Swakopmund

Black forest cake and in the middle of Africa

Cooling off at the coast - especially in the African Summer between December and January Swakopmund is Namibia's popular holiday resort. Due to strong currents in the Atlantic it is only recommended to take a bath at a small bay close to Strand hotel - however the water is usually very cold...but invigorating! At times you may even make out fountains of whales at the horizon.

Many buildings still in the old colonial style

Like no other place in Namibia Swakopmund has been shaped by the German culture due to its colonisation between 1884 and 1915. You can stroll through the shops downtown eat black forest cake, try "Jägerwurst" (hunters sausages) aswell as wholewheat-bread from German bakeries and cafes. Houses in the old colonial style, German kindergardens or private schools also indicate the strong influence of European language and culture even after the end of colonization. However, after independence part of the streets have been renamed after national heroes or politicians - so Kaiser-Wilhelm-Street is now Sam Nujoma Avenue.

Music and cultural life alongside Namibia's coast

Swakopmund and Walvis Bay have become a vibrant cultural centre of the coastal region with a variety of artists and musicians. The "Seaside Singers" for example - a group of eight musicians between 19 and 25 - are well known for their "tip tap dance style" as well as new arrangements of African Beats. They are singing and performing in churches, at official functions, hospitals, prisons, old age homes, schools, weddings or fundraising events. Audio tracks of the Seaside Singers can be found across the website - one on the player to the right.