Tombwa

Tombwa exists because of fish. The cold Benguela current makes this one of the most productive stretches of water on the African coast, and the town, founded as Porto Alexandre, is a working fishing port with drying racks, boats on the sand and processing plants. The setting is what makes it worth the drive: dunes of the Namib come right down to the town and in places advance into it, and the desert runs south from here with almost nothing in it.

What you actually see

• The dunes - Namib sand advancing to the edge of the town and into it.
• The fishing fleet - boats, drying racks and the working harbour.
• The cold current - the Benguela upwelling that supports the whole industry.
• The desert road - the route south into empty dune country.

When to go

May to September is coolest and clearest. Fog off the sea is common in the mornings through most of the year. Rain almost never falls here.

Honest expectations

This is a working town with very little for visitors: one or two guesthouses and few places to eat. Travel further south requires a well-equipped four-wheel drive and fuel planning. Portuguese is essential.

Nearby

Namibe is north on the coast, and Iona National Park is south.