Roadtrip Namibia Part 3 | Solitaire and Swakopmund

around the country Namibia to get to know it is best to have a big one roadtrip be made, or a roadtrip which you divide into several pieces. This is part 3 of the roadtrip in which we will explore western Namibia! From the beautiful Sossusvlei we go back to the north with a stop in the well-known village Solitaire† A little further north we visit the old German town Swakopmund, the second largest city in Namibia. In Swakopmund many activities can be done that you roadtrip unforgettable. Later a 4th part of the roadtrip being added!

Also read: Roadtrip Namibia (1) | Keetmanshoop and Fish River Canyon
Also read: Roadtrip Namibia (2) | Lüderitz, Kolmanskop & Sossusvlei
Also read: Roadtrip Namibia (3) | Solitaire and Swakopmund
Also read: Roadtrip Namibia (4) | Cape Cross, Twyfelfontein and Palmwag
Also read: Preparation trip to Namibia | Best travel time & packing list
Also read: Itineraries Namibia 2 to 5 weeks | Example routes

Table of contents

Solitaire

A big dot on the map but in reality it's only a few buildings. This is the village of Solitaire, which is very well known to tourists. This small village has been a location for many films and other adventure video footage. The car wrecks have become famous because of these images, which makes tourists like to come here to take pictures.

There is a gas station here, next to which you can find the famous and delicious apple pie. Solitaire is located in the Namib Naukluft National Park so you can stay here beautifully in the area. Stop here en route to Swakopmund. Keep in mind that this is the main road to Swakopmund where it can be busy in some months of the year. By the way, pressure means a few cars per hour, but that is enough to call it busy.

C14 to Walvis Bay

From Solitaire in northwestern Namibia we continue with Walsvis Bay as our final destination. The C14 is one with varying landscapes. Where you first go through the beautiful Kuiseb Canyon drives where in a good rainy season the water passes through and the road is regularly flooded. On the way you will pass the Tropic of Capricorn, which is also called Tropic or Capricorn.

The Tropic of Capricorn runs through the desert

Then you drive through the deserted Namib-Naukluft National Park where it is difficult to realize that you are still on Earth. The landscape is dry and water rarely comes here and therefore little to no vegetation grows. The typical desert landscape does apply here. Here are a few campgrounds where you'll need a special ticket to drive into the national park.

Walvis Bay

After many hours of driving between the sand, a larger town finally comes into view. First you pass the famous Dune 7 before entering Walvis Bay. In Namibia this is the largest port where many ships arrive from all over the world.

Many aquatic animals live on the coast of Walvis Bay, such as flamingos and pelicans. These are best found along the lagoon promenade. In Walvis Bay you can also book boat trips that take you out to sea to see various birds and seals. With a lot of luck you can also see whales and dolphins. Don't forget the road between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, which is beautiful provided there is no fog.

Sandwich Harbor

45 kilometers south of Walvis Bay is a large saltwater lagoon. Where there are a lot of birds that leave for southern Africa to get through the winter. To get here you have to book a tour because you are not allowed to drive here, not even with a 4×4.

You will also pass the point where the dunes and ocean meet, one of the many photographed highlights of Namibia. Go here for a whole day, it is possible to do it in half a day but then you will not get to see all the beautiful places.

Swakopmund

this old Duitse village on the Atlantic Ocean is seen as the only holiday resort in Namibia. The temperatures here are more pleasant than in the rest of the country due to the influence of the ocean. Unfortunately, due to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean, Swakopmund is often shrouded in thick fog. The sun is therefore less present here than in the rest of Namibia.

In the town itself are many buildings from the German time and is therefore very popular with German-speaking tourists. You will therefore regularly be addressed in German. In the center there are many nice restaurants where you can also find schnitzels. The well-known German cake can also be found here at Café Anton. Swakopmund is also known as an adrenaline town where everyone can lose their energy. Many who live in Windhoek go to their holiday home in Swakopmund at the weekend to escape the warm city and many people live here who spend their pensions.

skydiving

For the real adrenaline kick you can go skydiving. With a small plane you take off from the airport in Swakopmund into the air. After which you fly after 10.000/12.000/14.000 feet depending on what you have chosen. On the way up you will be attached to your guide and you will have great views over Swakopmund and the high sand dunes. Once at the right height, everything is checked and before you know it you jump out and go down at 200 km/h.

After 30 seconds the free fall is over and the parachute is opened and you can quietly enjoy the beautiful view over the dunes and small Swakopmund. Here you can see that a town has been built in the middle of the desert on the Atlantic Ocean. Try to go on a reasonably sunny day, otherwise you won't see much.

Quadbike riding

Where there is sand, the quads are of course removed. The Namibian dunes are perfect for quad biking. You go into the dunes with a guide, otherwise you will quickly get lost in all the sand. You can combine quad biking with sandboarding or riding a camel together.

Surf

Despite Swakopmund being on the cold Atlantic Ocean, you can also find good surf spots here. There are several places with only low waves, so you can learn it well here. Please wear a wetsuit as the water is very cold. Go to the surf school in Swakopmund and enjoy the warm sun and cold water. For the more experienced surfers, there are also higher waves later in the afternoon.

Segway

An activity that is still fairly new in Swakopmund and not yet found in many travel guides. Here you first go to the jetty pier and afterwards you continue for a city tour through the center of Swakopmund. Where the guide tells you about the past of Swakopmund and where the nice restaurants are.

Kayaking

Between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund lies the small village called Langstrand. Here is Bird Rock. This is the end point where you go kayaking and where many species of birds have their home address. You can also kayak here among the seals that raise their heads above water next to or behind you. The kayaks are fairly stable so there is no chance of you falling over. With a lot of luck you can also see dolphins here.

sandboarding

The dunes just outside Swakopmund are fairly steep making them ideal for sandboarding. You can sandboarding lying down, but also standing like snowboarding. The steep dunes allow you to reach speeds of up to 80 km/h. That is not possible without a large amount of sand in your shoes.