Jaunted

Swakopmund may be Namibians' destination of choice for summer fun. It's sandy beaches and view of the Atlantic, as well as seafood restaurants and German resort-like feel make it the ideal place for a break from the desert life. But even during the town's off-season (which happens to be peak season in the rest of the country) there's plenty to do--in the air and at sea. Just be sure to pack warm clothes, and maybe even a winter hat, since the breeze from the ocean can get bitterly cold at night.

At Sea:
Water sport enthusiasts will love Kayak Swakop. The husband-wife team runs their own "namyak" (Namabian kayak) tours out of nearby Walvis Bay. Transport to the inlet, with scenic views of the famous dunes, saltpans and the Atlantic coastline at sunrise, is included for groups of four or more. Breakfast of homemade muffins and tea or coffee is served in the sand en route to the launch point and a hearty (and again, homemade) picnic lunch comes at the end of the adventure.

The morning-long experience includes a few hours in both the ocean and bay, paddling among hundreds of seals from two different colonies. Kayakers have a chance to chase dolphins, and in June or July, even whale watch. Kayak Swakop offers an up close look at these playful sea creatures, like the families of seals we spotted. And guides are so knowledgeable and friendly, you'll walk away feeling like the N$440 ($57) price tag was a steal.

Warm clothes are a must for the trip to the windy coast, but Kayak Swakop provides clothes, shoes, hats and even sunscreen. It's a trip that provides a bit of adventure, a lot of exercise, some delicious food, a scenic ride and even some education, since guides are likely to point out greater and lesser flamingo colonies, as well as some of Namibia's rarest birds along the way.

In the Air:
If water sports aren't your thing, there's always Blue Skies skydiving. For less than N$2,000 ($261), travelers can experience the thrill of jumping out of a plane over the other Atlantic coast into the deserts of Namibia. It's the perfect place for a seasoned jumper to test his skills, but it's also ideal for the newbie who wants some serious adventure. That's because the pristine view--one without houses or cars--makes it difficult to judge just how high 13,000 feet is from the ground.

The staff is ultra friendly and fits the extreme sports look to a tee: tanned leather skin, loads of energy and an obvious wild side. While the neon yellow and traffic cone orange jump suits aren't attractive (and don't breathe!), they make first-time jumpers feel like super heroes, only without the super powers. Instructional lessons for tandem teams take less than 10 minutes, then jumpers are loaded into minibuses and taken to their jump point. Six-person planes make this activity less than ideal for big groups, but the five of us managed in two trips without a problem.

Blue Skies offers a DVD record of your jump for around N$400--money well spent on what could easily become the best souvenir of your trip. Plus few things are more fun than gathering in the clubhouse (where lunch and lots of beer are served) to watch friends' horrified faces up close on the big screen.

Related Stories:
· Jaunted Embedded Travel Guide: Namibia [Jaunted]
· Africa Travel coverage [Jaunted]