Namibia: Gondwana Collection Namibia launches free Hop’n’Go2 city shuttle in Windhoek! [update]

update (17 December 2025): Gondwana Collection has introduced its free Hop’n’Go2, a free city shuttle service for tourists, in Swakopmund . The service is available since 05 December 2025 and will end on 02 January 2026. Operating days are Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (excluding public holidays: 10, 25, 26 December & 1 January). The service hours are 18:00 – 22:00.

Gondwana Collection Namibia has unveiled Hop’n’Go2, a free city shuttle service for tourists in Windhoek, running throughout October 2025, with plans to extend to Swakopmund in December 2025. The shuttle loops between Windhoek's top hotels, restaurants, and nightlife hotspots, but it’s more than just transport. Passengers enjoy curated city maps, traveller guides with cultural insights, eco-conscious tips, and quick access to extra services via onboard QR codes.

Here’s the twist: Hop’n’Go2 isn’t bookable. Operating on a first-come, first-served basis, the bright yellow shuttles cruise Windhoek's city centre evenings only, ideal for short in-city trips. Each GPS-tracked vehicle is driven by trained freelance drivers employed by Gondwana Collection Namibia, ensuring a safe and reliable ride.

This initiative is part of Gondwana Collection Namibia's Tourism Heroes campaign, launched in 2023 to celebrate those who champion safety, hospitality, and kindness across Namibia’s tourism industry. Hop’n’Go2 not only makes city travel easier but also immerses visitors in the vibrant local culture along the way.

Gondwana Collection Namibia is a leading hospitality group in Namibia, offering a network of eco-friendly lodges, hotels, and resorts across the country. Known for combining comfort, sustainability, and authentic local experiences, Gondwana Collection Namibia supports responsible tourism while connecting visitors to Namibia’s rich landscapes, wildlife, and culture. 

Namibia: Swakopmund’s National Marine Aquarium still closed as renovation delays continue!

Latest update – 02 September 2026:

Swakopmund's National Marine Aquarium remains officially closed for renovations, with no reopening timetable publicly announced.  

Latest update – 14 August 2026: 

There have been no significant new developments regarding the renovation of Swakopmund's National Marine Aquarium since the previous update on 11 July. The aquarium remains closed, and there has been no confirmed start date for physical renovation work or reopening date announced. The project remains associated with the government's 2026/27 financial-year target, but travellers should continue to assume that the aquarium is closed until further notice. 

Last update - 11 July 2026

There have been no major developments since June 2026. Swakopmund's National Marine Aquarium remains closed while planning for the long-awaited structural renovation continues. Authorities have not yet announced the start of construction or a reopening date, and travellers should continue to assume the attraction will remain closed until further notice 

Last update - 01 June 2026

As of 01 June 2026, there have been no major new developments regarding the renovation of Swakopmund's National Marine Aquarium. The facility remains closed, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform confirming that the project is still in the planning phase and that physical renovation work has not yet started. Officials say a feasibility study is still being finalised to determine the full scope and cost of repairs, while key structural upgrades remain scheduled for the 2025/26 financial year. No official reopening date has been announced, and travellers should continue to expect the aquarium to remain closed until further notice. 

Last update - 21 April 2026

As of April 2026, Swakopmund's National Marine Aquarium remains closed, with no confirmed start to physical renovation works despite earlier plans for repairs to begin during the 2024/25 financial year. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform says the project is still in the planning phase, with engineers and architects finalising a feasibility study to determine the full scope and final cost of repairs. Government documents continue to target completion around the 2026/2027 financial year, but no official reopening date has been announced and travellers should still assume the aquarium will remain closed until further notice.

Latest update – 22 March 2026 

The National Marine Aquarium in Swakopmund has been closed since October 2023 for major renovations due to structural damage from prolonged seawater exposure. While the project is included in Namibia’s 2025/26–2027/28 national budget and planned as a multi-year capital initiative under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, physical construction had not yet started as of early 2026, and no official reopening date has been announced. Government documents indicate the renovation is expected to be completed around the 2026/2027 financial year, but travelers should continue to assume the aquarium remains closed until a formal update is released. 

Latest update – 22 January 2026
 
As of January 2026, the National Marine Aquarium in Swakopmund remains closed while renovation plans continue to be developed. Although a major refurbishment project was announced to address structural and facility upgrades, no physical construction has yet commenced, and bureaucratic and planning delays have extended the timeline. The responsible authorities have not confirmed a reopening date, and the facility is expected to remain closed until the renovation plan is fully approved and implementation begins. Visitors are advised to check with official Namibian tourism sources or local contacts for the latest updates before planning a visit. 

update (07 November 2025): The National Marine Aquarium in Swakopmund is still closed with renovation plans progressing slowly due to administrative and planning delays, with reopening expected no earlier than 2027.

Swakopmund's popular National Marine Aquarium, a longstanding attraction for tourists and marine enthusiasts in Namibia, remains closed more than a year after a major N$20 million renovation project was announced. Despite initial plans to upgrade the facility - the first such overhaul since its opening nearly 30 years ago - no physical construction has started.
The three-year capital project, spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform in partnership with the Ministry of Works and Transport, was meant to revitalise the aging facility with modern infrastructure and improved visitor amenities. However, progress has stalled.
According to ministry spokesperson Julia Nekwaya (June 2025), the renovation is still in the planning phase, with a comprehensive feasibility study currently underway. This study is being conducted by a team of engineers, architects, and quantity surveyors who are determining the full scope of the work required and establishing final cost estimates.
Originally set for completion by March 2025, the feasibility study has been delayed due to administrative restructuring within government departments - specifically the merger of the former Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources into the broader ministry now overseeing the project.
The National Marine Aquarium in Swakopmund has long served as an educational hub, marine research facility, and key tourism attraction on Namibia's Atlantic Coast. Stakeholders are concerned that the prolonged closure affects both the local economy and public access to marine education.

The N$20 million renovation aims to:

• Upgrade the 30-year-old infrastructure to meet current standards
• Refresh the design and layout to enhance functionality and appeal
• Enhance educational displays and interactive exhibits
• Create a more engaging and informative experience for tourists, families, and school groups
• Fix critical infrastructure problems, such as recurring flooding incidents
• Improve building durability and long-term safety
• Implement systems and materials to improve energy efficiency and reduce maintenance costs
• Reinforce the aquarium’s role as a national asset for marine education, research, and eco-tourism
• Support Swakopmund's tourism economy by revitalising a major attraction
• Maintain the aquarium’s function as a scientific and educational resource for schools and universities 

Despite the delays, officials remain optimistic that the project will proceed once the feasibility study is completed.

When Will the Aquarium Reopen?

No official reopening date has been announced. Given the current progress and the three-year scope of the project, the National Marine Aquarium in Swakopmund may remain closed until at least 2027.

 

Subscribe for updates:

Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates, border info, road alerts, and travel inspiration for Southern Africa. 

Swakopmund: Mole beach and surrounds set for major upgrade! [update #3]

update (18 December 2025): The cubicles at the Swakopmund Mole have been upgraded, creating a welcoming space for both visitors and local residents. The wooden tower (lighthouse) is currently being assembled off-site and will be installed at a later stage, with completion expected by the end of January 2026. 

update (20 November 2025): As of November 2025, the Mole Cubicles Upgrade Project in Swakopmund is progressing as planned and is expected to reach completion by December 2025. 

update (18 September 2025): The target completion date has shifted: the project is now expected to be finished by December 2025, rather than October 2025. 

Exciting changes are coming to Mole beach and surrounds in Swakopmund, as the Swakopmund Municipality launches the Mole Cubicles Upgrade Project, a N$4.8 million development aimed at enhancing the area for visitors and local entrepreneurs.
The project includes the construction of enclosed storage cubicles designed for SMEs showcasing arts and crafts, providing a vibrant space for local talent. A stunning wooden lighthouse tower will also be built, featuring four toilets, a security services room, and a sea rescue room - boosting both convenience and safety.
To improve swimming and boating regulations, the new lighthouse will be equipped with boom facilities to monitor the launching area effectively. This upgrade ensures a better-organized, safer experience for all beachgoers.
The Swakopmund Municipality officially handed over the construction site on 26 March 2025, with project completion expected by October 2025. Once finished, the revamped Mole beach will not only enhance Swakopmund's coastal charm but also provide valuable opportunities for local businesses while ensuring a safer, more enjoyable environment for visitors.

Namibia: Temporary closure of culvert on B2 road between Swakopmund and Arandis!

The Namibian Roads Authority (RA), responsible for maintaining and developing Namibia's road network, has announced on 01 March 2025 the temporary closure of a culvert on the B2 road between Swakopmund and Arandis, about 16 kilometers from Swakopmund. The closure is due to structural cracks in the culvert. Although the structure remains intact despite its age, the RA is taking precautionary measures to ensure public safety. As a result, this section of the road will remain closed until further notice. Road users are advised to exercise caution and follow alternative routes as directed.

Namibia: National Marine Aquarium in Swakopmund closed to the public until further notice! [update]

update (07 April 2025): In April 2024, the Namibian Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister Derek Klazen announced that renovations of the National Marine Aquarium in Swakopmund would commence during the 2024/2025 financial year. However, as of April 2025, there have been no further updates on the reopening date. 

The Namibian Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) has announced that the National Marine Aquarium in the coastal town of Swakopmund is closed to the public with immediate effect due to major repairs and rehabilitation work to be conducted in the facility. According to the Ministry, years of exposure to seawater has caused damage to many of the external and internal concrete structures of the Aquarium as well as the steel reinforcing inside the concrete. The extent of the structural damage is not known yet, so that the exact period of the closure can currently not be determined. However, the Ministry expects the closure to last "for several months, or even up to the end of 2024." We'll keep you posted!

The National Marine Aquarium in Swakopmund was inaugurated by former Namibian President Dr. Sam Nujoma in 1995. The main display of the Aquarium is the oval tank with a capacity of 320 000 liters of seawater and an eight meter acrylic viewing tunnel. It hosts most of the Namibian angling fish species, such as cob, galjoen, steenbras and kolstert. Intertidal specimens are displayed in 17 smaller exhibits.

Namibia: Dune 7 in the Dorob National Park temporarily closed for renovations! [update]

update (19 January 2023): Dune 7 reopened to the public on 24 December 2022!

The Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has announced that Dune 7 in the Dorob National Park in Namibia's Erongo Region is temporarily closed until 15 December 2022. According to the Ministry the closure of the recreational area is to allow for upgrade and renovation of ablution facilities and other tourism infrastructure of the area. The closure will also allow the Ministry to clean up the area ahead of the expected influx of people to the coastal areas of the country during the festive season 2022/23.
Dune 7 is the highest dune in Namibia with a height of over 380 meters. The dune is located in the Dorob National Park, which forms the link between the Skeleton Coast National Park in the north and the Namib Naukluft Park in the south along the Namibian Atlantic coast.

Namibia introduces entry fees for Dune 7 in the Dorob National Park! >>

Namibia introduces entry fees for Dune 7 in the Dorob National Park!

The Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has announced that it is currently upgrading recreational facilites and the infrastructure at Dune 7 in the Dorob National Park in Namibia's Erongo Region. The exisiting ablution facilities and braai facilites are getting renovated, while two new ablution facilities and five new braai facilites are getting contructed. A cable fence around the recreational area is getting erected and an entrance gate and reception office is getting constructed. The upgrade of the facilites and infrastructure at Dune 7 will enable the Ministry to implement and charge park entry fees (as approved and gazetted in 2021). The envisaged entrance fee will assist in ensuring that the standards of the facilities at Dune 7 is maintained. In accordance with the approved park entry fees, the fee structure will be as follows from 01 December 2022:

• No charge for Namibians under the age of 16 years
• No charge for children under the age of 8 years for all nationals
• Namibias over the age of 16 years will be charged N$50
• Visitors from SADC countries over the age of 8 years and not exceeding 16 years will be charged N$50
• Visitors from other countries over the age of 8 years and not exceeding 16 years will be charged N$100
• Visitors from SADC countries over the age of 16 years will be charged N$100
• Visitores from other countries over the age of 16 years will be charged N$150

In a long term, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism will offer the recreational area at Dune 7 as a tourism concession in accordance with the Tourism Development Plan for Dorob National Park.

Photo by Grant Durr on Unsplash

Dune 7 is the highest dune in Namibia with a height of over 380 meters. The dune is located in the Dorob National Park, which forms the link between the Skeleton Coast National Park in the north and the Namib Naukluft Park in the south along the Namibian Atlantic coast.

Swakopmund/Walvis Bay: MR44 renamed to Dr. Hifikepunye Pohamba Freeway!

Namibia has renamed the MR44, which runs behind Dune 7 and connects the coastal towns of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund in the Erongo Region. The dual lane Main Road (MR) was renamed after Hifikepunye Pohamba, the second president of Namibia. The Dr. Hifikepunye Pohamba Freeway starts from the Swakopmund Interchange to Walvis Bay town and also links to the Walvis Bay Airport (WVA). 

Hifikepunye Pohamba, born 1935, served as the second president of Namibia from 21 March 2005 to 21 March 2015. He was also the president of SWAPO (South West Africa People's Organisation) from 2007 until his retirement in 2015. Prior to his presidency, Hifikepunye Pohamba served in various ministerial positions, beginning at Namibia's independence in 1990.

Namibia: FlyNambia to launch "safari routes" in 2022! [update]

update (29 March 2022): FlyNamibia Safaris will commence on 13 April 2022. Departing from Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek, the daily circuit includes flights to Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Etosha National Park and Twyfelfontein.

update (03 March 2022): FlyNamibia Safaris will commence in April 2022. Departing from Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek, the daily circuit includes flights to Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Etosha National Park and Twyfelfontein.

src.: https://www.flynamibia.com.na

update (27 January 2022): According to news sources from Namibia, FlyNamibia is launching daily flights to Sesriem, Swakopmund, Etosha National Park and Twyfelfontein from April/May 2022! 

Namibian privately-owned airline FlyNamibia, previously known as FlyWestair, is set to launch a safari schedule of daily connections between Eros Airport (ERS) in Windhoek and Etosha National Park, Sossusvlei in the southern part of the Namib Desert and the coastal city of Swakopmund. The new "safari routes" will be introduced in May 2022 April 2022. The airline is also planning to introduce daily flights to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and to increase flights to Katima Mulilo in Namibia's Zambezi Region from the current three weekly flights to daily flights. We'll keep you posted!

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

Coronavirus pandemic: Namibia imposes a travel ban on Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Arandis in the Erongo Region!

Namibia's President Hage Geingob today (06 July 2020) announced in a televised press conference that the current stage four measures in the country will be maintained for all 13 regions with exception of the Erongo Region, which remains under stage three until midnight on 03 August 2020. President Geingob said additional measures are necessary for the Walvis Bay Local Authorty area, the Swakopmund Local Authority area and the Arandis Local Authority area, which have been placed under a special dispensation. This is due to the exponential increase of cases of Covid-19 in the Walvis Bay Local Authorty area. The introduction of these measures is done with the sole objective of containing the spread of disease within and beyond these three towns.
The Government of Namibia has imposed a travel ban with the exception of essential and critical goods and services on the Walvis Bay Local Authorty area, the Swakopmund Local Authority area and the Arandis Local Authority area. No travel into our out of these three Local Authority areas will be permited until midnight on 03 August 2020. Travel between other towns in the Erongo Region and to the rest of Namibia will be permited, with exception of the Walvis Bay Local Authorty area, the Swakopmund Local Authority area and the Arandis Local Authority area. Any person leaving the Walvis Bay Local Authorty area, the Swakopmund Local Authority area and the Arandis Local Authority area to any part of the country - apart from providers of critical goods and services - will be quarantined for a period of 14 days at own cost.
As of 06 July 2020, 485 Covid-19 cases have been confirmed in Namibia. Of the total number of cases confirmed nationally, 436 (or 90% ) are from the Erongo Region, with 391 of these cases specifically in the Walvis Bay Local Authorty area.

Namibia: Walvis Bay remains in stage one; lockdown extended to the entire Erongo Region!

The Government of Namibia has decided not to lift the current lockdown in Walvis Bay and to extent it to the entire Erongo Region, including Swakopmund. According to a statement by Namibia's President Dr. Hage G. Geingob, observations show that members of the public in Walvis Bay are not adhering to lockdown measures. This behaviour increases the potential for community spread and the risk level for the coastal town and surrounding towns is high. As a matter of fact, this non-compliance necessitates more stringent measures to curb the spread beyond Walvis Bay. Effective from midnight tonight (08 June 2020) until midnight 22 June 2020, the Government of Namibia will enforce stage one restrictions of its four-stage strategy to curb the spread of the coronavirus in Walvis Bay and the entire Erongo Region. To date, Namibia has recorded 31 COVID-19 cases with 16 recovery cases.

Namibia: Swakopmund's elephant bull has finally been relocated! [update]

update (21 April 2020): According to the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MET) the elephant was kept in a one-hectare temporary release pen at N/a'an ku sê Wildlife Sanctuary for two days to ensure he is healthy and has since been released into the the Sanctuary.
 
Over the christmas period 2019 an elephant bull made various visists to the vicinity of Swakopmund and eventually decided to stay along the Swakop River near the Rossmund Golf Club Estate over the past few months. Officials of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MET) and the Namibian police along with other emergency services immediately redirected the elephant with the distinctive torn left ear inland towards the Omaruru district. While there, the 25 year old elephant was successfully collared by the MET in January 2020, so that wardens are able monitor its movements. The MET expected the elephant to stay somewhere between Uis and Spitzkoppe along the Omaruru River and not come back to the coastal town of Swakopmund, but for some reasons the elephant seemed to have loved the area along the Swakop River better and returned in February 2020. The MET than decided to let the elephant stay there for the time beeing, monitor him and to assist the elephant to find a home.

Since February 2020, the bull roamed the area around the Rossmund Golf Club Estate and was closely monitored by the MET. During this time, the elephant became too comfortable around the Golf Estate, where it was seen moving between houses and breaking trees. To avoid conflict with the public, the elephant was darted and tranquilised on 18 April 2020 and successfully relocated to to the N/a'an ku sê Wildlife Sanctuary near Windhoek on 18 April 2020, where he has joined two younger bulls.

Coronavirus pandemic: Namibia extends the lockdown and enforces it countrywide!

Namibia's President Hage Geingob announced in a televised address to the nation on 14 April 2020 not only that the lockdown to contain the spread of the coronavirus has been extended until midnight on 04 May 2020, but also that the restrictions on movements, which previously applied to the Khomas region (including Windhoek), the Erongo region (including Swakopmund and Walvis Bay) as well as the towns of Okahandja and Rehoboth, will be enforced countrywide. Namibia has 16 confirmed cases (as of 15 Apri 2020) of the coronavirus with no report of new infections for the past week.

Coronavirus pandemic: Namibia to go into partial lockdown! [update]

update (14 April 2020): Namibia's President Hage Geingob just announced that the partial lockdown in the country will be extended from midnight on 17 April 2020 to midnight on 04 May 2020. Namibia will effectively re-open on 05 May 2020; movement within the whole country will be restricted until then.

The Government of Namibia has announced that parts of the country will go into lockdown from midnight 27 March 2020 until midnight 16 April 2020 as a measure to stem the spread of the coronavirus. These parts include the Khomas region (including Windhoek), the Erongo region (including Swakopmund and Walvis Bay) as well as the towns of Okahandja and Rehoboth. Under the lockdown, people will not be allowed to leave their homes except for visits to pharmacies, food supply stores, courts, banks, for medical reasons and for physical exercise in groups of not more than three persons. All shops and businesses will get closed except those classified as essential or critical services.

Namibia: Swakopmund to ban the usage of plastic bags!

The Swakopmund Municipality is set to approve the implementation of a by-law to ban plastic bags. This means that the use of plastic bags will not be allowed in Swakopmund from March 2018. The long term goal is the complete termination of plastic bags, but the current focus will initially be reducing its use to promote the utilisation of re-usable and biodegradable bags, which are already available in several stores in town.

The Swakopmund Municipality will also introduce a certain levy, which will be charged to shoppers and anyone found using plastic bags.

Namibia: Donkey Bay received it's first good waves for the year! (drone video)

Donkey Bay (or Skeleton Bay), located just outside of Walvis Bay on your way out to Pelican Point and actually not too far from Swakopmund, is known for having one of the world's best waves to surf. The Bay received it's first good waves for the year some days ago, so Bernt Bruns, a local from Swakopmund, took his drone up in the sky and filmed the video below... Stunning! Kudos Bernt!

Best of Donkey Bay: May 2017 from BX3D on Vimeo.

The wave at Skeleton Bay was kown to Namibian surfers for many years, but only became internationally acclaimed when American surfer Brian Gable submitted the spot as an entry to Surfing Magazine's "Google Earth Challenge 2" competition in 2007.

Badlands: BMX journey into Southwest Africa (Video)

Red Bull teamed up with BMX heavy hitters Sergio Layos, Kriss Kyle, Greg Illingworth, Russell Barone and Alex Kennedy to embark on a 4,000 km (2,500-mile) journey across South Africa and Namibia. Accompanied by filmer Rich Forne and photographer George Marshall, the five BMXers found what they came looking for - uncharted riding spots in Cape Town, Kimberley (South Africa), Swakopmund and Windhoek (Namibia). Kudos to the BMXers, Red Bull and, of course, the camera crew. Enjoy!

Namibia: New Swakopmund image film!

The Swakopmund Municipality has, in cooperation with print and digital media company Legends of Africa, produced a new image film about the town of Swakopmund. The 15-minute film focuses on all that Swakopmund has to offer, from activities to services, accommodation to development. Enjoy!

Video: A trip to Namibia (Winter 2013)

Freelance videographer Luke Pallet, his mum and his cousin took a trip to Namibia this winter. Luke filmed their entire trip with his GoPro and made the footage available online. Kudos, Luke, for such a great impression of Namibia. I am damn sure that you don't want to miss the video, so switch it to fullscreen, put your headphones on and enjoy!

Winter Namibia 2013 from Luke Pallett on Vimeo.

btw: the brillitan background music is the track "Ends of Earth" by Lord Huron!

Namibia featured in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue 2013

Namibia got featured as one of the photo locations in the 2013 edition of the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, which just got released. On location in Namibia, the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models were photographed in the following locations:

• the world's highest dunes at Sossusvlei
• the white clay pan and the skeletons of approx. 900 year-old camelthorn trees at Deadvlei near Sossusvlei
• the ghost town of Kolmanskop
• Swakopmund's Coastal Dunes
• the Wolwedans Dunes Lodge in the NamibRand Nature Reserve

The 50th anniversary editon of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue covers the entire world, with 17 swimsuit models journeying to all seven continents. The Swimsuit issue is available online via Sports Illustrated or via amazon.com.