Visit the Erongo Region
A desert experience unlike any Other
A vast desert landscape, dolerite outcrops towering into the endless blue sky, sand dunes spilling into the cold Atlantic Ocean and ethereal desert fauna sprawling across the desert floor…
Namibia is a unique and fascinating country. Attractions in Namibia range from prime wildlife safaris to fascinating desert landscapes, diverse culture and a whole lot of unpopulated places and wide-open spaces in between. But certainly, the most breath-taking of all Namibia’s destinations can be found in the Erongo Region.
Nowhere is the age of the earth more evident than in the ancient landscape of the world's oldest desert – the Namib Desert. It took nearly 5 million years for the dunes in the Great Sand Sea to get to their present state. Their petrified counterparts are more than 20 million years old. This is the only place in the world, where you can truly immerse yourself in the earth’s ancient history.
So where do you start your journey into this vast landscape? Here is our take on the most incredible, unique and once-in-a-lifetime things to do and see in this region.
Spitzkoppe
The southern region of Damaraland, from Swakopmund up to the Huab River, has many geological and historical attractions and is a popular region for rugged off-road camping expeditions. The land rises slowly up towards the great escarpment and volcano-induced peaks break up the endless plains.
The most impressive of these giant outcrops – formed millions of years ago when lava was all the rage – are the Spitzkoppe Mountains. Magnificent orange-red peaks rising from the barren plains of the inner Namib Desert.
Grab your camping gear and find a spot to pitch your tent in the shadows of these giants. Once you’re settled in, with a campfire going and the brew of your choice in hand, you might want to take a short climb up the nearest rock-giant for you to enjoy one of the best sundowners in Namibia.
Campsites are rustic and basic, so don’t expect modern amenities, but that’s really what makes this an incredible experience. The break-away from all things modern allows you to enjoy the bleak, stark, stunning nature around you without any distractions.
If glamping is more your type of thing, there is also a luxurious lodge to the north-eastern side of the mountain embedded in the rock. A mix of old and new, this lodge truly caters to the adventure seeker. You’ll be hard pressed to find any other place offering these staggering views from the comfort of a luxury chalet.
If you have time on your hands and you are keen to explore the area, guided walks to the rock art sites are an absolute must. There are at least 37 ancient rock painting sites, some over 4000 years old.
The mountain is also a climbing destination, but you would need to bring your own equipment and be an experienced climber to take on the “Matterhorn of Africa”.
Swakopmund
The sleepy coastal town of Swakopmund had a slow start back in the day when it was connected to the rest of the world by nothing but a small gravel road. With the construction of a tar road to the capital city, Windhoek, this soon changed, and the town developed into a delightful seaside resort with recreation and relaxation high on its list of priorities.
The old parts remain a charming relic of times gone by and the architecture is spectacular. On a stroll through town you can marvel at the Kaiserliches Bezirksgericht (i.e. State House), the Woermann House and Damara Tower, the Alte Bahnhof – a fairy tale railway station –, the Kaserne or the neo-baroque Lutheran Church as well as the Haus Hohenzollern, which purportedly was a brothel in its colonial heyday.
Swakopmund is also the activity hub of Namibia offering everything from quad biking, kayaking, fat-biking, parachuting, scenic flights, surfing, fishing and much more! If history raises your interest, the Swakopmund Museum offers displays of archaeology, ethnology, flora, fauna, history of all kind, including mining. They tell a comprehensive story of the town’s beginnings and eventual growth.
Walvis Bay
Walvis Bay, on the other hand, had a running start to life. On a Namibian coastline, which is almost 1600 kilometres long, Walvis Bay is one of only two natural harbours and this has guaranteed the bustling town a steady maritime trade and a host of industries.
The town also has many attractions besides its industries, not least of which is its massive population of seabirds and shorebirds in a vast lagoon and south of the town at Sandwich Harbour. Walvis Bay is renowned for its wetland birds. A vast tidal lagoon lies at the heart of the town, running into salt pans to the south and a peninsula ending at Pelican Point.
The lagoon is recognised by the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance. The bay supports over 40 species of bird and its migrating population exceeds 150 000 – the greatest concentration of shorebirds and seabirds in Southern Africa. Notable species include flamingos, plovers, grebes, European- and African black oystercatcher pairings, pelicans, terns and gulls.
Sandwich Harbour
Roughly 60 kilometres south of Walvis Bay and almost inaccessible is the impressive Sandwich Bay. One of Southern Africa’s most unique wetlands and found in one of the most exclusive locations, it hosts a massive population of wetland birds. Continue further, driving up- and over some dunes and there it is: Sandwich Harbour.
Originally a harbour, you will not any longer see boats here and the trip to get there is completely dependent on the tides. This exhilarating drive will take you along the beach where the dunes quite literally meet the ocean. Timing is everything as you are quite literally wedged between towering sand dunes and crashing waves.
It is phenomenal and one of the very best ways to enjoy a real “Skeleton Coast”-experience.
Catamaran and Kayak Tours
One of the most popular activities is a catamaran cruise around the bay. These are usually done in the mornings to avoid the pesky south-westerly wind in the afternoon. You will cruise out to the seal colonies at Pelican Point, where one or two of these critters might hop on board to say hi. There is also a good chance to see dolphins and possibly even whales. Chill out on deck with a glass of champagne and fresh oysters as you marvel at the marine life around you.
If you are feeling more adventurous and want to get up close and personal with the massive seal colony at Pelican Point, then kayaking is the way to go. The drive there takes you through the salt works, via the sand arm and along the coastline to Pelican Point. You’ll be suited up and ready to get onto the water in no time. Let the spirited seals play around your oar as you paddle along for about an hour. Before you head back to shore, you will be handed a warm drink.
You will not work up a sweat as this is just a leisurely paddle along the shoreline. The idea is to simply enjoy the scenery and the seals as you glide across the water.
Welwitschias and Desert Tours
One of the most surreal experiences that you can enjoy, is a visit to the Moon Landscape. As you gaze across the eerie black mounds rising from the desert floor, you may well be thinking that you are on another planet. This area of endless eroded hills and valleys was forged by the Swakop River over eons.
During your moonwalk you are likely to spot one of its most famous residents: the Welwitschia Mirabilis. These are regarded as some of the oldest plants on the planet, about 2 000 years old to be exact. They have survived this harsh environment with its sweltering desert sand for an astounding period of time. This is after all one of the most inhospitable places on earth. They are as phenomenal sight to see in real life.
The desert, despite being arid and dry, is actually alive. Explore the life that survives in this harsh environment with some excellent guides, who will show you exactly how the little creatures and critters are specially adapted to this environment. Watch a desert chameleon zap its meal almost quicker than the eye can see or witness a sidewinder snake move with ease across the hot desert sands and learn why the endemic Palmato Gecko is see-through.
The wonder lies in seeing this life up close, a world that seems to be completely hidden. Understand how the dunes are formed and why the geology of this ecosystem is so unique.
This is an educational and scenic drive that will allow you to see the desert in an unexpected and certainly new light.
Nowhere is the age of the earth more evident than in the ancient landscape of the world's oldest desert – the Namib Desert. It took nearly 5 million years for the dunes in the Great Sand Sea to get to their present state. Their petrified counterparts are more than 20 million years old. This is the only place in the world, where you can truly immerse yourself in the earth’s ancient history.
So where do you start your journey into this vast landscape? Here is our take on the most incredible, unique and once-in-a-lifetime things to do and see in this region.
Spitzkoppe
The southern region of Damaraland, from Swakopmund up to the Huab River, has many geological and historical attractions and is a popular region for rugged off-road camping expeditions. The land rises slowly up towards the great escarpment and volcano-induced peaks break up the endless plains.
The most impressive of these giant outcrops – formed millions of years ago when lava was all the rage – are the Spitzkoppe Mountains. Magnificent orange-red peaks rising from the barren plains of the inner Namib Desert.
Grab your camping gear and find a spot to pitch your tent in the shadows of these giants. Once you’re settled in, with a campfire going and the brew of your choice in hand, you might want to take a short climb up the nearest rock-giant for you to enjoy one of the best sundowners in Namibia.
Campsites are rustic and basic, so don’t expect modern amenities, but that’s really what makes this an incredible experience. The break-away from all things modern allows you to enjoy the bleak, stark, stunning nature around you without any distractions.
If glamping is more your type of thing, there is also a luxurious lodge to the north-eastern side of the mountain embedded in the rock. A mix of old and new, this lodge truly caters to the adventure seeker. You’ll be hard pressed to find any other place offering these staggering views from the comfort of a luxury chalet.
If you have time on your hands and you are keen to explore the area, guided walks to the rock art sites are an absolute must. There are at least 37 ancient rock painting sites, some over 4000 years old.
The mountain is also a climbing destination, but you would need to bring your own equipment and be an experienced climber to take on the “Matterhorn of Africa”.
Swakopmund
The sleepy coastal town of Swakopmund had a slow start back in the day when it was connected to the rest of the world by nothing but a small gravel road. With the construction of a tar road to the capital city, Windhoek, this soon changed, and the town developed into a delightful seaside resort with recreation and relaxation high on its list of priorities.
The old parts remain a charming relic of times gone by and the architecture is spectacular. On a stroll through town you can marvel at the Kaiserliches Bezirksgericht (i.e. State House), the Woermann House and Damara Tower, the Alte Bahnhof – a fairy tale railway station –, the Kaserne or the neo-baroque Lutheran Church as well as the Haus Hohenzollern, which purportedly was a brothel in its colonial heyday.
Swakopmund is also the activity hub of Namibia offering everything from quad biking, kayaking, fat-biking, parachuting, scenic flights, surfing, fishing and much more! If history raises your interest, the Swakopmund Museum offers displays of archaeology, ethnology, flora, fauna, history of all kind, including mining. They tell a comprehensive story of the town’s beginnings and eventual growth.
Walvis Bay
Walvis Bay, on the other hand, had a running start to life. On a Namibian coastline, which is almost 1600 kilometres long, Walvis Bay is one of only two natural harbours and this has guaranteed the bustling town a steady maritime trade and a host of industries.
The town also has many attractions besides its industries, not least of which is its massive population of seabirds and shorebirds in a vast lagoon and south of the town at Sandwich Harbour. Walvis Bay is renowned for its wetland birds. A vast tidal lagoon lies at the heart of the town, running into salt pans to the south and a peninsula ending at Pelican Point.
The lagoon is recognised by the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance. The bay supports over 40 species of bird and its migrating population exceeds 150 000 – the greatest concentration of shorebirds and seabirds in Southern Africa. Notable species include flamingos, plovers, grebes, European- and African black oystercatcher pairings, pelicans, terns and gulls.
Sandwich Harbour
Roughly 60 kilometres south of Walvis Bay and almost inaccessible is the impressive Sandwich Bay. One of Southern Africa’s most unique wetlands and found in one of the most exclusive locations, it hosts a massive population of wetland birds. Continue further, driving up- and over some dunes and there it is: Sandwich Harbour.
Originally a harbour, you will not any longer see boats here and the trip to get there is completely dependent on the tides. This exhilarating drive will take you along the beach where the dunes quite literally meet the ocean. Timing is everything as you are quite literally wedged between towering sand dunes and crashing waves.
It is phenomenal and one of the very best ways to enjoy a real “Skeleton Coast”-experience.
Catamaran and Kayak Tours
One of the most popular activities is a catamaran cruise around the bay. These are usually done in the mornings to avoid the pesky south-westerly wind in the afternoon. You will cruise out to the seal colonies at Pelican Point, where one or two of these critters might hop on board to say hi. There is also a good chance to see dolphins and possibly even whales. Chill out on deck with a glass of champagne and fresh oysters as you marvel at the marine life around you.
If you are feeling more adventurous and want to get up close and personal with the massive seal colony at Pelican Point, then kayaking is the way to go. The drive there takes you through the salt works, via the sand arm and along the coastline to Pelican Point. You’ll be suited up and ready to get onto the water in no time. Let the spirited seals play around your oar as you paddle along for about an hour. Before you head back to shore, you will be handed a warm drink.
You will not work up a sweat as this is just a leisurely paddle along the shoreline. The idea is to simply enjoy the scenery and the seals as you glide across the water.
Welwitschias and Desert Tours
One of the most surreal experiences that you can enjoy, is a visit to the Moon Landscape. As you gaze across the eerie black mounds rising from the desert floor, you may well be thinking that you are on another planet. This area of endless eroded hills and valleys was forged by the Swakop River over eons.
During your moonwalk you are likely to spot one of its most famous residents: the Welwitschia Mirabilis. These are regarded as some of the oldest plants on the planet, about 2 000 years old to be exact. They have survived this harsh environment with its sweltering desert sand for an astounding period of time. This is after all one of the most inhospitable places on earth. They are as phenomenal sight to see in real life.
The desert, despite being arid and dry, is actually alive. Explore the life that survives in this harsh environment with some excellent guides, who will show you exactly how the little creatures and critters are specially adapted to this environment. Watch a desert chameleon zap its meal almost quicker than the eye can see or witness a sidewinder snake move with ease across the hot desert sands and learn why the endemic Palmato Gecko is see-through.
The wonder lies in seeing this life up close, a world that seems to be completely hidden. Understand how the dunes are formed and why the geology of this ecosystem is so unique.
This is an educational and scenic drive that will allow you to see the desert in an unexpected and certainly new light.
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