A key stop in most Namibia self-drive itineraries, the small town of Swakopmund has been quietly reinventing itself over the past few years, with a thriving arts scene and small bistro cafes and some top-class restaurants.

For us, the real draw to spend time in Swakopmund (apart from a welcome break from the dusty roads between Sossuvlei and the attractions of Northern Namibia!) is the chance to explore the surrounding desert and coastline extensively. For active, intrepid travellers, kayaking with the seal population at Pelican Point is a must (a catamaran cruise is equally fun if you prefer), channel your inner David Attenborough on a living desert tour, or hear the dunes roar during a tour of nearby Sandwich Harbour (in fact the these are the largest dunes in Namibia). On the outskirts, the seals of Cape Cross, the quaint town of Walvis Bay and the Zeila shipwreck are all attractions in their own right.