Safari Holidays to South Africa and Namibia for independent travellers.
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Other +44 1932 268230
Things to Do around Swakopmund
Introduction
There are a huge number of activities on offer around Swakopmund including quad biking, sand-boarding, paragliding, boat cruises, fishing trips, seal colonies, balloon trips, shore-based fishing, scenic flights... in short if it has anything to do with sand, sea, or flight, you can probably find someone in fun-loving 'Swakop' to organise it for you!
Particularly for flights and boat trips, it is best to organise everything once you arrive in town as the weather is very changeable on the coast and you may wish to alter your plans accordingly when you arrive.
Quad Biking
Probably the most popular single activity is quad biking over the large red sand dunes that lie just a few miles south of the town.
For the novice, there are fully automatic bikes which are extremely easy to control and very stable, or if you are more of an expert you can opt for a manual bike with gears. Everyone is kitted out with crash helmets and goggles, and your guide leads you off into the desert.
Do not expect a geological history of the desert from your guide on these trips - quad-biking in Swakopmund is about adventure, not education!
Groups can be as small as one or 2, and trips from one hour to one day are possible: however long you go for the trip will be great fun, and remember to take a camera as the scenery is spectacular.
Scenic Flights
Several operators offer scenic flights over the desert and coastline. There are 2 popular options, both of which take about an hour and a half, and offer superb views.
The first option is to take a flight north up the coastline, over the Skeleton Coast and back round.
The second option is to fly across the desert to the Sossusvlei Dunes and back to Swakopmund along the coastline taking-in a number of shipwrecks.
A sunset or sunrise balloon ride is an alternative way to see the dunes from above.
Beaches and Sand-boarding
The vast expanses of beach are extremely popular with fishermen, although they not always the most inviting places for sun worshipers.
Swimming is an option, remember that the ocean is the South Atlantic, so be prepared for it to be very cold!
However, if you want to surf but don't want to brave the ocean try sandboarding down the dunes instead. It's tough work climbing to the top of the dunes, but once you start off down the slope, the adrenalin rush is fantastic.
Beginners can start by lying down flat on a board and surfing down that way - it's certainly more easier that way!
The Cape Cross Seal Reserve
The Cape Cross Seal Reserve is a 125 km drive north of Swakopmund, and home to breeding colonies of thousands of Cape fur seals - as well as a rather awful smell!
The Reserve is also where the first European, Diego Câo, set foot in Namibia in 1485, and erected a stone cross engraved with an inscription to King John II of Portugal.
The cross was removed and taken to Germany in 1893, but a replica cross (with an additional German inscription added) was erected at the site. There is also a second cross which marks the exact spot where Câo's original cross once stood.
If you don't fancy the long drive, several operators offer half day dolphin and seal cruises from Walvis Bay, which is about 30 km from Swakopmund. The town itself lacks the character of Swakopmund, so the cruises are really the only reason to visit.
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