位于纳米比亚大西洋沿岸城市斯瓦科普蒙德(Swakopmund)的蛇园,全称 Living Desert Snake Park,自1994年由 Stuart Hebbard 创立以来,已成为该地区最重要的爬行动物科普中心。馆内常年生活着将近70种本土爬行动物,包括令人生畏的黑曼巴蛇以及身披伪装的膨蝰。由于蛇园目前正面临场地调整与搬迁,建议出发前通过当地酒店确认最新动态,目前的常规开放时间为每日上午9点至下午5点。
说到非洲毒蛇,很多人第一反应就是黑曼巴。在斯瓦科普蒙德蛇园,你有机会隔着厚实的玻璃墙观察这种非洲最致命的猎手。黑曼巴以移动速度极快和攻击性强著称,其口腔内部深邃的黑色是威慑敌人的标志。除了黑曼巴,馆内还展示了黄金眼镜蛇和非洲膨蝰。膨蝰虽然动作缓慢,但在纳米比亚造成的伤人记录却是最多的,因为它们极其擅长伪装在枯叶和沙地里,让人防不胜防。
如果你打算去附近的纳米布沙漠参加小五霸探索之旅,那么蛇园是个绝佳的预习课。这里展出了沙漠中著名的侧进蛇,这种蛇通过侧向移动来减少身体与高温沙地的接触面积。你可以近距离看清它们位于头顶的眼睛,那是专门为埋在沙子里偷袭猎物而进化的。此外,馆内还有被称为沙漠变色龙的纳米比变色龙,这种神奇的生物能在几分钟内根据光照和温度改变肤色。
许多人对蛇类有天生的恐惧感,但了解往往是消除恐惧的最好方式。在工作人员的专业指导下,胆大的游客可以尝试亲手触摸一些温顺的非毒蛇,比如非洲褐家蛇。这种触感并不像想象中那样黏糊糊,反而像干爽的皮革。这种近距离接触往往能瞬间打破人们对爬行动物的固有偏见,让恐惧化为好奇。
这里的每一只动物背后都有故事。蛇园不仅是旅游景点,更是当地的野生动物救助站。很多进入居民区的毒蛇会被工作人员捕获后带回这里观察,或者在康复后重新放归荒野。目前馆内收容的69只动物中,很大一部分是因伤无法在野外生存的个体。每年这里会接待超过6000名学生,帮助下一代建立起保护这些生物的意识。
蛇园目前的位置靠近市中心核心区,步行前往著名的长堤或者水族馆都在十分钟路程内。但在2025年到2026年期间,由于租约和场地规划原因,蛇园正面临搬迁压力。说到具体的游玩路线,建议把这里安排在下午。早晨可以去沙漠驱车看景,回来后正好进城吃顿海鲜大餐,再花上一小时左右的时间进馆参观。
按照目前的经营情况,成人入场券大约需要准备150纳币。馆内的售票处规模很小,经常会出现刷卡机信号不稳的情况,随身带点纳币现金会保险很多。馆内光线相对昏暗,如果想要拍出清晰的爬行动物照片,建议使用大光圈镜头并关闭闪光灯,以免惊扰到这些敏感的邻居。由于蛇园主要依靠门票收入来维持动物的救治费用,这些资金直接关系到馆内黑曼巴和非洲岩蟒的食物储备。
成人票价约为150纳币,折合人民币约60元,儿童票通常在100纳币左右。馆内的售票窗口规模有限,建议准备好纳币现金,以防刷卡设备无法连接网络。
蛇园的安全措施非常严密,所有剧毒蛇类都安置在加固的钢化玻璃展柜内。这里每年接待约6500名学生进行自然教育,是非常成熟的亲子游景点,工作人员会全程监控互动过程。
馆内面积不算很大,常驻动物约70种。通常游览一圈并阅读完每一处科普说明牌需要45分钟到一小时,如果是深度爬虫爱好者,预留一个半小时会更加从容。
Nolito Marques The snake park is a must see to learn more about the reptiles in Namibia. The main attraction is the large variety of venomous snakes including different cobras, black mamba, vipers and pythons. Not for the faint-hearted, however very educational and garners better understanding and respect for these reptiles.
Brian S. The place is very nice, has a very nice variety of snakes and some reptiles. The owner was super friendly and gave us alot of useful information. We enjoyed it thoroughly.
Ingeborg Baltes I like the "new" venue. Reptiles look well-kept. Enclosures are safe. Information is accurate and easily visible. Staff is friendly and well-informed. And I LOVE their T-shirts / hoodies! Small enough setup to easily do with young kids.
Stally Ntomwa Been here 3times thus far. As locals, We paid N$60 per adult. You get to see a variety of reptiles. Very informative tour, and the owner is very friendly. He refuted some of the myths I grew up knowing about the black mamba 😅 We were lucky because we got to see some snakes feed rats. Given the limited activity in Swakopmund, i would definitely recommend.
schminga I was shocked! The terrariums are way too small and only filled with sand and stones. And no! That’s not what the desert looks like! Snakes need fresh air or at least a small plant for oxygen. They can’t hide which is something snakes need to do to feel safe. I’m not a snake expert but I’m sure putting 4 pythons each of 3-4 meters length in a terrarium of 4,5 square meters is definitely too crowded! All of the snakes are hitting their heads at the glass trying to get out! This is animal cruelty! My advice: upgrade this place ASAP! But mostly: get species that are about to extinct and help them to propagate. Once they do, set them free. That’s the only reason why humans should capture wild animals. Also hang up information sheets about the drastic extinction to make sure people learn something when they leave. If you visit this snake park now, especially children will have an understanding of wild animals that is completely wrong!