This 2-Day Sandwich Harbour and Spitzkoppe Tour from Swakopmund combines the two most visited natural sites near Swakopmund. On Day 1, you head south to the coast. On Day 2, you go inland to the mountains. The contrast between the two is a big part of what makes this trip worth booking.
Day 1: Sandwich Harbour
You leave Swakopmund in the morning and drive south to Walvis Bay. From there, your guide takes you by 4×4 across the tidal flats into the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Tidal flats are low, sandy areas that the sea floods twice a day. Your guide knows exactly when it is safe to cross, so you are always in good hands.
Sandwich Harbour is where the Namib Desert meets the Atlantic Ocean. The sand dunes here rise over 100 metres and drop straight into the sea. You stop at viewpoints along the top of the dunes. Below you, flamingos and pelicans feed in the lagoon. The silence here is something you will not forget.
After exploring the dunes and the lagoon edge, you return to Swakopmund or Walvis Bay for the night. A good meal, comfortable rest, and an early sleep before Day 2.
Day 2: Spitzkoppe
Spitzkoppe is a giant granite rock that rises 700 metres above the Namibian plains, about 175 kilometres east of Swakopmund. The peak reaches 1,728 metres above sea level and can be seen from a long distance away.
People call it the Matterhorn of Africa. When you see it, you will understand why.
Your guide takes you to the base of the rock. You walk through giant boulders, across open sandy ground, and up to viewpoints that look out over the surrounding plains. Ancient San Bushman rock paintings are found on the rock surfaces here. Some are thousands of years old. Your guide points them out and explains what they show.
The natural rock arch at Spitzkoppe is one of the best photo spots in Namibia. You walk through it and look out over a landscape that feels like it belongs to a different era.
The drive back to Swakopmund takes about two hours, with arrival in the late afternoon.
Best Time to Visit
May to October is the best time to visit both locations. The weather is cool and dry, making outdoor walking comfortable and enjoyable.