G'day guys, just doing my research. We're all keen to relax for a few days somewhere nice on the coast where those big red dunes meet the ocean. Anything like that you'd recommend? Ideally situated away from any hustle-and-bustle. Thanks!

Swakopmund is the place to hang out if you want coast and dunes. It's an easy drive from Windhoek and there are plenty of places to stay (and a few that you want to avoid as they are getting a little run down). Great food in Swakopmund and good shopping areas if you are into that.

Walvis Bay is little more industrial and your choices in nice places is very limited. Same for Henties Bay.

Drive 2 miles inshore and you are in the desert with plenty of dunes and activities. Swakopmund sits in between the Skeleton Coast park to the north and the Namib Desert park to the south. You can spend days driving these areas and see plenty of game certain times of the year.

Many folks drive from Windhoek to Swakopmund for a few days and then up north through the Skeleton Coast park to Kamanjob into the Western Etosha Gate through the park to Okaukuejo and back to Windhoek. Takes about 4 to 5 days depending and there are lots of great places to stay along the way and the accommodations within the park are first class. If you need specific places to say, drop me a PM and I will be happy to map out some ideas for you.

Namibia is safe to drive as there is not a lot of traffic on the roads, however, avoid the weekends if possible due to a plethora of drink drivers. No Bueno.

Swapkopmund is wonderful. The food and shopping are great. Jerry Hoover

Another recommendation for Swakopmund.

Swakopmund has been called "Africa's Carmel Bay" for a reason. If you want to stay downtown, the Hotel Hansa runs about $135 US a night. About a mile up the beach is the Swakopmund Sands, which runs about $100 a night, and has microwave, fridge and wi-fi. Take the half day tour of the Namib desert with "Charley's Tours". You MUST eat at the Brauhaus. A complete filet mignon dinner, with asparagus, hollandaise sauce, and potato costs UNDER $7.00 US (82 Namibian $). That's MacDonald's pricing for a well cooked steak.

As above Swakopmund is great - you might also want to look at Cape Cross Lodge - further up the coast (about a couple of hours IFRC) but the road is good. Sunsets are amazing.

The Strand is one of the newest additions to Swakop. Beautiful property and great views of the ocean and bay.