After our two-day stay in Walvis Bay, we drove a short distance to Swakopmund, which would serve as our home base for the next leg of our Namibian adventure. Swakopmund instantly felt like the kind of place we could easily envision calling home.
It boasted all the allure and charm you’d expect from a coastal gem without the pervasive fishy smell that seemed to linger throughout Walvis Bay.
Upon our arrival, I could easily see the difference between both cities and why most travellers gravitate towards making Swakopmund their base for exploring this stretch of Namibian shoreline.
While Walvis Bay is more of an industrial port city, Swakopmund has a different vibe, with its atmosphere geared more towards tourism and leisure.
Indeed, we spent most of our time in the city quite leisurely, taking casual strolls along the coastline and the city centre. We saw the German colonial influence immediately apparent in Swakopmund’s architecture, with charming buildings lining the streets, giving the city a unique character.
We found ourselves wandering down palm-fringed avenues, popping into quaint cafes and restaurants that offered breathtaking views of the coastline. These spots provided the perfect vantage point for watching the sunset, as we enjoyed the freshest seafood.
On our second day in Swakopmund, we eagerly signed up for a half-day tour of Sandwich Harbour. Namibia boasts an array of breathtaking landscapes, and just as we’d been awed by the stunning red dunes and eerie dead marshland in Sossusvlei, we were thrilled at the prospect of witnessing another natural wonder with our own eyes.
A Day Trip to Sandwich Harbour
We began the tour by driving down to the meetup point in Walvis Bay. There, we parked our rental car and waited a few minutes for the rest of the tour group to join us. When they did, we hopped into the carpool and proceeded towards Sandwich Harbour.
Along the way, we made several stops, including one at the salt pans, famously known as the Pink Lakes of Walvis Bay.
We ventured onwards to Sandwich Harbour, making more stops to soak in the area’s unique ambience. Our guide, Alex, punctuated the journey with fascinating tidbits about the National Park and Namibia’s rich heritage.
Picnic by the Beach…
Later on, we stopped at a picturesque spot on the beach for a delightful picnic. The spread was wonderful with plenty to eat and drink for everyone. The gentle sound of waves and the expansive coastal view provided a perfect backdrop to our outdoor feast.
After our picnic, it was time to head into the dunes. Despite the overall excitement of our journey, I approached the upcoming dune-bashing portion with some trepidation.
My past experiences with similar adventures had left me less than enthusiastic, and I found myself bracing for what I expected to be a jarring ride across the sandy landscape.
To my delighted surprise, the ride turned out to be an absolute blast, filled with exhilarating moments that had us all erupting in belly laughs and joyful squeals as we bounced across the sandy waves!
Where Namib Desert Meets Atlantic Ocean…
Our journey paused at two strategic vantage points, each offering views so magnificent they left us awestruck.
The panoramic vistas stretched out before us, an enchanting blend of desert and sea that literally stole our breath and etched itself into our memories.
After a while, it was time to head back to the city before the tides rolled in. We raced along the shoreline, trying to outpace the incoming waves while catching glimpses of seals and birds that dotted the beach. And with that, our visit to Sandwich Harbour came to an end!
It was a fantastic half-day adventure, and I have to say, if you’re in the area and thinking about checking it out, definitely go for it! You won’t regret it. The experience was totally worth it, and I can’t recommend it enough!
