The Dorob National Park, also called "dry land," is a protected area in the Erongo region of central Namibia. It was officially established as a national park under the Nature Conservation Ordinance No. 4 of 1975 on December 1, 2010. The park is 1,600 kilometers long and, together with the Namib-Naukluft Park, covers an area of 107,540 square kilometers.

The park spans from the Kuiseb Delta, which is south of Walvis Bay, north to the Ugab River, and west from the Atlantic Ocean to the area that was once the National West Coast Tourist Recreation Area. About 75 species of birds visit this area, with nearly 1.6 million birds recorded there.

History

Before the park became a national park, it was known as the Walvis Bay Nature Reserve, managed by the Cape Department of Nature Conservation. This was part of an effort to create one connected coastal protected area. After Namibia became an independent country, the reserve became part of Namibian territory within the Walvis Bay enclave. A proposal to rename the reserve Walvis Bay National Park was not successful. Instead, the central part of the coastal area was named Dorob National Park. The park includes the Walvis Bay Lagoon, a Ramsar Site, and the area of dunes and gravel plains between the Swakop and Kuiseb rivers west of the Namib-Naukluft Park. However, areas such as Swakopmund, Henties Bay, and Wlotzkasbaken are not included. Other areas not included are a railway line, road reserves for major and minor routes, some district roads, and certain farms.

In June 2011, National Geographic reported that the creation of Dorob National Park in December 2010 helped form a nearly continuous line of parks along the coastline from the Kunene River on the Angolan border to the Orange River on the South African border. This development made it possible for a larger coastal park, called Namib-Skeleton Coast National Park, to be created in the future.

The Trans-Kalahari Highway runs through the park, and several mining, fishing, and industrial towns are located along this route. It has been claimed that filming for the 2012 movie Mad Max: Fury Road caused harm to the park’s natural habitat.

Wildlife

This park has an impressive coastal dune belt, large gravel plains, Namibia’s most bird-rich coastal area, a wide variety of plant life, and important temporary rivers and their mouths. The central coastline, which is 1,600 kilometers (990 miles) long and includes Dorob National Park, is part of a very dry desert. About 75 bird species visit this area, with nearly 1.6 million birds recorded along the coast. Because of its importance for birds, BirdLife International has classified the park as an Important Bird Area. The Damara tern (Sternula balaenarum), a seabird that lives only in Namibia, is a key species in the coastal region. It breeds in the park but moves north during winter. Some lichen fields are also protected within this area.

Conservation measures

The National Park declaration allows tourism, sports, and recreational activities in non-sensitive areas. Its main goal is to protect the environment through conservation measures. To achieve this, specific laws and guidelines have been created for these activities.

Powered aircraft cannot fly below 1 kilometer (0.62 miles) unless taking off or landing. Commercial, construction, and competitive activities are not allowed in the park unless the organizer has a permit from the "Ministry of Environment and Tourism." It is strictly forbidden to feed, trap, hunt, chase, harm, or kill any animal. Collecting or destroying objects with scientific, historical, or natural importance is also not allowed.

The park is managed as a large open system connected to marine, coastal, and escarpment areas. Management aims to protect important habitats and ensure long-term health, productivity, and adaptation to climate change.

The park is divided into zones for tourism and recreation in restricted areas. These zones include Damara tern breeding sites, gravel plains, important bird areas, the Kuiseb Delta, Sandwich Harbour, Swakop River, Tsumas Delta, Walvis Bay Lagoon, birding areas, and lichen fields.