Namibe Reserve

The Namibe Reserve is a protected area in southwestern Angola that brings together marine and terrestrial ecosystems with diverse wildlife. Its landscape ranges from desert zones to coastal areas, incorporating multiple habitats for different species.

This protected area was established in 1960 and has been managed as an official reserve since then. It encompasses sections of the Namib Desert that extend into southwestern Angola from neighboring regions.

The Herero and Khoisan peoples who inhabit this region maintain their own ways of living that blend with the landscape and its rhythms. Their presence shapes how the reserve is understood and used by those who know it well.

Access to the reserve comes through the Sierra da Leba Road network that runs through the area. The dry season from May to October offers the best conditions for observing wildlife and exploring the landscape.

The reserve contains rock formations from the Late Cretaceous period with fossils of ancient sea creatures, showing that this region was once covered by ocean. These fossils tell the story of dramatic changes in the landscape over millions of years.