Only 'miracle' can keep snake park in Swakopmund, owners say

Stretch and Angela Combrink say the Living Desert Snake Park will close in Swakopmund and relocate inland unless a last-minute solution is found by mid-March, ending more than three decades of the facility’s presence on the coast.

The pair, who own the snake park, said they “definitely” have to move as demolition and construction activity intensifies at the current premises.

“We have been trying for the last six months to find a place here to establish ourselves in Swakopmund… unfortunately we can’t find anything,” Combrink said. “If a miracle doesn’t happen by the middle of March, then we have to close down in Swakopmund.”

He said if no other opportunity opens up, the snake park would continue at Mount Etjo Safari Lodge near Kalkveld.

“We are translocating to Mount Etjo… and yeah, we’ll continue there in the same format as we do here,” he said.

He said the move would end the park’s regular role as a public education facility in Swakopmund.

“I’m very sad because already we have to turn schools away,” he said, adding that schools typically book months in advance. He said last year the snake park received 6 000 learners and 800 teachers. Relocating inland would reduce accessibility for learners and the public.

“For schools and learners it’s not going to happen anymore. For the general public in Namibia, it’s not going to happen because although Mount Etjo takes day visitors, we obviously won’t be that accessible… to the general public,” he said.

Combrink added that the operation’s impact went beyond tours.

“Last year we trained 217 people right throughout Namibia,” he said, adding that training and television work would likely continue despite leaving Swakopmund.

The owners said they remain open to any practical offer that could keep them in Swakopmund, but time is short.

“Anything, anything, anything to keep us in Swakopmund, we appreciate. Yeah, absolutely. But it has to come soon."

Difficult year, difficult move

He described the past year as “crisis management".

The park is home to 69 reptiles, including snakes, lizards and tortoises, all of which Combrink described as rescues.

Combrink said the relocation itself would be a specialised, high-pressure operation, with animals and equipment moved in one trip. He said they would likely use a container, travel at night and aim to limit the time animals spend boxed.

“48 hours maximum for them in the box,” he said. “It’s tough on the animals, it’s tough on us. The stress level is incredible. I don’t sleep too well.”

Angela Combrink said the closure would be “very, very sad for Swakop”. She also thanked Swakopmund residents for support and announced three final open days at the snake park on 10, 11 and 12 March with free entry.

“We’re open between nine and five every day. And we’d love to see as many people as possible,” she said.