Excursion en 4x4 à Sandwich Harbour - Là où le désert du Namib rencontre l'océan Atlantique
Nous vous proposons les MEILLEURES activités à faire à Walvis Bay
Visites privées • Voyages photo spécialisés • Safaris • Excursions à terre • Petits groupes • Circuit guidé en voiture à Sandwich Harbour • Safaris à Etosha
Réservez votre aventure avec nous, les experts de confiance !
Vivez une expérience inoubliable lors de notre excursion en 4x4 à Sandwich Harbour avec Red Dune Safaris Namibia, où les majestueuses dunes dorées du désert du Namib rencontrent les vagues déferlantes de l'océan Atlantique. Au départ de Walvis Bay, nos excursions guidées vous emmènent pour un voyage riche en adrénaline à travers le parc national de Namib-Naukluft, offrant des panoramas à couper le souffle et des opportunités photographiques exceptionnelles. Des lacs roses de la raffinerie de sel de Walvis Bay à la lagune RAMSAR peuplée de flamants roses, en passant par la conduite palpitante dans les dunes, nos guides experts vous garantissent une aventure sûre et mémorable. Que vous optiez pour une excursion guidée en autonomie ou un safari de luxe en 4x4, vous savourerez un délicieux pique-nique accompagné de vin pétillant au cœur du plus vieux désert du monde. Découvrez pourquoi nous sommes une référence pour les excursions à Sandwich Harbour et admirez par vous-même ce paysage spectaculaire où les dunes rencontrent la mer.
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT SANDWICH HARBOUR
Sandwich Harbour can be visited throughout the year.
However, conditions vary considerably depending on:
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Tides
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Wind
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Ocean swell
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Fog
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Season
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Bird migration
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Weather
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Sand conditions
Birdwatchers may particularly enjoy periods when migratory birds are present in large numbers.
Photographers can find excellent conditions throughout the year because the interaction of sunlight, fog, clouds and coastal haze constantly changes the appearance of the landscape.
There is no single "perfect" day.
That is part of the magic of Sandwich Harbour.
WHY IS SANDWICH HARBOUR CALLED A "HIDDEN GEM"?
Despite its international ecological importance, Sandwich Harbour remains remarkably wild.
There is no large resort.
There are no rows of restaurants.
There is no city skyline.
There are no conventional tourist attractions.
Instead, there are dunes, ocean, birds, wind, salt, sand and silence.
The experience is about entering a landscape that feels untouched and discovering the stories hidden beneath it.
15 FASCINATING SANDWICH HARBOUR FACTS
1. Sandwich Harbour is a Ramsar Wetland.
It was designated Ramsar Site No. 743 on 23 August 1995.
2. The Ramsar site covers approximately 16,500 hectares.
3. Archaeological sites in the area date back at least 1,000 years.
4. Sandwich Harbour was once used for commercial activities including fishing and guano collection.
5. The harbour eventually became too affected by shifting sand and changing coastal conditions for large-scale commercial use.
6. An artificial guano island was created in an attempt to increase guano production.
7. Jackals were reportedly able to reach the island at low tide and disturb the birds.
8. Sandwich Harbour is one of Namibia's most important coastal wetlands.
9. An official Ramsar count recorded 179,000 wading birds in February 1991.
10. A 2013 summer wetland count recorded 255,633 birds at Sandwich Harbour.
11. Eight endangered or threatened bird species are associated with the Ramsar site.
12. Flamingos can gather in spectacular numbers around the wetlands.
13. The wetland receives water from underground aquifer systems as well as tidal influence in different sections.
14. The coastline is constantly reshaped by tides, currents, waves, storms and wind-blown sand.
15. Sandwich Harbour is one of the rare places where the Namib Desert and Atlantic Ocean create an almost surreal landscape of dunes, ocean and wetland in one location.
SANDWICH HARBOUR FAQ
How far is Sandwich Harbour from Walvis Bay?
Sandwich Harbour is approximately 55–65 kilometres south of Walvis Bay, depending on the route and point being measured.
Can you visit Sandwich Harbour without a 4x4?
The area is a demanding coastal and desert environment. A capable 4x4 and experienced local knowledge are strongly recommended, particularly for the beach and sand sections.
Is Sandwich Harbour inside the Namib-Naukluft National Park?
Yes. Sandwich Harbour forms part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park.
Is Sandwich Harbour a Ramsar Site?
Yes. Sandwich Harbour was designated Ramsar Site No. 743 on 23 August 1995.
Why is Sandwich Harbour important?
It is important because it combines a highly unusual desert wetland ecosystem with internationally significant bird habitat, archaeological sites and a fascinating maritime and industrial history.
Can you see flamingos at Sandwich Harbour?
Yes. Flamingos are among the most famous birds found at Sandwich Harbour. Numbers vary according to season and environmental conditions.
How many birds are at Sandwich Harbour?
Bird numbers vary significantly. An official count recorded 179,000 wading birds in February 1991, while a 2013 summer wetland count recorded 255,633 birds.
What other birds can you see?
Depending on season, visitors may see flamingos, pelicans, terns, gulls, cormorants, plovers, sandpipers and other wetland and migratory birds.
Is Sandwich Harbour a real harbour?
Historically, yes. Sandwich Harbour was used as a harbour and anchorage and supported fishing, sealing and guano-related activities. Today it is primarily a protected wilderness and wetland.
Why did the harbour disappear?
Shifting sand, changing sandbars and coastal processes gradually reduced its usefulness as a commercial harbour.
When was Sandwich Harbour declared a Ramsar Site?
23 August 1995.
Is Sandwich Harbour good for photography?
Yes. The combination of dunes, ocean, wetland, birds, reflections and dramatic coastal light makes it one of Namibia's most spectacular photography locations.
Can I visit Sandwich Harbour from Swakopmund?
Yes. Many visitors staying in Swakopmund travel to Walvis Bay first and then continue south towards Sandwich Harbour.
Can cruise passengers visit Sandwich Harbour?
Yes. Sandwich Harbour can be visited as a shore excursion from Walvis Bay.
Can I combine Sandwich Harbour with Pelican Point?
Yes. Combining Sandwich Harbour with Pelican Point creates an excellent desert-and-ocean day experience, subject to time, tides and tour conditions.
Is Sandwich Harbour suitable for families?
Yes, provided visitors understand that this is a remote wilderness experience involving a long 4x4 journey and changing conditions.
Is Sandwich Harbour open all year?
The destination can be visited throughout the year, but access and the exact route can be affected by tides, weather, ocean conditions and conservation requirements.
THE SANDWICH HARBOUR EXPERIENCE WITH RED DUNE SAFARIS NAMIBIA
At Red Dune Safaris Namibia, we believe Sandwich Harbour should be experienced rather than simply photographed.
Our local guides combine the thrill of a 4x4 desert adventure with the stories that make this landscape extraordinary.
During a Sandwich Harbour tour, we don't just show you the dunes.
We explain:
Why the dunes are here.
Why there is a wetland in one of the driest environments on Earth.
Why thousands of birds gather here.
How the harbour was once used by people and ships.
What happened to the old commercial harbour.
Why the coastline continues to move.
How tides determine access.
And why this fragile landscape needs to be protected.
Whether you are visiting Namibia for the first time, travelling from Swakopmund or Walvis Bay, photographing wildlife, arriving by cruise ship or looking for a private desert adventure, Sandwich Harbour offers an experience unlike anywhere else in Namibia.
BOOK YOUR SANDWICH HARBOUR TOUR
Experience Namibia's Wild Beauty
Join Red Dune Safaris Namibia for an unforgettable journey from Walvis Bay into one of Namibia's most extraordinary coastal landscapes.
Explore the dunes.
Meet the Atlantic.
Discover the lagoon.
Watch flamingos and other coastal birds.
Learn the history of the forgotten harbour.
Experience the power of the Namib Desert.
And discover why Sandwich Harbour is one of Namibia's most remarkable natural and historical destinations.
SANDWICH HARBOUR TOURS FROM WALVIS BAY
Guided 4x4 Tours | Private Tours | Photography Tours | Shore Excursions | Pelican Point Combinations | Self-Drive Experiences
Red Dune Safaris Namibia
Experience Namibia's Wild Beauty.
DISCOVER MORE ABOUT SANDWICH HARBOUR
Explore our specialist Sandwich Harbour experiences:
→ Sandwich Harbour 4x4 Tour
→ Private Sandwich Harbour Tour
→ Sandwich Harbour Photography Tour
→ Sandwich Harbour & Pelican Point
→ Sandwich Harbour Shore Excursion
→ Guided Self-Drive Sandwich Harbour
→ Walvis Bay Tours
→ Namibia Desert Photography Tours
THE DEFINITIVE SANDWICH HARBOUR GUIDE
If you are researching Sandwich Harbour Namibia, this page brings together the destination's:
History + Geography + Archaeology + Wildlife + Birdlife + Geology + Wetlands + Conservation + Photography + 4x4 Access + Tides + Tours + Cruise Excursions
All in one place.
Sandwich Harbour is not simply a dune destination.
It is a living coastal ecosystem, an archaeological landscape, a former harbour, a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, an important bird habitat and one of the most spectacular places where the Namib Desert meets the Atlantic Ocean.
Welcome to Sandwich Harbour, Namibia.
Explore it with Red Dune Safaris Namibia.
