General Information

We have two daily departures for this excursion: Our morning half-day Sandwich Harbour 4×4 Scenic Excursion starts every day at 08h30 (check-in at 08h15), returning at 12h30, while our afternoon half-day Sandwich Harbour 4×4 Scenic Excursion leaves from our offices at the Waterfront in Walvis Bay at 12h30 and returns at 16h30. Specific photographic excursions depart at 06h00 and 16h00 respectively, returning at 10h00 and 20h00. Please contact us regarding self-drive options.

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 cool drinks. 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 exhilarating 4×4 driving, before arriving back on the beach for an easy cruise home.

Option: Conclude the morning half-day Sandwich Harbour 4×4 Scenic Excursion with a barbecue lunch on the beach at Pelican Point. On concluding the excursion, we will stop at Pelican Point where a sit-down barbecue lunch will be served in a marquee tent on the beach. The lunch includes oysters, sparkling wine, beer and cool drinks, mussels, calamari, fish, beef fillet, de-boned 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, price on request)

PLEASE NOTE:

  1. For this activity all age groups are allowed.
  2. Children 4-12 years are half-price, under 3 years are free (ID proof required)
  3. Read carefully the Inclusions/Exclusions, Arrangements and Requirements box.

Price:

$144.00/ per person

$106.00/ per child