The Living Desert Snake Park

Abandoned in a box with air holes, left at the doorstep of The Living Desert Snake Park. That’s how some of the residents arrive. Not all, of course. But the park’s staff are never surprised to find discarded creatures awaiting them. The Living Desert Snake Park in Swakopmund tells many tales, and not all of them are scaly. Some are whispers of illegal smuggling, others of public education. The park opened its doors in 1994, founded by Stuart Hebbard. It changed hands in 2019, when Stretch Cowbrink, a veteran of the Namibian snake world, took the reins alongside Angela Curtis. The Living Desert Snake Park isn’t just about snakes, although they are the stars. Around 60 slither within its confines, from the deadly black mamba and Cape cobra to the intriguing horned viper and speedy sand racer. But chameleons, geckos, agamas, and scorpions also call this place home. The Living Desert Snake Park also showcases the darker side of the reptile world. Abandoned exotic snakes like the North American corn snake, the California kingsnake, and even a young boa constrictor, all point to a trade that thrives in the shadows. These smuggled creatures found sanctuary within the park, a testament to its vital role. The Living Desert Snake Park doesn’t just entertain, it educates. School children and tourists alike learn about the behavior of these often-misunderstood creatures. They get to see up close the remarkable adaptations and beauty that exist within the reptile kingdom. It’s a place where fear gives way to fascination.