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Big Daddy dune: Namibia angered by tourists posing naked in dune safari | Big Daddy dune: Namibia angered by tourists posing naked in dune safari |
(32 minutes later) | |
The Big Daddy dune is one of Namibia's top tourist destinations | The Big Daddy dune is one of Namibia's top tourist destinations |
The authorities in Namibia have condemned tourists who posed naked in one of the country's top attractions - the Big Daddy dune in the Namib desert. | The authorities in Namibia have condemned tourists who posed naked in one of the country's top attractions - the Big Daddy dune in the Namib desert. |
Visitors told a local newspaper they were shocked by the behaviour and called for action against the tourists. | Visitors told a local newspaper they were shocked by the behaviour and called for action against the tourists. |
The unnamed foreigners might be blacklisted from entering any of Namibia's parks, a spokesperson from the tourism ministry told local media. | The unnamed foreigners might be blacklisted from entering any of Namibia's parks, a spokesperson from the tourism ministry told local media. |
Photos and a video have been widely shared, sparking sharp reactions. | Photos and a video have been widely shared, sparking sharp reactions. |
Kenneth Nependa, vice-chairperson of the Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations, told the Namibian Sun news website that the behaviour risked attracting tourists "who think anything goes in Namibia". | |
"It is very sickening and it really [creates] a bad image for Namibia," Mr Nependa said, adding that the Big Daddy dune was not just a relaxing place for tourists but for families too. | "It is very sickening and it really [creates] a bad image for Namibia," Mr Nependa said, adding that the Big Daddy dune was not just a relaxing place for tourists but for families too. |
It is not clear who took the photos and the video of the three male tourists, who are seen stark naked in the sandy dune, next to their clothes. | It is not clear who took the photos and the video of the three male tourists, who are seen stark naked in the sandy dune, next to their clothes. |
How prevalent is the naked tourist photo? | How prevalent is the naked tourist photo? |
The authorities did not immediately respond to BBC enquiries about the identity of the tourists. | The authorities did not immediately respond to BBC enquiries about the identity of the tourists. |
Romeo Muyunda, spokesperson for the ministry of environment, forestry and tourism, termed the behaviour "extremely shocking" in a statement cited by local media. | Romeo Muyunda, spokesperson for the ministry of environment, forestry and tourism, termed the behaviour "extremely shocking" in a statement cited by local media. |
He said it was public indecency punishable by Namibian law. | He said it was public indecency punishable by Namibian law. |
"We appeal to that section of tourists to summon the conscience so that they do the right things," Mr Muyunda added. | "We appeal to that section of tourists to summon the conscience so that they do the right things," Mr Muyunda added. |
The tourists had left the country by the time authorities received the reports, he said. | The tourists had left the country by the time authorities received the reports, he said. |
He appealed to Namibians to report violations of park regulations immediately for swift action. | He appealed to Namibians to report violations of park regulations immediately for swift action. |
But some social media users said there was "nothing wrong with sunbathing". | But some social media users said there was "nothing wrong with sunbathing". |
"Why are they in trouble? They bothered no one," an X user posted. | "Why are they in trouble? They bothered no one," an X user posted. |
The Big Daddy dune is one of the three largest dunes in Namibia's enormous Namib-Naukluft National Park, one of the largest in the world. | The Big Daddy dune is one of the three largest dunes in Namibia's enormous Namib-Naukluft National Park, one of the largest in the world. |
The dunes are popular with tourists who hike to the top to have a stunning view across the crests. | The dunes are popular with tourists who hike to the top to have a stunning view across the crests. |
More Namibian stories from the BBC: | More Namibian stories from the BBC: |
Namibian TikTok nurses face probe over clinic dance | Namibian TikTok nurses face probe over clinic dance |
Namibia and Iceland caught in jaws of fish scandal | Namibia and Iceland caught in jaws of fish scandal |
Namibia baby abandonment law: 'I wanted someone to take better care of my baby' | Namibia baby abandonment law: 'I wanted someone to take better care of my baby' |
Related Topics | Related Topics |
Namibia | Namibia |