Skeleton Coast Safari

The Skeleton Coast with her strong Atlantic currents and swirling fog has sent many a ship to an early grave. This remote area with her changing moods is one of the most isolated areas in the whole of Africa, and she is waiting for you to explore her wonders of nature.

A wilderness like no other awaits, the park is 500 km long starting at the Ugab River in the South to the Kunene River in the North. This is a place of beauty and tranquillity where one will find the true meaning of solitude. The park is known for its scenic beauty, endless landscapes with colourful plains, mountains, and dunes.

The Ugab, Uniab, Hoanib, Hoarusib, and Khumib rivers are essential to the park and the ecology. These oases are the subsistence for the Gemsbok, Springbok, Cape Fur Seals, Ostrich, Brown Hyena, Leopard, and Jackals. One will also find the endangered Desert Lion, Black Rhino and Desert Adapted Elephants along the river beds.

Join us for a real unique Skeleton Coast Safari through this untamed wilderness, where one can still see minerals covering the sand and mountains, massive dunes stretching all the way to the Kunene River. Shipwrecks have a story to tell.

Day 1: Swakopmund

• We depart Windhoek heading towards Swakopmund.
• You can meet us in Swakopmund if you are in the area.
• Meals: lunch and dinner included
• Accommodation: Rapmund Lodge (or similar accommodation)

Day 2: Skeleton Coast National Park

• Leaving Swakopmund early morning, we head north towards the entrance of the Skeleton Coast National Park.
• We stop at the Uniab Delta where will take a 30-minute walk towards an unexpected waterfall.
• Many varieties of birds can be found in the reeds –encircled waterhole.
• After lunch we continue north passing through the Hoanib river until we reach Terrace Bay, this will be our last fuel stop for the next week or so.
• Mowe Bay is our overnight stop with the Atlantic Oceans crashing nearby.
• Meals: All meals
• Accommodation: Camping

Day 3: Skeleton Coast National Park

• After a warm breakfast, we continue north.
• Many interesting stops will be made along the way, especially the engine and remains of the Ventura Bomber that crashed after a fail rescue attempt in 1942.
• Entering the Hoarusib river we might come across herds of Oryx and Springbok.
• This river is also famous for Black Rhino, Desert Adapted Elephants, Brown Hyenas, and the very rare Desert Lions.
• After exploring the Hoarusib, we continue towards Khumib River where we will overnight.
• Meals: All meals
• Accommodation: Camping

Day 4: Skeleton Coast National Park

• Leaving the beautiful Khumib Valley, we continue north.
• Today’s drive will take us through the most colourful landscapes in the park.
• The area is susceptible, and we take well care of not leaving footprints behind.
• We stop at the Sarusa mine, the mine is no longer operational, but one can still see many quartz and amethyst crystals scattered everywhere.
• Not far from here we stop at Sarusa spring, which is an important water point for Oryx, Springbok, Brown Hyena, Ostrich and at times even Lion.
• After stopping at Agate Mountain, we set up camp for the night.
• Camping including all meals.
• Meals: All meals
• Accommodation: Camping

Day 5: Skeleton Coast National Park

• Today is mostly beach driving.
• We pass Angra Fria; destined to become a harbour during the 1960’s they decided that the area was just too uninhabitable.
• Further north we reach the remains of the Dunedin Star and one of the shelters that the survivors stayed in.
• Not much of the wreckage is visible but listening to the rescue mission will make one understand why this is called the "Skeleton Coast."
• We reach the Kunene mouth around lunch.
• The Kunene originates in the Angola Highlands and paths her way through desert and mountains where it forms a delta in the Atlantic Ocean.
• The river with plenty of freshwater fish, Nile Crocodiles, Green Turtles and Soft Shell Turtles.
• After Exploring the mouth, we head east into the dune belt.
• We camp near the bank of the river in the dune belt.
• Meals: All meals
• Accommodation: Camping

Day 6: Skeleton Coast National Park

• Today is our last day in the park.
• We continue east; the day is mostly spent manoeuvring our way through the spectacular desert scenery.
• There will be plenty of stops as the guides always have to stop to read the changing dunes and what lies behind them.
• Herds of Oryx are a common sight in the dunes as they make their way down to the river.
• We settle for the night close to Sierra Cafema Falls.
• Meals: All meals
• Accommodation: Camping

Day 7: Hartmann Valley

• The morning starts with a scenic drive through the Hartmann Valley.
• As we continue west, we stop at an OvaHimba village to learn the ways of their Nomadic existence
• We continue south heading back into the Khumib Valley where we will set up camp for the night.
• Meals: All meals
• Accommodation: Camping

Day 8: Hoarusib River

• Staying off the beaten track, we head south to the Hoarusib River.
• Once again we enter the territory of the Desert Elephants, lions, cheetah, leopard and Hyena.
• Passing Hoarusib Canyon, we reach the small town of Purros where we will overnight at the community campsite.
• Meals: All meals
• Accommodation: Camping

Day 9: Hoanib River

• Leaving the Hoarusib river we cross into the Hoanib River, the Hoanib is a haven for Desert elephant, lions, leopard, giraffe, Oryx and the endangered Black Rhino.
• After a good day of exploring the river, we set up camp on its banks.
• Meals: All meals
• Accommodation: Camping

Day 10: Palmwag

• Today we continue towards Palmwag, passing through the Etendeka Plateau and the landscape changes dramatically to red basalt.
• The area has its unique flora, and Hartmann Mountain Zebras are common sighting along the road.
• Palmwag Lodge or similar (All Meals).
• Meals: All meals
• Accommodation: Palmwag Lodge (or similar accommodation)

Day 11: Brandberg

• Today we head towards Twyfelfontein; we visit the Twyfelfontein Rock art site and Organ pipes.
• We enjoy our last night camping close to the Brandberg.
• Camping including all meals.
• Meals: All meals
• Accommodation: Camping

Day 12: Safari Ends

•  Arriving in Windhoek around 13H00.
• Meals: Breakfast Only