Swakopmund

The seaside resort town of Swakopmund is Namibia's second biggest town after Windhoek and is located 280km west of Windhoek. Founded in 1892 due to the need for a main harbour, Swakopmund has a distinctly colonial German feel with many buildings reflecting this in their architecture. The town has been named Swakopmund since 1896 when it was proclaimed an independent district. Swakopmund means 'Estuary of the Swakop River' in German. Due to its location, Swakopmund is highly popular in the extreme summer months when the cool breeze from the sea helps to make the intense heat slightly more bearable. Swakopmund town is home to an eclectic mix of artists, hippies, traditional German families and hardened, strong miners. Mornings and evenings are heralded by a mist that rolls in from the sea, blanketing everything in mystery and romance.

There are many extreme sport activities offered in Swakopmund such as quad biking, horse-riding and sand boarding and a section of the nearby dunes have been set aside for those adrenalin junkies visiting the area. Its coastal location also allows Swakopmund to offer other activities such as boat rides, fishing and sunbathing on the beach - all activities that are in complete contrast to elsewhere in this desert country.