Swakopmund is a unique place, where the desert meets the sea. A relatively built up coastal city, on Namibia's coast. You'll notice a lot of colonial architecture from its time under German rule. Educate yourself on the colonial history of Namibia and Swakopmund itself, especially the little acknowledgment to the genocide of Herero and Nama people.
Bursting with Namibian hospitality, and a vast array of activities. For us it proved to be a hidden gem, and was so different to the rest of our stops. One thing to remember, Swakopmund is known for its adrenaline adventures especially those in the desert, make sure your travel insurance covers them, if you intend to do them. Our full Namibia itinerary is coming soon.
Where to stay
Amanpuri Travellers Lodge, private rooms and large dorm style accomodation for those on a budget, like us! Clean rooms and bedding, safe in each room, cupboards for each traveller, breakfast available, and a great tour company on site. Starting from £10!
Where to eat
Our favourite meal in Namibia and a place we couldn't recommend enough, The Tug, a restaurant, known for its fish, seafood and setting. We had high expectations as it was recommended to us by a local, but it exceeded them. Panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, situated right by the 1905 jetty, in an old ship. It is a short stroll away from the hustle and bustle of the centre. We arrived early evening as it was open, so easily got a seat, if you intended on going a bit later, book ahead. Do not miss it!
Is it safe?
We felt safe the whole time we were there, just practice normal traveller common sense, don't walk alone at night, walk in groups or get a taxi after dark. We got approached a lot by market vendors, and street sellers, here more than anywhere else, politely decline, don't feel obliged to buy anything. We talk more about safety on activities later on.
Weather
Swakopmund gets cold at night and early on a morning, so take layers. Generally, it remains a pleasant temperature, rarely reaching above 20C, due to the ocean breeze, unlike most of Namibia which sees temperatures soar much higher, especially in Nov-Feb. However, if you're venturing off to the desert during the day for the activities below, pack lots of suncream, a hat, and water you'll need it.
Things to do:
Our Top Picks
1) Living Desert Tour
Check out Batis Bird Safaris, and opt for the eco dune / living desert tour. This will take up a whole morning. Our guide was Buzz, and was quite possibly one of the best tour guides we'd ever had. It's an early start, but they provide an accommodation pick up, from their you'll head to the eastern part of the major dune belt between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. Stop at the 'Horse Graveyard' where you can still see horse carcasses from World War One, when there was a mass slaughter of over 1000 South African horses. Stop by the protected by access area, learn about the dune formation, protected spies and vegetation, conservation efforts and the importance of coastal fog and many animal adaptations to this. Now, from the Big 5 (or 4 in Namibia) to the little 5, set off in search of the desert most famous creatures. Look out for different types of beetles, scorpions, chameleons, snakes, geckos, lizards, birds and jackals. We managed to find the majority of these, due to the keen eye of Buzz. If, it wasn't for him we wouldn't have spotted any tracks. He even tracked 3 pin prick tracks over an old railway line, where we found a chameleon. Cost £40+
2) Sandboarding
Alter - Action Adventures
If you've never been sandboarding before this isn't one to be missed! Adrenaline packed, hilarious fun. It costs £30+ depending on the type of sandboarding you choose. Yes it is daunting at first but the pure adrenaline you get after your first run is insane. Our guides were amazing, with detailed tutorials, refreshments and a relaxed atmosphere, Alter Action Adventures certainly made this an unforgettable experience. All equipment was provided by our guides, everyone welcome, beginners like us, right through to experts. At first the dunes don't look that grand, but upon reflection, after several hikes up the dune with the board they certainly are! Don't mistake this activity for an easy ride, it is definitely also a good work out. You get several hours to figure out how to sandboard at your own pace, and for your last run they encourage you to try the black box jump. Terrifying but worth a try for those of you who are dare devils. One piece of advice we would suggest is to not forget to take sunglasses, the sand gets everywhere. Cost £30+
3) Scenic Flight
If your budget can stretch this ones for you. Soar above the Namib desert, for a birds eye views and a truly unique perspective. Jump on a light aircraft with 'Scenic Air' for 2.5 hours, and see the changing colours of the dunes from above as well as sesriem canyon, Kuiseb River, Kuiseb Canyon, Diamond Camps, shipwrecks, salt pools, flamingoes in their hundreds if not thousands, Deadvlei, Sossusvlei, Tsondabvlei, one of the world's tallest dunes and witness where the desert meets the sea, along the skeleton coast. Deadvlei and Sossusvlei are becoming increasingly popular places to visit, but not many people get to see them from above, so before heading their on foot, take this opportunity. However, we wouldn't recommend this for those who get travel sick, it wasn't the smoothest journey especially along the coast. Cost £240+
4) Horseriding
Okakambe Horse Stables offers beautiful horseback riding through the Namib desert for people of all horse riding abilities. Their trails vary from 1hour rides right through to 3 day excursions. Once booked you get picked up from your accommodation, introduced to the horses and kitted up. A guide will take you through the 'moonscape' desert and tailor the trail to your needs. Whilst horse riding, the guides are very informative, giving you information about the geography of the area as well as the horses you ride and the general life in Swakopmund. It is clear the owner cares immensely for her horses, after the trail ride you are given the opportunity to look around the well kept ranch, even seeing tortoises and rabbits as well as feeding your horse before you say bye. All in all, a nice relaxing way to unwind and spend the day.
Cost £35+
5. Take time to explore the city
Swakopmund is such a hidden gem, that you just need to take some time to wander round. Go down to the coast, spend some time on the beach, walk along the pier, explore the markets and shops, marvel at the large houses on the seafront, get ice cream, and eat great food.
Other options:
The ultimate adrenaline activity. Take the opportunity to go Sky Diving, (with Ground Rush Adventures) whether you've been wanting to tick it off the bucket list for a while, are an avid sky diver or want to jump at the unique perspective of seeing the dunes from above, as they get closer and closer. Don't be fooled though dunes don't make for a soft landing.
This is an unusual option, and one you possible haven't heard of, a Fat Bike Tour. Take to the dunes on specially adapted bikes that are made for the desert. Make sure you have lots of energy for this one.
Also, consider paragliding, a hot air balloon ride or a food and cultural tour.
We visited Namibia as part of an overland trip, so we headed to other destinations across Namibia, however, if you're only visited Swakopmund, take a day trip to Namib desert, Skeleton Coast and Walvis Bay.
Things to Avoid:
We visited Swakopmund as part of a G Adventures tour, they have an ever increasing focus on ethics and sustainability. The activities on offer to us in Swakopmund were through a smaller tour company, before we were presented with all the options our G Adventures CEO's (Chief experience officers), educated us on activities to avoid.
Sea Kayaking, initially sounds fine right?, well most of the sea kayaking tours we heard about in Swakopmund were for wildlife sightings and encounters. Pictures promoting touching and feeding seals, whilst you search for whales and dolphins. There are ethical ways to witness our marine wildlife in their natural habitats, we don't believe the ones we were advertised in Swakopmund would come under this criteria.
Think twice about quad biking, it is one of the activities that results in the most accidents and injuries. Some of our tour group still opted to do it, they were all fine, but they did have to sign off our tour for the day, as g adventures no longer accept responsibility if they chose to go against their advice.
Fishing, they fish for sharks, for sport, need we say more.
Township tour, this ones quite controversial, the positive and negatives need to be understood, we are going to delve into this subject more on a blog post at some point.
Cheetah Sanctuary, not that close to Swakopmund, as its in Otjititongwe, but one we thought would be worth a mention, this sanctuary promotes photos and touching of big cats, these type of animal encounters are not ethical.
Special Mention
Pop in Kubatsirana Helping Hands, a small non profit shop, working in conjunction with the charity to help provide an income to women and children living in informal settlements in Windhoek and Swakopmund. You'll find some unique souvenirs and gifts in here, that stray away from the stereotypical market finds and you know the money is going to a good cause.
Socks and Sandals
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