Wlotzkasbaken | Swakopmund

Information

Landmark: Wlotzkasbaken
City: Swakopmund
Country: Namibia
Continent: Africa

Wlotzkasbaken, Swakopmund, Namibia, Africa

Wlotzkasbaken is a coastal holiday settlement located on the Atlantic shoreline of Namibia, approximately 30km north of Swakopmund. It sits within the Dorob National Park boundaries on the C34 salt road.

Visual Characteristics

The settlement is characterized by a collection of approximately 100 brightly painted, idiosyncratic wooden and corrugated iron cottages. There are no boundary walls or fences between properties. The surrounding terrain is a flat, hyper-arid gravel plain with a rocky shoreline and high-density lichen fields.

Location & Access Logistics

Access is via the C34 coastal salt road connecting Swakopmund and Henties Bay. A single gravel turn-off leads into the settlement. There is no public transport; access requires a private vehicle. Parking is informal on the sand and gravel areas surrounding the individual dwellings.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The site originated in 1936 as a seasonal fishing camp for Paul Wlotzka. It is situated on a geological terrace of the Central Namib Desert. The settlement is unique for its lack of a municipal water or electricity grid, relying entirely on self-contained utility systems.

Key Highlights & Activities

Shore angling is the primary activity, with specific focus on Kabeljou and Steenbras. The area is a designated site for botanical observation of rare endemic lichens. Walking along the rocky intertidal zones is possible during low tide to observe local marine birdlife.

Infrastructure & Amenities

There are no shops, restaurants, or fuel stations within the settlement. Restrooms are private; no public facilities exist. There is no shade provided by trees or public structures. 4G cellular signal is available due to the proximity of the coastal telecommunications corridor.

Best Time to Visit

The best months for angling and clearer skies are between December and March. For photography, the late afternoon provides high-contrast lighting on the colorful facades against the monochromatic desert gravel. Morning hours are frequently subject to dense coastal fog.

Facts & Legends

Wlotzkasbaken is the only settlement in Namibia where fences and walls are prohibited by local regulation to maintain an open, communal atmosphere. The "baken" (beacon) in the name refers to a historical survey trigonometrical station used by early coastal explorers.