Sandwich Harbour 4x4 Scenic Excursion - Half Day
Sandwich Harbour - part of the Namib Naukluft Park - is a place many have heard of but very few have ever visited. Giant sand dunes run straight into the ocean, creating breathtaking sceneries and unique landscapes, just waiting to be discovered!
Our morning half-day Sandwich Harbour 4x4 Scenic Excursion starts at 08h30 (check-in at 08h15) and returns at around 12h30.
Our afternoon half-day Sandwich Harbour 4x4 Scenic Excursion starts at 12h30 (check-in at 12h15) and returns at around 16h30.
Photographers, join our daily photographic excursion from 16h00 (check-in at 15h45), returning at 20h00. Early morning photography departures on request.
Departing from the Walvis Waterfront, we do a short break at the Walvis Bay Lagoon to see masses of flamingos and other coastal birds that reside in and around the lagoon at different times of the year.
From here, the drive initially takes us to the Kuiseb river delta, a dry riverbed where the odd springbok, oryx or jackal may be spotted. As this area forms part of our Kuiseb Delta Concession, we are the only activity operator allowed to access this area.
If weather and tides allow, we will drive right to the Sandwich Harbour Lagoon along the beach, one of Southern Africa’s richest and unique wetlands and one of five RAMSAR sites (Ramsar site no. 743) in Namibia. Sandwich Harbour boasts two distinct wetlands and associated mudflats. One is aquifer-fed and supports typical emergent vegetation, but is slowly disappearing due to natural causes.
The second, under tidal influence, consists of mudflats and raised shingle bars. Wedged between the sea and the Namib Dunes, it is one of Namibia's most important coastal wetlands, supporting eight endangered species among the large numbers of wading birds. Several archaeological sites dating back 1,000 years exist within the site. Human activities have included fishing, guano collection, and hunting. If our vehicles cannot drive all along the beach to get to Sandwich Harbour because of high tide, you will get a chance to see the lagoon area from one of our many beautiful lookout spots and will have the time to walk and explore. We have lots of time to stop along the way for photography.
When it becomes time to enjoy something to eat, your guide simply finds a suitable place to stop and serves a selection of oysters and snacks with sparkling wine, beers and cooldrinks. We usually do this on top of a high dune overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, between the dunes or on the beach.
Our excursion will take us past the area’s typical fauna and flora. Animals which have developed ways to adapt to the desert include the black-backed jackal, fog-basking beetle, dancing spider (‘white lady of the Namib’), golden mole, shovel-snouted lizard, palmato gecko, springbok, oryx, brown hyena and ostrich. Endemic to the central Namib Desert, the !Nara plant has adapted well to the desert: Its tap root can reach more than 15m into the ground to reach water resources. They have no leaves to lower loss of water by transpiration.
The route homewards takes us over spectacularly high dunes and guests will experience some exilarating 4x4 driving, before arriving back on the beach for an easy cruise home.
Gallery
Itinerary
Walvis Bay Lagoon - Sandwich Harbour Lagoon
Meet at the Sandwich Harbour 4x4 office.
Our tour starts every morning at 08h30 (check-in at 08h15) or in the afternoon at 13h00 (check-in at 12h45) at the Sandwich Harbour 4x4 office at the Waterfront in Walvis Bay. After a short break at the Walvis Bay Lagoon to see masses of flamingoes, the drive takes us to the Kuiseb river delta, a dry riverbed where we look for smaller creatures inhabiting the dunes, such as the Palmato gecko and the Sidewinder snake.
Sandwich Harbour Lagoon
If weather and tides allow, we will drive right to the Sandwich Harbour Lagoon, one of Southern Africa’s richest and unique wetlands. Wedged between the sea and the Namib Dunes, potable water seeping from the underground aquifer sustains the freshwater vegetation at the base of the dunes.
If our vehicles cannot drive all along the beach to get to Sandwich Harbour because of the tides, you will get a chance to see the lagoon area from one of our many beautiful lookout spots and will have the time to walk and explore. We have lots of time to stop along the way for photography.
Snacks overlooking the Atlantic Ocean or majestic dunes
We stop along the way to enjoy our world famous oysters, sparkling wine, savoury snacks, and drinks. Depending on the weather condition, we do this on top of a high dune overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, on the beach, or among the dunes.
Back to Sandwich Harbour 4x4 HQ
The route homewards will take us past the areas typical fauna and flora. Animals which have developed ways to adapt to the desert include the black-backed jackal, fog-basking beetle, dancing spider (white lady of the Namib), golden mole, shovel-snouted lizard, palmato gecko, springbok, oryx, brown hyaena and ostrich.
Endemic to the central Namib Desert, the Nara plant has adapted well to the desert: Its tap root can reach more than 15m into the ground to reach water resources and they have no leaves to lower loss of water by transpiration. The Nara can live to over a 100 years.
Optional:
Conclude the morning half-day Sandwich Harbour 4x4 Excursion with a barbeque lunch on the beach at Pelican Point. On concluding the excursion, we will stop at Pelican Point where a sit-down barbeque lunch will be served in a marquee tent on the beach. The lunch includes oysters, sparkling wine, beer and coldrinks, mussels, calamari, fish, beef fillet, deboned pork neck steaks, roasted vegetables, greek salad rolls with butter, cheese and jam, fresh fruit, rum truffles, coffee and tea. A luxury mobile loo is also provided. (10 Guests minimum)
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