“I’m coming up so you better you better get this party started” – Pink.
Backpacking in Namibia🇳🇦: Visiting the Walvis Bay Pink Lake and Salt Refinery
Well, it was the turn of the colour pink again on my adventures…as I landed in Namibia, finally. This marked country 182 on my wacaday journey and it also meant the FIFTH time I would see a PINK lake. The previous ones I had seen were:
- Pink lake in Torrevieja, Spain
- Pink lake in Salar de Uyunu, Bolivia (Laguna Colorada)
- Pink lake near Baku, Azerbaijan (Lake Masazir)
- Pink lake near Dakar, Senegal (Lac Rose)
Some photo recaps.
Laguna Colorada, Bolivia, 2010
Lake Masazir, Azerbaijan, 2013.
Lac Rose, Senegal 2016
Getting to Walvis Bay, Namibia
To get to Walvis Bay on the Atlantic cost of Namibia you have a few options. I was on a strict time frame here so flew in and out of Walvis Bay International Airport! I actually visited this airport a hat-trick of times on that trip – once from Cape Town (South Africa) and a brace via Windhoek. It is a small airport with 2-3 flights per day and you basically land in a desert! You can also self drive, hire a driver, arrive by ship or book an Intercape Bus.
Walvis Bay International Airport
Walvis Bay International Airport
Walvis Bay International Airport
Once you are in Walvis Bay, you can get your tours booked – check online for companies or visit their offices down by the main pier – there are a few to choose from. There is a lot to see and do in this area including kayaking with seals, watching flamingoes, cruising the dunes and the safaris. I was only here for the trip to Sandwich Harbour, where we had a champagne/fizzy wine breakfast come lunch and toured the dunes. However I didn’t expect to see another pink lake! I will write more about the dunes and my other Namibia experiences but here are a few photos from that tour before I show you the pink salt lake.
Touring the Atlantic Coast of Namibia
Touring the Atlantic Coast of Namibia
Touring the Atlantic Coast of Namibia
Touring the Atlantic Coast of Namibia
Touring the Atlantic Coast of Namibia
Touring the Atlantic Coast of Namibia
Walvis Bay Salt Refinery
Our first stop in the 4 x 4 jeep after heading south out of Walvis Bay is in the grounds of the salt refinery itself. It was nice to see yet another salt refinery and one so remote and with stunning views. I previously toured salt refineries and lakes in Saudi Arabia, Bolivia, Iran and Azerbaijan. We didn’t go in and get a tour, I’ve seen them before anyway. It was one of a few stops on route to Sandwich Harbour.
Walvis Bay Salt Refinery
Walvis Bay Salt Refinery
Walvis Bay Salt Refinery
Pink Lake at Walvis Bay
The highlight is the pink lake itself and I have to admit this one was MORE PINK than any of the previous ones I visited hence why it definitely merited a post. I had some camera issues on this trip and so the best photos are actually from my friend Malina. Here are some photos of this beautiful lake.
Backpacking in Namibia: Visiting the Walvis Bay Pink Lake and Salt Refinery
Backpacking in Namibia: Visiting the Walvis Bay Pink Lake and Salt Refinery
Backpacking in Namibia: Visiting the Walvis Bay Pink Lake and Salt Refinery
Here are some videos I made on our trip to the Pink Lake and Salt Refinery near Walvis Bay:
Hi,
Thanks for the info…..Is the road leading to the pink salt lakes from Walvis Bay difficult to drive on, and need an experienced 4×4 driver?
Hi May, Yes it is a tough road, very rocky and sandy. We went with a driver – book a tour all the way south to the dunes at Sandwich Bay, it’s worth it! Safe Travels. Jonny
Hi, thanks for the great insight. Around what time of year is the lake most pink or is it like this year round?
Hi Yumna, Thanks for the comment. That is a good question and I honestly don’t know the answer. I was there in February 2020 and it was pink then and I loved it. Safe travels. Jonny