Adventure Drive to Swakopmund: 4Wheeling in the Sand Dunes
The drive from Etosha National Park to Swakopmund offers a fascinating transition from the arid savannah landscapes to the coastal desert towards the Atlantic Ocean. This drive covers a considerable 500 kilometers. The drive was arduous, and we were the only cars on the road for hours. The landscape changes dramatically along the way. The Jimny keeps chugging along, and the rugged wheels of the Jimny grip Namibia’s endless gravel road. The horizon stretches further than you can see, but the drive continues to captivate and inspire.
As we venture southwest, the terrain gradually transforms into a scene of rugged mountains and dramatic rock formations. The never-ending gravel road stretches ahead, cutting through the heart of the Namib Desert, where the shifting sands create an ever-changing mosaic of dunes and shadows. The only sound in the eerie silence of the desert’s vastness is the soft hum of the Jimny tires on the gravel. We tried to find local radio stations, saving our phone batteries, but only found deafeningly unexpected American music on the radio; it was Bruno Mars’s song, ‘Grenade.’
Approaching Swakopmund, the distant sound of the Atlantic Ocean becomes a soothing melody, and the temperature drops nicely, signaling the proximity to the coast. The landscape undergoes another metamorphosis as the dunes give way to the seaside town’s cool breezes and misty air. Swakopmund emerges on the horizon with its colonial architecture and palm-line streets, a refreshing oasis between the desert and the Atlantic Ocean.
Desert Breeze is our Swakopmund home, offering an uninterrupted view of the ancient Namib desert. The resort is a short drive from central Swakopmund. Its position above the Swakop River overlooks the apricot dune sea and offers the ultimate desert experience.
One of the world’s oldest deserts, the Namib Desert, meets the Atlantic Ocean in northern Namibia. Namib translates to “vast place,” a suitable description for the miles of beach and dunes this collision stretches along.
During our stay in Swakop, we hired a driver and guide via our accommodations. Our first stop was to see the Zeila ‘shipwreck’ along Namibia’s Skeleton Coast. The Zeila was a fishing trawler sold as scrap metal to an Indian company. On its way to Bombay, India, the fishing vessel became stranded after it came loose from its towing line. The scrapping company decided to forget about it, letting it drift to its final resting place on the coast of Namibia.
Then, we drove down to Walvis Bay Lagoon to see the flamingos. The Walvis Bay lagoon is a Ramsar wetland of international importance, providing crucial habitat for a diverse range of bird species, including many flamingos. The flamingos in Walvis Bay are predominantly Greater Flamingos. These elegant birds are known for their distinctive pink plumage, long necks, and characteristic bill shape. The pink colors of the flamingos result from pigments in the food they consume, such as algae and crustaceans, which contain carotenoids.
The Namibian coastline is 1,400 kilometers long. There are only two natural harbors, Lüderitz Bay and Walvis Bay; the rest is a barren coast with no fresh water and plenty of fog, appropriately named the “Skeleton Coast.”
The fun began when we started four-wheeling on the high dunes of Sandwich Harbor, where the Namib desert meets the cold waters of the South Atlantic Ocean. We drove on the narrow beach between the dunes and the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. I never thought we would get through these narrows; it was exhilarating! You can only navigate these strips at low tide. At high tide, the ocean reclaims the stretch of beach and eliminates all traces of vehicles. We were lucky; it was a perfect day!
The dunes were breathtaking. Our 4×4 went straight down, across, and back up like a rollercoaster. It is an exhilarating and immersive experience that allows us to explore the stunning landscapes, unique ecosystems, and diverse wildlife of one of the world’s oldest deserts. What a wild ride it was!
Sandwich Harbour boasts two distinct wetlands and associated mudflats. One is aquifer-fed and supports typical emergent vegetation but is slowly disappearing due to natural causes. Under the tidal influence, the second consists of mudflats and raised shingle bars. Wedged between the sea and the Namib Dunes, it is one of Namibia’s most important coastal wetlands, supporting eight endangered species among many wading birds. We saw the lagoon area from one of the many beautiful lookout spots and had the time to walk and explore. We had lots of time to stop along the way to take pictures.
We climbed the high dunes for a spectacular view of Sandwich Harbor Lagoon. Sand waterfalls are the result of the “cliffs” of sand that the ocean’s high tide waves have created, eroding once more with the sun and wind. High tides can hamper access to the lagoon, but today is a great day.
We saw springbok, ostrich, jackals, and raptors such as Peregrine Falcons, Pale Chanting Goshawks, and Black-breasted Snake Eagles. We passed the remnants of an abandoned town, now buried up to the roof in the sand, with waves washing away any remaining wood structures.
Finally, we found the perfect spot to take a lunch break. Our guide prepared our lunch on a folding table and chairs at the beach. We picked up a box of freshly harvested oysters from Nami Oysters. The oysters are delicious; you can taste the ocean with every bite!
As we venture southwest, the terrain gradually transforms into a scene of rugged mountains and dramatic rock formations. The never-ending gravel road stretches ahead, cutting through the heart of the Namib Desert, where the shifting sands create an ever-changing mosaic of dunes and shadows. The only sound in the eerie silence of the desert’s vastness is the soft hum of the Jimny tires on the gravel. We tried to find local radio stations, saving our phone batteries, but only found deafeningly unexpected American music on the radio; it was Bruno Mars’s song, ‘Grenade.’
Approaching Swakopmund, the distant sound of the Atlantic Ocean becomes a soothing melody, and the temperature drops nicely, signaling the proximity to the coast. The landscape undergoes another metamorphosis as the dunes give way to the seaside town’s cool breezes and misty air. Swakopmund emerges on the horizon with its colonial architecture and palm-line streets, a refreshing oasis between the desert and the Atlantic Ocean.
Desert Breeze is our Swakopmund home, offering an uninterrupted view of the ancient Namib desert. The resort is a short drive from central Swakopmund. Its position above the Swakop River overlooks the apricot dune sea and offers the ultimate desert experience.
One of the world’s oldest deserts, the Namib Desert, meets the Atlantic Ocean in northern Namibia. Namib translates to “vast place,” a suitable description for the miles of beach and dunes this collision stretches along.
During our stay in Swakop, we hired a driver and guide via our accommodations. Our first stop was to see the Zeila ‘shipwreck’ along Namibia’s Skeleton Coast. The Zeila was a fishing trawler sold as scrap metal to an Indian company. On its way to Bombay, India, the fishing vessel became stranded after it came loose from its towing line. The scrapping company decided to forget about it, letting it drift to its final resting place on the coast of Namibia.
Then, we drove down to Walvis Bay Lagoon to see the flamingos. The Walvis Bay lagoon is a Ramsar wetland of international importance, providing crucial habitat for a diverse range of bird species, including many flamingos. The flamingos in Walvis Bay are predominantly Greater Flamingos. These elegant birds are known for their distinctive pink plumage, long necks, and characteristic bill shape. The pink colors of the flamingos result from pigments in the food they consume, such as algae and crustaceans, which contain carotenoids.
The Namibian coastline is 1,400 kilometers long. There are only two natural harbors, Lüderitz Bay and Walvis Bay; the rest is a barren coast with no fresh water and plenty of fog, appropriately named the “Skeleton Coast.”
The fun began when we started four-wheeling on the high dunes of Sandwich Harbor, where the Namib desert meets the cold waters of the South Atlantic Ocean. We drove on the narrow beach between the dunes and the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. I never thought we would get through these narrows; it was exhilarating! You can only navigate these strips at low tide. At high tide, the ocean reclaims the stretch of beach and eliminates all traces of vehicles. We were lucky; it was a perfect day!
The dunes were breathtaking. Our 4×4 went straight down, across, and back up like a rollercoaster. It is an exhilarating and immersive experience that allows us to explore the stunning landscapes, unique ecosystems, and diverse wildlife of one of the world’s oldest deserts. What a wild ride it was!
Sandwich Harbour boasts two distinct wetlands and associated mudflats. One is aquifer-fed and supports typical emergent vegetation but is slowly disappearing due to natural causes. Under the tidal influence, the second consists of mudflats and raised shingle bars. Wedged between the sea and the Namib Dunes, it is one of Namibia’s most important coastal wetlands, supporting eight endangered species among many wading birds. We saw the lagoon area from one of the many beautiful lookout spots and had the time to walk and explore. We had lots of time to stop along the way to take pictures.
We climbed the high dunes for a spectacular view of Sandwich Harbor Lagoon. Sand waterfalls are the result of the “cliffs” of sand that the ocean’s high tide waves have created, eroding once more with the sun and wind. High tides can hamper access to the lagoon, but today is a great day.
We saw springbok, ostrich, jackals, and raptors such as Peregrine Falcons, Pale Chanting Goshawks, and Black-breasted Snake Eagles. We passed the remnants of an abandoned town, now buried up to the roof in the sand, with waves washing away any remaining wood structures.
Finally, we found the perfect spot to take a lunch break. Our guide prepared our lunch on a folding table and chairs at the beach. We picked up a box of freshly harvested oysters from Nami Oysters. The oysters are delicious; you can taste the ocean with every bite!
Recommendations:
The Desert Breeze Resort is one of the best places we stayed in Namibia. Our room had big windows with a fantastic view of the Namib Desert. Our deck overlooks the desert, a path to walk down to the dunes, and across the riverbed to have your sundowner on the dune. The chef deliciously prepared breakfast the next day, which is included with our accommodations. Author: Cristy Photo Credit: NathanLatest Post
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