Cape Cross Seal Reserve

This area north of Swakopmund is proclaimed a nature reserve area to protect the 23 colonies of fur seals, which breed along the coast of South Africa and Namibia.

This Cape fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) are the largest of the world's nine fur seal species. The various islands with large coastal bird populations are also protected. 

In the year 1484, the Portuguese Diego Cão, sailed along the Atlantic coast of Africa to the south. He was the first European who sailed along the Namibian coast. His journey ended - literally - at Cape Cross. There is a memorial site there and a cross with an inscription. 

In memory of him, a cross was established for future explorers, like Bartolomeus Diaz and Vasco da Gama, a beacon on the road to Cape of Good Hope and beyond.