Swakopmund activities help make for the best getaways of extreme adrenalin filled days and lazy sizzling hot summer evenings served with a side order of adventure.
Located on the fringe of the oldest desert in the world is a small town with a palm lined promenade: Swakopmund. There is a very distinct German heritage here and this is experienced through the town’s atmosphere, especially in the Swakopmund town centre. Early 1900’s German colonial architecture includes a well preserved original station building turned into a popular hotel and casino, but Swakopmund activities goes way beyond gambling.
List of Swakopmund Activities:
1. German October Fest
October is around the corner and one of the simply-cannot-miss Swakopmund activities is the German October Fest. True to its crystal clear German history, the Oktoberfest brings Munich’s world famous beer festival to Africa like no other African country could. Swakopmund takes pure pride in its German roots. During this time of year, Swakopmund has no shortage of foaming beer, tasty sausage selections, delicious cured deli meats and German inspired oomph bands.
2. Hang Gliders & Hot Air Balloons
Above: Skydiving is one of the most popular Swakopmund activities
Drift over a breathtaking display and experience a real eye extravaganza by micro lighting, hang gliding and hot air ballooning over Sossusvlei, the awesome Atlantic Ocean and the dream dusted red and orange dunes of the Namib Desert contrasting against the beauty of the white salt pan island. Swakopmund has one of the best Skydiving schools in the world offering classes and high air adventures at exceptionally affordable prices. Hang gliding and hot air ballooning is one of the best Swakopmund activities on offer and a real bucket list ticker.
3. Quartz Crystal Exhibition
In the Swakopmund town centre the world’s largest Quartz Crystal cluster, found 45 m under the ground in 1985, is on display at a permanent Quartz Crystal exhibition. This site is one of the world’s best gemstone scratch patches and a store for the more costly choices if you are after stones for buying. If you’re interested in the miracle of Mother Nature’s crystals, visiting this exhibition is one of the Swakopmund activities you must do.
4. Sand Boarding
Above: Sandboarding activities in Swakopmund
Swakopmund activities include dune skiing and sand boarding adventures at various levels of experience. This is a massively in demand pastime for adventure lovers of all ages visiting and living in Swakopmund. The young at heart and the adrenalin junkies take on the challenge for a day of sand, sun and extreme adventure fun.
5. Great Golfing
In spite of being situated in the desert, golfers will be pleased to know that Swakopmund does in fact have a great 18 hole, par 72 golf course, situated 7 km outside town along the road to Windhoek. The Gary Player design is only one of five grass courses in the world to be situated in a desert.
6. Quad Biking
Above: Quad biking is one of the most fun Swakopmund activities you can do
As the adventure capital of Namibia, Swakopmund is one of the world’s prime playgrounds for adrenalin and extreme adventure activities including world class quad biking on some of the highest dunes in the world. Hiking and travelling on dunes is one of the most carefully monitored Swakopmund activities in order to avoid disturbing the area’s ecosystem. Make use of guides and avoid going off trails. The dunes of the Namib Desert make for some of the most incredible views just right for capturing picture perfect moments.
7. Eating Local
Pier1925, at the end of the restored jetty, serves great food, fresh oysters and has a good wine list. Brauhaus has a great German atmosphere and brews their own beer. Café Anton is known for their variety of baked German goods and delicious breakfasts. The Lighthouse Pub, which comes highly recommended, is the classic pub hangout, serving classic pub style food. The Tug Restaurant by the sea offers fantastic seafood dishes while Kupferpfanne offers good wine wild meat and game meat dishes.
Swakopmund activities make for an unforgettable, unbelievable and unique outdoor adventure holiday. Beyond baking on the beach under the African sun, outdoor activities are the order of the day. Swakopmund is an adrenaline junkie’s paradise with picture perfect sunsets offering visitors and locals alike a range of activities to keep all ages occupied. Swakopmund is the perfect holiday destination for a desert and ocean vacation.
All these great Swakopmund activities get you ready to explore this sand dune hugged, seaside destination? Browse through the overland trips that include Swakopmund.
About the author
Jacqueline Freer
Jacqueline has a career background consisting of nightlife eventing and entertainment fused with hospitality then blending with branding and business and over the past few years focusing on digital media. Her personal passions include the arts, travel, food, film and photography. Jacky is a social media expert, PR professional, blogger, copywriter, events designer and digital journalist with a passion for music. Jacqueline Freer is the MD and founder of Inrichmint Media Studios & Recordings, both divisions under the same brand name.
