Awesome as always, pretty insane park
Thanks and I agree!
Great work!!
Thanks a lot!
Hey man another great job!!!!!
Thank you!
Excellent episode! Kudos to the Namian people!
Thank you for educating people about international parks and Namibia in particular. It's wonderful to learn how ecology was incorporated into Namibia's constitution and therefore recognized as a national value.
You bet! I want to bring park stories to as many people as possible, including those outside the US! Glad you enjoyed the episode!
i was surprised to hear that namibia has been invested in conservation for so long. when i saw that a country protected its entire coastline, i instinctively assumed it was some amazing recent development, especially since natural coastline habitats seem to fare better against the rising sea levels & more powerful stoems compared to manmade coastal structures. i can’t believe i’d never heard about this!
i am also interested in the story behind those very small unprotected spots towards the center of the coast. essential ports maybe? cities formed before 2010?
Yeah, this has been a long term project for them. Skeleton Coast dates back to the 1970s and Namib-Naukfluft to the early 1900s. Good stuff!
But yes, I believe you are correct about the small unprotected areas. Those appear to belong to the municipalities of Swakopmund, Langstrand, and Walvis Bay.
@@NationalParkDiaries yeah, those are three coastal towns. Walvis bay has Namibia`s largest harbor
Nice video and narration. Thanks for presenting our country to the world. Job well done.
I'm happy to do it. Namibia is doing something special with conservation and I'm glad to highlight their success on the channel. Thanks for watching!
Great video!
Thank you Cameron! That's much appreciated!
What a great video. I really appreciate your dedication to excellent research. Nice work.
Thanks so much, I really appreciate that!
Wow! Fantastic to see, thank you!
Thanks for watching!
It's so nice seeing my country in a good light!
You have a beautiful country!
@@NationalParkDiaries Thanks! I see those dunes every day and yet, it still amazes me how fast and vast they stretch
Awesome video. I would love to go to the skeleton coast, it’s so fascinating.
Thanks, and I agree. Namibia immediately went to the top of my travel list while making this video.
Inspiring. Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
you're about to blow up dude, I'm excited to see your 100k sub special lol
Haha, we'll get there one day. Thanks for supporting the channel and being part of the community!
What a beautiful place
Agreed!
Honoured to have visited Namibia, such a lovely country
Hoping to visit one day myself!
As a Walvis Bay boy. This made me smile. Also Donkey Bay can get up to a 2.5 km continuous left hand waves like a conveyor-belt that hits like cement.
Kudos to Namibia for preserving their natural environment. Most of Eastern, Central and Southern African countries have extensive and we'll protected national parks, but West Africa still lags behind with extensive damage to their wild life.
I enjoyed this; I would definitely be interested in more content on African National Parks.
Thank you and noted! I've got a couple of Africa Park stories I'd like to tell that I'll sprinkle in here and there. Thanks for watching!
“Namibia low key slept on”
I really want to visit there now lol
this is beautiful
I agree!
I did a 5 day 102Km, slack pack hike, from Walvis Bay, South, down the cost. It was a life changing experience. The vastness and beauty of Namibia is mind blowing.
Sounds incredible! I've decided I have to go and visit there myself after researching this video.
What an incredible country. I knew it was already but nothing this amazing. Wow.
Agreed! I learned a lot during research for this video and it only made me want to visit more.
@@NationalParkDiaries Exactly what I was thinking! Only makes me want to visit more. Call me crazy but I don't really find the list of popular countries or cities that are traditionally most popular that appealing for visits and spending my hard-earned money on. Only a list of national parks around the world and a few niche countries like Namibia and Botswana that seem really amazing and different.
@@Miamcoline I'm kind of the same way. I appreciate a good city now and then, but I love my National Parks and wild areas the most!
You should watch the Ocean Conservation Namibia channel. These people go out every day to rescue Cape Fur Seals that have become entangled in fishing gear, and other things. They receive absolutely no support from the government. There is no rehab center for those seals that have been severely injured. Now, the Namibian government is looking at opening offshore mining that could severely cripple these beautiful animals. I watch the daily posts put up by Team OCN. It's especially fun when they get some really feisty pup. Thanks to their efforts, that pup will have the opportunity to grow and bring new seals into the world. Of course, this only shows those that made it back to land. There is no telling how many simply drowned because they were to entangled to swim back to the beach.
I just watched a few of their videos. Heartbreaking. But I'm grateful for folks like that helping to protect those beautiful creatures. Thanks for turning me on to them.
You're welcome.
What a great story what a great Nation I'm going to actually learn more about it because of this.
I learned so much about it during my research for this video and it's incredible. I have to go there now lol.
@@NationalParkDiaries That would be sweet I hope you make it
@@NationalParkDiaries come visit! Id love to drive strangers around my favourite part of my favourite country!
@@tiaelago-oretukaumunika7017 OK now I want to go too!
it seemed impossible but only things that are impossible are impossible....
BRAVO NAMIBIA 🇳🇦 HOW LOVELY
Another great video, we should protect all of the coast. It’s a very fragile ecosystem
Thanks Anthony, I agree!
amazing video. as a Brazilian who watches news of Amazon deforestation and invasion of indigenous lands almost daily, it is great to see that there is countries like Namibia which values environment at a federal level. subscribed!
Thank you and welcome to the community! I'm so impressed with the commitment Namibia has made to protecting their coastline. More than the protection itself (which is still very important), I think it signals how much they as a country value their environment and their willingness to protect it. It gives me hope for the future!
Much respect to this beautiful country ❤
🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦
Thank you for giving love to our beautiful motherland 🖤🖤🇳🇦🇳🇦
You're very welcome! I'm happy to share the wonders of Namibia with as many people as I can!
Pure Genius
I saw a documentary about Namib 20 plus years ago and said if I ever went to Africa that is the country I want to visit, especially the Skeleton Coast and the Sperrgebiet area. There is a neat ghost town in Sperrgebiet.
I'm the same way. Namibia is high on my list of places to visit now.
@@NationalParkDiaries Let me know when you are going, I will join you
@@WyomingTraveler Haha, will do!
@@NationalParkDiaries I am serious. I really do enjoy your channel and look forward to each new video. Did you work for the Park service?
@@WyomingTraveler Thanks so much! But no, I've never worked for the Park Service. My background is in conservation biology, so that helps with the technical issues I talk about. But other than that, I just try and approach every video with an open mind and critical eye and make sure everything is as well researched and as well thought out as it can be.
What an absolutely phenomenal conservation success story.
I completely agree! A great example going forward as well!
I guess we're adding Namibia to my list of places I want to go to
It immediately shot to the top of mine lol
As a Namibian🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦 I'm proud to be a Namibian.. land of the brave... Africa''s little kept secret, where th ocean meets th dunes 🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦
You have a wonderful country!
I am,soooo keen to visit
Thank you
Thanks for watching Joanna!
the skeleton coast is incredibly beautiful! have walked in the desert - breathtaking and well worth a visit. my dad has also hiked in the Namib nakluft. 8 days backpacking in desert kloofs (gulchs) - brutal but amazing
Incredible. I'll make it there someday!
I love desert hiking and go to Death Valley, CA to the most remote parts to do this every summer (warning - its not for the inexperienced and unprepared). Q - which parts of the Namibian deserts did you prefer and what were the main differences between the N and S parts of the coastline deserts. Q2 - I presume it is not safe to hike in the desert in Namibia due to wildlife. Is this true or not?
@@drc4563 So the Namib Naukluft is not on the coast. Its an Inselberg towering above the incredibly dry arid and parched plains below, which have ancient mostly dry riverbeds snaking through them. On a few westerly views you catch glimpses of the colored sand stacks and dunes of the Namib desert. The apex predators are Brown Hyaenas, and we did glimpse leopard. It's hard to generalise about safety because the country is so vast and varied. You could have no predators, or lion or herds of elephant depending where you are. Hope that helps!
@@drc4563 also do hope to check out death valley one day! Have heard lots about it. Have you spent time there?
Would love to see some stories on the parks in Canada too!
Agreed. I've got a bunch of ideas for Canada so I'll get to them eventually. Thanks for the feedback!
the Grand Tour episode on the Namibian coast is awesome!
I love that one!
I thought Namibia had two seas…
one of the greatest Adventures that I had from South Africa to Namibia was riding my motorcycle camping under the stars and at nice places exploring the whole country for 10 days on steel horse back huggking the coast then inland
Sounds like an incredible time!
You didn't mention Skellies' amazing world-class left barrel that just peels down the coast for miles. One of the world's greatest treasures, I gotta go 🤙
I find the international videos very interesting as a non US resident, the usa videos are cool too. I look forward to watching more if you put out more international videos in future
Good to hear! I plan on incorporating more and more international videos as I go on. I plan to try and balance them with US videos as much as I can. Thanks for watching!
Amazing video! I would love to go to Namibia one day.
Thank you and same!
Aside from the amazingness of these parks, I really appreciate the measurements being in metric and imperial now.
Haha, feedback received!
Hey! A little underated but, would you consider making some videos of the national parks of mexico? I'd love to see it. Thanks.
I would LOVE to do some videos on Mexican parks! Have any recommendations/favorites?
Damm I never knew this about Namibia, I just thought it was full desert but damm its truly a wonder , Nice video, hope to vist someday.
I appreciate it! I want to get out there myself one day, especially after making this video.
So proud… ❤
🇳🇦❤
This makes me want to go to namibia now!
I thought the same thing while researching this video lol
💐 Nice information about your video💐
Thank you!
Amazing I didn't know that!
Yeah! An incredible commitment to conservation.
Time to visit namibia
I thought the same thing during my research lol
Lived there for ten years, pretty good
I'm jealous! That must have been incredible!
You love too see it, as Africans 🇸🇴, we have so much natural beauty that’s intact. It’s truly a blessing 🌍. I’m happy the Namibian government 🇳🇦 is doing the right thing, protecting these areas.
It's an incredible commitment. I'm glad to see it as well! Go Namibia!
Would love to see some videos about Parks Canada
Definitely got some Canada Parks on the list. I'll get to them eventually. Thanks for the recommendation!
I would love to visit Namibia. 🇳🇦
Same!
I want to go there so bad. Hope I can visit it soon.
Same!!
Namibia is high on my bucket list, moreso than any other country in Africa. One day I'll get there.
Same!
Thank you for all your hard work :)
Thanks for watching!
keep it up. well done. actually a country i’d like to retire in. greetings from south africa
Thanks, glad you liked it!
you should do a video on the monterey bay national marine sanctuary, growing up on that coast it's one of the most beautiful marine areas in the country
That would be beautiful, thanks for the suggestion!
this is such a good idea
5:07 looks alot like the wreck that used to be on the road from Walvis to swakop
My country Namibia is a jewel.
I completely agree! Y'all are doing some great things down there!
There is a great video by Anton Somewhere where he travels all over Namibia and it is truly one of the most beautiful places I have seen. You should check it out if you are interested in this country.
I think I will, thanks for the recommendation!
My father refers to Namibia when he gets pissed off about what people have done to our South African coastline. He lived in Cape Town for years and has watched the changes to the coast. He knows of successfully protected beaches and ones where they've screwed up a lot that they need to pick up sand from the ocean and deposit it back to the beach iirc. Boulder's Beach for e.g. is pretty well protected for the penguins. I love the name, Skeleton Coast too lol
It's amazing the changes you can see with conservation actions like this. They really do help and my hope is that places like Namibia can inspire other countries/places who want to protect their coastlines as well!
Can you do a video on the larger parks In the world?
That's why I'm staying right here, no desire to relocate to another country. Namibia is paradise and my town Swakopmund is one of the most beautiful towns in Namibia.🇳🇦
Enjoy your paradise! I hope to visit one day!
It’s my new home and I absolutely luves it
So jealous - enjoy your time!
Namibia TOP NOTCH 👍🇳🇦
🇳🇦 🙌❤
very good content.....
Thank you!
@@NationalParkDiaries you are welcome Sir.. i already watched 2 videos after this one...... you deserve more subscribers
@@grade12purity41 haha, thank you! This community just continues to grow, so I'm glad you're here!
New sub (32.6k) at this time.
Welcome!