Cruise liner Special: Swakopmund and Namib Desert Treasures
Description
This is a coastal highlight tour, touching all the interesting sites in the Desert area in one tour. You get to experience this beautiful little Sea resort and all the unique features in the Namib Desert, as well as learning about the harsh History and Geology of this area. This is a Walvis Bay Tour going to Swakopmund and back to Walvis Bay. This tour is not a private tour. If you wish to have a private tour, you will be required to pay for the extra seats in the car.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Our Walvis Bay tour starts in the Walvis Bay Harbor or Walvis Bay Port, then we drive north towards Swakopmund, past the Bird Island, the only manmade Guano Island and into Swakopmund. At the Jetty we go for a walk on the Jetty and the Mole and share the history of this small German colonial town. We walk around and see some old buildings
We see old Hotels and Stations as we drive through the little town then we drive onto the gravel Plains of the Namib desert and our first stop is the Lichen field. This tiny plant is a joint venture between a mushroom and an algae, we learn how they compliment each other and how they survive
The gravel road takes us to various view points along the Moonlandscape. Traces of lava flow periods and ice ages are apparent all around you. You feel like you are on another planet, walking on the moon... We some Uranium exploration sites, and maybe some desert animals like Zebra or Springbuck
Goanikontes is an oasis in the Swakopmund River. Very important location for the history of the area as it was the first watering hole in the desert from Swakopmund, an old Police post and vegetable were grown here. We learn the interesting History as we pass through the dry river bed
Amazingly on the hard gravel plains where nothing grows we find the age old Welwitschia plant. This unique plant has no stem and only two leaves, it has adapted to absorb moisture from the fog and the little rain, and can grow to be hundreds of years old. There are male and female plants, these are pollenated by little brown and orange bugs that live in the plants. Thousands of seeds are produced that spread by the harsh prevailing winds. Nature is amazing
After a long ride through the desert we pass Dune 7 close to Walvis Bay. Unfortunately we do not climb the dune we only have time to view it. we sadly return to the Walvis Bay harbour
We Stop at the Flamingos in the Walvis Bay Lagune, here are more than 750 000 Birds, comprising 54 bird Species, palearctic migratory birds, pelicans terns and Cormorants can be seen from time to time.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Cruise Liners often come earlier or later than anticipated. We will be ready at the Harbour at the original time if Cruise liner comes early. We will WAIT FOR YOU if Cruise Liner comes in later. We normally have many guests on Cruise Liners, and you are very important to us. Please take note all cruise liner passengers. We stand in the port after the first gate with a Gazebo that has our logo on. Please note your guide will also stand with a name board. please note all Cruise Liner passengers, your tour pick up time starts an hour after you have docked. The tour will depart latest an hour and a half after the pick up time. Late comers are considered a no show
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This is not a private tour. If you want a private tour then rest of the seats in the vehicle must be paid locally. Please tell us on booking
- please note all Cruise Liner passengers, your tour pick up time starts an hour after you have docked. The tour will depart latest an hour and a half after the pick up time. Late comers are considered a no show
- We need at least two people to start the tour.
- This tour is ideal for Cruise liner guests
- We structure our pick up times along with the arrival times of the ship
- Should the ship dock late we will be waiting. for you to disembark
- German speaking guides are very scarce. These will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.
- Please note due to the scarcity of German guides we cannot guarantee a German speaking guide, in peak season or when a cruise liner is in the Harbour and 2000guests disembark.
Reviews(23)
There was a bit of chaos at the terminal with the guards limiting access for the tour guides and confusion about the meeting point, but after a few minutes, we met our tour guide Didi who took us on a fascinating tour of the Namib desert and the colonial town of Swakopmund. The 7h30m tour combined travel by 4WD through the desert and walking in town. We even had time for a delicious seafood lunch at a local restaurant. Didi was all the things you want in a guide- knowledgeable, personable, open to our requests, enthusiastic, and proud of his country. Before arriving to the port, we didn't know what to expect from our day in Namibia, but we left with a greater appreciation for the country and its people.
Thank you so much for your kind review! We're delighted you enjoyed the delicious lunch and that the guide made the experience even more special. Being flexible and sharing knowledge is what we strive for. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure. Thanks Uwe
First we had to wait 1.5 hours for other tour participants from another organizer,with 3 people sitting on the seat vank of a Toyota,no pleasure in the heat.Air conditioning worked only conditionally.Brunch and noon there was no.About 4 pm then unchilled meat etc what was in the morning in the heat in the car.Water and juice were then available for beverage selection.The tour ended after almost 6 hours.
Tut uns Wahnsinnig leid wie es gelaufen. Stimmt das es heiss war , stimmt auch das sie lange warten mussten auf die andere Gaeste die eine andere Buchungs zeit bekommen haben. Wir haben die Klimaanlage wieder vol Gas mach lassen haben, und wir haben mit dem Veranstalter so eben eine andere starten zeit vereinbart. Tut uns Wahnsinnig leid das es so gelaufen ist und hoffen das es nie wieder vorkommt. Wir sind bereit ihr geld fuer die Tour zurrueck zu erstatten. Wir werden es von unsere seite veranlassen. Wuenschen weiterhin eine gute Reise.
My companion is disabled but our guide, Victor did everything he could to make our day memorable - including accommodating my wish to see a museum not included on the schedule.
We're happy you experience. Glad you had a wonderful day out with Victor and that you got to the museum. Safe travels and thank you for visiting Namibia. Thanks Uwe
It was a very nice trip. We approached all points as in the description. But the excursion took place in reverse order, We had ordered travel in German and received only English-speaking guides. In Swakopmund only the tourist market at the Herero's and the Jetty was visited. Unfortunately, there was no one-hour walk through this interesting city, nor was the history of Swakopmund reported. There was no time for a coffee break. Upon request, a small city tour was added.
Danke die Empfehlung freut uns sehr die Tour war doch schoen. Tut uns leid das es doch mangel gaben. In einem Tag in Walvis Bay/Swakopmund wenn da 3000 Gaeste auf einer Aida oder Mein Schiff sind, gibt es in diesen kleinen Doerfer nicht genug Deutschspragige Guides. Deswegen sagen wir unten in der Beschreibung von der Tour und am Ende nochmals, unter Notizen, dass wir leider nicht ein Deutschspragigen guide bestaetigen koennen. Auch denken wir sie haben die normale Swakopmund City Tour beschreibung und Die Namib Highlights tour durcheinander.Da ist leider keine zeit fuer eine Kaffee pause und einkaufen auf dieser Tour weil die schon so etwa 8 Stunden lank ist. Ist egal wie rum man die Faehrt. Wir wissen aber auch das die ganzen Buesse nach Welwitschia Goanikontes fahren und es draengelt sehr, fahren wir die tour anders herum um bischen frieden zu haben, Die Mondlandschafft ist sehr still aber den Tag von einem grossen Kreuzfahrt Schiff ist es sehr laut und staubig. Die Swakopmund City Tour ist nur 4 stunden und da hat man Stadt bummeln, einkaufen, Kaffee trinken usw, Zeit fuer. Hoffentlich haben sie eine gute Erklärung und akzeptieren unsere Entschuldigung. Wuensche weiterhin eine gute Reise. Danke den Besuch und Schreiben.
If you do not want to see shoreline or dunes don't waste your time or money. Saw a flock of no more than 10 flamingos that were white. Tour consisted of an hour and a half bus ride to Swkaopmund an hour in town and another hour and a half ride back to the port. Your do get free admission to a disappointing museum no guide provided. The city may have historical, but it is not appearant and has not been preserved.
Thank you for your feedback. We're sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations. We take all feedback seriously and will review your concerns with our team. We look forward to welcoming you back for complimentary tour. Thanks Uwe
Namibia left me speechless! The sand dunes were like waves frozen in time — towering, golden, and endlessly beautiful 🏜️. Sliding down the dunes was pure adrenaline, and the view? Unreal. Then the ocean… meeting the desert at the coast felt like magic 🌊. Calm, wild, and peaceful all at once. Namibia’s natural beauty is something I’ll never forget.
Thank you for the wonderful review! Sandwich Harbour is Namibia's most spectacular destinations and they are magical. We're delighted you enjoyed the dune driving and breathtaking views. Thanks Uwe
Was a nice day with many stops, However, one should not rely on set times, although described in this way, the driver could not speak or understand any German. Otherwise many nice photo stops made. The snack for lunch was very nice and delicious. I would like to repeat this trip.
Danke die nette Empfehlung. Tut uns leid das wir nicht genug Deutschspragige Guides in Swakopmund haben. Freut mich aber dass sie eine Tolle tour hatten. Danke. Uwe
Beautiful landscape; sights were very interesting to see. Moonscape, river valley and the desert were all amazing. Lunch at the old ostrich farm was really nice. Not much information provided by the guide. Would have appreciated learning more about the area, geology, history, industry, etc. Despite booking a full day tour and all of us saying at the start that we wanted to see as much as possible as we likely wouldn't be back, the tour ended after only 5.5 hours. There was no time spent walking in Swakopmund, only time at the jetty, market, and two stops to take photos of buildings. Completely missed the stop at the Walvis Bay Harbour to see the flamingoes, so only saw them at a distance on bird island which was disappointing.
Thank you for your positive critism. Sorry to hear that the tour was not accordingly. I now do not know when it took place and who the guide was. We had other companies subcontracting on the last few Cruise liners as we did not have enough capacity. We apologize sincerely and will definitely make sure it does not happen again. Please accept sincere apologies. Uwe
All points were approached, but in Swakopmund hardly had time to see the old buildings (2 stops a 10 min pier and market at the lighthouse). Didn't make any stops at the old colonial buildings. The midday snack was delicious, sufficient and with plenty of drinks. Since we had to wait more than 30 minutes for other passengers, we were transferred to another vehicle. These guests had booked a 6 hour excursion, we one of 7.5 hours. The driver had been told that it was a 5 hour trip. He dropped us off at the ship after about 6 hours. This explains the missing time in Swapkopmund and the missing time. Our passengers also had a much cheaper price. So my rating: Service not provided!
Thank you for your feedback. We're sorry to hear that you felt there wasn't enough time in Swakopmund and that the colonial buildings weren't included in the itinerary. We appreciate your comments and will provide a more balanced experience in the future. We hope to welcome you back soon and offer a tour that is up to our clients expectations. Thanks Uwe
We took the Walvis Bay/Swakopmund excursion. The arrangements were all done professionally however the Tour Guide was not up to expectations and could have shown us so much more and made the trip far more interesting and worthwhile. Not value for money. We are going to Namibia next again and will definitely make other arrangements. A simple thing like a info pack could have gone a long way.
We are sorry to hear that you a bad experience. We are wondering if you were on tour with us or with the company that Sub contracted us. As we follow their lead for the Tours for the Cruise liner? They subcontract us from time to time, and they follow their own schedule, route and they have their own guides, we have not subcontracted with them since December. All the previous reviews rave about how nice a tour they had, and each Cruise liner only had one minibus out on this tour. We also don't have a Walvis Bay Swakopmund tour as such. If it was us, we sincerely apologize, but think it could rather be another company with a similar name. All our guides are qualified, talk a lot and are passionate about what they do and where they do it. Thats what we sell differently at Desert Dunes and Dust Tours. Please accept our apology if it was us you travelled with Uwe
