street is Fleissige Biene, an outlet for home crafts. Karakulia Weavers sells woollen carpets and wall hangings made from karakul wool, woven into designs depicting Namibian animals and desert scenery. Heading south, Maid in Africa in Libertina Amathila Avenue stocks its own vibrant African fabric made into T-shirts, bags, cushions and placemats. The company also produces a range of artistic Namibian postcards, some with African sayings, others capturing interesting township signs and slogans. The cards have an African rhythm and theme, yet are contemporary and modern. Studio 77, a photographic studio and outlet, is situated next to the shop, selling fine-art prints of work by local Namibian photographers. Another great place to shop is Kitsch Collectables, situated just down the road, selling a range of cleverly recycled products, as well as funky collectable items. The Hoeka Toeka gift shop next to the Total Service Station in Sam Nujoma Avenue offers unique, handmade arts and crafts for sale. Namibian and African crafts are sold at two street markets. The first of these is situated opposite the old prison building on Moses Garoëb Street, and the second adjacent to The Mole, known as The Open Market.
Hand-crafted jewellery A special feature of the coastal town is its outstanding jewellery shops, staffed by master goldsmiths and specialised craftsmen and -women, who design individual pieces with local semiprecious stones in styles ranging from classic and contemporary to Namibian, African and European. One of Swakopmund’s top outlets for handcrafted jewellery is African Art Jewellers next to the Hansa Hotel on Hendrik Witbooi Street, with a second, duty-free shop in Sam Nujoma Avenue, Swakopmund’s main street. At the Imke Engelhard Design Studio, award-winning jewellery designer, Imke Engelhard, transforms locally produced traditional shell necklaces into oneof-a-kind works of art. An interesting museum-like shop to visit in terms of its mineral displays
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such as gigantic quartz crystal clusters is Kristall Galerie on the corner of Garnison and Bahnhof streets. It also offers jewellery featuring semiprecious stones for sale.
Art galleries The Swakopmund Arts Association is situated on the first floor of the historical Woermann House. It showcases a wide range of diverse Namibian art, as well as a selection of works by European artists. There are several commercial galleries in Swakopmund where contemporary Namibian art and crafts can be viewed and purchased. These include the Art Gallery in the Brauhaus Arcade; Die Muschel, which also sells books and prints and hosts a coffee shop; and in Sam Nujoma Avenue the Fine Art Gallery, which presents regular exhibitions. The first Alliance Française Cultural Centre was opened in Swakopmund in September 2010. Art exhibitions and tea-and-cake afternoons are held, films are shown, a library is hosted and French classes are offered in the centre.
Where to eat Swakopmund offers a plethora of restaurants, many testifying to the German heritage of the town, such as the Bistro Zum Kaiser, Brauhaus, Kücki’s Pub, and the Wurstbude. Coffee and German-style confectionery are served at Café Anton and Café Treff Punkt. Then there are Café Rosso, Wild Rocket Café, Pandora’s Box & Coffee Shop, Bojo’s Café, the funky Village Café, Slow Town Coffee Roasters, and Tea Time. Raith’s, the ever-popular Namibian bakery, deli, bistro and gelateria, is situated in the centre of town, and right around the corner the Art Africa Garden Café serves light, healthy meals. The Jetty 1905 offers seafood, sushi and oysters in a spectacular setting at the edge of the revamped jetty. At the Mole, an all-time favourite – the Strand Café – now boasts a new look and menu, while the iconic Strand Hotel, which has been recently reopened hosts four new eateries; Brewer & Butcher, The Ocean Cellar, Farmhouse Deli and Café Mole. Great light meals are served at the Tiger Reef beach bar.
Then there’s De Kelder, The Secret Garden Bistro, The Wreck, The Tug, 22 Degrees South, Desert Tavern, Western Saloon, Napolitana, Bits ‘N Pizzas, The Fish Deli, Driftwood, Garnish, Ocean Basket, Spur, and, and, and… A market with fresh produce from the Swakop environs is held every Saturday at Shalom Farm, just outside Swakopmund at the turn-off to Nonidas.
The Swakopmund environs The environmentally friendly Swakopmund Saltworks north of the town has been registered as a private nature reserve. The shallow expanses of water created to allow evaporation in the salt-producing process are ideal feeding grounds for thousands of wetland birds, such as greater and lesser flamingos. Damara terns breed on the surrounding desert plains and bring their young to the salt works to feed. Other visitors are rare great crested grebes and a large colony of Cape cormorants. The Swakopmund River Mouth is also a good place for birdwatching. Camel and horse rides are offered a short distance from the town. Cars and 4x4 vehicles can be hired to embark on day trips or safaris into the desert. Beach-buggy excursions to the beach, dunes or hinterland also include sundowner tours, hunting and fishing safaris, and dune and tyre surfing. Flights over the town and the shipwrecks along the coast can be expanded to include charter flights further afield, while specialised safaris take visitors to see the dune landscapes and plants of the desert. Reputable air-charter companies take visitors on short flips over the dunes.
WALVIS BAY While Walvis Bay is Namibia’s major harbour town, it is fast developing into a sought-after seaside holiday haven. Attractions are the lagoon with its prolific bird life and variety of recreational possibilities; a desert golf course; modern and comfortable hotels and a choice of restaurants; and activities such as sightseeing in a donkey cart and kayaking on the lagoon at sunrise. The town has a well-developed and efficient port, while its fishing harbour is the hub of Namibia’s lucrative fishing industry.