A colonial remnant and a resort for Namibians, Swakopmund also known as Swakop is country’s biggest coastal town. Sandwiched between the dark blue water on one side and the vibrant dunes on other side, this city of German colonial buildings is gateway to the world’s oldest desert, Namib and to many other destinations like Skeleton Coast Park, Walvis Bay.
Swakopmund, the capital of Erango region is also known as adventure capital is a go to holiday destination for the locals which has a flair of German reminiscence.
A brief History
Sitting at the mouth of Swakop river, two Dutchmen in the year 1793 were the first sailors to anchor at the Swakopmund. In the following century, German gunboat hoisted German flag indicating their occupancy in the region to the Britishers who stationed previously at the Walvis Bay.
The shallow waters of the coast deemed unfavourable as harbour. Hence the Germans developed an artificial harbour at high costs which then started to serve as a major port to the Germans. This led to increase in freight traffic and thus the port became a major hub of transportation to the Germans. Subsequently, a rail line stretching from Swakopmund to Windhoek upgraded the means of transportation which is serving even today.
The advent of transport led to the construction of the town in the German architecture style resembling German towns most of which are present even today. The boom continued until World War l broke out after which Swakopmund came under the Union of South Africa. This led to the cease of all the harbour activities at Swakopmund transferring to Walvis Bay. During the time, Swakopmund served more of recreational place than the commerce hub.
After Namibia’s independence from South Africa in 1990, Swakopmund became of one of the important cities of Namibia attracting locals as well as foreign travellers retaining a good number of German communities.
Things to experience
Namibia’s biggest coastal city with German origins strikes as a spectacular town charming with colonial structures, a wonderful town promenade on backdrop of African heritage. The town offers lot of adventure activities and tourist attractions and many more.
Swakopmund attractions include Kristall Galerie Martin Luther Steam Engine, a road locomotive abandoned in the desert just outside Swakopmund, The National Marine Aquarium of Namibia and the Swakopmund Museum along with the monuments to those fallen in world wars.
Accessible by land, water and air, Swakopmund offers variety of adventure activities that can be experienced in all three spaces. Hot air balloon rides, Sky diving offers scenic views of the Namib dessert along the Atlantic Ocean. The land activities include bike tours, sandboarding, camel safaris amidst the vibrant dunes of the dessert. The warm sand and cold beaches is comprised of museums and large number of cafes and restaurants.
Climate
Namibia’s biggest coastal city with German origins strikes as a spectacular town charming with colonial structures, a wonderful town promenade on backdrop of African heritage. The town offers lot of adventure activities and tourist attractions and many more.
With the slice of German flair on the backdrop African heritage, Swakopmund amidst the compelling dunes of Namib dessert and the Atlantic Ocean is a gateway to lot of adventures activities reminiscing the colonial structures and entering to the vast Namib dessert.