Swakopmund
is a coastal oases
Welcome to Swakopmund
Sandwiched between Atlantic rollers and the Namib Desert, Swakopmund is one of those great traveller way stations along the African road. At once Namibia's adventure capital and a surreal colonial remnant, part destination in its own right and part launch pad for an exploration of the Skeleton Coast and Namib Desert, this is a city with as much personality as it has sea frontage. Like Lüderitz on the south coast, with its half-timbered German architecture, seaside promenades and pervasive Gemütlichkeit (a distinctively German appreciation of comfort and hospitality), Swakopmund, especially out of season, can feel like a holiday town along Germany’s North Sea and Baltic coasts transplanted onto African soil. But the city is also thoroughly African and its multidimensional appeal means that most people end up staying longer than they planned.
Top experiences in Swakopmund
Amazing hotels and hostels
We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Recent articles
Swakopmund activities
Namibia Walvis Bay Dolphin and Seal Wacthing Catamaran Cruise
Start your cruise experience at Walvis Bay harbour, where you board a sleek catamaran. Settle on deck, in the saloon or on the catamaran's trampolines and relish the views as you head out into the bay. On your cruise, discover some of Walvis Bay’s hidden gems, such as its oyster beds. Watch intently as you pull up alongside these submerged platforms and learn how thousands of oysters are cultivated here from the on-board commentary. Next, sail to Pelican Point, a sandy spit that edges the bay. With pelicans flying overhead, take in the views of its lighthouse and, if you’re lucky, the Cape fur seals massed on its beaches. Also, cruise to Bird Island, an artificial islet made of guano that’s home to vast colonies of seabirds. As you sail, watch for three types of dolphins: the heaviside, Atlantic bottlenose and dusky species. With luck, you might see these beautiful mammals swim around the boat. During whale season (July-August) you may even spot a Southern right whale, humpback or even a rare orca whale! Other marine life to look for includes the elusive sunfish and even leatherback turtles! After working up an appetite, sip sparkling wine alongside everything from Walvis Bay oysters — farmed in the waters around you — to tasty snacks, canapés and cocktail cakes. Wash them all down with a water, beer, juice or a coffee or tea. Then, relax as you glide back to port, where your experience finishes when you leave your catamaran.
Namib Desert Tour from Swakopmund
This enlightening journey takes you through the ancient canyons of the Moon Valley, one of the most fascinating areas of the Namib Desert. Let us take you back millions of years to when these badlands were formed. Learn the intrinsic value of the desert flora to the indigenous people who once roamed Southern Africa. Discover the medicinal and nutritional use of desert adapted flora, and delve into the secrets of the Welwitschia mirabilis.We learn of the Desert adapted of flora and fauna in order to survive under these harsh conditions by unfolding many hidden secrets.This informative tour also looks into what we call “the future of the Central Namib”, as we inform our guests about planned future industrial activities as well as existing ones in the area, due to the growth of Uranium mining and other related industry.This spectacular area is also home to some wildlife, and we might just spot Springbok, Ostrich, Klipspringer, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Karoo Chat and others. Smaller creatures, such as chameleons and beetles call this their home too.
Namib Desert from Walvis Bay 3-Hour Quad Bike Tour
After a safety briefing and practice session, depart from Walvis Bay on a powerful quad bike into the Namib Desert with your guide. Accelerate over sand dunes and meander around the desert canyons that punctuate the barren landscape just outside Swakopmund. The starkness of the plains represents the area’s stoic beauty, and your quad bike lends itself to 360-degree views of the surroundings that stretch around you.Look out for fossils of animal footprints, preserved from a time when the Kuiseb Delta flowed through the now-parched plains, and check out some of the desert vegetation and plants that have adapted to survive the extreme desert conditions. Wildlife such as lizards, geckos, scorpions and snakes are often seen, as are members of the Topnaar tribe — a semi-nomadic group of people who originally settled near the mouth of the Kuiseb River Valley.In between stops to learn about the desert and the Topnaar people, make the most of your mode of transport, opening the throttle to set off across open flatland and winding your way along the beaten tracks of the desert valleys. Your guide will stay close to you as you ride, offering tips to help you get the most out of your quad bike throughout the session. As the experience draws to a finish, return to the start point with your guide.
Living Dunes Experience from Swakopmund
Your tour begins with a morning pick up from your hotel by your experienced guide. You will then be taken to see the many creatures that call the desert their home. This half-day option offers you the chance of seeing and experiencing the dunes in the morning, then having the afternoon free to explore Swakopmund on your own. Immediately at the edge of Swakopmund, you will enter a restricted area with special permission, and begin the search for all things living, most of which are nocturnal and hidden under the desert sand during the day. Without your guides, you probably wouldn't be able to spot a lot of them. However, they use their skills to locate and show these little creatures to you, offering you an experience you won't soon forget.
3-Hour Quad Biking and Sand-Boarding Combo from Swakopmund
Quad biking is all about experiencing the sheer thrill of riding a bike through the Namib Desert’s boundless shifting sand dunes and sandboarding is just fun. Depending on the time you would like to go, a local guide will make sure to pick everyone then give everyone a safety briefing as well as your very own safety gear. The guide will then lead you towards the dune belt and he will tell you about the famous plants in the Namib Desert, few stops on the way are made.After being on top of the Devils Dip for a while we ride the berms, spirals and slope as you cruise towards the table top for one hour once you reach the top you will the do the sandboarding for another hour and enjoy the best feeling going down the dune especially you’re an adrenaline junky. Quad tour on top of the dunes the guide will go much slower for pure enjoyment and you will be amazed of what the desert has to offer. The view over the ocean is stunning and offers amazing photo opportunities.
Swakopmund City Tour- Including Dune 7
• We start the tour when we collect you from Walvis Bay Port or from your accommodation at around 09:00am ( flexible times avail) • After a quick introduction we head to the Walvis Bay Lagoon to view the thousands of flamingos • Next we head to Dune 7, the highest dune in the area at 132 meters is sure to leave you breahtless • Swakopmund- we visit the Martin Luther Road Locamotive and discover the history behind it • Next we head to th Kristalle Galarie to view all the gemstones that are being mined in Namibia • The German Marine Memorial and Lighthouse provides us with some nice photo opportunities • The Swakopmund flea market- buy your hand crafted Namibian suvernirs • The mole- we explain what the mole is and the history behind it • 1905 Jetty- as we walk the jetty, we are transported back in time as we discover how it was built and the struggles the builders faced in construction this jetty • This concludes our tour of Swakopmund and we start heading back to your accommodation/ cruise ship.