Cape Cross — Seal Colony★★
Cape Cross hosts the largest colony of South African fur seals (Cape Fur Seals) on land — up to 200,000 animals crowd on the narrow coastal strip. It is an overwhelming spectacle for all senses: The roar of thousands of seals is deafening, the smell is... intense, and the sight of this mass of animals is simply incredible.
The best time to visit is November/December, when the pups are born and the colony is at its largest. But even in the dry season, tens of thousands of seals are present.
A wooden walkway leads through the colony — you get within a few meters of the animals. The bulls, weighing up to 350 kg, eye you suspiciously, while the pups curiously approach. Groups of jackals patrol the edge of the colony in search of unattended pups.
Cape Cross also holds historical significance: The Portuguese navigator Diego Cão erected a stone cross here in 1486 — the first European monument in southern Africa. A replica stands at the entrance today.
💡 Tipp
Bring a windbreaker and wear clothes you can wash afterward — the smell lingers. And keep at least 5 meters away from the bulls: They look sluggish but can snap quickly.
