Swakopmund and Walvis Bay

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Swakopmund and Walvis Bay are two cities on the coast of western Namibia, located just 40kms apart. While Swakopmund is the 4th largest population center and the capital of the Erongo administrative district, Walvis Bay is the largest coastal city in the country.

Swakopmund is a beach resort and an example of German colonial architecture. It was founded in 1892 as the main harbor for German southwest Africa and German influences remained evident, including German street names, a German daily newspaper, and the German language spoken by some residents.

Walvis Bay with its large bay and dunes, is an important center of tourism activity in Namibia and situated just north of the Tropic of Capricorn.

The Bay is a haven for sea vessels because of its natural deepwater harbor, protected by the Pelican Point sand spit, being the only natural harbor of any size along the country's coast. Being rich in plankton and marine life, these waters also drew large numbers of southern right whales and dolphins. One of the most popular experiences in the area is the sandwich harbour excursion which It is one of five Ramsar sites in Namibia. Giant sand dunes run straight into the ocean, creating breathtaking sceneries and unique landscapes, just waiting to be discovered!

There is a host of activities to do in these cities which include scenic desert tour by bike, photographic tours, experiencing the living dunes by quad biking, and sandboarding on the waves of sand. You can check inAfrica’s experiences in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay here.

Accommodation in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay varies in price but is affordable.