Namibia: Outrage after tourists are spotted posing naked at Big Daddy dune

Three male foreign tourists who were spotted posing naked in a popular dune in Namibia were condemned by authorities in the Southern African nation. Per BBC, the incident occurred at the Big Daddy dune in the Namib desert. The site is said to be one of the country’s biggest attractions.

Visitors who spoke with a local newspaper described the tourists’ behavior as shocking and demanded they be held accountable. Their actions also drew outrage after photos and videos of the incident were circulated.

A spokesperson from Namibia’s tourism ministry informed local news outlets that the three male tourists could be barred from visiting any of the country’s parks. The vice-chairperson of the Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations, Kenneth Nependa, also told the Namibian Sun that their behavior could poach tourists “who think anything goes in Namibia.”

“It is very sickening and it really [creates] a bad image for Namibia,” Nependa said. He also stated that the Big Daddy dune serves as a relaxing location for tourists as well as families. 

The spokesperson for Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Romeo Muyunda, similarly described the tourists’ actions as “extremely shocking.” He also said Namibian law prohibits public indecency. 

“We appeal to that section of tourists to summon the conscience so that they do the right things,” Muyunda said. He, however, said the tourists were no longer in the country when they were reported to authorities.