Description
"... “The Dorob National Park is managed as a big open system with connections to the marine, coastal and escarpment areas. And the park is managed to prevent and minimise damage to important habitats while aiming for long-term health, productivity and climate change adaption,” says Rod Braby, project co-coordinator of the Namibia Coast Conservation and Management (NACOMA) project. Prior to independence, an area around Walvis Bay (including the lagoon and Kuiseb delta, but excluding the dune belt up to Swakopmund) was proclaimed as the Walvis Bay Nature Reserve by the Cape Department of Nature Conservation. The protected status fell away when the Walvis Bay enclave was reincorporated into Namibia in 1994. When the NACOMA coastal parks program was initiated, the suggested name for the proposed park around Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and including the National West Coast Recreation Area (NWCRA) was the Walvis Bay National Park. This was temporarily changed to the Central Area when the concept of one continuous coastal protected area began to take root in late 2008. After further consultation it was decided to name the central area Dorob National Park. The park was proclaimed on the first of December 2010 under Government Gazette number 266, in terms of section 14 (2) of the Nature Conservation Ordinance, 1975 (Ordinance No. 4 of 1975).
Extent of park The Dorob National Park extends southwards from the Ugab River to where it intersects the northern boundary of the Namib-Naukluft Park. Its western boundary is determined by the low-water mark of the Atlantic Ocean on the Namib coast, and its eastern border runs along the eastern boundary of what was called the National West Coast Tourist Recreation Area and the Walvis Bay Magisterial District boundary. dune belt in dorob Dune belt between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay The park includes the Walvis Bay Ramsar Site and the dune belt and gravel plains between the Swakop and Kuiseb rivers west of the Namib-Naukluft Park. Excluded from the park are the Cape Cross Seal Reserve, Henties Bay municipal area, Wlotzkas-baken Settlement Area and the Swakopmund and Walvis Bay municipal areas. It also excludes the railway line between Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Arandis, as well as major, minor and district roads within the boundaries. A total of 28 farms and smallholdings situated in the park are also excluded. The Dorob National Park encompasses a spectacular coastal dune belt, vast gravel plains, Namibia’s richest coastal area for birds, rich botanical diversity, and major ephemeral river systems and their river mouths. ..."
Information
- View our travel report: Namibia 2019
- Website: Ministry of E&I - Dorob National Park
- Google Maps: Dorob National Park
- Size: 7800km2 (not sure if this is including the part below Swakupmund)
