Set along Namibia's spectacularly scenic coast, the seaside town of Swakopmund is known for its wide-open avenues, colonial architecture, and its surrounding otherworldly desert terrain. Founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South-West Africa, Swakopmund is often described as being more German than Germany. Now a seaside resort town, Swakopmund is the capital of the Skeleton Coast tourism area and has plenty to keep visitors happy. The quirky mix of German and Namibian influences, adventure options, laid-back atmosphere and cool sea breeze make it a very popular Namibian destination. Visitors can look forward to a number of exciting activities including: quad biking, horse riding, paragliding, fishing, sightseeing and fascinating desert tours.
The 24 000-hectare Namib Tsaris Conservancy is tucked between the Namib and Tsaris mountains. The conservancy is only thirty minutes’ drive from the Sesriem gate which provides access into the Sossusvlei Dunes and acts as a gateway to the Great Namib Sand Sea, now declared a World Heritage Site. The Namib Tsaris Conservancy is a scenic ecological sanctuary featuring a picturesque landscape of vast gravel plains, mountainous areas, and dry river valleys, as well as a vast raised plateau which towers above the desert below. The conservancy and the surrounding area provides a vital refuge for wildlife through the dry season. This rehabilitated area is home to an array of indigenous wildlife including: oryx, springbok, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, Burchell’s zebra, kudu, hartebeest, giraffe, steenbok, klipspringer, bat-eared fox, as well as predators such as leopard, cheetah and hyena.
