NAMIBIA: Solitaire and Walvis Bay

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April 30, 2021

This route of about 300 km is made by the C19 to reach the Solitaire gas station, and then we will follow the C14 to Walvis Bay, a town located on the Atlantic coast where we can enjoy its sunset, the its salt marshes and pink flamingos by the ocean.

The route of the C14 (read here how the roads in Namibia are cataloged) is a gravel route with a lonely road in the middle of mountains, dry rivers and a spectacular desert landscape. A very nice route to do in peace and stop to take some photos of the landscape.

Landscape between Solitaire and Walvis Bay

Just before reaching Walvis Bay, we will pass by some large salt marshes and also different dunes (located north of the Namib-Naukluft park) where you can do different activities such as sandboarding and desert routes (you can go to see the meeting of the desert with the sea with an organized excursion).

 Walvis Bay is a reunion with the sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It is a town near Swakopmund where we find all kinds of services (accommodation, restaurants on the seafront, tourist office …). It is one of the most important commercial ports in Namibia and a quieter place than the neighboring Swakopmund. We slept at Lagoon Chalets and Camping (Price 100 NAD per person plus 150 NAD per vehicle) and went to eat a good seafood at a port restaurant.

Walvis Bay Harbor Restaurant

Places to visit:

–      SOLITAIRE -> 80 km from Sesriem, Solitaire is a petrol station in the middle of the desert. It is a charming vintage place because when you are there you are transported back in time about 100 years ago. It was the only place available to put petrol on the desert route, and there are several old abandoned cars that create a special atmosphere. Above all, try their “Apfelstrudel” in the cafeteria, which is a delicious apple pie.

Abandoned cars in Solitaire and the Apple Pie!

–   TROPIC OF CAPRICORN -> Following the C14, you will find the sign for the Tropic of Capricorn crossing Namibia. This tropic crosses 10 countries, including Namibia. The Tropic of Capricorn is the tropic of the Southern Hemisphere and is the southern line that crosses.

 

Tropic of Capricorn

 –WALVIS BAY -> Small maritime town located a few kilometers from neighboring Swakopmund. In Walvis Bay we find an area of ​​salt flats of 35,000 Ha (corresponds to 90% of the total salt of South Africa) with a range of beautiful red colors, and from where you can see many pink flamingos right next to the Ocean. Highly recommended to visit during the sunset, as it is set on the horizon of the ocean.

Salt flats and flamingos in Walvis Bay

PELICAN POINT ->Area for visiting sea lions on the Atlantic coast, near Walvis Bay. You need a 4×4 as you cross a part of the desert to access it. We didn’t go because we decided to visit the sea lions at Cape Cross, located further north.

  

DUNA 7 -> Walvis Bay is the starting point to visit Namibia’s highest dune at 383 meters where you can enjoy great views of the Namib Desert and various activities such as sandboarding. To get there, from Solitaire Road, just before you reach Walvis Bay, turn right and that road will take you to Dune 7. 

Sunset at Walvis Bay
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