Swakopmund has grown in popularity as a place to embark on adrenaline activities and is known as the adventure-travel capital of Namibia. But if you’re traveling with kids, you might not want them jumping out of a plane or motorbiking down a sand dune. Here are six family friendly activities to do in Swakopmund.
Visit the Swakopmund Museum
This museum is located near the lighthouse and was built at the site of the old harbor warehouse that got destroyed by a British warship. Kids will enjoy learning about Namibia’s cultural history and the local flora and fauna. There is also a reconstructed colonial home interior, a cool apothecary shop, and interesting war memorabilia from the 1930s.
Go horseback riding
Horseback riding is one of the best experiences in Swakopmund and is definitely more low-key than jumping out of a plane. You can go out for as short as an hour or as long as a few days (including riding on overnight trails). If your kids haven’t been horseback riding before, there is also a school that teaches horseback riding to get them prepped for the trip. Visit the Okambe Horse Trails website for more information on trips in the area and pricing.
Take a tour of the Woermannhaus
This historic German-style building was built in 1905 for the offices of the Damara & Namaqua Trading company. For it’s age, it’s in excellent shape and was fully restored back in the 1970s after being declared a national monument. The fantastic green and yellow architecture make a great spot for photo opportunities and the library inside is full of old books worth exploring. There’s even a card catalog — good luck trying to explain it to your kids.
See some fish at the aquarium
The National Marine Aquarium of Namibia is a fantastic place to see the sea life that lurks off the coast of Namibia without getting wet. Although the aquarium is not that large, it’s still worth stopping in for an hour or so to entertain the kids. One of the cool features is the glass tunnel where fish swim all around you. There are also detailed descriptions of all the tanks that helps make it an educational experience, too.
Go on a scenic flight
Bring the kids on a scenic flight of Swakopmund and the surrounding area for incredible views of the coast and the dunes. While you can take in the nature of Namibia from the ground, you can truly see how wild the landscape is from above. And we promise, you don’t have to jump out of the plane. Flights leaving from Swakopmund can take your family on several routes, including flights over Sossusvlei, the incredible Skeleton Coast, or the Brandberg Mountains. Visit Pleasure Flights to book a flight or find out more information.
Take a day trip to the Skeleton Coast
Just outside Swakopmund, you’ll find one of the most surreal areas on the planet. And if you’re kids are a fan of pirate ships, they’re sure to get a kick out of the eerie Skeleton Coast. It’s home to dozens of shipwrecks that have washed up on shore over the centuries, and the National West Coast Recreation Area portion is pretty easy to reach from Swakopmund. Stop off for awhile and explore the area so your kids can get a glimpse of how tough life on the sea can be. You’ll also likely run into seals in the area.
More from AFKTravel:
15 Must-Do Swakopmund Experiences
Swakopmund Adventures: Air, Land and Sea
Kid-Friendly Cape Town: Where To Go For Family Fun In And Around The Mother City
This article was originally published on June 15, 2015.
