Swakopmund is an exquisite city on the coast of Namibia, about 350 km west of Windhoek. It’s protected to say that Swakopmund is essentially the most stunning and attention-grabbing city within the nation. It’s undoubtedly price together with it in your Namibia highway journey itinerary.
There are lots of wonderful things to do in Swakopmund from observing unimaginable wildlife to skydiving over the desert and tasting native craft beer. If you happen to’re in search of a pleasant place the place you may keep for a few days and chile Swakopmund is a good possibility. Swakopmund is an ideal place for solo vacationers and people who don’t wish to lease a automobile. There are lots of group and personal excursions that take vacationers to the primary highlights of Namibia.
Nature and wildlife experiences in Swakopmund
You’ll be stunned by the range of wildlife and panorama of the realm. Inside a few hours’ drive, you may see spectacular sand dunes, weird rock formations, abandoned coast, and hundreds of animals and birds.
Visiting Dune 7
Many vacationers affiliate Namibia with desert so visiting the very best dune within the Namib Desert is a must-do factor for anyone visiting Swakopmund. Dune 7 is located 35 km south of the city near the highway you don’t want a 4×Four to get to it. There’s a parking zone on the dune you may depart your automobile there. Sundown is the perfect time for visiting the dune. You’ll be able to benefit from the solar taking place from the highest of the dune within the infinite Namib Desert.
Dune 7 is just not the one well-known dune within the Namib Desert. If you wish to see spectacular dunes and dried salt pans make sure that to go to Sossusvlei.
Watching flamingos in Walvis Bay
Wildlife round Swakopmund is extremely numerous. The flamingo colony in Walvis Bay, a small city 40 km south of Swakopmund is likely one of the locations price visiting. You’ll be able to see birds from close-by from the promenade. A tidal pool at Pelican Level is the perfect spot for watching these magnificent birds. One of the best time to see flamingos in Walvis Bay is between November and April. Throughout the peak season, December to March, there are literally thousands of birds within the space.
Recognizing whales and dolphins from a ship
Watching flamingos is just not the one factor to do in Walvis Bay. If you happen to do a ship or catamaran tour at Pelican Level it is possible for you to to see whales, dolphins, seals, sunfish, and leatherback turtles. One of the best season to see whales are the winter months from July to November. Throughout that point you may see Southern Proper Whales and Humpback Whales. Different marine animals may be seen year-round. You are able to do a catamaran tour to see the various marine lifetime of the Namibian coast.
If you happen to’re planning to go to southern Namibia think about visiting Luderitz, a small coastal city within the south of the nation. There are some attention-grabbing things to do in Luderitz together with observing marine wildlife.
Driving alongside the Skeleton Coast
The secluded coast of Namibia is an attention-grabbing place to go to. A drive alongside the coast is an journey by itself. The identify comes from a number of shipwrecks that may be discovered alongside the coast. Among the wrecks are price a cease. Zeila wreck might be essentially the most well-known right here. It’s a well-preserved wreck located near the shore, about 60 km north of Swakopmund.
Shore fishing is a well-liked exercise on the Skeleton Coast when you’re a eager fisherman deliver your rods with you.
You’ll be able to embrace a drive alongside the Skeleton Coast into your Namibia Victoria Falls Street journey.
Watching seals at Cape Cross
It’s is likely one of the not-to-miss locations in Namibia. Cape Cross is a nature reserve that’s house to the biggest land colony of Cape Fur seals. Within the peak season, you may see as much as species. One of the best time to go to Cape Cross Seal Reserve is the breeding season, between January and March, when you may see hundreds of cute seal cubs crawling across the space. Guests stroll on boardwalks seals and their cubs aren’t disturbed by human presence. If you happen to’re a nature pictures lover Cape Cross is a unbelievable place for taking close-by photographs of seals. The one draw back of the place is the odor when you’re delicate deliver a serviette or a masks with you.
You’ll be able to mix a go to to this place with a drive alongside the Skeleton Coast. Cape Cross is 130 km north of Swakopmund.
- Working hours – day by day from 10 am to five pm
- Admission price – NAD 150/US$10 per particular person, NAD 50/US$Four per automobile
On the lookout for wildlife within the desert
The desert may seem like an uninhabitable place for untrained eyes. The truth is, many endemic species may be discovered within the sand dunes simply outdoors Swakopmund. Don’t count on to see massive mammals however reasonably small endemic species like lizards, snakes, beetles, and spiders. This exercise is likely one of the things that I’d strongly advocate doing with a information. Throughout the tour, you’ll study rather a lot in regards to the wildlife of the Namib Desert.
Admiring Moon Panorama and Welwitschias
The Moon Panorama is located 40 km east of Swakopmund. You’ll be able to go to it as a day journey from the city or on the best way driving from Windhoek or Sossusvlei. The panorama in that a part of the Namib desert reminds the floor of the Moon. From the lookout level, you may see rocky hills carved within the desert by the Swakop River. The panorama was fashioned thousands and thousands of years in the past when the local weather within the area was extra humid. Within the background of the valley, guests can see the Rossin Mountain.
There are a number of factors of curiosity within the valley together with uncommon vegetation, World Battle I stays, mines, and weird rock formations. If you wish to go to all factors of curiosity (beacons) you’ll want 4-5 hours.
Moreover the surreal panorama, guests can see the Welwitschia mirabilis. These vegetation are distinctive to the Namib Desert. They’re known as dwelling fossils. The typical age of welwitschias is 400-500 years although a number of the vegetation attain 1500 years.
To go to the beacons you want a allow that may be obtained at Ritterburg Workplace in Swakopmund. You’ll be able to go to the Moon Panorama and see Welwitschia with a guided tour from Walvis Bay.
Visiting Spitzkoppe
Spitzkoppe means pointed dome in German. This stunning place is situated 150 km northeast of Swakopmund. It’s well-known for its granite peaks and weird rock formations. The peaks dominate the plains of the Namib Desert. The best peak is 1728 m. You’ll be able to go to Spitzkoppe is a day journey from Swakopmund. If you happen to don’t wish to do a self-drive journey you may be part of a small group tour to Spitkoppe from Swakopmund.
To essentially recognize the beautify of the place I’d advocate staying right here for the night time. Tenting beneath the celebrities on this unimaginable place is a tremendous experience. Spitzkoppe Camp is considered one of our favourite campsites in Namibia.
Journey things to do in Swakopmund
Adrenalin junkies and outside lovers could have loads of things to do in Swakopmund to maintain them busy for a few days. Swakopmund can simply be known as the adventurous capital of Namibia.
4×Four drive within the desert
Driving in a 4×Four automobile previous the large sand dunes is likely one of the not-to-miss things in Swakopmund. For a desert drive, you may head to Sandwich Bay, drive alongside the Skeleton Coast, in direction of the Moon Panorama. Earlier than occurring a drive ensure you have sufficient petrol in your tank, examine your wheels, pack a spare tire in your boot, and take sufficient water and snacks with you.
You don’t need to lease a 4×Four car to benefit from the desert becoming a member of a day tour is a good possibility of experiencing the drive particularly when you’re not very assured with driving on rugged sandy surfaces.
Quad biking within the dunes
One other nice exercise in Swakopmund. Driving a quad bike is a enjoyable solution to experience the desert. To be trustworthy, I favor it over 4×Four driving it’s extra thrilling and you may truly go over fairly massive sand dunes. No want to fret about getting caught or having a flat tire. Plus, everybody (even older youngsters) can get his/her portion of adrenaline and maneuver over the dunes.
Skydiving over the desert
Tandem skydiving is an exercise not for everyone. I need to admit we didn’t do it. Primarily as a result of it didn’t slot in our price range and we do remorse it. Fortunately Namibia is just not removed from South Africa I’m certain we’ll get an opportunity to do it on our subsequent journey.
Having fun with the unimaginable panorama of the Namib Desert whereas free-falling from 2000 m is unquestionably a lifetime experience. Add to this the scenic flight over the wild Atlantic coast the place the desert meets the ocean. The free fall lasts between 30 and 40 seconds but it surely seems like a lifetime (imagine me I’ve achieved it as soon as).
Kayaking
Kayaking round Chook Rock Island is a unbelievable method of observing the various marine lifetime of the area. Throughout the tour, you’ll get to see dolphins, seals, flamingoes, pelicans, and different marine birds. Paddle in a kayak is a must-include in your Swakopmund itinerary particularly when you’re a bit overwhelmed by sand dunes and the desert. As an possibility, you may mix kayaking with a 4×Four desert drive. This fashion you’ll get to see each the spectacular dunes of the Namib Desert and the various marine lifetime of the area.
Driving a motorbike within the desert
Exploring the Namib Desert on a motorbike is a really wonderful factor to do in Swakopmund. Biking over sand dunes offers you an opportunity to benefit from the distinctive atmosphere of the desert with out engine noises and air air pollution. For us, doing any outside bodily exercise after spending days sitting within the automobile was wonderful. Biking on sand is a bit difficult and fairly difficult typically, particularly if you attempt to go up the hill be able to sweat from each the hassle and the warmth. When doing any outside exercise within the desert all the time placed on sunscreen and put on a cap.
Sandboarding
Sandboarding from the excessive dunes of the Namib Desert is a good and enjoyable exercise. Taking place a sand dune on a board standing is kind of difficult. It’d take a few tries to pay money for it. It helps if in case you have some experience in snowboarding although it’s not the identical.
If you need a better different you are able to do a lie-down sandboarding. In my experience, it’s quicker to go down mendacity down than standing. Whichever method you select put together your self for a bodily difficult stroll up the dunes along with your board after each slide.
Things to do for tradition and meals lovers
Nature and journey actions usually are not the one things to do in Swakopmund. The city gives nice cultural and gastronomical experiences.
Exploring the city on foot
Swakopmund is our favourite “strolling city” in Namibia. It has every thing to take pleasure in a pleasant stroll: lengthy sandy seashores, small squares, stunning structure, cozy espresso retailers, nice vistas from the pier. We stayed in Swakopmund for nearly per week and have been very completely happy simply to stroll round after many lengthy days of driving. All the primary sights, eating places, retailers, and the seashore are shut to one another you actually don’t want a automobile to maneuver round.
The architectural highlights of Swakopmund are the Prinzessin Rupprecht Heim constructing, the Previous Jail, the State Home, Woermannhaus, the Lighthouse, Hohenzollern Constructing, and extra. Most of those exceptional buildings have been constructed at first of the XX century.
Assembly locals
Township tour simply outdoors Swakopmund is an effective way of assembly locals and studying about completely different tribes dwelling within the space. Visiting the townships offers you an opportunity to see Swakopmund from a special perspective. You’ll meet the Damara, Nama, and the Herrero individuals. Throughout the tour, you get to go to a neighborhood faculty, attempt some conventional do-it-yourself meals, take heed to the choir, and extra. It’s a enjoyable, informative, and fascinating method of experiencing native tradition.
If you happen to’re within the Namibian tribes you’ll take pleasure in visiting the Himba Folks in Northern Namibia.
Chilling on the seashore
What may be higher than stress-free on the seashore after lengthy days of driving by means of the desert?! We actually loved lengthy sundown walks and morning runs on the lengthy sandy seashore in Swakopmund. Like in all places in Namibia the ocean is fairly chilly not likely appropriate for swimming. Temperatures vary between 18°C in summer season and 14°C in winter.
Visiting the Nationwide Marine Aquarium
It is perhaps not the primary alternative particularly if in case you have restricted time to spend in Swakopmund. The beauty of the aquarium is that you would be able to study in regards to the marine lifetime of the area. There are solely native species that stay within the Atlantic’s chilly Benguela Present. You’ll be able to see right here sharks, rays, lobsters, and completely different sorts of fish. The aquarium is kind of small you’ll want an hour or two to go to it. It’s an attention-grabbing place to go to with youngsters they’ll take pleasure in watching rays feeding and working by means of the glass tunnel.
- Working hours – Tue – Solar, from 10am to 4pm, feeding day by day at 3pm
- Admission price – NAD 30/US$2
Studying historical past on the Swakopmund Museum
The museum was established in 1951 by Dr. Alfons Weber. These days it’s the most important personal museum in Namibia. Right here you may study just about every thing in regards to the area from indigenous vegetation and animals to the normal dwelling types of native tribes and previous motorized automobiles. It’s an amazing place to go to particularly if Swakopmund is a place to begin of your Namibia journey.
- Working hours – Mon – Solar, fom 10am to 5pm
- Admission price – NAD 30/US$2
Tasting craft beer
If you happen to’re a beer lover you’ll undoubtedly take pleasure in Swakopmund. Its German previous To get a first-hand beer tasting experience go to the Namib Dunes Craft Brewery. They’ve an amazing number of beers and ales.
If you wish to have an amazing meal e.g. a steak, a burger, and so forth. along with your beer make sure that to go to Joe’s Beerhouse or SKW Brathause and Beergarden. Each locations have scrumptious meals, good beers, and an amazing vibe.
Having fun with recent seafood
Recent seafood and fish are one thing to not miss in Swakopmund. Right here you may take pleasure in freshly caught native specialties reminiscent of lobsters, oysters, and fish. There are a number of nice eating places the place you may attempt a number of the greatest sushi and seafood in Namibia. Ocean Cellar and Jetty 1905 serve recent seafood, wonderful sushi, in addition to meat and vegetarian dishes. From each eating places, you may watch the sundown having fun with a scrumptious meal.
How one can get to Swakopmund?
One of the simplest ways of transferring round Namibia is by automobile. If you happen to’re coming from abroad you’ll most likely fly to Windhoek the place you may lease a automobile. The simplest is to lease a automobile at Windhoek Airport. It lets you be versatile and make spontaneous modifications to your journey itinerary.
Swakopmund is 300 km west of Windhoek, the drive takes about Four hours. Many vacationers favor visiting Sossusvlei first and from there go to Swakopmund. Sossusvlei is 400 km south of Swakopmund. The highway is usually gravel, it takes about 5 hours to drive.
If you happen to don’t wish to lease a automobile you may get to Swakopmund with a shuttle bus. There are a number of firms working on this route. One of the best is to ask your resort to rearrange it for you.
For solo vacationers becoming a member of a small group tour throughout Namibia is perhaps an excellent possibility. On this case, you don’t have to fret or plan something your self.
The place to remain in Swakopmund?
There are many lodging choices in Swakopmund for various budgets from backpackers’ hostels to luxurious lodges.
