Planning for a Sandwich Harbour and Camel Riding Tour from Swakopmund? A camel walks at about 5 kilometres per hour. There is no way to go faster. The camel decides the pace. You sit up high, swaying gently with each slow step, and the desert moves past you like it has all the time in the world.
In some ways, it does.
Camel riding near Swakopmund on the Namibia coast is one of the most unusual ways to see the Namib Desert. The area around Swakopmund is flat, open, and dry. The same Benguela Current that makes the ocean cold also brings regular morning fog that rolls in from the sea and softens the light. When you ride a camel through that fog, with the ocean in the distance and the desert all around you, the experience feels unlike anything else.
The Camel Riding Part of the Tour
Camel rides near Swakopmund take place along the beach and the coastal desert dunes. Dromedary camels, the single-hump type, are used for all rides. They are well-trained and calm with first-time riders.
Getting on a camel is an experience on its own. It sits down, you climb on, and then it stands up in two lurching stages. You tip forward, then rock back. It is funny the first time.
Once moving, the ride is smooth and peaceful. Your guide walks beside you. You can ask questions, take photos, or just sit quietly and look at the landscape. Sunrise and morning rides are the most popular because the light is beautiful and the air is cool.
Heading South to Sandwich Harbour
After the camel ride, the tour continues by 4×4 to Sandwich Harbour, 56 kilometres south of Walvis Bay. Your guide crosses the tidal flats into the Namib-Naukluft National Park.
The dunes at Sandwich Harbour rise over 100 metres above the Atlantic. You stop at viewpoints high above the lagoon. Flamingos feed in the water below. Pelicans fly past in slow lines. The same quiet feeling you had on the camel follows you here.
This combination works well because both parts of the day are slow, calm, and very close to nature.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit is May to October. Mornings during this period are cool and the fog along the coast is most common, which makes the camel ride even more atmospheric. Rides are suitable for most ages and all fitness levels. Book a few days ahead during peak season to secure your spot.