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Namibia

Swakopmund

PLAN MY TRIP

Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the rolling dunes of the vast Namib Desert, Swakopmund is a premier beach resort town.

In 1892, a German captain founded Swakopmund as the main harbor for Germany in the African colony. Subsequently, it was used for importing and exporting large amounts of goods from other parts of the continent. In 1915, with the union of South Africa, much of the harbor activities were transferred to Walvis Bay. Later in 1990, when Namibia declared its independence from South Africa, many street names were changed from German or Afrikaans names to those honoring native Namibians. However, with business and commerce diminishing, city officials realized that Swakopmund was ideally situated to offer an exceptional resort experience for world travelers.

The city still echoes with its German colonial past which is most evident in its architecture, place names, and even language with many German-speaking citizens still residing in the area. Some of the original colonial sites still stand as monuments and museums of the past. Visitors can indulge in a city tour to take in the Woermannhaus with its attractive tower, the Kaiserliches Bezirksgericht State House which was once the home of the territorial administrator and is now the official city residence of the president, or the Deutsche Evangelisch-Lutherische Church. Of course, there are plenty of other historical museums and sites to visit too including the Swakopmund Museum, the National Marine Aquarium, and the Kristall Galerie where the largest quartz crystal has ever been found.

Though Swakopmund’s German heritage might actually be best preserved in its world-class German beer breweries and restaurants. Yet even with its colonial heritage, the city still feels very African and can be best felt in a tour of the township of Mondesa.

Ideally situated between the Atlantic with its fascinating Skeleton Coast of wrecked ships and the high dunes of the Namib Desert, Swakopmund is known as the adventure capital of Namibia. The sand dunes tempt adrenaline junkies interested in quad bike treks, sand boarding, and tracking chameleons, Palmato geckos, sidewinders, scorpions, and sand-diving lizards. While the Atlantic Ocean offers plenty of dolphin and seal cruises on beautiful catamarans, fly fishing excursions, and whale watching tours. Of course, there are also the typical holiday activities like sunbathing, beachcombing, skydiving, and chartering private cruises.

Outside the city, visitors can explore a camel farm, an abandoned steam locomotive dating from 1896, and the Rossmund Desert Golf Course, one of only five all-grass desert golf courses in the world. For a unique experience, sightseers can tour the Namib’s ancient canyons in the Moon Valley and its unusual thousand year old Welwitschia mirabilis plants with their ribbon-like stalks.

Safari Camps
Points of Interest
Hotels & Resorts
Journeys
1 of 5
2 of 5
3 of 5
4 of 5
5 of 5

Namibia

Swakopmund

PLAN MY TRIP

Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the rolling dunes of the vast Namib Desert, Swakopmund is a premier beach resort town.

In 1892, a German captain founded Swakopmund as the main harbor for Germany in the African colony. Subsequently, it was used for importing and exporting large amounts of goods from other parts of the continent. In 1915, with the union of South Africa, much of the harbor activities were transferred to Walvis Bay. Later in 1990, when Namibia declared its independence from South Africa, many street names were changed from German or Afrikaans names to those honoring native Namibians. However, with business and commerce diminishing, city officials realized that Swakopmund was ideally situated to offer an exceptional resort experience for world travelers.

The city still echoes with its German colonial past which is most evident in its architecture, place names, and even language with many German-speaking citizens still residing in the area. Some of the original colonial sites still stand as monuments and museums of the past. Visitors can indulge in a city tour to take in the Woermannhaus with its attractive tower, the Kaiserliches Bezirksgericht State House which was once the home of the territorial administrator and is now the official city residence of the president, or the Deutsche Evangelisch-Lutherische Church. Of course, there are plenty of other historical museums and sites to visit too including the Swakopmund Museum, the National Marine Aquarium, and the Kristall Galerie where the largest quartz crystal has ever been found.

Though Swakopmund’s German heritage might actually be best preserved in its world-class German beer breweries and restaurants. Yet even with its colonial heritage, the city still feels very African and can be best felt in a tour of the township of Mondesa.

Ideally situated between the Atlantic with its fascinating Skeleton Coast of wrecked ships and the high dunes of the Namib Desert, Swakopmund is known as the adventure capital of Namibia. The sand dunes tempt adrenaline junkies interested in quad bike treks, sand boarding, and tracking chameleons, Palmato geckos, sidewinders, scorpions, and sand-diving lizards. While the Atlantic Ocean offers plenty of dolphin and seal cruises on beautiful catamarans, fly fishing excursions, and whale watching tours. Of course, there are also the typical holiday activities like sunbathing, beachcombing, skydiving, and chartering private cruises.

Outside the city, visitors can explore a camel farm, an abandoned steam locomotive dating from 1896, and the Rossmund Desert Golf Course, one of only five all-grass desert golf courses in the world. For a unique experience, sightseers can tour the Namib’s ancient canyons in the Moon Valley and its unusual thousand year old Welwitschia mirabilis plants with their ribbon-like stalks.

Safari Camps
Points of Interest
Hotels & Resorts
Journeys