48 Hours In Swakopmund: A Heritage Hotel, Boat Cruise And Desert Adventure

Two days, a heritage hotel, a boat cruise, quad bikes, Atlantic views and enough chocolate mousse to make buttoned trousers feel like a poor life choice.

Invited by Legacy Hotels to experience Swakopmund and its hotel, I arrived ready to eat, explore and see how much Namibia would fit into 48 hours.

This coastal town brings together German architectural influences, Namibian hospitality, desert scenery and the Atlantic. After checking in at the Swakopmund Hotel, I was ready to get started.

A Stay In A Historic Railway Station

Built around the historic 1901 station building, which now forms part of its public spaces, the Swakopmund Hotel combines heritage with modern comforts.

My Standard Twin room had two beds, a private bathroom and everything I needed after travelling. I dropped my bag, kicked off my shoes and settled in.

The hotel’s facilities include:

• Mermaid Casino.
• A gym.
• A cinema.
• A pool.

Lunch at the Whistlestop Lounge brought our travel party together. We were a group of writers, so conversation, strong opinions and the occasional “did you know?” came with the meal.

Dinner Beside The Atlantic At The Tug

That evening, we headed to The Tug, one of Swakopmund’s waterfront restaurants.

Dinner beside the Atlantic felt like a fitting start to the trip. The catch of the day was kabeljou, beautifully grilled, followed by Ebony and Ivory chocolate mousse.

The fish was good. The mousse deserved a little extra attention.

A Walvis Bay Boat Cruise

Day two started with a boat cruise from Walvis Bay.

There were seals, open ocean views and a pelican far more interested in finding lunch than entertaining tourists. I tried making friends. The pelican had other priorities.

The cruise gave us a relaxed morning before we swapped the water for the dunes.

Quad Biking Through The Dunes

Quad biking sounded straightforward until I realised those peaceful-looking dunes were about to test my driving skills.

With my helmet on and the engine running, I followed the route across the sand. Climbing the dunes and seeing their scale up close was an absolute jol.

“It was one of those moments where you stop and think: OK, Namibia, I see you.”

Back near the hotel, I joined a stop at a nearby pub for a German beer before supper.

The Platform One Buffet

After a full day out, Platform One restaurant’s buffet was welcome.

I did a lap, assessed the options and returned with a plate suggesting I hadn’t eaten since breakfast. There was plenty of choice, wine on the table and good company.

By the end of the evening, I was full, tired and happy.

Would I Return To Swakopmund?

The Swakopmund Hotel gave us a comfortable base for two days of heritage, wildlife, desert activities and meals worth remembering.

Was 48 hours enough? Not for everything I wanted to do. But it was enough to make me want to return.

And my Namibian trip didn’t end there. Part Two is coming. Haibo, the jol wasn’t over yet.

This trip was hosted by Legacy Hotels.

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