Swakopmund
Namibia
Streets lined with palm trees, oceanfront walkways, quality lodging, a comfortable summer climate, and respectable beaches. Welcome to Swakopmund - the top vacation destination in Namibia! During the summer holidays and extended weekends, thousands of Namibians head to the coast for a variety of reasons; Swakopmund has a true vacation atmosphere that everyone wants to experience; during the December holidays, the cool Namibian coast provides a respite from the intense heat of the inland; and most importantly for the modern tourist, Swakopmund has evolved into the country's leading adrenaline hotspot, offering a wide array of activities for all ages and (most) egos.
The Namib Desert region surrounding Swakopmund is known as the West Coast Recreational Area. Recreation is the town's main attraction. There are countless activities to help you spend your time, and money. For those interested in adventure, Swakopmund offers sandboarding, quad biking, dune carting, parachuting, hot air ballooning, shark fishing, deep sea fishing, and beach angling, to name a few. For the more laid-back, there are restaurants, cafes, art galleries, the Swakopmund Museum, a snake park, and an aquarium.
If you're not a thrill-seeker, you might enjoy the architecture and overall vibe of Swakopmund. The town has the charm of a small German village and seems frozen in time. (Except for those who choose to jump out of perfectly good airplanes shouting 'Geronimo' before landing safely.) While the new generation has recognized the tourist potential of the area, Swakopmund still maintains a timeless feel.
Noteworthy buildings and monuments in Swakopmund include the Hohenzollern Building, the Marine Memorial, the War Memorial in honor of those who died in World War 2, and the Princess Rupprecht House, which was originally a military hospital and is now a private guest house. The Kaserne buildings, which were originally used as barracks, are similar in design to the Alte Feste in Windhoek and Fort Namutoni in Etosha. The old Swakopmund Prison is still fully operational and provides budget accommodation for the criminal community of the Namibian coast.
The Swakopmund Railway station, completed in 1901, now houses the Swakopmund Hotel, while the bells of the Deutsche Evangelical Church were imported from Germany. Near the State House (Kaiserliches Bezirksgericht) stands the Swakop Lighthouse, which has been operational since 1902 and stands just over 20 meters tall.
The main beach area, known as the Mole, is the result of a largely unsuccessful attempt to build an artificial harbor (as South Africa owned the only natural harbor in the area at Walvis Bay). The town's most iconic symbol is the Swakopmund jetty, initially used as a docking point for ships, it later became a popular spot for anglers and walkers. Despite falling into disrepair multiple times and undergoing several restoration attempts, the jetty now proudly features a small restaurant and bar area after recent large-scale renovations.
In keeping with its German traditions, Swakopmund can be chilly in the early mornings and evenings throughout the year, as the cold Atlantic Ocean meets the Namib Desert, creating a fog bank. This coolness often provides relief from the heat of the rest of Namibia, but it also means that Swakopmund is not the tropical sunbathing paradise that many envision.
Swakopmund offers a wide range of accommodations to suit all tastes and budgets. It's worth noting that these establishments will likely need to be booked in advance, especially if you're traveling during the busy December holiday season.
For day trippers, a visit to the Cape Cross Seal Colony is worthwhile, as it offers a glimpse of the Skeleton Coast and the seals are a sight to see. The Welwitschia drive is an interesting way to spend a few hours and introduces you to some of the local fauna and flora of the Namib Desert. Bird enthusiasts can visit the Swakopmund Salt Works or the Walvis Bay Lagoon, which is frequented by thousands of flamingos during the season.
