Namibia is a beautiful country located in southwest Africa. It is known for its Namib Desert, that covers a massive area along the Atlantic Ocean. Wildlife is also in abundance, in particular cheetahs. Windhoek is the capital city of Namibia but many visitors to Namibia flock to Swakopmund and Walvis Bay areas because of the Atlantic Ocean and proximity to the best area of the desert—Sossusvlei.
The coastal town of Swakopmund was influenced by German living and architecture. It is very close to the port town of Walvis Bay, which means “Whale Bay”. The town is known for its seafood, lagoon filled with flamingos and other birds, and Dune 7 in the Namib Desert. Many other iconic attractions in Namibia require visitors to take a road trip to reach them. You will need a 4×4 car for these road trips.
Bird Sanctuary is located on the C14 road as you are coming from Walvis Bay or Swakopmund; you can see pink flamingos and other birds from the road. The sanctuary is man-made; water pools were created for the birds to play in and drink the readily available water. People can park their cars and take a small nature walk watching the birds.
Namibia is known for the Namib Desert and dunes that cover some parts of the country. For people visiting Walvis Bay or Swakopmund, Dune 7 is one of the best attractions and is the tallest dune in this area. It is a must-see—especially for those not able to drive a long distance to see the Big Daddy Dune or other well-known dunes at Sossusvlei.
Walvis Bay is known for its beautiful coastline. The views of the Atlantic Ocean and the desert are stunning. Right on the Walvis Bay Waterfront, you will find the famous Anchors @ the Jetty Restaurant, where you will find the best Calamari. The Waterfront is also a place where boats take off to embark on tours, such as dolphin cruise tours.
Boat cruise tours here are perfect in the evening when the sun is setting. But other times have magical moments too. Tourists see seals, pelicans, and other animals. The lucky ones see dolphins or whales. Fresh seafood and champagne are served.
The National Marine Aquarium of Namibia is the only aquarium in Namibia, it is found in Swakopmund. Plenty of sea life species are found at the aquarium. The aquarium is located on the beachfront, at 1 Strand Street in Swakopmund. See their website for opening hours.
The Swakopmund and Walvis Bay areas are known for their seafood—different species of fish are in abundance. The National Marine Aquarium exhibits different types of fish and sea life, as well as educational programs.
Namib-Naukluft National Park is an enormous land that is protected, ecologically, and covers most of the west of Namibia. The whole area is about 49,800 km². The Namib-Naukluft National Park has four main parts that are also some of the best attractions in Namibia: 1) The Namib Desert, 2) The Naukluft Mountains, 3) The Sandwich Harbour, 4) Sossusvlei and Sesriem areas.
The entrance of the Namib-Naukluft National Park is not that far from Walvis Bay or Swakopmund. You can take the C14 road that will lead you to the D1982 road and thereafter to the entrance of the Namib-Naukluft National Park.
There are so many things to do around the main attractions of the Park—climbing dunes, seeing flamingos, game drives, guided hiking, hot air ballooning, star gazing, and etcetera.
Animals found there are cheetahs, zebras, leopards, oryx, giraffe, bat-eared fox, springbuck, and more.
Hohenzollernhaus is a historical landmark in Swakopmund, Namibia. It is located on Albertina Amathila Avenue. The building is interesting because of its Neo-Baroque style and colorful paint—it was built in the early 1900s as a hotel, making it one of the oldest houses in Swakopmund, but now it is a condominium. You may be able to find accommodation in this building on hotel booking platforms like Airbnb.
Like many other buildings in Swakopmund, Hohenzollernhaus is influenced by German living and style. Because of its proximity to the beach, the building is easily accessible by tourists who are at the beach or eating in the restaurants around the beach. Next to the Hohenzollernhaus building, there is a colorful gift shop called The Made in Namibia Collection. Welwitschia Restaurant is also located nearby.
Woermannhaus is a historical landmark on Bismarck Street in Swakopmund. It is a cultural place where Germany-influenced architecture is showcased and the background of the place told. The tower is the best point where the view of Swakopmund can be seen. There is a small fee to enter the Woermannhaus building.
Sossusvlei and Sesriem areas are part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park, Sossusvlei is the main attraction of the Park.
Go to Sossusvlei to see the best parts of the Namibian desert showcasing very old trees standing tall (Deadvlei) and some of the biggest dunes in the world (Dune 45 and Big Daddy Dune). You must have a 4 X 4 car to get to Sossusvlei. There are also guided tours that you can find on Viator or Get Your Guide. If you are driving yourself, plan to spend a full day for this visit— it takes a couple of hours (about four and a half hours) to get there from Walvis Bay or Swakopmund.
To enjoy Sossusvlei, you might need to spend a night at a nearby hotel to get up very early, when it is nice and cool to climb the dunes. To have an effective tour and save time, split your visit into two parts; go to Deadvlei Parking for Deadvlei and Big Daddy Dune, then go to Dune 45 Parking first for Dune 45.
Sesriem is a Namib Desert settlement that is very close to Sossusvlei and Naukluft Mountains. The Sesriem area is important because it has Sesriem Gate—which is considered the main entrance to the Namib-Naukluft National Park for visitors of Sossusvlei.
Jetty Pier – End of Pier in Swakopmund is a nice area to chill and take in the beautiful views of the ocean while standing on the Pier or one of the restaurants there; the most popular restaurant there is Jetty 1905 Restaurant. People also visit the public beach, both locals and tourists lounge on the sand and dip in the Atlantic Ocean.
Desert Explorers is an adventure center that is good for the adventurous traveler as well as families with kids. Located on Nathaniel Maxuilili in Swakopmund, Desert Explorers has quad bikes, camels, and offers activities around the dunes.
There are cultural tours from Walvis Bay and Swakopmund that can be found on sites like viator.com. These are guided tours to Walvis Bay townships like Mondesa and Kuisebmund. During these tours, visitors observe how daily life in a township looks like. They visit an orphanage or school, a real home, and an open market where they can buy fresh produce and souvenirs in the arts and craft stalls.
Flamingo Lagoon is located on Lagoon Promenade Road in Walvis Bay. It is near Walvis Bay Golf Course and has many holiday accommodations for tourists. This location is not as big as the Bird Sanctuary Park, but it has enough Flamingos walking and feeding in the water.
THE NAMIB DESERT
The Namib Desert is part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park but goes beyond the Park and covers a big area of Namibia. In this desert, you will find the highest dunes in the world. When in Walvis Bay or Swakopmund, get on the C14 road and start from the Bird Sanctuary then proceed to Dune 7.
SANDWICH HARBOUR
Sandwich Harbour is a stretch where the Namib desert meets the ocean and is part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park, located about 45 minutes from Walvis Bay. Sandwich Harbour used to be a functioning harbor and can only be accessed by 4×4. Most guided tours start from Walvis Bay—the lagoon is what attracts people here because of the beautiful landscape it creates and the abundance of birdlife. Flamingos, Pelicans, and other types of birds are found here in their masses.
WALVIS BAY MUSEUM
Walvis Bay Museum is located on 12th Road in Walvis Bay showcasing collections on culture history and natural science—war memorabilia, textiles, homeware, archaeological pieces, paintings, maritime history, gemstones, animal remains, rocks, minerals, marine fossils, and seashells. In addition to exhibitions, the Walvis Bay Museum facilitates educational programs and guided tours.
SKELETON COAST
Right in Swakopmund, you will find a long stretch of coastline that is known for its shipwreck stories. So many ships have wrecked there and skeletons and ship parts are scattered in this area. But, many people drive up there to see the breathtaking views seen from the highway. Stop by the Cape Cross Seal Reserve to see seals and at the Huab Lagoon, known for its pink salt.
LIVING DESERT SNAKE PARK
Crawlers of the Namib Desert are found at Living Desert Snake Park. This visit is educational as good information is given about species of these reptiles, spiders, scorpions, and other crawlers. There you will also be spooked—one of the Namib Desert`s habitats, the Sidewinder (Peringuey’s Adder), is a snake with eyes on top of its head. The location of the Living Desert Snake Park is at 5 Libertina Amathila Avenue.
MORE PLACES TO SEE
Lutheran Church is located on Daniel Tjongarero Avenue in Swakopmund and is a good colorful sight.
See colorful buildings on Daniel Tjongarero Avenue in Swakopmund.
Visit the Camel Farm on D1901 road in Swakopmund,
Visit the Swakopmund Museum for cultural artifacts, as well as minerals and plants.
DUNES MALL
Dunes Mall is a shopping complex in Walvis Bay where you can find almost anything you are looking for. This is a modern shopping place with well-known supermarkets, boutiques, banks, money exchange shops, phone shops, and other shops for everyday needs. If you are taking a road trip from Walvis Bay, this is the most convenient place to stock up. There are also souvenir shops and restaurants/cafes.
PLATZ AM MEER
Located in Swakopmund, Platz Am Meer is a shopping mall that serves this area well and you can get clothing items, electronics, food from supermarkets, nice restaurants, and health necessities. Platz Am Meer is located at c/o Tsavorite & Albatros Street, Vineta North.
KARAKULIA WEAVERS
One of the best places to buy house rugs in Namibia is the Karakulia Weavers (above picture). This shop has the best rugs that are different and in unique colors. They have both small and extra-large rugs available—people buying large rugs usually pay a shipping fee for the shop to send the rugs by plane. There is also a workshop tour there where you see weavers making the rugs on sight. It is an experience you will love even if you are not buying rugs. They make leather shoes as well. Karakulia Weavers is located in Swakopmund.
SOSSUSVLEI
For Sossusvlei dunes and attractions, see notes above.
SPITZKOPPE
Spitzkoppe is a location where you will find interesting rock formations with bushman drawings on them. These peaks are good for hiking; when you get to the top, the views are incredible. It is about two and a half hours by car from Walvis Bay.
GO TO SEE HIMBA PEOPLE
For the adventurous tourists, no Namibian trip is complete without visiting the remote villages of the Himba people. Due to the remoteness of their location, many visitors to Namibia don’t have a chance to see this famous tribe. The best way is to take a long road trip to Kaokoland and include other attractions on your way there. Some take guided tours from Swakopmund by air—a private charter is the most convenient way to go to the Himba people’s villages but it’s expensive; a group tour might be cheaper. Lodges and other accommodations are available for those spending a night.
For those going to Windhoek, you can see Himba People at a street market in town where they sell local art and craft items.
ANCHORS @ THE JETTY RESTAURANT
Anchors @ the Jetty Restaurant is located in Walvis Bay, right on the Waterfront in Atlantic Street. The restaurant has all sorts of gourmet food, plenty of seafood, as well as red meat and vegetables. But most people rave about the Calamari served here—they say it’s the best.
JETTY 1905 RESTAURANT
Jetty 1905 Restaurant is located at 1905 On the Jetty Bridge in Swakopmund. The menu here is perfect for both seafood lovers and meat-eaters. But since Walvis Bay and Swakopmund are coastal towns, indulge in the seafood platter, oyster plate, and prawns, just to mention a few delights.
THE RAFT RESTAURANT
The Raft Restaurant is a popular food spot in Walvis Bay that serves both local and international dishes. See food dishes, as well as other meats and vegetables, are served. Burgers and wood-fired pizzas are popular there. The restaurant is perfectly located on Skeleton Coast where you can see seals, flamingos, dolphins, and other sea animals, as you are eating.
Make sure you book a 4×4 car well in advance via reliable car booking sites like Expedia. But a simple Google search will bring local companies with good reviews and these companies usually also carry tents for rent.
4X4 cars are constantly in high demand, especially in peak seasons. You might not find one on the arrival day or you will pay a premium fee. If you don’t manage to get a 4×4 car when you arrive, you have a problem—you cannot take a road trip to main attractions in Namibia such as Sossusvlei with a small car.
The airport in the Walvis Bay Area is Walvis Bay International Airport (code WVB). The airport in Windhoek is Hosea Kutako International Airport (code WDH). There are a couple of car rental companies at the airports including some very well-known ones in the United States or Europe. However, smaller African companies also have good services and cheaper cars than the rental companies you might be familiar with.
