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Namibia


Alternative Space

Swakopmund - Namibia

The Alternative Space B&B in Swakopmund, is run by Frenus, the architect, and by his non-architect wife, Sibylle. Ten years ago, Sibylle fell in love with the Alternative Space, and she never left again for her native Germany.

The Alternative Space was established during colonial times, as the first and only alternative art gallery, in which anti-colonial and anti-apartheid artist could exhibit fine art and photography. Providing a place to sleep to interested people was a natural progression in the life of the gallery.

With its extensive collection of Namibian art and photography, liberally exhibited in all the rooms, white washed walls, beautiful gardens with green lawns, palm trees, banana and olive trees, the Alternative Space atmosphere is conducive of friendship, sensuality and romance. Excellent evenings are often spent round the open fire in the cave-like communal lounge. Should you get Frenus going, he will most enthusiastically explain to you the socio-political position of a patriotic African, and the sheer magic of life in Africa.

Sibylle always welcomes her guests with a bottle of champagne. With only four individually designed and decorated non smoking en-suite rooms, each and every guest is assured of her special attention. Sibylle's motto is that every little detail is important, and nothing is ever a problem. Her philosophy is most noticeable in the outstanding buffet breakfast with all the fresh German delicacies, that can be enjoyed at leisure from 7 till noon.

The Alternative Space speaks of life being lived as an exquisite and exciting art form. Frenus and Sibylle would love to meet you, and share the magic......

  • Alternative Space: Alternative-Space
  • Alternative Space: Bench-and-bougainvillea
  • Alternative Space: Bedroom
  • Alternative Space: Dining-table
  • Alternative Space: Entrance
  • Alternative Space: Exterior-view
  • Alternative Space: Metal-musician-sculpture
  • Alternative Space: Outdoor-bathing
  • Alternative Space: Rocking-chair-and-artwork
  • Alternative Space: Room 01
  • Alternative Space: Room 02
  • Alternative Space: Rusty-typewriter
  • Alternative Space: Room 03
  • Alternative Space: View-from-the-street
  • Alternative Space: Writing-desk
  • Alternative Space: Sculpture-amongst-the-hibiscus
  • Alternative Space: Swinging-love-seat
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  • Activities from Swakopmund
  • Activities from Walvis Bay
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
Catamaran Cruise
view the lagoon from the comfort of a catamaran
Dolphin Cruise
A dolphin cruise around the Walvis Bay Lagoon
Sea Kayaking
Kayaking on the Walvis Bay Lagoon

Directions:

Coming from Windhoek on Sam Nujoma Avenue, take the first left after the railway line down Aukas Street, first left again down Libertine Amathila Street and then second left down Anton Lubowski Street. The Alternative Space is on your right on the corner of Dr Alfons Weber St.

Map of Swakopmund - indicating the Alternative Space

Alternative Space

An art gallery turned guest house - the Space is truly alternative and worth a visit if you are interested in philosophical conversation, innovative thinking and staying somewhere out of the norm.

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