Sandwich Harbour 4x4

Where dunes and ocean meet

Sandwich Habour 4 x4 is a Safari company based in Walvis Bay, Namibia. We specialise in informative and exciting 4x4 excursions to the magnificent Namib Dunes and the contasting Atlantic Ocean. We offer a variaty of activties around Walvis Bay which includes our famous Trip to Sandwich Harbour (Full Day Sandwich Harbour 4x4 Excursion), our Marine Dune Day, the Kayak Combos and Bird Watching Activities in the Wetlands.

Just enjoy!

Contact: Sandwich Harbour 4x4

Naudé and Katja Dreyer
Reservations:
Tel: +264 (0) 64 207 663
Fax: +264 (0) 64 207 593
Cell: +264 (0) 81 147 3933
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.sandwich-harbour.com
NTB-No: ACT 00111

Rates: Click here for Rates 2011 & 2012

Location

Walvis Bay, Namibia

Full Day Sandwich Harbour 4x4 Excursion

Sandwich Harbour, part of the Namib Naukluft Park, is a place many have heard of but very few have ever visited. Giant sand dunes run straight into the ocean, creating breathtaking sceneries and unique landscapes, just waiting to be discovered! Our tour starts every morning at 10h00 at the Sandwich Harbour 4x4 office in Walvis Bay. After a short break at the Walvis Bay Lagoon to see masses of flamingoes, the drive to Sandwich takes us to the first dunes and the Kuiseb river delta, a dry riverbed where the odd springbok may still be seen. Beautiful dunes have to be crossed to get to Sandwich Harbour. If weather and tides allow, we will drive right to the Sandwich Harbour Lagoon, one of Southern Africa’s richest and unique wetlands. Wedged between the sea and the Namib Dunes, potable water seeping from the underground aquifer sustains the freshwater vegetation at the base of the dunes. If our vehicles cannot drive all along the beach to get to Sandwich Harbour because of the tides, you will have the time to walk 4-5 km. Alternatively, you will get a chance to see the lagoon area from one of our many beautiful lookout spots.

When it becomes time to enjoy something to eat, your guide simply finds a suitable place to stop and serves a light lunch including a selection of snacks, salad and breadt with sparkling wine, oysters and drinks. We usually do this on top of a high dune overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, or on the beach. A folding table, chairs and a tablecloth come out, and we are ready to serve!

The route homewards will be done testing the power of the vehicles on the dunes, the highlight being the 65m high Roaring Dune, giving you exceptional viewpoints on the return to Walvis Bay by 16h30.

Birdwatching in the Walvis Bay Wetlands

Walvis Bay is one of the premier coastal wetlands in Southern Africa and a stopover for most of the Migrating Birds traveling between Europe and Southern Africa. Between mudflats and artificial saltpans, it can be home to up to 100 000 Water birds. The lagoon and surrounding wetlands are a RAMSAR Site, no motorized activities are allowed on the water. We get a chance to see the birds in a calm and undisturbed environment.

Our Birdwatching Tour departs at 8h30 from the Sandwich Harbour 4x4 office in 4x4 driven vehicles, as large parts of the route are inaccessible to normal vehicles. We take a slow drive around the lagoon towards the mudflats. Depending on the time of the year, we get a chance to spot up to 70.000 lesser and greater flamingoes at a time in the lagoon area. The lagoon is also home to a wide variety of waders including various sandpipers, different species of plovers and pelicans.

We then enter sedimentation pans of the Walvis Bay Saltmines. This area is very rich in nutrients in muddy plankton deposits that draw in many local breeding, as well as migratory birds. Chances here are good to spot Phalaropes, Grebes, and a wide variety of Terns, including the rare Damara Tern. From here we travel along the beach and head up to Pelican Point to view the large Cape Fur Seal colony, and possibly get a chance to see our resident Osprey, as well as a group of African Black Oystercatchers that frequent this area.

Depending on weather and time, we have the option of returning through the Kuiseb River Delta where we might encounter the Dune Lark, Sabota Lark or the Orange River White Eye. Late morning at one of our viewpoints we will refresh ourselves with some rolls, soft drinks and coffee or tea. Return time will be between 12h30 and 13h00. Afternoon departures can be arranged on request.

Please note that weather conditions vary from day to day and most bird sightings are strictly dependent on weather and time of year. Please bring warm clothes and your own binoculars, scopes and birding books as we can only supply limited amounts.

Marine Dune Day

The Marine Dune Day gives you the ultimate combination of a leisure cruise on the Atlantic Ocean, a delicious lunch on the beach or in the dunes, and a 4x4 ride in the breathtaking Sandwich Harbour Area of the Namib Naukluft Park.

The day starts with a Marine Cruise with Mola Mola Safaris in the Morning at 9h00. You get a chance to see flying pelicans, seals, the Walvis Bay Harbour, old boat wrecks, dolphins and – during season – even whales and turtles! Around 11h30, your skipper will drop you off at a deserted beach at the Jetty at Pelican Point, where your Sandwich Harbour 4x4 guide will meet you with one of our Landrovers. From there, we begin our Sandwich Harbour Excursion to see the Kuiseb River Delta, flamingoes, the saltpans and the wetlands just north of the Sandwich Harbour Lagoon. If weather and tides allow, we will drive right to the Sandwich Harbour Lagoon, one of Southern Africa’s richest and unique wetlands. If our vehicles cannot drive all along the beach to get to Sandwich Harbour because of the tides, you will have the time to walk 4-5 km. Alternatively, you will get a chance to see the lagoon area from one of our many beautiful lookout spots.

We have lots of time to stop along the way for pictures, when we cross the big dunes in Sandwich Harbour. As soon as you get a bit hungry, your guide will stop and dish up a light meal with snacks and salads, and of course oysters and sparkling wine. Don’t be shy – our oysters are amongst the best in the world!

On the way back we will cross more giant dunes, including the big roaring dunes, before we return to Walvis around 16h30. A day so good – you wish you had done this a long time ago!

Kayak Combo

The Kayak Combo is the combination of the Eco-Marine Kayaking Tour with Jeanne, a delicious lunch on the beach or in the dunes, and a 4x4 ride in the breathtaking Sandwich Harbour Area of the Namib Naukluft Park.

The day starts with Kayaking with Jeanne from Eco-Marine Kayaking. Meeting point is the Sandwich Harbour 4x4 office at 7h45. Jeanne will take you to Pelican Point for some kayaking with a seal colony and – if you are lucky – even dolphins! You can choose between single or double kayaks. Jeanne will use her waterproof camera to take pictures of you to email you later.

Around 11h30, your Sandwich Harbour 4x4 guide will meet you with one of our Landrovers at the Kayaking Spot. From there, we begin our Sandwich Harbour Excursion to see the Kuiseb River Delta, flamingoes, the saltpans and the wetlands just north of the Sandwich Harbour Lagoon. If weather and tides allow, we will drive right to the Sandwich Harbour Lagoon, one of Southern Africa’s richest and unique wetlands. If our vehicles cannot drive all along the beach to get to Sandwich Harbour because of the tides, you will have the time to walk 4-5 km. Alternatively, you will get a chance to see the lagoon area from one of our many beautiful lookout spots.

We have lots of time to stop along the way for pictures, when we cross the big dunes in Sandwich Harbour. As soon as you get a bit hungry, your guide will stop and dish up a light meal with snacks and salads, and of course oysters and sparkling wine. Don’t be shy – our oysters are amongst the best in the world! On the way back we will cross more giant dunes, including the big roaring dunes, before we return to Walvis Bay around 16h30.

Gallery