Swakopmund, Namibia

Swakopmund is an indeed unique city. Being the second biggest city in Namibia, it is situated in between the Atlantic Ocean and the Namibian desert.

Approaching the city from the desert, you will suddenly have a feeling of approaching a Fata Morgana.
After passing by an alley of palm trees, you will see German colonial style houses with Bavarian spires. Incredible!

Swakop has some amazing old buildings, The German influence is still very visible.

This is a picture of the jail in Swakop. It looks more like a hotel than a jail. I assume it it not all that nice inside. I didn't bother to find out.

From the outside it is beautiful. The style is aparently that of a Bavarian Villa.

Swakopmund is like a German town in the 50ies! Or lets say how I imagine it.

Small and calm town. Every thing is more or less in walking distance!

click here for some more pics.

Swakopmund is a important city in the middle of the desert with a important port, with German flavour.

It is a little city, but not for Namibia, is the second biggest Namibia's town and a summer place with beautiful big houses at the beach.

I had a free morning to walk around while the rest of the group went to Walvis Bay to see flamingos. SirRichard recommend me to search for antiques shops at the centre full of German colonial old things, and that I did.

I spend all the morning at Pete's Antiques shop ...uhm !!!! great place :))) very interesting one. I am sure there are more places, but I only had 4 hours and ...

Swakopmund was of major significance as a harbour during the German colonial era and today is a popular seaside resort with a slightly nostalgic atmosphere and many tourist attractions. The townscape is characterized by numerous colonial buildings. A new highlight is the casino into which the old train station was changed. Enjoy strolling around and look for German signs like "Kaiser Apotheke", "Bismarckstraße" and the like, enjoy the beach promenade or have some German beer or cake in one of the many restaurants!

I never experienced such a German feeling in a foreign country as in Swakopmund! Quite strange!

Coming from the Desert, Swakopmund is often in the mist. And even if you are lucky and have no clouds and mist, it will be a lot cooler than you are used by now in Namibia.

Swakopmund is often said as to be a piece of Germany at the Rim of the Desert, and especially the german-speaking Namibians like it. So do not try to get there in the summer holidays or at christmas- or at least not without having booked before.
A lots of streets still have german names, but since 2002 they are changing it. So look, that you do have a newer map!

Things to see in Swakopmund:
-The Jetty: the first Jetty was built 1912. 1983 it was closed and restaurated, 1998 it was closed again. You will understand why, when you have a look at it.
- the Train Station. Built in "wilhelmic stile" 1901 it is today (totally renovated) a Casino, Hotel and Restaurant.
- The Worman house: today seat of the Namibia Wildlife Resort (if you need a permit: that is the place).
- The "Ritterburg" (Knights Castle) named after a Thomas Ritter. Located at the corner Bismarck Drive/Sam Nujoma Ave. (see picture). Today it belongs to the Municipality.
- The Lighthouse. 21m high, built in two steps..
- The Hohenzollern House. Built 1905 like a House in Berlin.
- The Antonius Hospital
- The Old Courthouse
- Princess Rupprecht Home
- The Aquarium: at the Strand Street. It is the only Aquarium in Namibia, opened 1995. They have a tunnel under the water where you can watch the Sandtigershark. Every day at 3 p.m. it is feeding time.

With lots of activities available and a lovely little town in its own right, Swakopmund is worth a couple of days visit. Said to be 'more German than Germany', the town draws lots of German-speaking tourists.

Activities include sand boarding, quadbiking, tandem sky-diving, rock climbing, balloon rides, microlighting, horseback riding, fishing and golf.

Dare Devil Adventures is situated halfway between Swakopmund & Walvis Bay. Their rates may seem a bit expensive at first, but once you get on the quads and start your trip it is worth every cent!
Going up and down STEEP dunes adds to the adrenalin rush, and most of the quad bikes are pretty powerful too, so racin each other (although not actually allowed), also adds to the fun.
One of the most amazing experiences is actually just stopping and looking around. No buildings, no plants, no water, nothing... Just sand for as far as you can see...