DETAILS

FULL LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
Depart the pier and proceed to Swakopmund, driving northwards along the coastal road, with magnificent views of sand dunes on the one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. Swakopmund had its beginnings as a landing station when in 1892 Imperial Germany erected two beacons on the site. Built on flat coast open to the sea, Swakopmund is a beautiful town situated at the mouth of the Swakop River and is often described as "a slice of Germany on the edge of the desert". It is a seaside resort and is a place of singular charm, resembling a Bavarian village nestling between the desert and the sea. Many buildings date back to the turn of the century and are now National Monuments, harking back to the town’s German colonial past.

Enjoy an orientation tour of the town, with its many beautiful historical buildings dating back to the turn of the century and built in the Art Nouveau style. Some of these buildings include the Kaiserliches Bezirksgericht (Magistrate’s Court); the Lutheran Church; and the old Railway Station building, which is now the main reception area for the Swakopmund Hotel. Also pass by the local Hansa Brewery and the jetty, which was built between 1903 and 1905 as a pier.

During the tour, you will pay a visit to Karakulia Weavery, where the wool of Karakul sheep is spun, dyed and woven into rugs and wall hangings. Also visit a gallery displaying crystals originating from a Namibian mine. Other minerals are also on display and time for shopping will be allowed. In addition, you will also be given the opportunity to browse through the “Brauhaus” Gallery, a small shopping arcade in the center of town.

After this visit, return to Walvis Bay via the gravel road stopping off at Dune 7, the highest sand dune in the Walvis Bay area. Enjoy a short orientation tour of the fishing port of Walvis Bay, which started out as a whaling station is now the principal port of entry into Namibia and has a flourishing fishing industry. Pay a brief visit to the lagoon and tidal flood plains where magnificent flocks of flamingos, pelicans and other water birds may be seen at certain times of the year. The lagoon is one of Africa’s most important wetlands and is also a declared International Ramsar Site.
 
SHORT LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
This overview excursion starts with a drive to the charming seaside resort of Swakopmund for an orientation of this replica of a Bavarian village often described as "a slice of Germany on the edge of the desert". After time to browse and visit the gallery and weavery, return to the fishing port of Walvis Bay by way of its famous dunes and flamingo lagoon.
 
TIMING BREAKDOWN
00:00 – 00:30 Depart the quayside and drive to Swakopmund via the coastal road
00:30 – 01:15 Visit Karakulia Weavery
01:15 – 01:30 Drive to a gallery via brief orientation tour of the town
01:30 – 02:15 Visit to a gallery
02:15 – 03:00 Time at leisure for shopping in the Brauhaus Arcade
03:00 – 03:15 Continue orientation drive through Swakopmund
03:15 – 04:00 Drive via the gravel road to Dune 7
04:00 – 04:10 Stop at Dune 7 (photo stop)
04:10 – 04:40 Drive from Dune 7 to Walvis Bay
04:40 – 05:00 Return to the quayside via a short orientation tour of Walvis Bay, including a brief visit to the Walvis Bay Lagoon

Approximate duration: 5 hours
 
OPERATIONAL NOTES
- To avoid congestion, the order of places visited may be rotated
- Guests in wheelchairs and those with walking difficulties can manage this tour with the aid of a ship’s escort or spouse

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