Wikipedia calls Swakopmund a city by the sea, but a more accurate description would be a town with the longest and most beautiful stretch of beach.
Swakopmund sits perched precariously between the ice-cold Atlantic and the unforgiving but hauntingly beautiful Namib Desert, making it quite the natural oasis. And for the intrepid traveller, this coastal gem offers a smorgasbord of fun-filled experiences, as it is a place where charm and adventure collide to create one truly epic Namibia holiday destination.
From sandboarding down colossal dunes, with their ochre slopes whispering secrets of forgotten shipwrecks or taking a lazy stroll along the cobbled streets lined with candy-coloured, half-timbered buildings, to indulging in freshly caught seafood while the scent of apfelstrudel and bratwurst wafts from nearby cafes, Swakopmund is a must visit place.
What are the most interesting facts about Swakopmund, Namibia?
Beyond the obvious allure, Swakopmund boasts a treasure trove of interesting tidbits.
Like, did you know that this seaside haven was founded by German colonists in 1892? Or that the iconic Swakopmund Railway Station, now a luxurious hotel, once served as a vital transport hub linking the town to the hinterland? And have you heard of the mischievous desert chameleons and lizards that call the surrounding dunes home, and how these masters of disguise blend in so well with their sandy homes that they mostly go unseen?
Swakopmund will leave you spellbound, begging for more.
So, pack your curiosity, strap on your sense of adventure, and let’s have a look at some of the most incredible fun facts about Swakopmund that you probably didn’t know.
1. Its name tells a story
The origins of the name of the town are one of the most commonly asked questions because it does sound rather strange and unusual as it rolls off the tongue.
Swakop relates to the name of the Swakop River, while the word “mund” means mouth. The word “swakop” is thought to come from the San words “xwaka” and “ob”, which means Rhinoceros and river. After the arrival of the Germans, the name was given a German touch and transformed from “xwaka ob” to “Swachaub” to finally becoming “Swakopmund” – the Mouth of the Rhino River.
The funny thing is that rhinos were not considered native to the area until fossilised footprints were discovered under the sands of nearby Walvis Bay. After that, suddenly the name made a little more sense.
2. Its surrounding dunes are always changing
The winds of the Namib Desert constantly shift the sands of the desert, causing the dunes to change their shapes. While the changes might not always be obvious to the naked eye, if you occasionally travel here and pay attention to the dunes, you will notice that they have an almost life-like character in the way that they move over time.
The highest dune in the area can be found between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund; it stands at an impressive 115 meters and it moves at least 2 meters every year.
3. It is home to the shovel-snouted lizard
And they are gutsy little creatures, despite their small size.
The shovel-snouted lizards have serrated toes and when males fight, their go-to fighting method is to bite off each other’s toes. The toes will grow back, but while the toes grow, the males won’t be interested in trying to mate, thus the competition eases up a little.
If you want to have a memorable experience, you can catch one and let it bite onto your earlobe. In doing so, you will be wearing the most fashionable, au naturel earrings you could possibly imagine!
These same lizards also “dance”. When the desert surface gets too hot underfoot, you can see these critters running upright across the sand.
4. It is also home to the Namaqua Chameleon
The cute Namaque chameleon blends almost invisibly into its habitat and spotting one when out exploring the dunes around Swakopmund is always an exciting occasion. This chameleon is the fastest in the world and can move across the sands at around 3km an hour.
5. It has the largest seal colony in all of Africa
Some 50,000 seals have made their home on the beaches in and around Swakopmund. A popular tourist pastime is to sit and watch the seals playing amongst themselves. The seals also make for a stunning photo opportunity.
6. It has its very own Oktoberfest!
Swakopmund is German, very German, at least when it comes to its cultural heritage. The town was built by German settlers and to this day the settlement stays true to its roots. So if you find yourself in the area in October, get ready for a beer-fueled party. Swakopmund’s Oktoberfest is the biggest beer festival in all of Namibia and attracts all sorts of characters.
7. It is a melting pot of culture
You already know that the town has a heavy German influence, but while that was once the dominant culture, today Swakopmund is a beautiful and fascinating mix of people. The town is home to German descendants, who are now Namibians, as well as people of Owambo and Damara origin. In the town, you can also indulge in traditional food, listen to traditional music, and take home all sorts of traditional souvenirs.
So, what is Swakopmund known best for?
This idyllic town is the perfect Namibia holiday destination for a traveller wanting an urban experience, or it can be the ultimate laidback stopping point for those enjoying a safari getaway.