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The old town of Swakopmund perches between the sands of the Namib Desert and the waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

With misty morning fog it’s a contrast to the inland and very refreshing after days in the desert.

The streets are wide and lined with palm trees, the buildings fascinating examples of old German architecture. There’s an array of curio and antique shops as well as some particularly good seafood restaurants serving fresh crayfish and Skeleton Coast mussels.

Wildlife around Swakopmund

A couple of hours’ drive north of Swakopmund you will find the seal colony at Cape Cross. It’s certainly worth a visit as it is home to between 100,000 to 240,000 Cape fur seals at any one time. South of Swakopmund, and equally worth a day’s visit, is the lagoon at Walvis Bay. Pelicans sweep over the dunes to the sea, whilst hundreds of flamingos, avocets and other waders are to be found in the lagoon.

Pelican Point

Kayaking With Seals, Pelican PointOne excellent way to spend a morning is on a gentle kayaking trip to Pelican Point. Run by Jean Meintjies, these trips start early in the morning when Jean drives you out to Pelican Point, a sandbar near Walvis Bay.

Jean has a number of sturdy sea kayaks and she guides you to three colonies of up to 300 Cape fur seals. The seals love to swim and play around the kayaks, and sometimes even jump over them! It is possible to see dolphins, and flocks of gulls and cormorants are often overhead. There is a stop on a beach for warm rolls and coffee for elevenses. No previous experience in kayaks is needed as it's a very gentle trip.

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Audley Travel specialist James

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Suggested itineraries featuring Swakopmund and Pelican Point

Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Swakopmund and Pelican Point, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

Map of Swakopmund and Pelican Point

Places & hotels on the map

    Places near Swakopmund and Pelican Point

    Accommodation choices for Swakopmund and Pelican Point

    We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Swakopmund and Pelican Point. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.

    Ideas for experiencing Swakopmund and Pelican Point

    Our specialists seek out authentic ways to get to know the places that could feature in your trip. These activities reflect some of the experiences they've most enjoyed while visiting Swakopmund and Pelican Point, and which use the best local guides.

    • Sandwich Harbour Day Trip
      4x4 driving on the dunes, Sandwich Harbour trip

      Sandwich Harbour Day Trip

      Sandwich Harbour Day Trip

      Sandwich Harbour lies around 30 kilometres south of Walvis Bay. Here, there's a reed lined lagoon fed by freshwater springs, a sandy beach and pale dunes dropping straight into the sea.

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    • Quadbiking
      Quad biking in the desert

      Quadbiking

      Quadbiking

      The guided trip is likely to cover the riverbed, gravel plains and the magical dune field from east to west.

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    • Kayak Trip to Pelican Point
      Kayaking With Seals, Pelican Point

      Kayak Trip to Pelican Point

      Kayak Trip to Pelican Point

      An excellent way to spend a morning is on a gentle kayaking trip to Pelican Point. A number of sturdy sea kayaks await and you will be guided to three colonies of up to around 6,000 cape fur seals.

      View details