5 minute read
The adventurous coast
Namibia’s eponymous Namib Desert lines the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean for more than 1 500 kilometres between South Africa in the south and Angola in the north. Almost right in the centre of this massive desert belt lies a cluster of towns: The port of Walvis Bay, quaint and historical Swakopmund and the retirement-slash-holiday resort of Henties Bay. These municipalities host some of the most exciting and diverse adventure activities to be found in the country. Whether you’re in the market for a relaxing excursion, getting in touch with nature, or for an adrenaline-fuelled experience that will get your blood rushing, you will be spoilt for choice along Namibia’s adventure coast.
DOLPHIN CRUISES ON THE BAY
A number of companies offer boat cruises from the waterfront in Walvis Bay. Usually a half-day excursion, these cruises are a great opportunity to view marine life, including dolphins and seals – and sometimes even the rare and elusive Mola Mola (sunfish) – from the comfort of a catamaran or other craft. Snacks and drinks, a wonderfully relaxing atmosphere, spectacular views and the feeling of freedom on the open water combine to create truly unforgettable memories.
KAYAKING AT PELICAN POINT
The kayak tours offered at Pelican Point just outside Walvis Bay are certainly among the most fun excursions for the whole family to enjoy. Various operators, including Namibia Kayak Tours, pick you up at a designated spot in Walvis Bay and take you to Pelican Point where you are equipped with waterproof gear, a life vest and a kayak. After a short intro to the art of kayaking, you set off to explore the waters of the bay. Cape fur seals of the colony at Pelican Point frolic in the waters around your kayak, curious and excited. It’s hard to figure out who enjoys the excursion more, you or them, as they gambol in the water and sometimes jump over the nose of your kayak, giving you a nice taste of the cold Atlantic, with what seems to be a cheeky grin on their faces.
ECO-GLIDING THROUGH HISTORICAL SWAKOPMUND
The new kid on the block in terms of activities at the coast, Eco-gliding Tours in Swakopmund offers fun and informative Segway excursions. A short crash course is all you need to get the hang of this mode of transport, unfamiliar to some, before you set off on an hour-long expedition. Equipped with a headphone set that lets your tour guide impart wisdom and fun facts along the route, you will learn about the town’s origins and interesting waypoints as you cruise along the quaint streets.
FISHING THE ATLANTIC
The cold Benguela Current along Namibia’s coast makes for an exciting fishing experience. Known as a shore fisherman’s paradise, a ski-boat angling tour from Swakopmund is another exciting excursion that should definitely be enjoyed if you’re an angling enthusiast. Catch anything from kob (kabeljou) and black tail, to game fish such as garrick or sharks, all with the convenience of a skipper to take you to the best spots and a deck hand to help with the bait and clean-up.
LIVING DESERT TOURS
Companies such as Charlie’s Desert Tours will take you on an excursion from Swakopmund into the Namib Desert. Your guide will show you the desert’s hidden microverse of plants and animals that survive in the harsh environment. These tours are an opportunity to see a range of interesting desert creatures, including side-winding adders, Palmato geckos, sand-diving lizards, the famous fog-basking Tok-Tokkie beetles, spiders, scorpions and chameleons.
SCENIC FLIGHT DELIGHTS
Various companies along the coast, operating both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, offer the unrivalled opportunity of marvelling at the spectacular landscapes of this part of the country from above. Shipwrecks, the Sandwich Harbour lagoon, the Moon Landscape and the incredible dune belt of the central Namib can all be explored from this wonderful vantage point. Some flights will take you on a round-trip to see Sossusvlei in the south, or all the way up to the Epupa Falls on Namibia’s north-western border. The barren hinterland of the Skeleton Coast, interesting geological formations such as the Kuiseb Canyon and Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg, are all on the menu for this adventure. TNN
MORE TO EXPLORE
Got more time? Check out these thrill-inducing, intriguing and unique activities and adventures:
• Go cycling, sandboarding, surfing, quad-biking, shore fishing, windsurfing, sailing, skydiving or paragliding
• Take a stroll through the centre of Swakopmund and admire the historical buildings
• Climb Dune 7, or any of the countless dunes of the dune belt between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, and see the world from a different perspective
• Go on a cultural township tour through Mondesa or Kuisebmond
• Admire flamingos and other avifauna at the Walvis Bay Lagoon, a RAMSAR site for coastal birds
• Take to the dunes and beaches riding a fatbike, horse or camel on a guided tour just outside Swakopmund
