Swakopmund and Walvis Bay

Walk along the promenade in Swakopmund and it can feel more like a seaside town in Germany than anywhere in Namibia, a legacy of its colonial-era architecture and street names. Just down the coast, Walvis Bay has a working harbour and a large lagoon that draws flocks of flamingos, alongside boat trips out to see seals and dolphins. Between the two, this stretch of coast makes a good change of pace after time in the desert, with good seafood restaurants to boot.