-
Lighthouse
This operational lighthouse , an endearing Swakopmund landmark just off Strand St, was constructed in 1902. It was originally built 11m high, but an additional 10m was added in 1910.
-
Organ Pipes
Over the road from Burnt Mountain, you can follow an obvious path into a small gorge that contains a 100m stretch of unusual 4m-high dolerite (coarse-grained basalt) columns known as the Organ Pipes.
-
Lüderitz Museum
This museum contains information on the town’s history, including displays on natural history, local indigenous groups and the diamond-mining industry. Phone to arrange a visit outside standard opening hours.
-
Heinitzburg Castle
Uphill from Robert Mugabe Ave are the three Windhoek castles, including the 1914 Heinitzburg, which today houses a hotel and a fine restaurant. The other castles, Schwerinsburg and Sanderburg, are nearby.
-
Post Street Mall
The throbbing heart of the Windhoek shopping district is the bizarrely colourful Post Street Mall. Its lined with vendors selling curios, artwork, clothing and practically anything else that may be of interest to tourists.
-
Old German School
Swakopmund brims with numerous historic examples of traditional German architecture. The 1912 baroque-style Old German School was the result of a 1912 competition, which was won by budding German architect Emil Krause.
-
Dune 7
In the bleak expanse just off the C14, 6km by road from town, Dune 7 is popular with locals as a slope for sandboarding and skiing. The picnic site, which is now engulfed by sand, has several shady palm trees tucked away in the lee of the dune.
-
Owela Museum
The other half of the National Museum of Namibia, about 600m from the main building, is known as the Owela Museum. Exhibits focus on Namibia’s natural and cultural history and it has been popular with readers; note it may sometimes close early.
-
Dune 45
The most accessible of the large red dunes along the Sossusvlei road is Dune 45, so-called because it’s 45km from Sesriem. It rises over 150m above the surrounding plains, and is flanked by several scraggly and often photographed trees.
-
Walvis Bay Museum
The town museum is located in the library. It concentrates on the history and maritime background of Walvis Bay, but also has archaeological exhibits, a mineral collection and natural history displays on the Namib Desert and the Atlantic Coast.
-
Oode Voorpost
The Oode Voorpost is a classic 1902 building that originally held the colonial surveyors offices. Early government maps were stored in a fireproof archive. It was restored in 1988, and now houses the Namibia Wildlife Resorts reservations office.
-
Hansa Brewery
Aficionados of the amber nectar will want to visit the Hansa Brewery , which is the source of Swakopmunds favourite drop. Free tours - with ample opportunity to sample the product - run on Tuesday and Thursday, but advanced reservations are necessary.
-
Hidden Vlei
This unearthly dry vlei (pan) amid lonely dunes, makes a rewarding excursion. Its a 5km return hike from the 2WD Car Park. The route is marked by white-painted posts. It’s most intriguing in the afternoon, when you’re unlikely to see another person.
-
Hikers Viewpoint
Hikers Viewpoint, the start of the hiking route, has picnic tables, braai pits and toilets. Just around the corner is a good overview of the northern part of the canyon. If you are partaking in the five-day Fish River Trail hike, this is your starting point.
-
Deutsche
Swakopmund brims with numerous historic examples of traditional German architecture. The handsome neo-classical Deutsche-Afrika Bank Building was opened it 1909 as a branch office of the Deutsche-Afrika Bank. Its now a functioning Bank of Windhoek branch.
-
Otjinjange & Hartmann’s Valleys
Allow plenty of time to explore the wild and magical Otjinjange (better known as Marienflüss) and Hartmann’s Valleys – broad sandy and grassy expanses descending gently to the Kunene River. Note that camping outside campsites is prohibited at both valleys.
-
Hohenzollern Building
This imposing baroque-style building, was constructed in 1906 to serve as a hotel. Its rather outlandish décor is crowned by a fibreglass cast of Atlas supporting the world, which replaced the precarious cement version that graced the roof prior to renovations in 1988.
-
Hamilton Hills
The range of limestone hills known as the Hamilton Hills, south of Vogelfederberg campsite, rises 600m above the surrounding desert plains. It provides lovely desert hikes, and the fog-borne moisture supports an amazing range of succulents and other botanical wonders.
-
Naulila Monument
This monument commemorates the 19 October 1914 massacre of German soldiers and officials by the Portuguese near Fort Naulila on the Kunene River in Angola. It also commemorates soldiers killed on 18 December 1914, under Major Franke, who was sent to avenge earlier losses.
-
Bird Island
Take a look at the offshore wooden platform known as Bird Island. It was built to provide a roost and nesting site for sea birds and a source of guano for use as fertiliser. The annual yield is around 1000 tonnes, and the smell from the island is truly unforgettable.
Total
149 -travel
FirstPage PreviousPage NextPage LastPage CurrentPage:
4/8 20-travel/Page Goto:
