Swakopmund

Towards the end of the 19th century, the stretch of coast around Swakopmund came under German ownership. An artificial harbor was built and a Hamburg shipping company took up freight traffic. A lighthouse still marks the coastal town today. Swakopmund is therefore considered the most German town in Namibia, which is reflected in the aforementioned German colonial architecture and German bakery and brewery products. However, even though many German-speaking people live here, they are a minority. Instead, the controversy between German and African style is fascinating.

Swakopmund has a lot to offer in terms of sightseeing. In addition to the lighthouse and the beach promenade, it is also worth visiting the stylishly renovated railroad station or the district and local court. The Swakopmund Museum offers interesting facts about the history of the town and the nature of the country. The National Marin Aquarium of Namibia, on the other hand, tells the story of the Atlantic Ocean. The Woermannhaus, the oldest building in the town, is an art gallery and library in one. The icing on the cake is the tower, which offers a panoramic view of Swakopmund.

About thirty kilometers south of Swakopmund lies the former whale bay Walvis Bay. In the past, this area was still rich in whales, but today they can only be seen from time to time. July is a good time for whale watching, although it is best to go out to sea by boat. Nevertheless, Walvis Bay is the most important seaport in Namibia. As the only deep-sea port, it is an important logistics hub. The fishing industry is also centered here.

The fish-rich waters also benefit the countless seabirds that flock to Walvis Bay for good reason. In addition to smaller fish, which are of interest to the seabirds, there are many worms, snails and crabs. The flamingos, pelicans, terns and countless other bird species are particularly happy about this. Seals also feel right at home here and even dolphins occasionally jump out of the waves.

A little further south lies a small natural wonder: Sandwich Harbour. Bright blue sea, streaked with snow-white whitecaps, merges with gleaming golden sand that forms into artistic dunes. This overwhelming sight is almost like a painting. Even the journey there is a daring adventure: The masses of sand are only accessible during the day by a very experienced guide in a four-wheel drive vehicle. Alternatively, Sandwich Harbour can also be reached by boat from Walvis Bay.

If you really want to work off some energy, you should try sandboarding: You can glide along the dunes on special sandboards. This works both standing up and lying down - two different types of sandboards are used for this. Newcomers are gently introduced to dune sports on slopes specially designed for beginners. Advanced skiers can look forward to more difficult sections of the slopes.

Swakopmund's dunes can also be explored on a heavy vehicle. Guided quad bike tours provide an extra dose of adrenaline - and at the same time, adventurers can enjoy the beautiful landscape and its seemingly endless expanse.

The boat tours are a little quieter. The starting points are the yacht or industrial harbor. Here you can experience the Atlantic almost up close and learn lots of interesting facts about the ocean on the spot.