Walvis Bay & Swakomund
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Port
Walvis Bay, Namibia
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$200
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 5 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Explore the scenic beauty and colonial past of Swakopmund during this orientation tour of the city, along with a visit to the Walvis Bay Lagoon.
The Walvis Bay Lagoon and tidal flood plains constitute a RAMSAR Natural Heritage Site and is one of the most important wetlands along South Africa's West Coast, renowned for its abundance of marine life including flamingos (seasonally), pelicans and other bird species. You'll stop for photos at Dune 7 -- the highest sand dune in the Walvis Bay area during a scenic drive along the coastal road. En route, you will take in magnificent views of sand dunes on one side, and the Atlantic Ocean on the other.
Upon arrival in Swakopmund, located 19 miles north of Walvis Bay at the mouth of the Swakop River, tour this seaside resort that resembles a Bavarian village. You will see Swakopmund's colonial past reflected in the early 19th-century Art Nouveau architecture; many of the charming buildings found here have been declared a National Monument. You will also see the Magistrate's Court, or Keiserliches Bezirksgericht, the Lutheran Church, and the old Railway Station building, which is now the main reception area of the Swakopmund Hotel.
Proceed to the Swakopmund Museum, which depicts the local history of the town, and to the Kristall Galerie -- a center displaying the world's largest crystals, weighing up to 14 tons.
Enjoy some free time to shop at the Brauhaus Gallery -- a small shopping arcade in the center of town.
Please note:
Wear comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses and sunscreen. Bring a hat. Suitable for guests using a wheelchair with a companion to assist. The Kristall Galerie is closed Saturday afternoons and Sundays; a visited to the Karakulia Weavery will be substituted. The Brauhaus Gallery shops are closed Saturday afternoons and Sundays. If you wish to purchase gemstones at the Kristall Galerie, you must produce a photocopy of your passport.