Top 10 new things to try at the coast

Text Sanet van Zijl | Main photo Xenia Ivanoff-Erb

1 FUEL YOUR INNER FOODIE AT ANY ONE OF THE NEW STRAND HOTEL’S FOUR EATERIES

First off, there’s the Brewer & Butcher at Strand Hotel Swakopmund, which is Namibia’s first microbrewery restaurant, with a rich blend of Namibian and German culture. It specialises in beef and game with an authentic German beer garden. Café Mole revives the tradition of ice cream at the Mole, transporting you back in time with a 1950s style American diner look. The Farmhouse Deli has a clean, country kitchen feel with ample seating and great service. This spacious delicatessen and bistro is filled with the smell of fresh homemade bread, pastries and Slow Town coffee. Last, but not least, The Ocean Cellar serves all manner of seafood from fish to oysters to sushi in a contemporary restaurant design focused on a show kitchen.

2 TOUR THE HISTORIC TOWN OR SURROUNDING DUNES WITH SWAKOPMUND FAT BIKE TOURS

Swakopmund Fat Bike Tours offers you an unforgettable and unique ecological Namibian cycling experience. You can experience the serenity of the oldest desert in the world with all your senses while almost effortlessly floating over pebbles and sand on a fat bike. There are three different tours to choose from – The Scenic Desert Tour, Low Tide Beach Cruise or Old City Swakopmund Tour. Contact details: +264 81 395 5813 or info@swakopfatbiketours.com.

3 LOVED GETTING SPICY IN WINDHOEK? WELL, GARNISH HAS JUST OPENED A BRANCH IN SWAKOPMUND

This is the destination for food lovers who look for authentic Indian cuisine served in a traditional way. Garnish specialises in various vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian dishes and also caters for vegans with a variety of options specially prepared for them. It is the perfect blend of taste, traditions and hospitality, celebrating an exotic and colourful culture. Garnish Swakopmund is situated on the corner of Tobias Hainyeko and Woermann Street. Contact details: 081 257 0488.

4 KICK OFF YOUR SHOES AND ENJOY A LAZY SUNDAY LUNCH BUFFET AT HENTIES BAY’S SOLITUDE BEACH RESTAURANT & BAR

Solitude is an open-air beach restaurant with a wonderful atmosphere, delicious food and spectacular views of the ocean. After working up an appetite during all your fun beach activities, take a break and refuel with your toes in the sand. Solitude has the best home-cooked style food that you won’t be able to get enough of. Think slow-roast lamb, sweet pumpkin and baked potatoes…sounds good, right? Contact details: 0818188247.

5 WATCH SPORT OR ENJOY A DRINK WITH FRIENDS AT THE ONLY SPORTS BAR & LOUNGE ALONG THE NAMIBIAN COAST AT THE LOCKER ROOM AT THE DOME IN SWAKOPMUND

Watch sport or enjoy a drink with friends at the only Sports Bar & Lounge along the Namibian coast at The Locker Room at The Dome in Swakopmund
The next time you’re at the coast and you need your sport fix, The Locker Room is where you need to go. This is the place where you can enjoy various live broadcasts of top sporting events as well as regular live musical performances. The Locker Room is situated on Level 1 of The Dome, Welwitschia Street, Swakopmund. Contact details: +264 64 40 0301.

6 ENJOY A COCKTAIL WITH THE GIRLS AT GONDWANA’S FUNKY NEW THE DELIGHT SWAKOPMUND

Amongst the town’s captivating contrasts and old traditions, Gondwana’s Delight is a fresh breeze in the desert. This brand-new hotel welcomed its first guests on the 1st of November. Every effort is made to surprise and delight guests with thoughtful touches and locally inspired reasons to smile. Enjoy the easy comfort of the hotel, the warm and welcoming service Gondwana is known for and the assistance provided by knowledgeable Delight hosts. Situated on the corner of Theo Ben Gurirab Avenue and Nathaniel Maxuilili Street, Swakopmund. Contact details: +26461 24 72 00.

7 WHY NOT ROUGH IT A LITTLE AND GO CAMPING AT NWR’S NEWLY UPGRADED CAMPSITES AT MILE 14

Camping is one of those activities that keeps you grounded (literally) and makes you appreciate the finer things in life, but while you’re there there’s so much to take in: enjoy the fresh air, the sunrise and sunset, the smell of the ocean, the sound of the crashing waves soothing you to sleep…it’s an adventure! Mile 14 offers electrified camping as well as a host of new facilities, including hot showers, flush toilets and a pub and grill restaurant. After being closed for nine years, it will re-open
on 9 December 2015.

8 GET ARTY AND ENJOY PROUDLY NAMIBIAN FARE AT THE COSDEC ARTS & CRAFTS CENTRE SWAKOPMUND

The centre serves as a sales hub for arts and craft products from Community Skills Development Centres (COSDECs) countrywide and also assists artists and artisans to further develop their unique skills and products. The Swakopmund Arts and Craft Centre will be reserved exclusively for Namibian arts and craft. Make sure you buy something authentically Namibian to remember your summer holiday or your trip to Namibia!

9 LEAVE THE COUCH BEHIND FOR A FUN AND ACTIVE DAY AT THE DOME SWAKOPMUND’S HEALTH & WELNESS CENTRE

The Dome Swakopmund has a state-of-the-art Health & Wellness Centre with a Gym and Indoor Swimming Pool. Memberships for a day or a week are available for visitors. At the Swakopmund Health & Wellness Centre they believe that today’s innovations should be natural and have minimal impact on Earth’s resources. The gym uses Mallia equipment from Germany, which employs sophisticated biometrical sensors to respond to your fitness levels and the aims you set.

10 GO ON A TRACTOR TRAIL WITH HAPPY TRAILS ALONG THE SWAKOP RIVER FOR A DIFFERENT SPIN ON THE REGULAR FAMILY OUTING

Rosenhof Self-catering Chalets offers something really different for group outings with family and friends: book an enjoyable Tractor Trail with Happy Trails along the Swakop River, two hours with snacks and drinks included (minimum 10 people, maximum 20 people). Contact Norbert at +264 81 124 9507.