Things to do with kids in Swakopmund
Feb 15th, 2011, 03:40 AM
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Things to do with kids in Swakopmund
As part of a 5 weeks seldrive tour through Namibia and Botswana we have 4 days in Swakopmund in early july 2011. We will propably take a dolphin cruise and I have seen a tour called "the living desert tour" which is highly recommend. But is there any other activities we should do when were a in town?
The kids are aged 2(almost 3) and 7.
The kids are aged 2(almost 3) and 7.
Feb 15th, 2011, 12:44 PM
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If you haven't yet booked your accommodation in Swako, have a look at the Beach Lodge. We have stayed there twice, including a week for a conference (held in town, not the hotel) in 2008. The hotel is shaped like a boat and the nautical theme continues into the rooms. My daughter loved her bed, which was inside a cupboard with large double doors that had large "portholes" into the main room. The rooms have a kitchenette so you can self-cater if you wish. The hotel has a fabulous location right on the beach. Ask for a second floor room that will have a balcony overlooking the ocean - a little bit safer than having your 3-year-old disappear out of a main floor room with a patio onto the beach (the waves are large and the ocean is just 50m away). The breakfast, which is included with the room, is excellent - lots of hot and cold choices for youngsters. Dinner in the evening is very good - it is where the locals eat.
For children, the snake park is worth a visit - try to visit when the snakes are being fed.
I have been to much better aquariums, but young children would likely enjoy it.
There is sandboarding on the dunes. Even young children can partake - they have them sit rather than stand on the boards - tobogganing with an African twist! Bear in mind, however, that scaling a dune is not easy work and, after a turn or two, you will likely end up carrying your children up the dunes - tough work!
Turnstone Tours offer several excellent tours. Have a look at their website. We did the tour to Sandwich Harbour and it was excellent. The kids might find it a long day, but there were lots of stops along the way where we got out and walked on the dunes or along the beach. You might want to book private tours so that the guides can cater the tours to your children. Book online in advance - the company is very popular.
The Welwitschia Drive is a good self-drive but not a big thrill for children - too much "scenery". However, if you self-drive, you could pace with your children in mind. Pack a picnic and make a day of it. You will be able to stop as often and for as long as you like. When we purchased our permit for the drive ahead of time (which you are required to do) from the Ministry of the Environment and Tourism in Swako, they were out of the brochure which describes what you will see at each stop. Luckily, we had a copy of the Bradt Guide to Nambia, (which I would highly recommend), which had an excellent description of what was to be found at each of the stone beacons. I am certain you could find something online.
Plan to spend lots of time walking along the beach - the coast is spectacular.
Robin
For children, the snake park is worth a visit - try to visit when the snakes are being fed.
I have been to much better aquariums, but young children would likely enjoy it.
There is sandboarding on the dunes. Even young children can partake - they have them sit rather than stand on the boards - tobogganing with an African twist! Bear in mind, however, that scaling a dune is not easy work and, after a turn or two, you will likely end up carrying your children up the dunes - tough work!
Turnstone Tours offer several excellent tours. Have a look at their website. We did the tour to Sandwich Harbour and it was excellent. The kids might find it a long day, but there were lots of stops along the way where we got out and walked on the dunes or along the beach. You might want to book private tours so that the guides can cater the tours to your children. Book online in advance - the company is very popular.
The Welwitschia Drive is a good self-drive but not a big thrill for children - too much "scenery". However, if you self-drive, you could pace with your children in mind. Pack a picnic and make a day of it. You will be able to stop as often and for as long as you like. When we purchased our permit for the drive ahead of time (which you are required to do) from the Ministry of the Environment and Tourism in Swako, they were out of the brochure which describes what you will see at each stop. Luckily, we had a copy of the Bradt Guide to Nambia, (which I would highly recommend), which had an excellent description of what was to be found at each of the stone beacons. I am certain you could find something online.
Plan to spend lots of time walking along the beach - the coast is spectacular.
Robin
Feb 16th, 2011, 10:24 AM
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Thanks for the info Robin
We have booked accommodation, 4 nights at Hotel Deutches Haus, seems good and they have an indoor pool, which should be good for the kids. I will look into the other ideas
We have booked accommodation, 4 nights at Hotel Deutches Haus, seems good and they have an indoor pool, which should be good for the kids. I will look into the other ideas
Feb 16th, 2011, 03:12 PM
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Hi
Looks like the trip is coming together!
You mention a dolphin cruise, not sure if you mean the same thing but we did a great boat trip with Mola Mola Tours from Walvis bay http://www.mola-namibia.com/index.html - at the time they had a (wild) seal who jumped onto the boat to be fed and pose with the tourists - the kids would probably like that! If Robbie the seal is no more then at the time one or two other seals were trying to learn his trick (Surfing Sally being one of them!) so hopefully they still have the seals coming on board. Maybe someone who's been more recently could tell you though.
Looks like the trip is coming together!
You mention a dolphin cruise, not sure if you mean the same thing but we did a great boat trip with Mola Mola Tours from Walvis bay http://www.mola-namibia.com/index.html - at the time they had a (wild) seal who jumped onto the boat to be fed and pose with the tourists - the kids would probably like that! If Robbie the seal is no more then at the time one or two other seals were trying to learn his trick (Surfing Sally being one of them!) so hopefully they still have the seals coming on board. Maybe someone who's been more recently could tell you though.
