Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
It also harbours a reconstructed colonial home interior, Emil Kiewittand's apothecary
shop and an informative display on the Rössing Mine. Military buffs will appreciate the
stifling uniforms of the Camel Corps and the Shell furniture, so called because it was
homemade from 1930s depression-era petrol and paraffin tins.
National Marine Aquarium
(Strand St)
This waterfront aquarium provides an excellent introduction to the cold off-
shore world in the South Atlantic Ocean. Most impressive is the tunnel through the largest
aquarium, which allows close-up views of graceful rays, toothy sharks (you can literally
count all the teeth!) and other little marine beasties found on Namibia's seafood platters.
The place was getting a revamp when we called through in mid-2012, so drop in to check
out the admission price and opening hours.
AQUARIUM
Kristall Galerie
( 406080; cnr Garnison St & Theo-Ben Gurirab Ave; admission N$20; 9am-5pm
Mon-Sat)
This architecturally astute gallery features some of the planet's most incredible
crystal formations, including the largest quartz crystal that has ever been found. The adja-
cent shop sells lovely mineral samples, crystal jewellery, and intriguing plates, cups and
wine glasses that are carved from the local stone.
GALLERY
Living Desert Snake Park
( 405100; Sam Nujoma Ave; admission N$20; 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat)
This park houses an array of serpentine sorts. The owner knows everything you'd ever
want to know - or not know - about snakes, scorpions, spiders and other widely misun-
derstood creatures.
ZOO
Activities
Swakopmund is Namibia's main beach resort, but even in summer the water is never
warmer than around 15°C (remember, the Benguela current sweeps upwards from Antarc-
tica).
Swimming
in the sea is best in the lee of the Mole sea wall.
At the
lagoon
at the Swakop River mouth you can watch ducks, flamingos, pelicans,
cormorants, gulls, waders and other birds. North of town you can stroll along kilometres
