Swakopmund & Walvis Bay Sightseeing
Namibia
This Swakopmund and Walvis Bay Sightseeing Tour is a 4hr trip, that has both morning and afternoon departures. Sightseers will be collected from their accommodation in Swakopmund at either 09h00 or 13h00, and the tour begins.
The coast has always held a strong attraction for visitors, who are drawn to the sea and it's wonderful views at the edge of this part of the Namib Desert. Remnants of German and English colonial history can still be seen in both of these towns.
Swakopmund lies 32km to the north of Walvis Bay and is Namibia's premier seaside resort. It is a place of (German) colonial style buildings, well-stocked shops and a decent range of fine restaurants and bars. An unusual geographical fact about the town is that it is set between the wind-blown Namib Desert and the chilly waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It has palm-lined streets, seaside promenades and with it's pleasant summer climate and decent beaches, attracts, surfers, anglers and beach lovers.
In Swakopmund:
- You will visit several interesting historical buildings and monuments.
- Learn of Namibia's apartheid past as you drive through the local community’s township.
En-route from Swakopmund to Walvis Bay, the drive along the scenic coastal road with the dune belt on one side, and the Atlantic ocean on the other, emphasizes the amazing physical features of the region. There follows:
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A visit the guano platform near Longbeach - which has a rich population of bird life.
Then it is only a short drive to Walvis Bay, the region's principal port. The Bay is a haven for sea vessels because of its natural deep water harbour, protected by the Pelican Point sand spit. Being rich in plankton and marine life, the waters here attracted large numbers of whales, (and the subsequent whalers and fishing vessels.) Hence the name Walvis Bay. Visit:
- The Walvis Bay Lagoon an ornithologist's paradise, famed for it's water-birds. Nearly 80 different species, among them pelicans, Damara terns and migrant Arctic terns are common here and thousands of flamingo's can be seen feeding in the shallow waters.
- Look out for the lighthouse at Pelican Point, which has a permanent seal colony.
After this fantastic bird-watching experience, there is a drive past the harbour, and a visit to the salt pans. Some historical places of interest will also be called on, before returning to Swakopmund.
- Includes:
- Transport
Refreshments
- Cape Cross Tour
- A half day tour (with morning and afternoon departures) to the seal colony at Cape Cross
- Cape Cross & Messum Crater Tour
- Visits the seal colony at Cape Cross and the Messum Crater which is best known for it's desert adapted plants such as the Welwitschia Mirabilis
- Fishing
- Everything from sharks to pilchards
- Living Desert Tour
- A half day tour into the Namib Desert
- Minerals Half Day
- Learn about the minerals found in this part of the Namib
- Namib Desert Day Trip
- A day trip from Swakopmund into the Namib Desert
- Quad Biking
- 2 hour guided trip into the dune belt near Swakopmund (50km) - you enter an area where you cannot get to by car or foot. No experience necessary...
- Sandboarding
- Skitter down the slip faces of a tall star dune near Swakopmund at 80km/h on a lie-down board, or enjoy the style and grace of a stand-up board. No experience necessary.
- Sandwich Harbour Tour
- A day trip from Swakopmund down the Skeleton Coast to Sandwich Harbour
- Skydiving
- Leave the safety of the aircraft and join a tandem skydive. No experience required!
- Spitzkoppe Day Tour
- Full day tour to the Spitzkoppe Mountains - you will meet the Damara people and be introduced to the Bushman rock art of the area.
- Swakopmund & Walvis Bay Sightseeing
- A half day your of these two coastal towns includes visits to historical buildings & monuments as well as the teeming birdlife of the Walvis Bay Lagoon